SpotlightGood Freaks Come In Small Packages: Presenting The Ulysse Nardin Freak X New Generation

Those hoping the Freak would someday be available in a smaller size have something pretty amazing to look forward to. Twenty five years after the first Ulysse Nardin Freak changed the watchmaking landscape with their dial-less, hand-less and crown-less case sized at 45mm, the brand announced the Freak X new generation in a more compact—relatively miniscule, some would argue—41mm case. A completely new movement which includes a compact micro rotor is now housed in a gold or recycled steel case, with a screw down crown that offers 100m of water resistance—up from the first generation’s 50m. Moreover, its new integrated steel bracelet can be easily interchanged. With all these new features, can the Freak X get any more contemporary?

Why The Smaller Freak Packs A Bigger Punch: Ulysse Nardin Freak X New Generation

Having rocked the watchmaking world for having no dial, no hands and no crown, and for having its inverted flying carousel movement on unapologetically naked display on the watch-face, the 2001 Freak was an outlier, to say the least. But this rebel timepiece also had something that made watchmakers and collectors sit up and take notice—the use of silicon. First released in 2019, the Freak X was already considered a more wearable, everyday variant of the Freak for the addition of a crown at three o’clock on the case. But times—and trends—change. Smaller cases sized in the 37mm to 40mm range are re-establishing themselves once again. Still, the Freak is known to be a maverick, and that’s not about to change anytime soon. Instead, Ulysse Nardin reduced the size of the Freak X new generation from 43mm to 41mm, and introduced other features that would help the timepiece make its mark in a changing landscape of smaller watches.

Its monobloc case is now crafted from 80 percent recycled steel or rose gold, with alternating brushed and polished finishes, and a more domed glass box sapphire crystal glass that sits atop the watch-face, offering a better view of the movement. The screwed down crown at three o’clock ensures a water resistance rating of 100m, and an integrated single-link steel bracelet flows in a streamlined fashion from the case. This can be easily interchanged with a ballistic rubber, or a leather strap in varying hues, should the wearer feel the need to match it with their outfit—or mood—of the day.

The screwed down crown at three o’clock ensures a water resistance of 100m, and an integrated single-link steel bracelet flows in a streamlined fashion from the case

Its monobloc case is now crafted from 80 percent recycled steel, and a domed glass box sapphire crystal glass that sits atop the watch-face

Why Size Doesn’t Matter Anymore: Ulysse Nardin Freak X New Generation

With its flying carousel movement that displayed the time in a most unique fashion, the Freak X was already a pretty good version of itself. In reinventing the Freak X new generation, Ulysse Nardin prove their commitment to staying relevant despite being around for 180 years. Or, perhaps, because they’ve been around for almost two centuries, they understand the need to constantly keep evolving. Their greatest evolution comes in the form of the UN-232 Automatic manufacture calibre, which boasts a more ‘compact architecture’, with a rose gold micro rotor, instead of a ‘traditional heavy metal rotor’. Autonomy offered by the timepiece remains at an impressive 72 hours. On the watch-face, instead of lume-filled markers, the Freak X new generation has applied indexes filled with Super-LumiNova, which offer visual depth to the dial. Black and grey hour discs feature a sandblasted finish while the blue timepiece displays a gradient satin sunburst finish that reflects light rather curiously through its various dimensions.

The Freak X new generation may seem like an effortless evolution of the first generation of mutant Freaks, but, like all good things, actually took over two years in the making. In sizing down the Freak X new generation, Ulysse Nardin decisively prove that good things do come in small packages.