His quest has been unrivaled for nearly 3000 years. His name has conjured up images, accolades, and epic tales earned only by a true adventurer and free spirit. Immortalized by the Greek poet Homer, “Ulys-ses” is the original wandering hero. His adventures transcend time. In the spirit of Ulysses, Ulysse Nardin has been at the forefront of timekeeping since its inception. More than a means to an end, Xploration is, for Ulysse Nardin, a way of life. Launching the new year in style, we are pleased to introduce the” X Fac-tor” in watchmaking.

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No letter in the English language gets around like X: the 24th letter of the alphabet shows up everywhere, from the popular Xbox to standing in for a signature on legal documents, the rep-resentation of a chromosome, a generation, a crossing point, the multiplication process and the location on a treasure map. X denotes any unknown, unspecified or variable factor. X like Xploration, Xtraordi-nary, Xcess, Xperience, Xcitement, X treme and compleX. More than a simple slogan, it is a statement, a reminder that our Freak collection embodies boldness and creativity. We address those of you who have the audacity to be willing to stand out in the crowd.

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The FREAK X, the little cousin of its ”Freak antecedents”, stands out as the entry point into the FREAK collection. Though many of the same aesthetic and functional elements are in place, it pushes out into uncharted territory. The sizing is tighter - 43mm instead of 45mm - but it is easier to read and operate. It has a crown for time correction, which breaks with one of the most iconic aspects of the crown-less FREAK VISION or FREAK OUT models, which correct time by the bezel. The “baguette” movement is still a carousel, turning once on itself every hour to indicate the time. It is simpler, bolder, and has fewer wheels. It has no dial and no hands - the central bridge acts as a minute hand and one of the wheels indicates the hours.

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Inside and clearly visible beats one of the FREAK VISION’s most outstanding innovations: a super-light balance wheel in silicium, extra-wide, with nickel flyweights and stabilizing micro-blades. The movement itself, the new UN-230, is a fusion of the manufacture calibers UN-118 and FREAK VISION UN-250.The case, nicely rounded with curved lines, is wholly new, and seriously transformative. The new FREAK X is available in titanium, rose gold, black DLC or in Carbonium. It is very competitively priced with a start price version at 21’000 USD. It demonstrates the brand’s commitment to expanding and enriching its col-lections by pushing watchmaking Xpertise to the X degree. To the intrepid Ulysses of the modern world, it is a clarion call to adventure.

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FREAK X Carbonium: from the world of aeronautic fuselage to Haute Horlogerie.

The most spectacular iteration of the FREAK X collection is undoubtedly the Carbonium version. The aeronautic-grade Carbonium is a new, super-light and sustainable material used in the aeronautical sector for the latest-generation airplanes’ fuselage and wings. In short, the most vital and essential com-ponents in today’s modern airplanes. The production of Carbonium has 40% less environmental impact than other carbon composites as it uses offcuts from aeronautical pieces. With complex process requiring high pressures and temperatures, Carbonium is a high-performance material that brings out the core beauty of the organic pattern created by the 7µm diameter carbon fibers.

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The use of a material like Carbonium comes as a clear reminder that we dare make a difference. Con-structed from neXt-generation carbon composites - among the most robust and resilient materials ever devised by science - it is as audaciously disruptive as it is technically and technologically transcendent.

Ulysse Nardin is the first to use this neXt-generation material in a watch. Its resistance-to-lightness ratio is unparalleled, and its stunning marbling effect never repeats, making each watch case absolutely unique.

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Ulysse Nardin Freak X

Technical specifications:

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References: 2303-270/03 // 2303-270.1/03

2303-270.1/BLACK // 2303-270/BLACK

2305-270/02

2303-270/CARB // 2303-270.1/CARB

Movement: Caliber UN-230, self-winding movement

Functions:

·      Flying carousel movement rotating around its own axis

·      Exclusive central oscillator with large diameter

·      3 Hz Silicium balance wheel

·      Index & bridges with Superluminova

Power reserve: 72 hours

Case:

·      Titanium / Titanium with PVD finish

·      Titanium with black DLC

·      Rose Gold 5N / Titanium with black DLC finish

·      Carbonium matte-finish / Titanium with black DLC

Diameter: 43 mm

Case back: Sapphire crystal

Water resistance: 50 m            

Strap: Openwork veal or alligator strap with “point de bride” stitches.

The prices for the Ulysse Nardin Freak X are:

·      Freak X Ti Blue: 21’000 USD

·      Freak X Ti Black: 21’000 USD

·      Freak X Rose Gold:30’000 USD

·      Freak X Carbonium:24’000 USD

For more information visit Ulysse Nardin Online.