ReviewThe X-Level Freak: Ulysse Nardin’s Freak X

The year 2019 saw the launch of the latest Freak that upped the X factor of Ulysse Nardin’s unconventional collection. Even though the original collection was priced a bit steeply, the new Freak X retains the radical DNA of the Freak family, all the while being more accessible than its predecessors.

Extraordinary Performance

With technology that supersedes any watch enthusiast’s expectations, the Freak X houses a completely new manufacture-made flying carousel baguette movement. The new UN-230 calibre is an amalgamation of the UN-118 and UN-250 movements. The nicely rounded case flaunts curved lines, offering a renewed and transformative appeal. Previously used in the Freak line-up, this movement rotates on its own axis on the dial front. Ulysse Nardin has marvellously displayed the hero of the watch—the movement—which comprises a feather-weight balance wheel, nickel flyweights and stabilising micro-blades.

Despite retaining many of the aesthetic and functional elements that are typical of the Freak series, the Freak X manages to venture into uncharted territory

₹16,80,000

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The Freak X is powered by Ulysse Nardin’s in-house calibre, the UN-230, which is a fusion of the manufacture’s UN-118 and Freak Vision UN-250 movements

₹16,80,000

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Expressive Design

The revolutionary collection has always defied conformity, and the new Freak X follows suit. The display of time wherein minutes are indicated by the central bridge of the movement, and the wheel on the other end showcases the hours, is anomalous, to say the least. The 2019 edition is offered in four variants—a first-of-its-kind Carbonium model, along with rose gold, titanium and black DLC novelties.

The 2019 edition is offered in four variants—a first-of-its-kind Carbonium model, along with rose gold, titanium and black DLC novelties

₹16,80,000

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The Freak X cuts out the frills quite sensibly, while keeping the essence of the original Freak, making the concept more approachable for a broader, and even younger, audience

With technology that supersedes any watch enthusiast’s expectations, the Freak X houses a completely new manufacture-made flying carousel baguette movement

₹16,80,000

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This edition also marks the debut of a conventional crown to adjust time—a feature unseen in the earlier Freaks, which had time-setting bezels instead

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The highlight out of the four models, without a doubt, is the Carbonium variant. It is an eco-friendly, lightweight material, which has been borrowed from the aeronautical industry. Besides being super-light and sustainable, Carbonium is also extremely resilient to the daily wear and tear a watch is subjected to. This particular iteration even scores on the aesthetic front, owing to its unique marble effect, which is absolutely stunning and cannot be cloned.

In essence, what’s inside the Freak X is an automatic movement with a Freak mechanism integrated into the base plate.

It is also interesting to note that the production of Carbonium has 40 percent less of an impact on the environment as compared with other carbon composites, which reflects the manufacturer’s endeavour to make a difference. In fact, Ulysse Nardin can be labelled as a pioneer of sorts for being the first to use this next-generation material in a watch. Thanks to the incredible resistance-to-lightness ratio, and the spectacular marbling effect that never repeats, each watch case of the Freak X is absolutely unique.

The Freak is sure to gain new fans for its cleaner looks and simpler functionality

The Freak X case has short, gently tapered lugs that help with a good fit on the wrist

Exceptionally Exciting

The most wearable Freak by far, the X treads a road not yet traversed by its predecessors, as the cases are sized at 43mm, down from 45mm. This edition also marks the debut of a conventional crown to adjust time—a feature unseen in the earlier Freaks, which had time-setting bezels instead.

The Freak X is slightly more toned down as compared with its siblings, with a cleaner and simpler design

The main characteristics still remain—the movement is in its hands

The central bridge of the carousel acts as a minute hand, while one of the wheels indicates the hours

₹16,80,000

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The Freak X is slightly smaller at 43mm, as compared with its predecessors, which were sized at 45mm

₹16,80,000

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The Freak, at its inception, with its ‘freaky’ design and unconventional movement, breathed new life into the world of watchmaking. And with the 2019 Freak X, it continues to awe and impress.