Ulysse Nardin unveils the Super Freak

To mark 25 years of one of watchmaking’s boldest creations, Ulysse Nardin unveils the Super Freak—a fittingly ambitious evolution of its most disruptive collection.

Since its debut, the Freak has never followed convention. No hands, no dial, no crown—just a movement that tells time by rotating itself. Now, with the Super Freak, that concept is pushed further than ever before.

Housed in a 44mm white-gold case, the watch introduces a striking seven-layer architecture that creates an almost hypnotic sense of depth. But the real story lies beneath the surface. Out of 511 components, only 13 remain fixed. Everything else is in motion.

At its core are two flying tourbillons, inclined and rotating in opposite directions, completing a full rotation every minute. The entire movement, mounted on a carousel, turns once per hour to indicate the time. For the first time in the Freak lineage, a seconds display is introduced—enabled by an ultra-miniaturized, patented gimbal system designed to manage energy transmission off-axis. It’s a level of mechanical ingenuity rarely seen, even in high horology.

Power comes from Ulysse Nardin’s “Grinder” automatic winding system, delivering a 72-hour power reserve despite the immense energy demands. True to Freak tradition, there’s no crown—time is adjusted via the bezel, while winding is handled through the caseback.

Limited to just 50 pieces and priced just under $400,000 USD, the Super Freak is less about accessibility and more about possibility. It’s a showcase of what modern watchmaking can achieve when constraints are removed.

And yet, what makes this piece truly compelling isn’t just its complexity—it’s its cohesion. Despite the sheer amount of movement and mechanical theatre, the watch remains surprisingly legible and visually balanced. The transparent blue tones, layered construction, and contrast with white gold create a design that feels intentional rather than overwhelming.

More than a commemorative release, the Super Freak is a statement. Not loud, but confident. A reminder that Ulysse Nardin is still willing to challenge the norms of traditional watchmaking—and redefine them in the process.