Ulysse Nardin Freak [X OPS]

At Watches and Wonders Shanghai, Ulysse Nardin unveiled the Freak [X OPS], a new evolution of its iconic Freak watch. It comes with black DLC titanium case, bezel and crown, khaki green carbon fibre composite flanks and fabric strap.

The innovative material used in the case flanks originally appeared in the Freak X Magma. There, it was a mix of carbon fibre and red, marbled epoxy resin. Here, the mix is with green epoxy resin. Backed up by its fabric strap, it appeals to sporty and adventurous collectors.

Typically, mechanical watches hide their workings under a dial. But the Freak [X OPS] has no dial. Its movement doubles as its minute hand, while the hour hand is a pointer set on a rotating disc that sits under the movement.

The Freak [X OPS] has case flanks made of Ulysse Nardin’s ultra-lightweight carbon fibre composite, a material inspired by the irregular patterns of Damascus steel and introduced in 2019. It’s produced by weaving carbon fibre with (in this case) a green epoxy resin, giving it its signature three-dimensional look.

The Freak [X OPS] houses UN-230, a self-winding movement with a 72-hour power reserve. The calibre UN-230 is the result of fusion between the bulletproof UN-118 and the high-tech UN-250 that gave the Freak Vision its unforgettable look.

The movement’s flying carousel with its silicon balance wheel and escapement are suspended by a bridge that acts as the minute hand; a second bridge serves as the hour hand.

The hour and minute indicators and hour markers are coated in a matching khaki green Super-LumiNova® that glows green in low-light conditions.

The Ulysse Nardin Freak [X OPS] watch is water-resistant to 50 metres.

Technical details

Model: Ulysse Nardin Freak [X OPS]

References
2303-270-2A-KAKI/0A (black strap)
2303-270-2A-KAKI/0B (green strap)

Movement
Caliber UN-230 Manufacture
Automatic movement
Hours, minutes
Flying carousel movement rotating around its own axis
Balance wheel and escapement in silicon
Oversized oscillator in silicon
Black movement with indexes and bridges in khaki green Super-LumiNova®
206 components, 21 jewels
Frequency 3 hz, oscillations 21’600 vph
Power reserve: 72 hours

Case
Khaki green carbon flanks in ‘Magma’, an original composite, blending black carbon fibres and green epoxy resin
Black DLC titanium case and bezel
Black DLC titanium case back with transparent sapphire opening
Perceived height 10.7 mm, overall height 13.38 mm
Diameter: 43 mm
Water resistance: 50 meters

Strap
Khaki green fabric strap
Black fabric strap (recycled fishing net)
Hook and loop fastener

Suggested retail price
Switzerland: 32’000 CHF
UK: 29’700 GBP
Europe: 34’300 EUR (21% VAT included)
USA: 33’800 USD (VAT excluded)