Ulysse Nardin Freak Evolution: 2001-2010 Reference Guide

Amanico meticulously chronicles the evolution of the Ulysse Nardin Freak, from its revolutionary 2001 debut to the Diavolo in 2010. This comprehensive guide highlights the Freak's pioneering role in horological innovation, particularly its introduction of silicium and its crown-less, hand-less design, offering a deep dive into its mechanical and aesthetic transformations.

Since 2001 and the first Freak, to the Diavolo, in 2010, the least that we can say is that the Freak knew and saw many changes.

In 2001, when the Freak comes, it is a big revolution in the watch world.

First of all because we can consider it as the mother of all concept watches.

Then, and most interesting, because it introduced a new material, silicium, to fight against the eternal problem of lubrification, which is one of the biggest challenge in horology, a few years before other brands such as Patek.

While we could think that the Freak is self sufficient, Ulysse Nardin opted for some evolutions of its mad concept.

Some of these changes are aesthetical, others are mechanical.

Here is the Freak evolution, through the years...

1/ 2001: The Freak, the Concept:

A 42, 5 mm case, without crowns nor hands, using silicium for the escapement, a 8 Days Power Reserve, and a so called Caroussel Tourbillon ( the escapement rotates once per hour ).

The escapement is Dual Direct, on the Freak one.

2/ 2005: The Freak 2, same concept but with some aesthetical and mechanical changes:

The case is 2 mm bigger, there is a bezel lock at 6 o' clock, now, gaining in security what you loose in purity of the design,

The movement is not beating at 21 600 alternances per hour, like in the Freak One, but at 28 800 alternances per hour.

And now, the escapement is indirect, which means that there is an alternator between the impulse teeth of the escape wheels and the impulse pin of the balance wheel ( if I got it well ).

The Dual Ulysse Escapement is made of nickel phosphor and silicium, now.



3/ 2005: The Freak Diamond Heart:

Basically, a Freak 2 ( same 44, 5 mm case, same bezel lock ) but with diamonds on the lugs, bezel and on the top of the arrow hours and minutes " hands " AND the escape wheels are made of diamonds, hence the name " Diamond heart " which represents another innovation.

For this Freak, U.N opted for Platinum, and not for Gold ( rose or white ).



4/ 2007: The Freak DIAMonSIL: Same case than the Freak 2, but the novelty is that the Dual Ulysse Escapement is now made of diamond and silicium.



5/ 2007: The InnoVision: The Superlative Freak in terms of Innovation, not a concept watch anymore, but rather a Laboratory watch with not less than 10 technological innovations!

6/ 2008: The Freak Blue Phantom:

A Dual Ulysse Escapement in silicium, and blued bridges and plates. Spectacular!



7/ 2009, a small pause... A Freak Black Out, an " Only Watch ":

8/ 2010: The Freak 2 comes with new finishings on the bridges and plates, which now receive " Cotes De Genève ":

Not my favourite version, as I find that the Cotes de Genève are a bit too sophisticated for this concept watch.

9/ 2010: The Freak Diavolo, the maddest Freak ever produced. ( White Gold )

A silicium hair spring, as well a big part of its escapement.

Last but not least, the caroussel tourbillon receives a flying tourbillon which indicates the seconds.





10/ 2010: The Freak Diavolo Rolf 75, released for Rolf Schnyder's 75 birthday, a limited Edition of 75 pieces, in platinum, bearing Rolf' signature on th bezel lock:



11/ 2011: The Only Watch Freak Diavolo, the only Freak to be made in... Stainless Steel:

12/ 2013: The Hour Glass Limited Edition ( 20 pieces ). Basically, a rose gold Freak 2 with a black dial, plates and bridges, and with diamonds on the top of the hour and minute " hands ".



13/ The Freak Cruiser:

A redesigned bezel, water resistant ( which was not the case before ) and a slightly bigger diameter ( 45 mm, while the fomer was 44, 5 mm ), as well as a new dial.

I can't wait to see it in the flesh, and to be able to take some pictures of it, but here are some official pictures, finally released:

Rose Gold:

White Gold:

Introduced at the Basel Fair, this year, but we had to wait till November 2013 to see Ulysse Nardin communicating on this new version.

14/ The Freak Phantom:

At the contrary of the Cruiser, this one, which seemed to have been unveiled after, features in the catalog.

A phantom version of the Diavolo, in rose gold only, in a limited edition of 99 pieces.

15/ The Freak Cruiser Phantom Blue ( 2014 )



Here ends the time line of the Freak, this crazy watch which saw some crazy developments.

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas

PS: Please click on each picture to see them in a bigger size.