Earlier this year Ulysse Nardin debuted theFreak ONE at Watches & Wonders 2023. Intended to be their new flagship model, the Freak ONE features various nods to previous versions, from the notched bezel of the 2001 model to the open gear train of the Freak Cruiser (2013), to touches of the Freak Vision (2018). The 44mm launch model had a black DLC-coated titanium case has a satin finish and a 5N rose gold bezel. On the dial, along with the orbital 60-minute flying carrousel which rotates on its own axis, is the Freak ONE’s minute bridge which carries the entire gear train, an oversized silicon oscillator, and an escapement is treated with Ulysse Nardin’s patented DIAMonSIL coating.

Setting the time on the Freak ONE is done via the bezel – it is activated when the lock at 6 o’clock is released. Turning the bezel rotates the entire movement, which doubles as the watch’s hands.

Now, the brand has launched the new Freak ONE OPS, which comes in a 44mm-sized titanium case which has black DLC coating. With a khaki plate and Carbonium® bezel, the black and khaki colour scheme (not to mention the name) was in fact used for another recent new release, the Ulysse Nardin Freak X-OPS. That makes it two watches with this colour scheme, based on the Freak X and Freak ONE respectively, in quite quick succession.

This new Freak ONE OPS is powered by the automatic UN-240 which beats at 21,600 VPH and has a power reserve of 90 hours. Visible on both sides, the flying carrousel doubles as the minutes indicator. With an oversized silicon balance wheel and a DIAMonSIL® (patented form of diamond-coated silicon), it has their patented Grinder® winding system which features four blades connected to the oscillating weight. The oversized balance wheel and balance spring are both blued. As mentioned, it has a khaki plate, which is colour-matched to the barrel cover that is engraved with a ray motif.

Carbonium® is a carbon fibre composite that was chosen for its combination of lightness and toughness. As is the case when this type of material amalgam is used, the pattern ends up being random, so no two bezels will look alike.

The new Freak ONE OPS comes with two strap options, both integrated. You can go for either a black and khaki ‘ballistic’ rubber strap, or a black and khaki two-tone rubber strap, both coming with a black ceramic folding buckle. The RRP is CHF 63,000/ EUR 66,400.

[Photo credit: Ulysse Nardin]

Categories: Ulysse Nardin, Watch Profile, watches