Fly The Freak Flag

Ulysse Nardin breaks new ground with the Freak One, Freak S and Freak X

- SUFFIAN HAKIM 

THE YEAR 2001 WAS MOMENTOUS for the watchmaking world. Amidst the ticking symphony of conventional watches, industry maverick Rolf Schnyder envisaged a timepiece that would defy every norm. His audacity to challenge the status quo and his unwavering belief in the boundless potential of horology led to the creation of the Freak, a watch that would rewrite timekeeping rules.

At the heart of this conceptualisation was Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, a luminary watchmaker known for his unconventional approach to horology. Collaborating with Schnyder, Dr. Oechslin poured his genius into the Freak’s blueprint. The watch’s core innovation lay in its very structure – devoid of a dial, bezel, crown and hands. It was a complete rethink of what a timekeeping device can be and an embodiment of Schnyder and Dr. Oechslin’s shared philosophy of pushing boundaries and embracing the extraordinary. Their collaboration culminated in a timepiece that was more than a watch; it was a manifesto of innovation that heralded a new watchmaking era.

Today, the Freak series is growing from strength to strength. Collectors love the fact that at the heart of every Freak timepiece is advanced technology and unorthodox architecture, but they remain accessible, user-friendly and durable. They’re hardy yet versatile enough for everyday use, or to grace wrists as statement pieces. This is perhaps best encapsulated in three of Ulysse Nardin’s most groundbreaking expressions: Freak One, Freak S and Freak X.

Freak One