Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo Only Watch 2011

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Swiss luxury watch brand Ulysse Nardin joins with other prestigious watch brands to support this year’s edition of Only Watch Auction, a charitable event by the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophies (AMM) to support long-term, in-depth research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

For this event, Ulysse Nardin unveils Freak Diavolo Only Watch, an evolution of the brand’s iconic model introdcued in 2001: Freak. It was the first timepiece to successfully present escapement wheels constructed of silicium, a revolutionary material at the time. Freak’s tourbillon carrousel featured an ultramodern, minimalist and unconventional design with no true dial, crown or hands.

Now, like its siblings – the Freak DIAMonSIL®, Freak Diamond Heart and Freak Blue Phantom – the Freak Diavolo pays tribute to the original Freak’s pioneering spirit by expanding its use of silicium and taking its tourbillon to new heights.

Named after its devilish-in-appearance power-reserve backing, with its “horns” and black cloak-like backdrop, the Freak Diavolo Only Watch is the cleverest of timepiece creations. Case in point, silicium is used in its patented hairspring (Si 1.1.1.) and throughout the majority of its escapement – the heart and most delicate part of the watch. Through the introduction of silicium in the original Freak, Ulysse Nardin transformed haute horology manufacturing and continues to perfect the use of this technologically advanced material with the Freak Diavolo. Performance is further amplified through its application of cutting-edge technology, such as photolithography. And, the Freak Diavolo Only Watch reveals another development in the Freak family — a flying tourbillon that indicates the seconds, as well as two new ball-bearing systems and a balance-wheel concept and design.

Its tourbillon carrousel (developed entirely in-house) does one complete rotation around the center in 60 minutes. The Freak Diavolo’s frequenc y of 4 Hz (28’800 A/h) in association with its 8 mg*cm2 inertia balance wheel make this instrument exceptional, as no other tourbillon is regulated by such a powerful oscillator and benefits from such a long power reserve (more than eight days). Its outstanding performance is the result of the perfect application of new technologies, such as photolithography, and the use of the best and latest-developed materials, like silicium and LIGA nickel, at core locations.

Its tourbillon carrousel (developed entirely in-house) does one complete rotation around the center in 60 minutes. The Freak Diavolo’s frequenc y of 4 Hz (28’800 A/h) in association with its 8 mg*cm2 inertia balance wheel make this instrument exceptional, as no other tourbillon is regulated by such a powerful oscillator and benefits from such a long power reserve (more than eight days). Its outstanding performance is the result of the perfect application of new technologies, such as photolithography, and the use of the best and latest-developed materials, like silicium and LIGA nickel, at core locations.

Technical details
Reference 2083-115/OW

  • Case: stainless steel unique piece “1/1” engraved on the side of the case and “Only Watch “ at 6h blue lacquered bezel, 12 digit, the small second hand point and the half circle arrow in blue
  • Power Reserve more than 8 days, slip-spring
  • Frequency 4Hz (28’800 A/h)
  • Moment of inertia 8 mg*cm2, adjusting over 4 screws.
  • Hairspring Silicium, exclusive Ulysse Nardin design.
  • Escapement right-angle lever, silicium, non lubricated.
  • Tourbillon 1 revolution in 1minute.
  • Orbite 1 revolution in one hour.
  • Winding Manual winding over the bezel on the back of the case. 1 full rotation is equivalent to 12 hours of power reserve. Time setting forward and backward over the bezel.
  • Diameter 44.5 mm.