Ulysse Nardin: Freak Vision

Ulysse Nardin reveals the new Freak Vision, the first automatic watch in the Freak Collection: a Haute Horlogerie wonder incorporating different revolutionary innovations such as a super-light silicium balance wheel with nickel mass elements and stabilizing micro-blades and a new case design made even thinner by a box-domed crystal.

Time is still indicated by the baguette movement itself, a “flying carrousel” rotating around its own axis. The new 3D carved upper bridge is inspired by a boat’s hull while the new box-domed sapphire allows for a thinner middle and bezel. Finally, the entire platinum 45mm case is completely new with a lateral brancard side bars coated blue rub and a bagel in titanium coated blue rubber lining.

The Grinder Automatic Winding System, which completely revolutionizes energy transmission, surpassing existing systems for efficiency by a factor of two. Grinder takes perfect advantage of even the slightest movement of the wrist. The oscillating rotor is linked to a frame containing four arms, which gives the automatic system twice the torque while a flexible guidance mechanism drastically limits friction.

The Ulysse Nardin Anchor Escapement is based on the principle of flexible mechanisms, exploiting the elasticity of flat springs. It presents a constant force escapement made entirely of silicium, and features a circular frame with a pallet fork that moves without friction. The pallet fork is fixed in the center and supported in space on two minuscule blade springs. Mounted perpendicular to each other, they are subjected to a bending force that curves and keeps them in a bi-stable state. The result is a positive energy balance that maintains the oscillations of the balance wheel at a constant rate without influence of torque variation from the mainspring. (Price €.95.000)