Introducing the UR-FREAK — A Groundbreaking Collaboration Between URWERK and Ulysse Nardin
UR-FREAK: The Next Era of High-End Horology Has Arrived
In 2025, the world of high-end mechanical watchmaking witnesses a once-in-a-generation milestone: the launch of the UR-FREAK, a limited-edition collaboration between Ulysse Nardin and URWERK—two of the most respected independent Swiss watchmaking powerhouses. Limited to only 100 pieces, the UR-FREAK blends radical innovation, futuristic engineering, and nearly 30 years of combined horological breakthroughs.
This is more than a timepiece. It’s the fusion of two icons. A reimagining of the Ulysse Nardin Freak, one of the most important watches of the 21st century, merged with URWERK’s world-renowned wandering hour satellite display. For collectors, the UR-FREAK represents both a historic collaboration and a technical achievement never before seen in haute horlogerie.
A First-Ever Collaboration Between URWERK and Ulysse Nardin
For the first time in history, URWERK and Ulysse Nardin worked hand-in-hand to produce a singular watch powered by a fully integrated in-house caliber, combining:
– Ulysse Nardin’s iconic rotating carousel Freak architecture
– URWERK’s celebrated wandering satellite hour display
– Ulysse Nardin’s proprietary Grinder® automatic winding system
– Silicon and DIAMonSil® high-tech components
– A futuristic 44mm sandblasted titanium case inspired by the Freak [ONE] and infused with URWERK DNA.
The result? A complete reinvention of time display and mechanical expression—mechanics that define the design.
The Origins: A Tale Starting in the Year 2000
Though unveiled in 2025, the UR-FREAK’s story begins nearly three decades earlier, during the renaissance of independent watchmaking. Between 1997 and 2001:
– URWERK was founded by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei, whose futuristic philosophy broke all traditional horological rules.
– Ulysse Nardin debuted the first Freak, a watch with no dial, no crown, and a movement that rotates to tell time.
Both brands challenged norms. Both embraced new technologies, 3D design software, modern machining, and experimental materials. And both pushed the boundaries of independence as a path toward total creative freedom.
The UR-FREAK is the culmination of this shared spirit.
Independence: The Core Philosophy of Both Maisons
For URWERK, independence means artistic autonomy—refusing to chase trends, refusing to compromise, creating watches that stand alone in the landscape of horology.
For Ulysse Nardin, independence means engineering with complete freedom—developing movements, building micromechanical labs, and pioneering materials no one else dared to explore.
These values align perfectly. And the UR-FREAK is the proof—an authentic partnership, not a cosmetic collaboration. A true fusion of expertise resulting in an entirely new mechanical system.
The UR-FREAK: Mechanics as Art
A Hybrid Display: Freak Architecture Meets Wandering Satellites
At the heart of the UR-FREAK is a newly developed mechanism requiring over 150 new components. Time is displayed via:
– A three-hour rotating carousel
– Three satellite hands with domed jumping-hour discs
– A central oversized silicon oscillator that rotates every 3 hours
This satellite system doesn’t just show time—it reshapes it. Each hour disc jumps precisely into place as the active hand sweeps the right-side minute track, merging Freak logic with URWERK’s kinetic sculpture.
The regulating organ is made entirely of silicon and rotates as part of the carousel, minimizing positional errors like a modern tourbillon.
Design: A Bold Titanium Expression
The UR-FREAK uses the 44mm Ulysse Nardin Freak [ONE] case, but redesigned with unmistakable URWERK character:
– Deep anthracite gray sandblasted titanium
– Three fluted bezel and caseback sections—distinctly URWERK
– Striking Pantone 395C electric yellow accents
– Integrated ballistic-textured strap (yellow) and integrated black rubber strap
– Crown-less design with a time-setting locking tab at 6 o’clock
The bold titanium geometry and electric color palette redefine modern horological aesthetics.
Inside the Movement: UN-241 — A New Generation of Freak Engineering
The UN-241 is a completely integrated caliber based on the GPHG-winning UN-240, but redesigned for the satellite system.
Key Specs:
– Automatic movement with Grinder® system
– Flying three-hour carousel
– Oversized 3Hz silicon oscillator
– DIAMonSil® escapement
– 90-hour power reserve
– 263 components / 25 jewels
– Ruthenium-plated bridges with yellow Super-LumiNova®
The Grinder® system is one of watchmaking’s most efficient winding systems ever made—converting even the slightest wrist motion into energy. Combined with silicon and DIAMonSil®, the UR-FREAK represents the pinnacle of modern micromechanics.
A Limited Edition of Only 100 Pieces
With just 100 units worldwide, the UR-FREAK is an ultra-exclusive collector’s piece—an emblem of collaboration, innovation, and independence. It is one of the most technically and aesthetically ambitious watches released in recent years.
Technical Specifications
– Reference: 2413-500LE-2A-UR/3B
– Movement: UN-241 Manufacture Automatic
– Functions: Hours, minutes; satellite display; flying carousel rotation
– Materials: Titanium (sandblasted), sapphire caseback
– Size: 44mm diameter, 12mm perceived height
– Water Resistance: 30m
– Straps: Integrated yellow ballistic rubber + integrated black rubber
– Edition: 100 pieces worldwide
The UR-FREAK: A Milestone in Modern Horology
This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in independent watchmaking. The UR-FREAK isn’t simply a tribute to two watchmaking icons—it’s a rebirth of them. It merges the most influential avant-garde concepts of the early 2000s with the most advanced materials and systems of today.
For collectors, it’s not just a watch. It’s a historic artifact of two groundbreaking maisons who chose to reinvent time together.
