Ulysse Nardin celebrates 180 years with new-generation Freak X
This year is a significant one for Ulysse Nardin. As Lana Andelane discovers, the Swiss maison is celebrating 180 years at the forefront of luxury watchmaking with a new-generation Freak X—a watch that also commemorates 25 years of the flagship Freak line.
Subversion is ingrained in Ulysse Nardin’s DNA. After 180 years in business, the Swiss maison continues to challenge traditional watchmaking with pioneering technology and unparalleled craftsmanship—values exemplified by its flagship Freak collection.
Conceived by Dr Ludwig Oeschslin in 2001, the Freak defied convention. Its pioneering use of silicon technology, revolutionary design—no hands, no dial, no crown—and advanced mechanics redefined the art of contemporary watchmaking. Over 25 years, the Freak has continued to drive innovation through 35 patents and 17 calibres, making it one of the most visionary creations in horological history.
In 2019, the Freak X built on this legacy by contesting the very foundations of the original Freak concept, a Freak with a crown. Made for daily wear, this iteration featured a more compact and versatile design, but retained its revolutionary flying carousel architecture.
Now, in 2026, Ulysse Nardin marks two significant anniversaries: 180 years of legacy, and 25 years of the Freak. To celebrate, the Freak X has been completely reengineered from the ground up, with an entirely new in-house UN-232 calibre that’s slimmer, more durable, and built with five integrated patents. A development more than two years in the making, the new-generation Freak X elevates its predecessor—more advanced, more enhanced.
As beautiful as the Freak X may be, it is also a watch engineered for everyday wear. Everything about it has been thoughtfully designed for daily life, whatever that may look like. A new screw-down crown delivers 100m of water resistance, while the integrated metal bracelet features a 2mm micro-adjustment system for all-day comfort.A quick-release interchangeable strap system with nine configurations—spanning metal bracelets, rubber, leather and alligator—makes the watch adaptable to any setting, from formal occasions to outdoor activities. From the hand-bevelled hour and minute indicators to the colimaçon-finished, rose gold micro-rotor visible through the caseback, every component is executed to Haute Horlogerie standards.
The new calibre is also more compact, allowing the watch to be housed in a refined 41mm case with a new glassbox sapphire crystal. Despite its smaller frame, the new-gen delivers an impressive 72-hour power reserve.
Clearly, the new Freak X is yet another milestone in Ulysse Nardin’s boundary-breaking legacy. With 180 years behind it, this is a heritage brand that continues to redefine expectations—and only time will tell what it does next. That spirit of innovation can be experienced at The Hour Glass Auckland boutique, where collectors can discover the latest Ulysse Nardin watches in person.
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