Introducing: Urwerk And Ulysse Nardin Team Up To Release The UR-Freak

What We Know

Urwerk and Ulysse Nardin are teaming up for the first time, and the result is the UR-Freak, a true fusion of two of independent watchmaking’s most distinct design languages. When I spoke with Jean-Christophe Sabatier, Ulysse Nardin’s Chief Product Officer, after the launch of the Freak S Enamel in October, he hinted that something big was coming ahead of Dubai Watch Week. This is it. And now that it’s here, I can see why he was so excited about it: part Ulysse Nardin Freak, part Urwerk wandering-hour satellite, and fully a watch that leans into both brands’ strengths.

Naturally, the dial is the full embodiment of organized chaos. In the center is a silicon oscillator that’s 25% larger than standard Freak versions, paired with Urwerk’s signature satellite hour display, all mounted on a three-hour rotating carousel. The case measures 44mm and is finished in sandblasted titanium with fluted bezel elements that nod to Urwerk’s design vocabulary. In true Freak fashion, there is no crown; time is set via the rotating bezel, secured by a “UR-Freak”–signed locker at six o’clock.

The watch is driven by Ulysse Nardin’s fully integrated in-house calibre UN-241, developed specifically for this model. Although the UR-Freak features automatic winding via its Grinder system, it can also be manually wound by turning the caseback.

It comes on either a ballistic-textured yellow rubber strap or a black integrated rubber strap, both with a titanium deployant. Production is limited to 100 pieces. The UR-Freak retails for $122,200.

What We Think

Ulysse Nardin is having a big year, and this collaboration feels like a natural extension, keeping the momentum—a willingness to take risks, partner with an essentially competing brand, and make something genuinely new. I had the chance to see the UR-Freak last week, and the integration of the two design languages is far more seamless than you’d expect. If you have the opportunity, you have to see this in person. Also, I must say, if you’re like me and you have a small wrist, even though it’s 44mm, it wears smaller.

This is the first collaboration between Urwerk and Ulysse Nardin, but I hope it won’t be the last. Between the Freak’s decades of material and movement innovation and Urwerk’s atypical approach to displaying time, there seems to be a lot of synergy to explore future ideas. I’d like to see another collaboration just to see what they come up with next.

The Basics

Brand: Ulysse Nardin x Urwerk
Model: UR-Freak
Reference Number: 2413-500LE-2A-UR/3B

Diameter: 44mm
Thickness: 12mm
Case Material: Sandblasted titanium
Dial Color: Open satellite display with central silicon oscillator
Indexes: Rotating satellite hour discs; minute scale on right side of dial
Lume: Yellow Super-LumiNova on bridges, satellite pointers, and minute markers
Water Resistance: 30m
Strap/Bracelet: Integrated yellow ballistic-textured rubber strap or integrated black rubber strap, both with titanium deployant buckle

The Movement

Caliber: UN-241
Functions: Hours, minutes; three-hour rotating carousel with satellite hour display
Power Reserve: 90 hours
Winding: Automatic via Grinder system; manual winding via caseback
Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)
Jewels: 25
Chronometer Certified: No

Pricing & Availability

Price: $122,200
Availability: Available Now
Limited Edition: Yes, limited to 100 pieces 

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