Ulysse Nardin Unveils Freak X with Grand Feu Enamel Dial

In "Yas Blue" enamel for Seddiqi.

Ulysse Nardin’s entry-level Freak has been dressed up with a flinque enamel dial in a limited edition for Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the Middle East’s most prominent luxury watch retailer. The Freak X Enamel Seddiqi features a “Yas Blue” guilloché enamel dial with the signature carousel carrying an oversized oscillator and silicon escapement that acts as a minute hand.

Initial thoughts

The Freak X is a descendent of the original Freak, but simplified for user-friendliness and affordability. The Seddiqi edition combines the appeal of the Freak X with an artisan ally decorated dial – a combination of contrasts that are complementary.

While the enamel might seem contrary to the high-tech nature of the Freak X, it complements the aesthetics of the watch. The striking, translucent enamel forms a pleasing backdrop for the carousel.

Priced at AED154,000 or around US$42,000, the Freak X Enamel Seddiqi is a little more expensive than the base model Freak X, but still amongst the most affordable Freak models.

Inversed calibre

In 2001, Ulysse Nardin revolutionised watchmaking the Freak, a watch that reimagined the conventions of movement construction with an unprecedented design that relocated the going train and oscillator to double as the minute hand. And the watch was the first-ever application of silicon in watchmaking.

The Freak X has the trademark carousel minute hand, but features a convenient automatic movement and crown, eliminating the need to wind the watch every few days and allowing for easy time adjustment.

The Seddiqi edition retains the same case as the standard version that’s 43 mm in diameter by 13.78 mm in thickness. But it is set apart by the “Yas Blue” guilloché and enamelled dial was inspired by the Sun setting over the waters of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

The dial is crafted by the artisans of Ulysse Nardin’s Donzé Cadrans in Le Locle. It’s made up of four layers of translucent enamel applied over a guilloche surface.

The self-winding UN-230 has the oversized balance wheel and silicon escapement on the form, carried by a carousel that acts as a minute hand. The movement has 72 hours of power reserve and beats at 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz).