Independent watchmaking has always been based on small teams doing big, sometimes bold things, but true collaborations between large independent companies are surprisingly rare. This is what makes UR-FREAK 2025 such a joyful moment in haute horlogerie. Ulysse Nardin and URWERK are two names that helped shape the modern era of experimental watchmaking from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The technical optimism of this period, with new modeling software, more flexible editing, and a willingness to break long-held traditional rules, was the catalyst for both Ulysse Nardin Freak (2001) and URWERK’s satellite display system. Today’s UR-FREAK doesn’t try to recreate that era, but you can see the common roots.
What makes the new version so unique is the actual level of collaboration. Many high-end partnerships boil down to swapping dials or colors, but Ulysse Nardin and URWERK have worked together to develop an entirely new mechanical system. The UN-241 movement combines the carousel design of the Freak with the wandering satellite hours of URWERK. The three-hand satellite system moves along the minute scale, with each hand carrying a domed jumping hour disc, while the entire mechanism orbits the dial with an oversized silicon oscillator at the center. This oscillator owes its existence to Ulysse Nardin’s early foray into the exclusive development of silicon microcomponents. While the display and the characteristic bright yellow colors look unmistakably URWERK. More than 150 new parts were created for this single project, which is far from a superficial collaboration.
The case starts with the 44mm Freak Silhouette (ONE), which comes without a crown and bezel, but is made of sandblasted titanium with URWERK-style fluting. The bezel is still used to set the time and is unlocked by the familiar tab at six o’clock. The Grinder® automatic elevator system increases efficiency without changing the identity of the Freak. One gets the feeling that neither brand has tried to overshadow the other. Instead, the UR-FREAK reads like a mechanical handshake between the two brands. For collectors dedicated to independent watchmaking, this is one of the rare collaborations truly worthy of the word.
Source: URWERK/Ulysse Nardin
