Results for Ulysse Nardin

Hands-On: Ulysse Nardin's Freak S Nomad Blends Old Techniques With Iconic Design

A complex watch turns 23 years old, but it doesn't mean Ulysse Nardin doesn't have some new tricks.

Ulysse Nardin at Watches & Wonders 2024: The Freak S Nomad

Join Wei and Matthieu Haverlan, Managing Director of Ulysse Nardin, as they go through their exciting new novelties for Watches & Wonders 2024: The Freak S Nomad

The Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad Combines Adventurous Contemporary Watchmaking with Old School Craft

Very few things put a smile on my face quite like the Ulysse Nardin Freak. It’s one of the first haute horlogerie watches I can remember encountering, well before watches were ever a hobby or preoccupation,  in a glossy magazine advertisement that I probably saw while waiting for a doctor’s appointment or something else similarly trivial and forgettable. The Freak, though, has stayed with me. How could it not? It’s one of the most cleverly named watches ever made, for one. And its “no dial, no hands, no crown” concept continues to endure, and even after multiple decades of horological innovation surrounding Ulysse Nardin (which they very much had a role in kicking off) it remains every bit as avante-garde, insane, and completely delightful as its always been.  For the third straight year, Ulysse Nardin has brought just one watch to show at Watches & Wonders. The Freak S Nomad, a follow up to 2022’s Freak S, is a futuristic tour-de-force that pays tribute to classical watchmaking at the same time as it shows us something we’ve never quite seen before. The movement, an imposing flying carousel that rotates around its own axis, features two balance wheels posted at a 20 degree incline linked to a vertically integrated differential mounted to ball bearings. Every Freak movement, no matter how advanced or comparatively simple (this one is the most advanced there is) is an exercise in problem solving. When the movement itself is in motion, it adds a whole layer o...

The Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad is high-tech, sci-fi, and steampunk - all at the same time

Clad in titanium and carbon fibre, Ulysse Nardin's most recognisable watch takes on a new look for Watches and Wonders 2024.The post The Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad is high-tech, sci-fi, and steampunk – all at the same time appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Live from WWG 24: the new Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad

UN focuses their attention this year with the release of the UN Freak S Nomad. See our release notes and commentary here.

Introducing: The Ulysse Nardin Freak S 'Nomad'

It's a Freak S sequel appropriate for Dune II, with sandy display to match.

New: Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad

UN releases a Freak with a new release for 2024 - the Freak S Nomad. No dial, no crown and no hands. Return to conceptual origins of The Freak.

First Look - The New Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad, Decked Out in Lightweight Titanium

At this year’s Geneva edition of Watches & Wonders, Ulysse Nardin is introducing a new version of its Freak S with aesthetic updates that make the ingenious, complex, unorthodox watch even more compelling. Introduced by Ulysse Nardin in 2001 under the visionary leadership of the late Rolf Schnyder, the original Freak sparked a wave of […]

Introducing: The Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad - Reinventing Hand-Crafted Avant-Garde

If you’re new to watches and have noticed the big wave of retro love sweeping the world, the Ulysse Nardin Freak will surely shock your system. And it will stun you even more if you are not privy to the fact that this is an ever-evolving creation that is already over 20 years old. That’s […] Visit Introducing: The Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad - Reinventing Hand-Crafted Avant-Garde to read the full article.

The Ulysse Nardin Freak - The Saga of a Scientific Timepiece Part III

An outlandish concept that originally sprang from the mind of Carole Forestier Kasapi, the Ulysse Nardin Freak of 2001 was perfected by Dr Ludwig Oechslin and then made reality thanks to the advent of silicon in watchmaking. Lightweight and magnetism resistant, silicon was used for the escape wheels but that was only the beginning of the story. [This story, the third and final instalment in the series, details the history of silicium, the proprietary Ulysse Nardin silicium hairspring, and the patented Grinder rotor. The Saga of a Scientific Timepiece Part I covers the origins of the Freak, from its conception to realisation, as well as its distinguishing characteristics, namely the inventive movement construction and unique escapement. Part II deals with the evolution of the unique, high-performance escapement.] Silicon, Silicium, Silinvar Now used interchangeably with silicon, silicium is actually French for “silicon”, but now it is also used as the trade name for the proprietary form of silicon used by Ulysse Nardin for movement components, namely silicon with a hard oxide outer layer that gives the material thermocompensating properties. Silicium was developed by Swiss scientific institute Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM) in collaboration with Ulysse Nardin. Notably, the material is also known as Silinvar, which resulted from a separated but related CSEM project backed by a consortium made up of Rolex, Patek Philippe and Swatch Group. As a ...

The Ulysse Nardin Freak - The Saga of a Scientific Timepiece Part II

Having explored the origins of the Ulysse Nardin Freak, from its concept by Carole Forestier Kasapi to its realisation by Dr Ludwig Oechslin, we now turn to the Freak’s more recent innovations, starting with the Dual Ulysse Escapement. [This story explains the evolution of the unique, high-performance escapement of the Freak. Part I, covers the origins of the Freak, from its conception to realisation, as well as its distinguishing characteristics, namely the inventive movement construction and innovative escapement. Part III details the history of silicium, the proprietary Ulysse Nardin silicium hairspring, and the patented Grinder rotor.] A new and improved version of the Dual Direct escapement in the original 2001 Freak, the Dual Ulysse made its debut in 2005 inside the Freak 28’000 V/H, colloquially known as the Freak 2. Slightly larger than the original model but otherwise very similar, the Freak 2 operated at 28,000 beats per hour (4 Hz), a higher frequency than the 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz) of the original Freak. One of the factors which made possible the increase in frequency was the revised escapement christened the Dual Ulysse Escapement. A diagram showing the key parts of the Dual Ulysse Escapement. Image – Ulysse Nardin The Dual Ulysse Escapement Another creation of Dr Oechslin’s, the Dual Ulysse departs from the classical natural escapement à la Breguet that the original Dual Direct Escapement was based on, but it still bears some resemblance to its...

Dave Picks The Best Watches Of 2023: Including Czapek, Behrens, And Ulysse Nardin

A belated welcome to 2024. Now that the dust has settled and we’ve had time to reflect on last year, I wanted to look at my favorite releases from 2023. It was an excellent year for us watch collectors, at least in my opinion. I’ve heard a few people suggest that 2023 was a tamer […] Visit Dave Picks The Best Watches Of 2023: Including Czapek, Behrens, And Ulysse Nardin to read the full article.

The Ulysse Nardin Freak - The Saga of a Scientific Timepiece Part I

Novel ways of telling the time or exhibiting the movement have long been the focus of the avant-garde horologists. Independent watchmakers like Ressence or Urwerk have built their brands on doing away with conventional hands. Such idiosyncratic approaches to watchmaking challenge the traditions of horology, making for a more interesting horological landscape. Even before Urwerk introduced the pioneering three-dimensional cubic hour display in 2005, there was the Ulysse Nardin Freak. Launched in 2001, the Freak literally changed the face of watchmaking by transposing the movement into the dial. Two decades after its launch, the Freak is still regarded as a landmark for its audacity, from both aesthetic and technical perspective. [This story covers the origins of the Freak, from its conception to realisation, as well as its distinguishing characteristics, namely the inventive movement construction and unique escapement. Part II deals with the evolution of the unique, high-performance escapement, while Part III details the history of silicium, the proprietary Ulysse Nardin silicium hairspring, and the patented Grinder rotor.] The origins The beginning of the Freak lay in 1997, when Carole Forestier-Kasapi, then a young and talented movement designer who only recently graduated from technical college, won the Prix de la Fondation Abraham-Louis Breguet, a contest conceived to mark A.-L. Breguet’s 250th birthday that sought to recognise watchmaking ingenuity. Now the head of m...

Three New Watches Celebrate the Year of the Wood Dragon

The Lunar New Year is set to begin on Feb 10th, coinciding with the date of the new moon, which will fall at 22:59 UTC on February 9th. This will be the Year of the Wood Dragon, which is said to bring authority, prosperity, and good fortune. We are in luck, as the good fortune starts early with multiple releases from many brands celebrating the new Lunar Year. Here are three stand out releases.  First up, the Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon. Since 2020, the Blast Tourbillon has been Ulysse Nardin’s symbol of unconventional know-how and for this Lunar New Year, they are quite literally releasing their inner dragon. They have crafted a 5N rose gold hand-sculpted dragon that coils its way around and through the skeletonized “X” structure. The entire case is made of 5N rose gold and DLC coated titanium. Limited to 88 pieces, it is 45mm in diameter and the MSRP of $100,600.  Next up is the Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar. In 2012 Blancpain achieved a world first, with a watch that combined both the complex Chinese calendar and a Gregorian date and moonphase. To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Blancpain has engraved a dragon on the red gold rotor flanked by a red ruby. This ultra complicated movement has 464 individual components on 6 layers and its complexity nearly matches that of a minute repeater. The dial has been created in full fired grand feu enamel, its green color harmonizing with the red gold case. Limited to 50 pieces, it is also 45mm in d...

New releases from Bell & Ross, Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain and more

Brands usher in the Year of the Dragon with varied releases, Seiko does their thing, and a new 'Thrifty Fathoms'.The post New releases from Bell & Ross, Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Ulysse Nardin celebrates Lunar New Year with the Blast Tourbillon Dragon

After getting their Freak on in 2023, UN go for a slightly more conventional approach to the Year of the Dragon.The post Ulysse Nardin celebrates Lunar New Year with the Blast Tourbillon Dragon appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

New: Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon

Independent and Integrated Manufacture Ulysse Nardin release their latest iteration of the Lunar New Year watch in the form of the Blast Tourbillon Dragon. The watch is specially crafted for the Lunar year of the Dragon.

A Month Long Love Affair: Ulysse Nardin Freak X Carbonium

Immediately after the Christmas Wishlist post, Santa Clémence granted writer Stanley's wish to get freaky with the Freak X Carbonium® over the holiday season and it was certainly an exciting journey that will unfold.

The Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Azure and Diver X Skeleton Azure plunge into sustainable luxury

As one of the front-runners in sustainable watchmaking, Ulysse Nardin show off their best use of recycled materials.The post The Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Azure and Diver X Skeleton Azure plunge into sustainable luxury appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Ulysse Nardin Freak One Ops Reporting for Duty in Military Green

Many brands claim to have unique watches in their collection, but one that really owns this claim is Ulysse Nardin’s Freak. At Dubai Watch Week 2023, UN released the Freak One Ops.

Review: Ulysse Nardin Blast Hourstriker

One of Ulysse Nardin’s more obscure models, the Blast Hourstriker is one of the brand’s most interesting watches from a technical perspective. It’s equipped with an in-house, self-winding tourbillon movement plus a hour-striking mechanism on top. And concealed on the back is an amplification system developed with the help of Devialet, the French maker of high-end speakers that was coincidentally founded by a member of the Nardin family that once controlled the eponymous brand. Initial thoughts The Ulysse Nardin (UN) Hourstriker caught my attention in 2019 when the brand debuted the Hourstriker Phantom, the first model featuring the Devialet amplification system. Comprised of both a novel gong fixture and soundboard, the Devialet system arguably ranks alongside the inventions in the Patek Philippe “Advanced Research” Minute Repeater ref. 5750P and Audemars Piguet Supersonnerie as one of the most notable striking innovations on the market today. And the backstory of the Devialet system is surprisingly appropriate: one of Devialet’s co-founders is Emmanuel Nardin, an industrial designer who’s a descendant of Ulysse. The Hourstriker Phantom. Image – Ulysse Nardin The Hourstriker Phantom was short-lived and quickly replaced by the Blast Hourstriker. Even though the Blast Hourstriker is a substantially upgraded watch, most enthusiasts are probably unaware of it, probably because it resembles less complicated models in UN’s catalogue. In the Blast Hourstriker, t...

Talking Freak, food, and more with Ulysse Nardin Chief Growth Officer Matthieu Haverlan

Ulysse Nardin is a brand that has a ton of momentum at present. After a bit of a rocky era under Kering, and with a buyout looming, Ulysse Nardin CEO Patrick Parnaux and senior management would go on to acquire Sowind Group SA in 2022 – leading both Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux to regain full … ContinuedThe post Talking Freak, food, and more with Ulysse Nardin Chief Growth Officer Matthieu Haverlan appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Tactical green for the new Ulysse Nardin Freak One OPS

Ulysse Nardin decks out the Freak One OPS in mil-spec colours.The post Tactical green for the new Ulysse Nardin Freak One OPS appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Ulysse Nardin introduces the Freak ONE OPS

Introducing the Ulysse Nardin Diver Starry Night and Marine Torpilleur

The starry night of the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Moonphase Aventurine

Ever wondered what the night sky looks like out at sea? The UN Marine Torpilleur Moonphase Aventurine brings the starry skies to your wrist.The post The starry night of the Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Moonphase Aventurine appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Ulysse Nardin’s Freak X Gets the Green Treatment

There’s a narrative that has emerged around the Ulysse Nardin Freak over the years that its an extremely niche product, and something of a difficult watch to fully wrap your arms around. It’s strange, yes, even avant-garde, but as I’ve spent more time considering the Freak, I’ve come around to the other side of this story. I wonder, how can anyone not love the Freak? Even if it’s not to your specific taste, the Freak is an original, and one of a handful of truly important designs that would set the stage for a generation of interesting, independent watchmaking that we’re still living through today. The Freak might not be for everyone, but everyone should be able to agree that there’s something special about it.  The latest Freak, the Freak [X OPS] is part of the still relatively new Freak X lineup, a collection that aims to make the watch more approachable. Blake went hands-on with a Freak X here, and both the review and video (complete with commentary from a watchmaker) are worth a look if you’re new to the Freak universe. But the gist of the Freak X is relatively easy to understand: it’s smaller than a traditional Freak, and it has a crown. Historically, the Freak was marketed as a watch with “No Dial, No Hands, No Crown.” A curious rallying cry for sure, and a tough thing to picture. But when you see it, it all (kind of) makes sense. For me, the addition of a crown doesn’t feel like too much of a transgression. The visual impression of the Freak...

Ulysse Nardin Freak X OPS

Ulysse Nardin's Freak X OPS takes the brand's proprietary Magma carbon composite and gives it a camo lookThe post Ulysse Nardin Freak X OPS appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Geneva Watch Days 2023: Ulysse Nardin’s Blast Free Wheel Marquetry harnesses the power of silicon

The Ulysse Nardin Blast Free Wheel Marquetry is the ultimate tribute to silicon

Ulysse Nardin do not always get the credit they are due as a watch manufacture. I bet most of you watching this video were not aware that Ulysse Nardin is an independently owned, vertically integrated manufacture – among the rare few who are able to build their watches fully in house. While certainly versed in … ContinuedThe post The Ulysse Nardin Blast Free Wheel Marquetry is the ultimate tribute to silicon appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.