UR-FREAK Satellite
THE FIRST COLLABORATION BETWEEN URWERK AND ULYSSE NARDIN.
Combining Year 2000-Era Technology Optimism, With Advanced Horological Systems the World Has Never Seen Before.
The UR-Freak is a watch that combines the technological and performance prowess of the most advanced Ulysse Nardin Freak timepiece, with a “satellite” display system made popular by the esteemed Genevan watchmaker URWERK. Although the UR-FREAK is a watch being released in 2025, its story goes back nearly three decades to the beginning of today’s mature and highly coveted modern luxury watch era.
Within the span of just four years, both the URWERK brand was founded (in 1997 by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei), and the original Ulysse Nardin Freak watch was debuted (2001). Ulysse Nardin as a company goes back to 1846, but starting in the 1980s, the company began investing in surprising and modern forms of wristwatch technology and design. The late 1990s and early 2000s were a prodigious era for the traditional watchmaking industry. It was an exciting time for artists and entrepreneurs who were suddenly able to take advantage of a confluence of forces that made today’s era of independent and advanced watchmaking possible.
NEW RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDEPENDENT BRANDS
Collaborations between watchmakers who might otherwise be considered competitors goes back to the beginning of the modern high-end watch era some 30 years ago. The reality is that nearly all advanced timepieces require the skills of multiple professionals and minds to materialize. In other words, collaborations are already common behind the scenes. Making them public is both transparent and allows fans and collectors to better appreciate and admire the worlds that bring them the beautiful watches they enjoy wearing.
Collaborations in the high-end watch space is also where many revolutionary ideas are born. Pioneering concepts from multiple independent minds often result in avant-garde creations and concepts that inspire watchmakers and collectors alike. Ulysse Nardin has consistently pushed its team and collaborators to push the boundaries of what was previously considered possible and create cutting-edge products for the world’s most demanding collectors and enthusiasts.
Ulysse Nardin and URWERK are no strangers to collaborations but have not previously worked together prior to the creation of the highly original UR-FREAK. In fact, this is the first time Ulysse Nardin has collaborated with a fellow watchmaking brand. Ulysse Nardin has been openly collaborating with personalities like the above-mentioned Dr. Ludwig Oechslin for decades. URWERK has always placed collaboration at the core of its identity. The brand was born from the encounter of two complementary visions: master-watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and designer Martin Frei. Their union fused technical mastery with conceptual audacity, giving rise to timepieces that are not only mechanically groundbreaking but also radically distinct in their aesthetic language. Together, they forged URWERK into one of the most original voices in contemporary watchmaking, redefining what an independent Maison can be. Together, Ulysse Nardin and URWERK continue this strong legacy of teamwork, and the resulting UR-FREAK is an exclusive creation that combines the best of both worlds to celebrate independence.
Ulysse Nardin and URWERK are fixtures of today’s modern high-end Swiss watch industry, although each embodies a unique perspective and personality. Both companies exemplify independence individually but share a core definition for “independence” that equates to “freedom”. URWERK have intentionally maintained their small size to promote a singular product and design vision advanced by founders Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner. For URWERK, independence is about not making compromises, not having to appeal to the whims of third parties, and being able to artistically explore without limits. At Ulysse Nardin, independent freedom manifests itself in their ability to focus on whatever technical or manufacturing projects they choose. The company is primarily focused on not only designing increasingly impressive mechanical movements but also developing the techniques and industrial knowledge to create such marvelous machines. URWERK and Ulysse Nardin’s definitions of “independence” agree that creative inspiration needs to come from within the company, as opposed to following trends. They also agree that independence allows a watchmaker to follow a focused, long-term path to help realize highly ambitious goals. Accordingly, independence allows these noteworthy watchmakers to also choose who they work with, and why. The best horological collaborations result when two powerful, independent entities possess the total freedom to invest deeply in the relationship. In this instance, the UR-FREAK is the result.
A TRUE TECHNICAL COLLABORATION
It is worth distinguishing the relationship between Ulysse Nardin and URWERK, from most other creative collaborations in today’s luxury watch space. Much of the time, collaborations result in novel, but merely cosmetic alterations to existing timepiece products. A technical collaboration, such as that between Ulysse Nardin and URWERK, results in an entirely new mechanical system. Accordingly, the UR-FREAK watch does not just combine DNA elements from the respective brands but also presents an entirely new mechanical movement co-developed by the two Swiss masters. Inspired by the legacy of the iconic Ulysse Nardin Freak, URWERK sought to apply their signature satellite system for indicating the time, with the in-house silicon component mastery of Ulysse Nardin. Together, they created an entirely new system that has never been seen before, but that elegantly fits into both worlds. The UR-FREAK is therefore a uniquely balanced collaboration watch, as it equally promotes the respective values the horological community recognizes from Ulysse Nardin and URWERK. For the brands, the UR-FREAK is a successful collaboration because of its ability to blend the appeal from both brands, showing the enthusiasts similarities between the companies that may not already be obvious to many observers.
With the spirit of crossovers and collaborations now deeply part of contemporary high-end watchmaking culture, this highly exclusive creation as a concept should be readily understandable by watch enthusiasts and collectors. For Ulysse Nardin and URWERK, the UR-FREAK is the perfect fusion between the avant-garde Freak concept and the innovative URWERK time display. The spirit is fueled by the desire to merge expert know-how and unique company masteries that yield previously unimaginable new designs and concepts.
MECHANICS DEFINE THE DESIGN
The Freak rotates the entire movement to tell the time; URWERK’s hour satellite bends mechanics and reshapes the perception of time itself. Now, two complex mechanisms are fused into a single, fully integrated, in-house caliber.
To create this marvel of engineering, over 150 entirely new components were developed in order to design the distinctive wandering hours satellite display as well as the case’s bezel design. Time is indicated by one of three connected hands. The active hand slides along the minute indicator scale on the right side of the face. Each hand has a turning domed disc that acts as a jumping hour display. Once the current hour connected to the rotating carousel has completed its path along the 60-minute marker scale, the hour disc changes, and the next hour is ready to be read by the next hand, which begins its travel along the beginning of the minute track. The entire wandering hours satellite system, in true Freak form, is connected to the regulation system. In the center is a silicon-based balance wheel oscillator and escapement assembly. It turns with the satellite system and makes a full rotation every three hours. Similar to how a traditional tourbillon or carousel works, the UR-FREAK’s constant change of orientation helps reduce timing errors.
The UR-FREAK is based on Ulysse Nardin Freak [ONE] watch case that is 44mm wide, and here rendered in a typical URWERK deep anthracite gray sandblasted titanium. Added to this foundation are more signature URWERK design elements that further elevate the piece. These include three distinct fluted sections on the titanium turning bezel and caseback, a hallmark design element of URWERK. Additionally, the titanium hues are accented by URWERK’s emblematic electric yellow Pantone 395 C, a vibrant color that highlights the satellite pointers, minute markers, as well as the bespoke fitted rubber strap.
Another hallmark of most Ulysse Nardin Freak watches is the absence of a traditional crown. The UR-FREAK accordingly does not have a crown, which adds to a clean, streamlined aesthetic on the wrist. Instead of a crown, Freak collection watches typically employ both a turning bezel and caseback. A small tab known as the “locker” at the six o’clock position on the case holds the bezel secure when not in use. It has a special “UR-FREAK” label for this limited-edition watch. When the locker is lifted, the bezel freely turns, and when it does, it moves the hands to adjust the time. Even though the UR-FREAK employs a Grinder®-based automatic winding system, the UN-241 movement can also be manually wound by turning the caseback. Despite being sandwiched between sliding parts, the UR-FREAK case still offers 30 meters of water resistance.
The mechanical system under the URWERK-designed wandering hours satellite display is a new in-house-made Ulysse Nardin caliber UN-241 movement. A fusion into a single, fully integrated, in-house caliber. Based on the iconic GPHG-winning Freak [ONE] UN-240 caliber and applying over two decades of know-how and innovations, the movement is a fantastic blend of balanced performance and modernity in an extremely wearable package. The silicon oscillator operates at a 3Hz frequency and offers a full 90 hours of power reserve.
Where most movements hide their oscillator at the back, the Freak has always revealed its beating heart on the front. In this new design, the oscillator takes center stage. Thanks to advanced silicon technology, it is 25% larger than standard versions. To maximize visual impact and save space, the oscillator is positioned centrally, above the rotating hour satellites. This unique layout was only possible by designing the movement and dial simultaneously, breaking away from the traditional step-by-step watchmaking approach, where form and function are conceived together.
Its self-winding system is unlike that in any other watch outside of a select number of other Ulysse Nardin Freak [ONE] and Freak [S] timepieces. Ulysse Nardin calls the system “Grinder®,” a name which simply mimics how the system works. Most automatic winding systems rely on a moving weight that must experience a certain volume of force and motion prior to generating power in the mainspring. Grinder® vastly increases the winding efficiency of traditional systems by converting even the smallest movement into kinetic energy. Grinder® is not only a unique system, but also revolutionary because it is one of the first true improvements to automatic winding system efficiency in decades.
SILICON, THE REVOLUTIONARY MODERN WATCHMAKING MATERIAL THAT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED BY ULYSSE NARDIN
Since 2001, Ulysse Nardin has filed more than 20 patents for the Freak and is both a specialist in and producer of silicon. The company pioneered the use of silicon, a metalloid, in watchmaking when it released the original Freak timepiece in 2001. Silicon is a useful alternative for traditional metals for a number of reasons. The natural element is resistant to environmental changes such as temperature fluctuations and the presence of magnetic fields, which can both cause serious problems for traditional metal components. Silicon also benefits from extremely low friction properties, a common issue for watchmakers seeking efficiency and long-term performance. Silicon parts can last for very long periods of time and also do not require traditional forms of lubrication – further delaying necessary service intervals and contributing to owner satisfaction.
When Ulysse Nardin first investigated silicon as a watchmaking material, it was highly expensive to machine and challenging to apply to traditional watchmaking. The promise of its performance benefits outweighed concerns for the pioneering Swiss company who invested heavily in engineering the material as well as inventing uses for it in mechanical watch movements. One of UIysse Nardin’s inventions is a material known as DIAMonSil. As the name suggests, it is a silicon material that is coated with diamond. This coating adds an important, durable layer that protects against silicon’s brittle nature. DIAMonSil is used for the escapement in the UN-241 movement, given the constant forces such components are subjected to. No other watchmaker aside from Ulysse Nardin is able to equip their timepieces with DIAMonSil technology. Today, most major watch manufactures incorporate silicon into at least some of their leading products.
Discover the UR-FREAK at Cellini Jewelers, an Authorized Retailer for Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk. Contact us for pricing and availability at 212-888-0505.
Learn more about the Freak collection