Release Your Inner Rick James With The White Gold Ulysse Nardin Super Freak

“It’s a very kinky watch / The kind you don’t take home to mother / It will never let your spirits down / Once you wear it on your wrist.” Now, you can release your inner Rick James with the Ulysse Nardin Super Freak. The watch marks the brand’s 180th anniversary and debuts 25 years after the original Freak. It comes in a 44mm white gold case with an updated, more refined design. But it’s still pretty freaky.

Ulysse Nardin can be seen as the leading pioneer of Nouvelle Horlogerie. The Freak, which debuted 25 years ago, was a radical watch that served as an encouragement and inspiration for brands like MB&F and Urwerk. At Watches and Wonders 2026, the 50-piece limited-edition Super Freak (ref. 2520-500LE-3A-BLUE/3A) clearly sits in the tradition of the experimental, exuberant watch and presents itself in a more sophisticated, complicated way. Compared to earlier models, the case has been slightly reduced in diameter and refined in its proportions. There’s also an updated bezel-locking system that integrates more cleanly into the overall design. As you’d expect from a Freak, the bezel lets you set the time, while the case back winds the movement.

The white gold Ulysse Nardin Super Freak spins and spins

It’s nothing new, but a spinning movement that shows the time without the help of traditional hands is still pretty freaky. A transparent blue rotating hour disc completes one full turn every 12 hours. And because it’s made of transparent blue Nanosital, it allows a clearer view of the mechanics beneath. Nanosital is a synthetic material chosen for its transparency and durability. Here’s, it’s marked with luminous hour indexes to enhance readability in dark conditions. A notable addition to this latest evolution of the long-running freak show is a seconds display. This feature, not previously present in the Freak collection, is made possible by a newly developed, highly complex, and fascinating transmission system.

At the center of the Super Freak is the new in-house automatic caliber UN-252, comprising 511 components. It took four years to develop, and it introduces a double tourbillon configuration combined with a flying carousel system. Two inclined flying tourbillons, each set at a 10-degree angle and rotating in opposite directions, complete a full revolution every 60 seconds. These are mounted on a lightweight titanium bridge that also functions as the minute indicator. The entire carousel rotates once per hour, respecting the Freak’s characteristic display format. According to the brand, more than 97% of the movement’s components are in constant motion, with only a small number remaining fixed.

Grinder turns it on

Ulysse Nardin’s patented Grinder automatic winding system handles energy management. It maximizes efficiency by capturing even minimal wrist movement. When you know the energy demands of the dual-tourbillon setup, a friction-free winding mechanism is very welcome. The smooth Grinder system gets the job done, keeping the watch’s approximate three-day power reserve topped up. The movement also incorporates a 5mm-wide compact differential mechanism, which averages the rate of the two tourbillons to maintain consistent timekeeping. This differential works in conjunction with a newly patented gimbal system that transmits energy to the off-center seconds display.

Material technology played a significant role in the movement’s construction. Ulysse Nardin used many silicon components, including for the balance wheels, hairsprings, and escapements. The brand’s DIAMonSIL process, which applies a diamond coating to silicon parts to improve wear resistance and reduce friction, certainly helps to keep the Super Freak’s complicated movement running as easily as possible. Additionally, the use of titanium for its structural elements helps to reduce weight.

The movement has a multiplane construction, creating a layered visual effect and emphasizing depth. The architecture is openworked to highlight both the mechanical components and their motion. Despite the technical emphasis, UN applies traditional finishing techniques. That’s not so easy with titanium parts, but the brand gave it a go. A significant portion of the components received manual decoration, such as graining and sandblasting.

The Super Freak comes from La Chaux-de-Fonds

Assembly of the Super Freak takes place at the atelier in UN’s workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds. A single watchmaker works on one watch, requiring approximately 60 hours of work, followed by several days of testing and adjustment. The process includes full assembly, disassembly for cleaning, and final reassembly to ensure performance standards.

You might think you wear the 44 × 16.54mm Super Freak on anything but your wrist. But despite the watch’s outrageous and adventurous qualities, that’s exactly where it goes. The watch comes fitted with a textile-pattern gray rubber strap showing two contrasting white stitches, and it closes with a white gold deployant clasp. Only 50 Ulysse Nardin Super Freaks will leave the atelier, and the price is CHF 320,000 (inc. 8.1% VAT) / €348,100 (inc. 21% VAT ) / US$361,600 (ex. sales tax) / £297,020 (inc. 20% VAT).

What do you think? Is the Ulysse Nardin Super Freak all right with you? You can let me know in the comments section below.

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