First Look Ulysse Nardin's Freak ONE OPS Unveiled at Dubai Watch Week (Live pictures)

When it comes to the various brands and manufacturers that have helped shape the modern mechanical watch industry, no conversation could be complete without including Ulysse Nardin. Back in 2001, Ulysse Nardin became the first watch manufacturer to incorporate a silicon escapement when it introduced the inaugural Freak model; however, this was hardly the only unusual and groundbreaking feature of the watch. Created without a dial, hands, or crown, the Ulysse Nardin Freak was unlike any other wristwatch, and it set the standard for truly outside-the-box designs by doing away with a number of key features that are typically considered to be essential on most watches. 

And now, on the occasion of Dubai Watch Week, it unveils its latest release, the Freak ONE OPS. The new edition pays tribute to the distinctive elements of the FREAK collection. While at the same time incorporating the group's most prominent innovations and moving it forward in a thoroughly modern direction.

ONE OPS crafted from black DLC-finished titanium The material story continues in the bezel, which is made of Carbonium, an innovative material with exceptional strength-to-lightness properties that’s produced using the same carbon fibers found in state-of-the-art aircraft wings, the case of the Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE OPS measures 44mm in diameter by 12mm thick. Sapphire crystals are fitted to both the dial side of the watch and its caseback, although just like the original Freak watch from 2001 the new Freak ONE doesn’t have a traditional winding crown, and this enables it to have a completely symmetrical case profile. Like the original Freak model, the time is instead adjusted by rotating the bezel that recalls the appearance of the bezel fitted to the very first Freak. Sitting between the lugs on the 6 o’clock side of the case is a locking mechanism for the bezel, and lifting it up allows you to rotate the bezel while pushing it down locks it into place and prevents accidental adjustment of the time. Despite the fact that the external bezel of the watch is mechanically connected to its movement.

In much the same way that the Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE OPS doesn’t have a winding crown, it also lacks a traditional dial and hands. Taking the place of a dial is a rotating green khaki barrel cover, and it features a prominent sunray pattern engraved on its surface. The barrel cover rotates once every 12 hours, and it is fitted with a V-shaped indicator filled with Super-LumiNova that allows the disc to function as an hour hand by pointing out the current hour against the chapter ring located along the periphery of the display. Similarly, the balance wheel, escapement, and gear train aren’t buried within the movement but rather reside on a large bridge that sits above the hour's disc and functions as a minute hand, making one full rotation once every hour, the minute bridge also functions as an orbital 60-minute tourbillon. Additionally, the hour and minute indicators and hour markers are coated in a beige Super-LumiNova that glows green in low-light conditions.

Powering the Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE OPS is the manufacture Caliber UN-240 automatic movement. Consisting of 229 components, it runs at a frequency of 21,600bph (3 Hz) while offering users a power reserve of 90 hours. In addition to displaying the hours and minutes, the Cal. UN-240 also technically offers a 60-minute tourbillon due to the fact that the movement features a flying carousel design that rotates along its own axis. Additionally, in order to increase performance and longevity, the escapement is treated with Ulysse Nardin’s patented DIAMonSIL coating which is a diamond and silicon plasma surface treatment that first made an appearance inside the Freak back in 2007. 

There’s a choice of two integrated straps: one in black and khaki “ballistic” rubber, and an alternate two-tone rubber strap, also in black and khaki. Both have black DLC titanium and black ceramic folding clasps. The straps tell Ulysse Nardin’s environmental story, too. They’re made using 30 per cent recycled rubber from production waste.

The Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE OPS Priced at 63,000 CHF which is equivalent to 258,000 AED.

For more information visit Ulysse Nardin official website.