The Ulysse Nardin Freak [S Howlite] : Specs, Prices And Our Take
4 min read
When Ulysse Nardin first pulled back the curtain on the Freak in 2001, it fundamentally rattled the traditional pillars of Swiss watchmaking. There was no dial, no crown, and no traditional hands; instead, the movement itself served as the timekeeper. It was an unapologetic UFO on the wrist that dared the industry to think differently. Now, as the historic Maison marks a dual milestone: 180 years of watchmaking heritage and 25 years of the revolutionary Freak, Ulysse Nardin is dropping anchor in North America with a breathtaking new collector’s piece that bridges futuristic mechanics with deep geological time. Limited to just 15 pieces and reserved exclusively for the North American market, the new Freak [S Howlite] (Ref. 2513-500LE-9A-HOW/3A) is an avant-garde masterwork that pairs ultra-complex high horology with a million-year-old mineral. To know more about the Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE Blue Enamel, click here.
A Canvas of Stone: The Howlite Hour Disc
At the heart of the Freak’s radical architecture is its method of telling time. True to lineage, the Freak [S Howlite] features no hands and no conventional dial. Minutes are displayed via a pointer on the tip of the baguette-shaped flying carousel movement, which rotates around its own axis once every 60 minutes. Hours, meanwhile, are tracked via a rotating disc that completes a full 12-hour revolution beneath the carousel. For this ultra-exclusive North American edition, Ulysse Nardin has integrated howlite into the Freak collection for the very first time. Discovered in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1868 by chemist Henry How, howlite is a naturally occurring white mineral characterized by striking, organic gray-to-black veining. Because nature never repeats its patterns, every single hour disc possesses its own unique geological fingerprint. Sourced and cut to exacting standards, the raw stone undergoes rigorous selection, with roughly 60% discarded during inspection to ensure optimal whiteness and web-like veining. Coated with a protective varnish and polished to micro-tolerances, the resulting marble-like white disc creates a mesmerizing visual contrast. Against this pale stone background, the suspended flying carousel and its high-tech components appear to float in mid-air.
Mechanical Wizardry: The UN-251 Caliber
Beneath the mineral artistry lies the mind-bending mechanics of the Manufacture caliber UN-251, an automatic movement comprising 373 components that stretch across six distinct gear planes. Approximately 95% of the movement is in constant motion, delivering an arresting kinetic spectacle. The watch's precision is driven by two oversized silicon oscillators, each tilted at 20 degrees. To bring stability to this setup, the movement incorporates the world's smallest vertical differential. Composed of 47 micro-engineered parts this intricate vertical differential averages the rates of the dual oscillators. Honoring Ulysse Nardin’s legacy as a pioneer of silicon in horology, the movement incorporates 10 in-house silicon components alongside DIAMonSIL escapements. This diamond-coated silicon fusion is capable of withstanding over 150 million impacts per year. To feed the high-energy demands of the dual-oscillator layout without compromising efficiency, the watch utilizes Ulysse Nardin’s patented Grinder automatic winding system. Acting like hybrid automotive technology, it captures the slightest wrist movements via low-frequency 2.5 Hz mechanics to maintain a robust 72-hour power reserve.
Ergonomics and Operation
True to the purist ethos of the collection, the Freak [S Howlite] features no crown. Winding is achieved by unlocking a safety fixture at 6 o'clock and rotating the caseback counterclockwise using both thumbs, transmitting energy straight to the barrel via the Grinder base. Setting the time is equally unconventional, executed by unlocking the bezel and rotating it bidirectionally. The entire mechanism is housed in a robust, lightweight 45mm titanium case. Roughly 45% lighter than steel, titanium offers exceptional durability, hypoallergenic comfort, and corrosion resistance. The watch is completed with a white "ballistic"-textured rubber strap secured by a titanium folding clasp. Each piece is meticulously hand-assembled from start to finish by a single Grandes Complications watchmaker at the Manufacture in Switzerland. This watch is strictly limited to 15 numbered pieces available exclusively across North America, priced at USD 190,700, excluding local taxes.
The Ulysse Nardin Freak [S Howlite] stands as a stunning testament to what happens when two centuries of relentless horological innovation collide with the raw, untamed artistry of deep geological time. By pairing an avant-garde 373-component movement and dual-oscillator architecture with a uniquely patterned Canadian howlite hour disc, the Maison has crafted far more than a timepiece. This ultra-exclusive piece proves that after 25 years of breaking convention, the Freak remains the ultimate canvas for fearless mechanical and material storytelling. To know more about Ulysse Nardin Blast Moonstruck, click here.
What makes the hour disc on the Freak [S Howlite] unique?
The hour disc is crafted from howlite, a naturally occurring white mineral with organic gray-to-black veining discovered in Nova Scotia. Because natural mineral patterns never repeat, every single watch features its own one-of-a-kind geological fingerprint.
How do you wind and set the watch if it has no crown?
True to the signature design of the Freak collection, winding is performed by unlocking a safety fixture at 6 o'clock and rotating the caseback counterclockwise with both thumbs. The time is set by unlocking and rotating the bezel bidirectionally.
How many pieces are available and what do they cost?
The Ulysse Nardin Freak [S Howlite] is strictly limited to just 15 numbered pieces available exclusively in North America, priced at USD 190,700 excluding local taxes.
