Ulysse Nardin Freak: A journey into the Family.

Jun 09, 2014,09:03 AM
 

Since 2001 and the first Freak, to the Diavolo, in 2010, the least that we can say is that the Freak knew and saw many changes.

In 2001, when the Freak comes, it is a big revolution in the watch world.

First of all because we can consider it as the mother of all concept watches.

Then, and most interesting, because it introduced a new material, silicium, to fight against the eternal problem of lubrification, which is one of the biggest challenge in horology, a few years before other brands such as Patek.

While we could think that the Freak is self sufficient, Ulysse Nardin opted for some evolutions of its mad concept.

Some of these changes are aesthetical, others are mechanical.

Here is the Freak evolution, through the years...

1/ 2001: The Freak, the Concept:

A 42, 5 mm case, without crowns nor hands, using silicium for the escapement, a 8 Days Power Reserve, and a so called Caroussel Tourbillon ( the escapement rotates once per hour ).

The escapement is Dual Direct, on the Freak one.



2/ 2005: The Freak 2, same concept but with some aesthetical and mechanical changes:

The case is 2 mm bigger, there is a bezel lock at 6 o' clock, now, gaining in security what you loose in purity of the design,

The movement is not beating at 21 600 alternances per hour, like in the Freak One, but at 28 800 alternances per hour.

And now, the escapement is indirect, which means that there is an alternator between the impulse teeth of the escape wheels and the impulse pin of the balance wheel ( if I got it well ).

The Dual Ulysse Escapement is made of nickel phosphor and silicium, now.



3/ 2005: The Freak Diamond Heart:

Basically, a Freak 2 ( same 44, 5 mm case, same bezel lock ) but with diamonds on the lugs, bezel and on the top of the arrow hours and minutes " hands " AND the escape wheels are made of diamonds, hence the name " Diamond heart " which represents another innovation.

For this Freak, U.N opted for Platinum, and not for Gold ( rose or white ).



4/ 2007: The Freak DIAMonSIL: Same case than the Freak 2, but the novelty is that the Dual Ulysse Escapement is now made of diamond and silicium.



5/ 2007: The InnoVision: The Superlative Freak in terms of Innovation, not a concept watch anymore, but rather a Laboratory watch with not less than 10 technological innovations!



6/ 2008: The Freak Blue Phantom:

A Dual Ulysse Escapement in silicium, and blued bridges and plates. Spectacular!



7/ 2009, a small pause... A Freak Black Out, an " Only Watch ":



8/ 2010: The Freak 2 comes with new finishings on the bridges and plates, which now receive " Cotes De Genève ":



Not my favourite version, as I find that the Cotes de Genève are a bit too sophisticated for this concept watch.

9/ 2010: The Freak Diavolo, the maddest Freak ever produced. ( White Gold )

A silicium hair spring, as well a big part of its escapement.

Last but not least, the caroussel tourbillon receives a flying tourbillon which indicates the seconds.





10/ 2010: The Freak Diavolo Rolf 75, released for Rolf Schnyder's 75 birthday, a limited Edition of 75 pieces, in platinum, bearing Rolf' signature on th bezel lock:



11/ 2011: The Only Watch Freak Diavolo, the only Freak to be made in... Stainless Steel:



12/ 2013: The Hour Glass Limited Edition ( 20 pieces ). Basically, a rose gold Freak 2 with a black dial, plates and bridges, and with diamonds on the top of the hour and minute " hands ".



13/ The Freak Cruiser:

A redesigned bezel, water resistant ( which was not the case before ) and a slightly bigger diameter ( 45 mm, while the fomer was 44, 5 mm ), as well as a new dial.

I can't wait to see it in the flesh, and to be able to take some pictures of it, but here are some official pictures, finally released:

Rose Gold:



White Gold:


Introduced at the Basel Fair, this year, but we had to wait till November 2013 to see Ulysse Nardin communicating on this new version.

14/ The Freak Phantom:

At the contrary of the Cruiser, this one, which seemed to have been unveiled after, features in the catalog.



A phantom version of the Diavolo, in rose gold only, in a limited edition of 99 pieces.

15/ The Freak Cruiser Phantom Blue ( 2014 )



Here ends the time line of the Freak, this crazy watch which saw some crazy developments.

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas

PS: Please click on each picture to see them in a bigger size.


This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-06-15 23:25:56


More posts: Ballon BleuFlying Tourbillon

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For some reasons they didn't seem so many!

 
 By: moc : June 9th, 2014-09:50
First impressions: The 1 is the purest and the only one I can wear sadly... The 28800 has that lock that is ok but the writing on it disturbs me The diamonds versions are not for me really The blue phantom is amazing..... The diavolo is a dream, my ultima... 

Well, that makes 16, and I didn't include Andrew's one.

 
 By: amanico : June 9th, 2014-10:05
I am also sure there were some other micro editions... That makes quite a lot, I think, in 13 years. Best, Nicolas

Because I can't afford my ultimate/ dream one ... Whereas ..

 
 By: moc : June 9th, 2014-23:14
With a bit of effort I could mabe reach my favourite one.... Favourite amongst the ones I could(maybe) afford... Ideally money not being an obstacle I would get a smaller diavolo, but it's a nonsense argument as I tend to get over passionate about watches... 

Epic! Thank you Nicolas.

 
 By: MichaelC : June 9th, 2014-09:53
Your order makes it easy to see the evolution of "The Mother of all Concept Watches" (TMOACW, and I agree with you). Gosh, so hard to choose. As with anything, it is difficult to beat the original. That seems to me will always be the "purest" of Freaks, s... 

Well, to me, the 3 stars are the One, the Blue Phantom and the Diavolo.

 
 By: amanico : June 9th, 2014-10:08
Not very keen on the bezel of The Cruiser, but I would not complain getting one! :) Best, and thanks for your input, my friend. Nicolas

Excellent guide

 
 By: Spellbound : June 9th, 2014-12:13
Great to see the evolution of an icon. I have been tempted on occasion, but always found the aesthetics of the Freak hard to swallow. Everything seemed to be going against the grain. This has now changed for me with the introduction of the Cruiser. I espe... 

Number Six

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : June 9th, 2014-12:19
is my fav along with original version Great post my friend What a journey Thank you Damjan

You are are true Freakie Fan...

 
 By: amanico : June 9th, 2014-12:55
And friend. ;) Best, Nicolas

:)))) Freakie Friend and Fan

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : June 9th, 2014-12:57
that I concur LOL!

But how true! ;)

 
 By: amanico : June 9th, 2014-13:39

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Nicolas. With a large amount of funds...

 
 By: Ronald Held : June 9th, 2014-14:47
I do not know which one I would get.

I didn't realize there have been so many...

 
 By: pingtsai : June 9th, 2014-18:47
So....do you know anyone freakish enough to collect all of them? :)

great and thorough report Nico, thanks a million for that

 
 By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : June 10th, 2014-03:43
my favourite freak(s) are the BLUE PHANTOM and the Freak Cruiser Phantom marvels to behold and would truly love to own one of them

My favourites are...

 
 By: tudorctin : June 10th, 2014-10:58
Blue Phantom and Cruiser Phantom Blue. When I see one of these watches the first thought that crosses my mind is Revolution. Thank you for reminding us about these beauties. Regards, Constantin

The first and the Diavolo...

 
 By: Echi : June 10th, 2014-18:26
That design has really withstood the test of time! I also like that the improvements were incremental and not too visually radical. The big change from a design cue perspective was probably from the Diavolo when they added the seconds. All the rest were s... 

Yes, the first one, the Blue Phantom, and the Diavolo would be my choices, too.

 
 By: amanico : June 11th, 2014-10:34
Less mesmerized by the Cruiser, I must say. Thanks for your feedback, Echi. Nicolas

Thanks Echi!

 
 By: andrewluff : June 12th, 2014-01:25
I love it too... Cheers Andrew

Great journey Nico

 
 By: andrewluff : June 12th, 2014-01:19
It was great to recap and to see the development over the years, as a timepiece it really is a unique and I am glad you can track the DNA through the new models. I consider myself a freak... but wouldn't mind getting another one :) Thanks Nico! Andrew