This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Gumball 3000 rally (it’s not a race), and in celebration the organization has partnered with Ulysse Nardon on a new limited edition Freak X. The two parties are natural partners as both embrace the unconventional, and are celebrated for their uncompromising approach to their respective fields. The Freak is a special watch, and has pretty much carved its own path since releasing to the world in 2001 featuring a novel movement construction from the mind of Carole Forestier-Kasapi (now the Movement Director at TAG Heuer). The watch set the entire going train of the movement within the minute hand hand rotating around the dial. It was groundbreaking then, and it remains so today.
The Freak lives on in a few different forms, the Freak X is a modern rendition of the concept that strips it down to the core components. As a result, it is the most approachable of the Freak family. The Freak One and the Freak S are stilling pushing horological boundaries in the spirit of the original, which the Freak X looks to connect with a slightly different audience. Rather than place the entire gear train in the minute hand, it has moved the balance wheel and hairspring to the counterweight position, keeping the same dynamic element while being a bit more traditionally legible.
It’s a remarkable watch that enjoys a serious heritage that doesn’t often get the recognition it deserves. The Freak X represents a slightly more palatable approach to the package as a whole, set within a 43mm Carbonium case. Don’t let that number fool you, there is a very short lug here and the reasonable lug to lug distance paired with the featherweight case make this an exceptionally comfortable watch on the wrist.
The watch world is no stranger to automotive events, and enthusiasts find plenty of crossover between the worlds. This Freak X sits at the crossroads. This example incorporates bright orange over the base black, along with the Gumball 3000 logo emblazoned on the caseback. It’s not over the top in its approach to representing the rally, which is always appreciated. In fact, seeing this approach makes me wonder what additional vibrant colorways might look like here.
The Gumball 3000 rally hosts events around the globe, uniting automotive enthusiasts and owners to kit out their rides in unique ways to make the most of each venue. This year’s event will take place this month, beginning at the Pyramids in Cairo, and ending at the Singapore Grand Prix taking place September 22nd.
Ulysse Nardin will be producing 150 examples of the Gumball 3000 Freak X, and while the price isn’t listed, I’d expect it to be around $30,000, which is what other Freak X in the same materials are listed for. Ulysse Nardin / Gumball 3000
