Here’s a collaboration effort I never saw coming, but in hindsight, perhaps should have. Ulysse Nardin was ahead of their time with the Freak, a watch that pushed boundaries and presented an entirely new movement architecture that rotated around itself. First introduced in 2001 (just four years after Urwerk’s founding), the Freak pre-dates the thriving avant-garde scene we enjoy today, and while the general design of the original was very late ‘90s in nature, it’s continuously evolved in interesting ways to remain fresh and relevant as ever. The idea itself has proven to be versatile and timeless, and nowhere is that more evident than in this collaboration with none other than Urwerk. The UR-Freak is a revelation that serves at once as a celebration of the Freak, and as a look to a very bright future ahead.
As surprising as this collaboration is on the surface, the closer you look the more sense it begins to make. In fact, with an understanding of both the Freak, and of Urwerk’s modus operandi, this is one of those collaborations that feels inevitable. The Freak is a notable piece of horological history for many reasons, from its use of silicon and approach to the escapement, to its unconventional movement. Not to mention what it meant for the brand coming out of the ‘90s. The design of the movement came from Carole Forestier-Kasapi (now the head of movement design at TAG Heuer), with important contributions from Dr Ludwig Oechslin to make it work.
The highlight? Well, the movement was placed within the dial, and actually served as the “hands” of the watch, with the going train and regulation all happening within the rotating minute hand, and the barrel cover (the mainspring sits under the movement) serving as the hour indication. For a wonderful breakdown of the original Freak, catch this wonderful article from SJX.
The unusual methods on display within the Freak challenge our conception of what a watch can be, and in a similar manner, Urwerk eschewed the need for a set of hands altogether, opting instead for rotating satellites tracking time across a defined arc. The two concepts feel tailor made to work within the same system, and that’s exactly what we find with the UR-Freak. The movement rotates within the dial, the mainspring is mounted to the undercarriage (complete with the Grinder winding system), and the time is displayed via wandering wandering hour satellites against a minute track along the three o’clock side of the dial.
The carriage at the center of the dial makes a full rotation every three hours, led by its connection to the internal ring gear within the bezel. Winding and setting is handled by twisting the case itself, as you’d do with the original Freak. It’s a perfect synergy between the Freak and the UR-100 concept from Urwerk, and its execution elevates the watch to the best of both worlds. Urwerk styling cues and Ulysse Nardin technical underpinnings make for a near perfect expression of the Freak, if you ask me.
Just 100 pieces of the UR-Freak are planned for production, each priced at $122,200. Ulysse Nardin / Urwerk