The Ulysse Nardin Freak S was one of the most captivating releases of 2022 for me. Perhaps the timing was just right for such an uninhibited and highly futuristic design after two years of watch trade shows being digital, but it certainly made clear that the time of the Freak had arrived. The novel dual vertical silicon balance system of the Freak S was an intriguing watchmaking development though it was difficult to pry one’s eyes away from the monolithically cool movement/dial that resembles nothing short of a spaceship inside a watch case. Now for Watches & Wonders 2024, Ulysse Nardin releases the Freak S Nomad which gives the watch a facelift that, in my opinion, is far more suited for this style of watch.
The basics of the Freak S are unchanged here with the 45mm wide case (50 m of water resistance) utilizing the UN-251 Manufacture movement that indicates time via one-hour orbital flying carousel and hours via the rotating disc with pointer beneath the movement. The aforementioned dual balances are positioned at 20° and operate at 2.5 Hz which intentionally makes the viewing experience more impactful. Naturally, there is no crown as the time is set via the rotating bezel that is activated when the “locker” at 6 o’clock is lifted. Not just one of the coolest watch movements out there, the UN-251 employs the highly efficient “Grinder” automatic winding system which connects the oscillating weight to a frame that has four blades which transfer power from even the slightest wrist movements to charge the 72-hour power reserve.
Unlike the original Freak S which had a black DLC-coated titanium and a 18k rose gold case with aventurine rotating hour disc and rose gold movement bridges/accents, the Freak S Nomad opts for an anthracite PVD-coated titanium case with carbon fiber side plates. It also swaps out all the gold finishes on the movement for anthracite PVD and, for perhaps the most potent design change, adds a sand colored CVD rotating hour disc that has a hand-finished diamond guilloché pattern done using an 18th century rose turning engine without the aid of electronics or laser guidance.
Limited to just 99 pieces, the Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad is price at $148,300.
To learn more, visit Ulysse Nardin, here.
