Ulysse Nardin & Watches of Switzerland Debut A Centenary Exclusive

In a new collaboration marking 100 years of curating the world’s finest watches, Watches of Switzerland has unveiled a limited-edition masterpiece in partnership with Ulysse Nardin: the Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition. This exclusive series, limited to just ten pieces, pays homage to one of the most groundbreaking innovations in contemporary horology, the Ulysse Nardin Freak, while celebrating a century of luxury watch retailing excellence.

This partnership between Ulysse Nardin and Watches of Switzerland speaks to a relationship that has spanned generations. As President of Watches of Switzerland UK and Europe, Craig Bolton, explains, “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to offering the very best in watchmaking savoir-faire. The Freak S Centenary Edition is a celebration of our shared history, designed for collectors who appreciate both precision and craftsmanship.”

Mattieu Haverlan, Managing Director of Ulysse Nardin, echoed this sentiment: “The Freak S is a revolutionary piece of haute horlogerie. It is a perfect symbol of innovation, and we are proud to celebrate this important milestone with such an exclusive creation.”

When the Freak was first introduced in 2001, it was as unconventional as its name suggests. It boldly disrupted traditional watchmaking by eliminating a dial, hands, and crown. Instead, the time was displayed through its movement, with the mechanism serving as the hands, and the time adjusted via the bezel. It was also the first watch to feature silicon components, a material that would revolutionize the watch industry for its anti-magnetic and frictionless properties.

Ulysse Nardin’s Freak became a symbol of high horology innovation, and the Freak S, launched in 2022, extends this legacy. The Freak S showcases a futuristic spaceship-like movement that rotates on its own axis, featuring a double silicon oscillator and DiamonSil® escapement, further enhancing the precision and complexity of the watch.

The Ulysse Nardin Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition is housed in a 45mm anthracite-PVD-coated titanium case with a grey titanium bezel. Its key feature remains the lack of traditional hands and dial, with the Caliber UN-251 Manufacture movement—an automatic flying carrousel—taking center stage. Rotating once every 60 minutes, a luminescent-coated section of the main bridge serves as the minute hand, providing an otherworldly aesthetic.

The movement is set on a violet Crystalis plate, a rare crystallized ruthenium layer that adds a unique color variation to the piece. The method used to create Crystalis is as intriguing as the material itself, involving a vaporization process that takes days and produces a finish unlike any other. This plate’s purple-violet hue reflects light so that no two are alike, ensuring that each of the ten limited-edition watches is unique.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Freak S also boasts technical innovations. Its double silicon oscillator, combined with Ulysse Nardin’s patented Grinder® automatic winding system, delivers exceptional accuracy and performance. The movement’s vertical differential with ball bearings further enhances its precision, while the anthracite-colored “ballistic” rubber strap with violet stitching adds an extra layer of visual intrigue. The caseback offers a glimpse into the mechanics, framed by an engraved tribute to Watches of Switzerland’s 100th anniversary.

As part of the centenary celebrations, Ulysse Nardin will host a pop-up exhibition throughout October in several Watches of Switzerland showrooms across London, including Regent Street, Battersea, and Knightsbridge. This unique opportunity allows collectors and enthusiasts to experience the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the Freak S Centenary Edition up close. Limited to only ten pieces, the Ulysse Nardin Freak S Watches of Switzerland Centenary Edition is priced at £143,870 (GBP) / CHF 155,000 / USD 163,500.