Ulysse Nardin

Dear all, I read on back issue of Revolution 2005 that Freak was inspired by Carol Forrestier's design which won a Breguet contest. the design concept was described as: "a centre tourbillon with spring on the outside..." I am curious to learn what was the... 

"a centre tourbillon with spring on the outside..." If you see the pic, it is more a peripherical Tourbillon. And we may have an interesting discussion on the fact to consider the Freak as a Tourbillon... Best, Nicolas...  

Especially as it so easily fits the classic description of a Karousel (nb, this is not related to a Carousel Tourbillon) A

We may have a technical discussion about what is a Tourbillon! Caroussel may better fit for the Freak. I agree. Best, Nicolas

It's not a mechanical description, but a the marketing name chosen by the inventor, Mr. Bonniksen, so we should keep using it to prevent more confusion A

Rolf Schnyder in that particular interview described: "strictly speaking, THe freak is a sort of carousel tourbillon in which the escapement turns on its own axis" & in that bit of history they said Freak is totally different from Carol's concept where Lu...  

If I am not mistaken, Carol is the one that first conceived of the watch that would ultimately become the Freak. It was Ludwig that discovered initial problems with the design of the main spring and the problems transferring the energy. I believe that Lud... 

Piaget's tourbillon relatif incidentally, the passage & a bit of history raise my curiosity were as follow: The Q raised specifically in the Article "So is it true that the UN Freak was completely different from this project(carol's original design)?"... 

since the escapement doesn't turn on it's own axis, the movement pivots just off the axis of the 3rd wheel if I'm remembering correctly A

it has a central tourbillon and the whole escapement is above the dial which sounds very much like the description given by Carol Forrestier. Graham This message has been edited by gmhutton on 2009-06-13 05:40:14

is the most mesmorizing tourbillon i have seem & it does fit the description wish its mine Cheers, Ed~...  

To clarify the matter, the Ulysse Nardin technical team would like to inform the watch enthusiasts taking part in this forum as follows: The Freak, as conceived by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin and the UN technical design team lead by Pierre Gygax and Lucas Humair ... 

There is no doubt the Freak is "the Freak" in horologrical universe, we merely trying to dig out a bit more behind its creation Having said that, it ll be interesting to know whts/where carol's design has realized and even a head to head comparison to the...  

... that this chapter has been treated already, some five years ago: www.thepurists.net In this article, written by Ted Diehl, some information, and a graphical draft of Ms. Forestier's concept is published. Regards, Marcus

THank you~

Carole Forestier had entered her concept for the Breguet contest (yet I do not know if she won it), and also offered it to Ulysse Nardin. UN bought the rights on the design from her, and also hired her for the technical realization. However, it eventually... 

i have read somewhere that Piaget's relative tourbillion is the realization of carol's design, is it correct? Cheers, Ed~