Results for Ulysse Nardin

Bring a Loupe: A Calabrese Baladin, A Royce Professional Marine, A Universal Genève Jump Hour Regulator, And A BWC Chronograph

Happy Halloween to everyone, and welcome to another Friday. I know there's big, important events going on all over the world—protests in France, elections in Serbia, Brazil, and Israel (and, next week, the US)—but I'm writing this before the outcome of the World Series has been decided, and as a hardcore midwesterner, that's really all I seem capable of focusing on. I hope whatever's snagged your attention is equally riveting. Scorekeeping last week's picks, the Ulysse Nardin passed at auction and is now available direct from the auction house for €12,000. The Certina DS-3 and the Svend Andersen World Time both sell tomorrow, and the Eterna Majtek remains available, with a slight drop in the price. Strays Photo courtesy of Invaluable. If that LIP Mach 2000 caught your eye a few weeks back but you'd like a non-chrono version, here's a gray time-only one. Here's a Zodiac 2547N—the 'poor man's Heuer Carrera'—and if you'd prefer more funk, here's an exotic Sea Wolf Zodiac 722-946 on its original bracelet. Hess Fine Art not only has a fresh-to-market Paul Newman 6239 in its upcoming auction, but also this extremely uncommon Abercrombie and Fitch Rolex Oyster from 1927/28, and if that very old Rolex isn't quite for you, there's always this Rolco (Rolex Company) Oyster instead. This impeccable Movado will be an absolute steal if it stays within its estimate, and from the same auction, this Mathey Tissot triple calendar moonphase in 14k could be a great get, as could thi...

Bring a Loupe: A Certina DS-3 Super PH1000M, A Ulysse Nardin 'Big Aviator' Pilot's Watch, An Eterna "Majetek," And Much More

There's no way to keep up, Baller. It's true. There's too much to do and too little time, and somehow it's another Friday, and before we relax together and look at some interesting watches available over the next week, let's take some comfort in the fact that, here in the States, two small-market teams are squaring off in the World Series. Incredibly, the Brewers ranked 19th in total payroll for 2026, while the Rays ranked 25th. I bring this up only to note that anything is possible, and huge congrats to fans of both teams. Sure seems like it's gonna be an amazing series. Scorekeeping last week's picks, the Boucheron remains available, the Breguet sells today, the IWC Aquatimer passed at auction, and the LIP Paul Newman sold for €820. Strays Photo courtesy of Drouot. Mr Clymer, Mr Wind, and Mr Dunne raised a good point that Jaeger-LeCoultre is still underrated, and while this one's unlikely to be a $1M watch, I can think of a few DuoPlans that look more fetching. For those still seeking a slightly under-the-radar integrated-bracelet sport watch from the 70s and 80s, may I present this Omega 'Alveoles.' Here's a vintage anonymous beauty with an 18k gold case and running seconds at the top rather than the bottom of the dial, and, from the same auction, if there's a better-looking vintage regulator than this Eterna on auction anywhere in the coming week, I haven't seen it. Certina DS-3 Super PH1000M Photo courtesy of The Saleroom. The upcoming Dr Crott auction goes down on ...

Introducing - Ochs und Junior Releases its Perpetual Calendar Holiday Edition 2026

Most high-end perpetual calendars are fragile creatures composed of hundreds of components, delicate levers and springs. The problem with many is that they are susceptible to damage, especially if the crown or pushers are manipulated during the watch’s date-change cycle. Master watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin tackled the problem with the Perpetual Ludwig, developed for Ulysse Nardin […]

Weirdos Or Class Acts? Introducing The Ulysse Nardin Freak One Blue Enamel And Guilloché

Since the watch shocked the world when it first appeared in 2001 and still looks as unconventional and futuristic as ever, the question is fair: are the two new Ulysse Nardin Freak One Blue Enamel and Guilloche watches weirdos or class acts? Well, since one features a guilloché disc with a sunray pattern coated in […] Visit Weirdos Or Class Acts? Introducing The Ulysse Nardin Freak One Blue Enamel And Guilloché to read the full article.

First Look - The New Ulysse Nardin Freak One Blue Enamel and Freak One Guilloché

With Rolf Schynder at the helm, Ulysse Nardin released an unorthodox timepiece in 2001 that smashed conventions and rewrote watchmaking in one fell swoop. With no dial, no hands and no crown, the Freak, master watchmaker Dr Ludwig Oechslin’s renegade watch, indicated time with its linear gear train featured on the dial. The Freak also […]

Ulysse Nardin gives the Freak [ONE] its first taste of decorative arts - in two very different flavours

Ulysse Nardin gives the Freak [ONE] its first taste of decorative arts in two very different flavours: Guilloché and Blue Enamel.

The Fascinating Ulysse Nardin Moonstruck: now back in a new Blast case

Ulysse Nardin reimagined their Blast Moonstruc in a new black DLC titanium and rose gold. The movement remains unchanged from the 2009 release.

Introducing - The Fascinating Ulysse Nardin Blast Moonstruck is back in Rose Gold

Astronomical watches are part of Ulysse Nardin‘s identity, and Dr Ludwig Oechslin, like no other, shaped this chapter of the manufacture’s history. Shortly after entrepreneur Rolf Schnyder acquired the brand in 1983, he challenged the Swiss astronomer, mathematician and watchmaker to create a wristwatch capable of displaying the movements of celestial bodies. The result was […]

New releases from Toledano & Chan, Citizen, Ulysse Nardin and more

In the midst of the European summer, everything seems to slow down, except watch releases. They’re still going strong, with an even wider array of styles this week: conceptual work inspired by architecture from Toledano & Chan, affordable beach-ready pieces from Citizen and Christopher Ward, and more technically impressive models from Ulysse Nardin and H. … Continued

Five High-End Watch Collaborations I’d Love To See Happen

When I went hands-on with the Ulysse Nardin × Urwerk UR-Freak late last year, I walked away genuinely surprised, and that doesn’t happen to me much anymore. I never saw that partnership coming. Ulysse Nardin had never made a collaboration watch in its modern history, and Urwerk has always felt like a creative universe of […] Visit Five High-End Watch Collaborations I’d Love To See Happen to read the full article.

Ulysse Nardin Debuts a New Generation of Freak X

One of the more interesting phenomenons in higher end watches is taking a bold, brash, complex design and deciding to make it simpler and more streamlined. You could argue that this goes against the whole point of such a design, but of course it’s a way for a brand to draw additional, perhaps less adventurous, customers. It also makes for a watch that is more approachable from a financial perspective as well, which is an additional added benefit if you’re trying to grow your customer base of exotic watch buyers used to six figure Super Watches.  The Freak X is maybe my favorite example of this. It begs the impossible question: what is a more sedate Freak, exactly, and why would we want one? I’m a huge Freak fan. It’s importance in the avant-garde and independent watchmaking world simply cannot be underestimated. But, I think we all have to admit, it’s a tough watch to get your arms around in its traditional Freak form. It’s crownless, dial-less, hand-less, and is that rare watch that truly does need a bit of an explainer to the uninitiated. It’s not immediately intuitive. The Freak X attempts to solve this by cloaking the Freak in the guise of a normal watch, at least to the extent that’s even possible.  Ulysse Nardin has just introduced a new generation of the Freak X, coinciding with the Freak’s 25th anniversary. It’s a complement of sorts to the Super Freak, the freakiest Freak ever, unveiled earlier this year at Watches & Wonders. The new Freak X ...

The New Ulysse Nardin Freak [X] Is Smaller, Thinner, and Easier to Live With Than Ever

The second-generation Freak [X] gets a new micro-rotor movement, a 41 mm case, and an interchangeable strap system, making Ludwig Oechslin's wild idea more wearable than it's ever been

The New Ulysse Nardin Freak [X] Becomes The Most Wearable Freak Yet

First Look - The New-Generation Ulysse Nardin Freak X; Smaller, More Versatile and with new Movement

In 2019, Ulysse Nardin launched the Freak X. More compact, more accessible and equipped with a conventional crown, it retained the essence of the original Freak (no hands, no dial, and no crown) introduced in 2001 by visionary watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin, while adapting it for everyday wear and a broader clientele. Now, as the manufacture […]

The Evolution Of A Freak: Introducing The “Crowned” Ulysse Nardin Freak [X]

The Freak is no ordinary watch. It was nothing short of a watchmaking revolution when it came out, and to this day, it remains an oddity that speaks to ingenuity and originality. The crownless watch was a trendsetter. It opened the door for Nouvelle Horlogerie watchmakers to come onto the world stage and, in the […] Visit The Evolution Of A Freak: Introducing The “Crowned” Ulysse Nardin Freak [X] to read the full article.

Ulysse Nardin Debuts Freak X Second Generation

The second-generation Ulysse Nardin (UN) Freak X proves that good things can come in small(er) packages, with an all-new micro-rotor calibre powering the Freak’s signature ‘flying carousel’ architecture. The new movement debuts in a smaller 41 mm steel case with an interchangeable strap system. Initial thoughts There’s a lot to like about the updated Freak X. It retains the wandering tourbillon-style architecture that UN describes as a flying carousel, powered by an all-new micro-rotor calibre that’s been upgraded with the brand’s DiamonSil escapement package. It’s also noticeably smaller than the outgoing model, while boasting superior water resistance thanks in part to the collection’s first screw-down crown. Strap options have been expanded thanks to an interchangeable strap system that includes a stainless steel bracelet. These upgrades come with a modest increase to retail pricing, which starts at US$41,200 — essentially the same price as one of the special edition versions of the first-generation Freak X. Some will mourn the ‘downgrade’ from titanium to steel, but that’s a relatively minor issue given the reduced case size, and furthermore the release of titanium options in the future seems all but guaranteed. Smaller but better When the Freak debuted 25 years ago, it shocked the industry with its novel construction, which integrated the entire going train and escapement into an enormous minutes hand. The Freak X keeps the overall look mostly ...

Ming, How’s the Peeping? Introducing the 29.06 Peep Show

Naming a watch is important. This goes without saying, probably, but it’s something we don’t really talk about or think about enough. Just last week I was having a conversation with a colleague about how unfortunate it is that Grand Seiko seems to keep missing the mark with naming conventions. With so many releases, it’s tough to keep individual reference numbers at the front of the mind, and “Tentagraph” has yet to permeate watch culture in the way the brand perhaps thought it would. Some brands have a knack for coming up with catchy and distinctive names for watches that both make a ton of sense and are easily remembered and associated with a given watch. The team at Ulysse Nardin are the kings of this. The Freak? The Super Freak?? The Blast??? All immediately iconic in my opinion.  Today, Ming joins the Watch Name Hall of Fame (side note: that’s an article idea we’ll be pursuing shortly, I’ve just decided) with the Peep Show. When the Ming team first showed us a prototype of the Peep Show at Geneva Watch Days last year, we were led to believe it was a working name, or a code word for a product that was not fully fleshed out. Obviously we all thought it was pretty amusing at the time. But just last month, during Watches & Wonders week, when I learned that Peep Show was indeed the official name of the watch, well, let’s just say I was surprised and delighted, because it’s honestly perfect.  What is the Peep Show, you might be asking yourself at this ...

Hands On: Ulysse Nardin Super Freak

Ulysse Nardin (UN) celebrates 25 years of the landmark Freak with the aptly named Super Freak — a timepiece that pays homage to its predecessors while asserting its own distinct identity. Showcased at UN’s eccentric booth at Watches & Wonders 2026, the Super Freak was advertised as the most complicated time-only watch ever made — an ambitious claim that appears to be true.  Blending cutting-edge mechanics with an artisanal touch, the exuberant Super Freak comfortably reaches into the “hyper-watch” echelon, echoing the first groundbreaking Freak launched back in 2001. Ulysse Nardin also celebrates its 180th anniversary this year, so something extraordinary was to be expected.  Initial thoughts Even before going hands on with the Super Freak, just visiting UN’s booth at Watches & Wonders 2026 was an experience. Passers-by were greeted by two humanoid robots and a large sculpture of Dr Ludwig Oechslin’s head, with his eyes peering down over the proceedings.  The extravagant entrance hinted at the research-focused Super Freak, which looks and feels more like the product of some advanced laboratory rather than a 180-year-old manufacture. A very dynamic watch, the Super Freak’s face now more than ever resembles a space craft.  The Super Freak pays tribute to 25 years of the Freak while also adding something truly new to the mix. The result is the UN 252, the first Freak movement featuring running seconds and two flying tourbillons (2010’s Freak Diavolo was ...

New: Ulysse Nardin [Super] Freak

Unveiled as part of Ulysse Nardin’s 180th‑anniversary celebrations, the [Super] Freak represents the most technically ambitious evolution of the Freak lineage to date.

First Look - The New Ulysse Nardin Super Freak, Quite Possibly the Most Complex Time-Only Watch Ever

Some watches follow the established path of horology, refining proportions, improving calibres, and adjusting aesthetics within well-defined and safe boundaries. And then some watches question nearly everything that is considered conventional and classic. When the Ulysse Nardin Freak was unveiled in 2001, it introduced a new design, a new movement, but it also proposed an […]

Ulysse Nardin at Watches and Wonders 2026: All Rise for the Super Freak

Introducing: Ulysse Nardin Celebrates 25 Years Of The Freak With The “Super Freak”

The Le Locle-based manufacture marks a milestone of its flagship collection with what might be the most ambitious Freak yet.

Release Your Inner Rick James With The White Gold Ulysse Nardin Super Freak

“It’s a very kinky watch / The kind you don’t take home to mother / It will never let your spirits down / Once you wear it on your wrist.” Now, you can release your inner Rick James with the Ulysse Nardin Super Freak. The watch marks the brand’s 180th anniversary and debuts 25 years […] Visit Release Your Inner Rick James With The White Gold Ulysse Nardin Super Freak to read the full article.

The Ulysse Nardin Super Freak takes the Freak idea to its wildest extreme yet

Celebrating 25 years of this revolutionary watch, we get a true upgrade that takes it even further into the realms of high horology.The post The Ulysse Nardin Super Freak takes the Freak idea to its wildest extreme yet appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing - The 1000-Hour Power Reserve Haute-Rive Honoris Meccanica, with Fully Exposed Mechanics

Haute-Rive is a relatively young independent watchmaking atelier launched by Stéphane Von Gunten, previously the R&D; Director of Ulysse Nardin, where he was involved with filing no fewer than 30 patents. Quite a background. The first watch created under his own brand was the Honoris, and it was a powerful release, to say the least. A […]

New releases from Studio Underd0g x Time+Tide, Ulysse Nardin, Chronoswiss and more

Our latest collab with Studio Underd0g was the main course this week, but there were also some sweet treats from other watchmakers...The post New releases from Studio Underd0g x Time+Tide, Ulysse Nardin, Chronoswiss and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

New: UN Freak x Gumball 3000 Edition 2

This year, Ulysse Nardin and Gumball 3000 continue their collaboration and releases the Freak x Gumball 3000 Edition 2, based on the UN Freak X.

First Look - The New Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2

Collaborations between watch brands and lifestyle events are frequent, some have become commonplace, and a few feel naturally coherent. Gumball 3000 is one of them. Since its launch in 1999, the 3,000-mile rally has become a moving (quite literally) platform for performance, individuality and spectacle, rather than a traditional competition; this year, the 100 selected […]

Introducing: The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 - Edition 2 Made For The “Road to the World Cup”

I can’t help it, but every time I read something about the brand and rally Gumball 3000, I think of the 1981 action-comedy The Cannonball Run, with Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Roger Moore, and, of course, the dazzling Farrah Fawcett. The hilarious movie, which might feel a bit outdated if you watch it today, was […] Visit Introducing: The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 Made For The “Road to the World Cup” to read the full article.

Universal Genève Polerouter Review: The '50s Icon Returns

The Universal Genève Polerouter is probably the most historically significant watch that enthusiasts of a certain age have never heard of. Okay, maybe that's overstating it, but the watch is certainly less, well, universal in its claim to icon status than several other, more well known models that debuted later. And yet, if it weren't for the Polerouter, which came out in the mid-1950s and which afforded an opportunity for a young, precocious watch designer to make his first mark on the industry, we may never have had the opportunity to experience some of those 1970s models that came later. Intrigued? Read on.  [toc-section heading="Universal Genève History (1894 - 1950s)"] Despite the “Genève” that has become attached to the company’s name, the firm originally known as Universal Watch traces its roots to a smaller Swiss city, the village of Le Locle (also home to Ulysse Nardin, Zenith, and Tissot), where it was established in 1894 by watchmakers Numa-Emile Descombes and Ulysse-Georges Perret. Descombes died a few years later, and Louis Berthoud, one of the company’s most talented watchmakers, rose from the ranks to become Perret’s partner in 1897. The pair moved operations to Geneva in 1919, forging the company's modern name and identity. The firm became known for chronographs, and eventually produced both pocket watches and trench watches (pocket watches converted to wristwatches for soldiers in the field) for armies on both sides of the two World Wars.  O...