A surprising partnership that took us by surprise has happened. Ulysse Nardin and URWERK launched UR-Freak, a groundbreaking timepiece that combines the iconic Freak collection with URWERK’s satellite display system.
For me it’s not just a collaboration, it is a fusion of distinct mechanical philosophies into a single movement.
Why is UR-Freak special?
UR-Freak is a unique interpretation of the legendary Freak watch from Ulysse Nardin enhanced with the URWERK’s distinctive wandering hours satellite display. This is not just an aesthetic collaboration, both brands co-developed an entire new movement, called UN-241 built for this timepiece.
For UN-241 they had to design over 150 completely new components and manufactured to integrate the URWERK satellite display system with the Freak’s silicon based movement architecture.
They worked really hard to develop a fully integrated calibre that showcased the technical expertise of both brands.
Satellite Display System of UR-Freak
The time display is complex but surprisingly intuitive. Three connected hands work in harmony to show us the time. The active hand travels along the minute markers positioned on the right side of the dial face. Each Hand features a domed disc which rotates and functions as a jumping hour display.
As the current hour completes its 60 minute journey along the marker scale, the hour disc jumps to the next hour. The subsequent hand begins its travel at the start of the minute track which gives us a continuous dance of mechanical precision.
Reminding me of the Quete du Temps. But not on that scale.
The Movement of UR-Freak
The heart of the UR-Freak is a silicon-based balance wheel oscillator and escapement assembly. It stays true to the Freak tradition and the entire hours satellite system rotates together with the regulation mechanism and it completes a full rotation every three hours.
This constant rotation is not only for the visual appeal. Actually it works similar to a tourbillon or carousels and the changing of orientation helps to reduce timing errors which improve the watch accuracy.
The movement operates at 21,600 vph and it has a 90-hour power reserve.
The winding system for this movement is the patented Grinder from Ulysse Nardin. An Innovative mechanism designed to capture the energy from the slightest wrist movement. The rotor connects to a frame that has four blades, providing twice the angular stroke of conventional winding systems.
This makes the Grinder system more efficient than typical automatic winding mechanism
Design, Specifications and Features
UR-Freak comes in a 44mm case which is based on the Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE, crafted from deep anthracite-gray sandblasted titanium which is a signature URWERK aesthetic choice.
The case also has distinctive URWERK elements, like the inclusion of three fluted sections on the titanium rotating bezel and caseback.
Electric yellow color accents highlight the satellite pointers, minute markers and the rubber strap, adding once again URWERK’s characteristic visual flair.
UR-Freak stays crownless
It is a Freak tradition and the way to operate the watch, so normally the UR-Freak eschews a conventional crown. Like the Freak S models, time setting is made with the help of a rotating bezel.
A small tab labelled “UR-FREAK” position at 6 o’clock serves as the lock for the rotating bezel. The cool part, at least for me, is that the caseback also rotates and it serves as manual winding.
It has 30 meters water resistance, which is ok for this watch, not ok for Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur which has only 50 meters water resistance and doesn’t have a rotating caseback for manual winding.
Price
Not cheap! As you probably expected already. UR-Freak (reference 2413-500LE-2A-UR/3B) is produced as a limited edition, almost like all new releases from Ulysse Nardin. 100 pieces worldwide and each one of them will cost you CHF 100,000 (excluding taxes).
So, the eternal question! Would I buy it? Yes! I love the design, I like the Freak collection. The only thing I don’t like about this watch is the price. I know that there are only 100 pieces worldwide, but I still don’t see the value in this model.
Overall, good engineering, a very beautiful design and a very big price. More about the watch on Ulysse Nardin website or URWERK website
| Specification | Details |
| Model | UR-FREAK |
| Reference | 2413-500LE-2A-UR/3B |
| Brands | URWERK x Ulysse Nardin |
| Movement | UN-241 (co-developed calibre) |
| Movement Type | Automatic with manual winding option |
| Winding System | Patented Grinder automatic system |
| Frequency | 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) |
| Power Reserve | 90 hours |
| Display | Wandering-hours satellite system with three hands |
| Escapement | Silicon with DIAMonSIL coating |
| Case Material | Sandblasted titanium |
| Case Finish | Deep anthracite-grey |
| Case Diameter | 44mm |
| Water Resistance | 30 meters (100 feet) |
| Bezel | Rotating titanium with three fluted sections |
| Crown | None (bezel and caseback operation) |
| Time Setting | Rotating bezel with lock at 6 o’clock |
| Strap | Bespoke fitted rubber with yellow accents |
| Special Features | Over 150 new components developed |
| Color Accents | Electric-yellow Pantone 395 C |
| Limited Edition | 100 pieces worldwide |
| Price | CHF 100,000 (taxes excluded) |
