When the Ulysse Nardin Freak X was first launched in 2019, it was created to be a extra accessible model of the model’s flagship Freak timepiece that distilled the core DNA of the Freak right into a smaller and extra reasonably priced general bundle. Nonetheless, the Freak X collection has since expanded with extra elaborate design-focused iterations, and it’s not simply the budget-friendly model of the Freak, however relatively another providing that’s appreciated by collectors for its diminished proportions and extra conventional person expertise. Becoming a member of the lineup for 2025 is the Ulysse Nardin Freak [X Gold Enamel], which pairs rose gold case elements with a blue flinqué enamel hour disc, and it’s arguably probably the most elevated expression of the Freak X that the Swiss model has put ahead to this point.
Just like different Freak X fashions just like the Freak X OPS, the case of the Ulysse Nardin Freak [X Gold Enamel] (ref. 2305-270LE-3AE-BLUE/1A) consists of a bi-material building, with a titanium internal part mounted inside an outer framework that kinds the lugs and exterior profile of the watch. On the brand new Freak [X Gold Enamel], the titanium inside part is given a darkish blue PVD end, with the winding crown and exterior sections of the case crafted from stable 18k rose gold. Measuring 43mm in diameter by 13.38mm thick, the case structure follows the blueprint of different Freak X fashions, with sapphire crystals fitted to each the bezel and caseback, whereas water resistance is available in at 50 meters, and connected to the 9 o’clock aspect of the case is a small plaque that’s engraved with every watch’s restricted version quantity out of 120 whole examples.
One of many defining parts of Ulysse Nardin’s Freak watches is that they lack a standard dial and arms, with the time of day as a substitute displayed by the varied elements of their inside flying carousel actions. On the Freak [X Gold Enamel], the minutes are represented by a big rose gold-finished bridge with a Tremendous-LumiNova tip, and the flying bridge makes one full rotation across the dial every hour to show its worth towards an elevated chapter ring that accommodates the hour markers and minute monitor. In the meantime, the blue sunray-finished floor that serves as a backdrop for the flying carousel elements isn’t truly a dial, however relatively a rotating hour disc that’s created utilizing a flinqué enamel approach by Ulysse Nardin’s well-known enamel dial workshop Donzé Cadrans.
Flinqué enamel dials are made by stamping a sample right into a steel dial plate after which hand-applying particular person layers of enamel to construct up a shiny translucent floor that enhances the underlying sample within the steel. After every layer of enamel is added, the dial is fired in a kiln at excessive temperatures to soften the enamel particles right into a stable, uniform floor, and the repeated thermal shifts can typically barely warp the steel base layer. For the reason that flinqué-enamel hour disc on the Ulysse Nardin Freak [X Gold Enamel] is definitely a useful a part of the motion that should function inside extremely tight tolerances, 22k rose gold (917 gold and 83 copper) is used for its building to make sure that the part doesn’t deform in the course of the quite a few firings which can be required to create its shiny darkish blue enamel floor.
Similar to different Freak X fashions, the Ulysse Nardin Freak [X Gold Enamel] is powered by the model’s manufacture Caliber UN-230 automated motion, which contains a flying carousel design with its steadiness wheel, hairspring, and escapement all crafted from silicon. Not like Ulysse Nardin’s flagship Freak ONE fashions which can be set with their bezels and manually wound by way of their casebacks, the Freak X opts for a extra conventional person interface that consists of a normal winding crown sitting on the three o’clock aspect of its case. Working at a frequency of 21,600vph (3 Hz) with an influence reserve of 72 hours, the design and performance of the Cal. UN-230 is identical throughout all Freak X watches, though the model fitted to the Freak [X Gold Enamel] contains a rose gold rotor, matching rose-gold ending on its flying minute bridge, and the mannequin’s party-piece blue flinqué enamel minute disc.
The strap for the Ulysse Nardin Freak [X Gold Enamel] additional reinforces the dressy intentions of the mannequin, and fitted to its lugs is a blue alligator leather-based strap with rose gold-colored distinction stitching and a deployant-style buckle constituted of blue-finished titanium and 18k rose gold. An equivalent model of strap may be discovered on the rose gold mannequin from the original lineup of core-collection Freak X watches, with the one distinction being that this model is rendered in darkish blue (relatively than black). Whereas there have been different Freak X fashions crafted from rose gold and others which were fitted with enamel hour discs, the Freak [X Gold Enamel] is the primary to include each of those elevated particulars, and it instantly claims the highest spot as probably the most premium execution of the Freak X.
For the reason that Freak X is a much less mechanically advanced expression of Ulysse Nardin’s Freak idea, it’s a essentially extra attainable providing than the model’s flagship Freak ONE and Freak S watches. With an official retail value of $48,500 USD, the Ulysse Nardin Freak [X Gold Enamel] (ref. 2305-270LE-3AE-BLUE/1A) is well the most costly model of the Freak X that the Swiss model presently provides, though even this 120-piece restricted version prices lower than probably the most reasonably priced Freak ONE and Freak S fashions. Personally, I believe it’s sensible that Ulysse Nardin is creating extra premium Freak X watches, as this elevates the collection from simply being the budget-friendly model of the model’s flagship mannequin and turns it into an alternate expression of the Freak for patrons preferring the normal person interface of a winding crown. For extra data, please go to the Ulysse Nardin website.
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