What Makes Ulysse Nardin’s New Freak ONE OPS Different

Ulysse Nardin continues the Freak story with the new Freak ONE OPS, a khaki and black watch conveying an adventurous inspiration.

When Ulysse Nardin first introduced the Freak in 2001, it was a mechanical watch that defied conventional forms with its lack of dial, hands and even crown. More than 20 years later, the Freak continues to impress. Hot on the heels of the Freak ONE winning GHPG’s Iconic Watch Prize 2023 is a camouflage twist of the said watch. 

The Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE OPS – as in “operations” – measures at 44mm in diameter and is cased in black DLC titanium. A khaki green palette complements it along with the special sunray-patterned barrel cover and its integrated rubber strap pairing. 

Ahead is just a handful of the special ‘Freak-tures’ that make the Freak ONE OPS different from your ordinary watch.

NO DIAL, NO HANDS

The Freak ONE OPS retains the first Freak’s attributes of having neither dial nor hands. Its one-hour orbital carousel tourbillon doubles as its minute hand; the hour hand takes the form of a pointer set on a rotating disc that sits under the movement. Not to mention, the oversized oscillator and balance spring, both in captivating blue silicon, is a testament of the existential role silicon has played in the Freak’s unconventional legacy.

VISIBILITY

The hour and minute indicators and hour markers are coated in a beige Super-LumiNova® that glows green in low-light conditions. 

SELF-WINDING

Like the initial Freak, the Freak ONE OPS has no crown but is powered by UN-240, a self-winding movement with a 90-hour power reserve. 

THE MATERIALS

The Freak ONE OPS features a bezel made of Carbonium, an innovative material often used in the aviation industry. It delivers exceptional strength-to-lightness properties and has a 40 per cent reduction in environmental impact as compared to other carbon composites. Since its manufacturing technique is organic, every Freak ONE OPS’s bezel is unique in its marbled finish. 

Then, there’s the choice of two integrated straps as well: one in black and khaki “ballistic” rubber, and an alternate two-tone rubber strap, also in black and khaki. Both are complete with black DLC titanium and black ceramic folding clasps. These too are evident of Ulysse Nardin’s dedication to the environment as they are made of 30 per cent recycled rubber from production waste. 

Discover the latest collections from Ulysse Nardin at the Hour Glass.