Drawing elements from both Urwerk and Ulysse Nardin, the two Swiss competitors, have collaborated for the first time to create a truly unique limited-edition timepiece.
Based on a combination of Ulysse Nardin’s signature flying carousel “Freak” complication, which rotates around its own axis, and Urwerk’s iconic “UR” wandering hours satellite display, the timepiece model name is an acronym that merges the two: UR-FREAK.
The hours display features three satellite arms, each with a domed disc, and the hours appear on one of the three domed discs. When the previous hour’s satellite arm finishes its 60-minute journey along the minute scale, the next hour’s disc instantly “jumps” to the active position to begin its track.
Minutes are read by following the pointed tip of the active satellite arm as it sweeps across a 60-minute scale retrograde, which is arced along the right side of the dial. The entire satellite system is part of a “flying carousel” that rotates and completes a full circle every three hours.
A lightweight sandblasted titanium case weighing 109.61 grams and measuring 44 mm x 13.7 mm houses the prominent 42.15 mm caliber UN-241 automatic movement. Protected by a domed sapphire crystal on the front and an open caseback that’s secured with individual screws, the UR-FREAK is water-resistant to 30 meters. The movement beats at 3Hz, consists of 25 jewels, 263 total components, and offers an impressive 90-hour maximum power reserve. It features a DIAMonSIL® silicon escapement, a technology which Ulysse Nardin pioneered.
Derived from Ulysse Nardin’s Freak technology, the time is set by rotating the bezel, and the watch is automatically wound via a system called the “Grinder,” and can also be wound manually through the caseback.
It’s interesting to see two rivals merging technologies that arguably result in a synergistic product, that’s more imaginative and appealing than something done as a solo act.
The UR-FREAK (Ref. 2413-500LE-2A-UR/3B) is a numbered limited to 100 pieces. Retail is $122,200. Learn more at Ulysse Nardin.
Photo by Urwerk/Ulysse Nardin.
