When Ulysse Nardin introduced the Freak in 2001, it was more of a revolution than a watch debut. There was no dial, hands, or crown; instead, the movement displayed the time. It marked a milestone in modern horology and set the stage for a new way of thinking in traditional watchmaking. Over two decades later, the Freak remains a symbol of independence, technical expetise, and contemporary design. Now, with the launch of the all-new Ulysse Nardin Freak X Crystalium, the brand takes this legacy even further. With only 50 examples being made, it’s one of the most exclusive modern watches ever to leave Ulysse Nardin’s workshops.
At the core of the Freak X Crystalium is a rotating hour disc crafted from Crystalium, a material unlike anything else found in watchmaking. Formed through a painstaking vapor-deposition crystallisation process, it develops natural crystals that can never be replicated. Each disc is completely unique, shimmering with texture, then elevated with rose gold PVD and black varnish. The 43mm titanium case, finished with black DLC, frames the Crystalium disc with contrast, while a ballistic-textured rubber strap completes its bold, futuristic look.
Powering the Freak X Crystalium is the automatic calibre UN-230, built entirely in-house and featuring the signature flying carousel. With a silicon balance wheel and escapement, the movement rotates around its own axis while its bridge doubles as the minute hand, making a full turn every hour. Beneath it, the Crystalium disc is the hour hand, completing one rotation every 12 hours. With a 72-hour power reserve and water resistance up to 50 meters, it’s as practical as it is groundbreaking. The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Crystalium is an example of where horology has been and where it’s going next.
Source: Ulysse Nardin
