Luxury Watches

Ulysse Nardin unveils a sandstorm: The Freak S Nomad debuts in a limited-edition sand-coloured expression

It was only two decades ago when Ulysse Nardin introduced an unorthodox timepiece in the face of ‘Freak.’ At the time, it was heralded for breaking the rules of traditional watchmaking: no dial, no hands and no crown. It was a risk when it was released but has since proven to be a groundbreaking timepiece with a deconstruction concept ahead of its time.

In Freak S Nomad, Ulysse Nardin hopes to create a ‘desert storm’, replicating the same shock value as the original introduction. This new 99-piece limited edition, sand-coloured expression is an elegant and complex timepiece that brings the trademark of Freak, and the mechanics of a true laboratory on a wrist.

The Freak S Nomad’s fantastical spaceship-like appearance defines its unique movement. Inside a lightweight titanium case and locker, it frames two oscillators with silicon balance wheels inclined at a 20-degree angle. Its hour disc also depicts that of waving sand dunes, primarily because of that artisanal hand-crafted diamond guilloché pattern. The craftmanship of this piece showcases the uniqueness of each watch, ensuring no two are exactly the same.

Likewise, its structure does not disappoint. The escapements, coated in an ultra-high-tech form of diamond-coated silicon known as the ‘DIAMonSIL’, delivers exceptional precision and durability. Its Ulysse Nardin-patented Grinder® automatic winding system also generates more efficiently compared to other winding systems, charging a 72-hour power reserve.

In the place of hours and minutes, Freak S Nomad features a pointer set into the one-hour orbital flying carousel, which indicates the minutes. A pointer set on a rotating hour disc, on the other hand, sits under the movement for the hours. In low-light conditions, both of these indicators glow blue with their Super-LumiNova® coating.

All of this clockwork’s mechanical movements are all revealed in its glory under a sapphire crystal and without a dial. The anthracite PVD-coated titanium bezel also replaces the crown and serves as the mechanism for setting the watch. It is activated when the locker at 6 o’clock is lifted, which releases the setting system. The spirit of the first Freak lives on.

Available at The Hour Glass Sydney. Visit Ulysse Nardin for more information.

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