Ulysse Nardin Freak X SIHH 2019 is by far the smartest Freak ever launched by Ulysse Nardin. For an intelligent movement as the Flying carousel merits to be adorned by more watch nerds than just the ones with big crypto crypts.
Making more sense and use of the UN-230 exclusive movement is the new Ulysse Nardin Freak X. It is priced at just 21,000 USD (excl taxes). Until SIHH 2019, shipped straight from the manufacture, an Ulysse Nardin Freak watch would cost about 40 to 45,000 USD. The new Ulysse Nardin Freak circa SIHH 2019 is easier to use than its predecessors. Unlike the earlier Freak models which used a rotating bezel to set time on the watch, Freak X will use the more traditional crown style like most watches do. There were no time-correction crowns in Freak models until now. Although, as a watch nerd I would have loved to see the rotating bezel on this one too!
The brand describes the FREAK X as the little cousin of its ”Freak antecedents”. With its attractive price, Freak X will be an entry marker watch in the Freak series. It will be smaller in size too. 43 mm for Freak X. Its bigger brothers sized upto 45mm and fit mostly large wrists. Freak X will retain the USP of the Freak series i.e the baguette movement will still be a carousel, turning once on itself every hour to indicate the time. It is simpler, bolder, and has fewer wheels. It has no dial and no hands – the central bridge acts as a minute hand and one of the wheels indicates the hours.
Ulysse Nardin SIHH 2019 launch the new FREAKX with the price tag of 21000 USD will be made in Titanium and black DLC. Two more pricier versions will be made in Rose gold and Carbonium priced at 30,000 and 24,000 USD, respectively. Ulysse Nardin may be the first Swiss watch brand to use Carbonium in its watches.
What is Carbonium? It is a light weight alloy used in modern day aircrafts. Applied mostly in the making of airplanes’ fuselage and wings. Carbonium has exceptional resistance to lightness ratio. Carbonium is easier on the environment too with about 40 % less negative impact than most other carbon composites. With complex process requiring high pressures and temperatures, Carbonium is a high-performance material that brings out the core beauty of the organic pattern created by the 7µm diameter carbon fibers. Use of Carbonium offers a marbling effect that is never the same, giving each watch a unique colour density. Ulysse Nardin has used Carbonium in matte finish for the Freak X watch.
