Ultramodern Timepiece: Ulysse Nardin Debuts Crystalium Freak X with Whirling Disk
Ulysse Nardin Unveils the Freak X Crystalium Watch at Geneva Watch Days
Swiss watch brand Ulysse Nardin has made a splash at this year's Geneva Watch Days with the unveiling of their latest masterpiece, the Freak X Crystalium. This timepiece marks the brand's pioneering foray into silicium technology, showcasing their commitment to innovation and experimentation.
The Freak X Crystalium features a background and rotating hour disk made of Crystalium, a ruthenium metal. The vapor-deposition process used to crystalize the ruthenium metal forms intricate metallic structures that give the watch a unique and mesmerizing appearance. The process of crystalizing ruthenium is no easy feat, as it is difficult to master due to its non-homogeneous nature and the risk of production waste due to the expensive raw material.
The Freak X Crystalium is a streamlined version of its older sibling, the Freak, with a more wearable size and thickness. Measuring 43mm in diameter, the watch boasts a sleek design that is both modern and timeless. The Crystalium hour disk with pointer serves as the hour hand and completes a full rotation every 12 hours.
The watch is powered by the automatic Caliber UN-230 with a flying carrousel, and silicon balance wheel and escapement made in-house at Ulysse Nardin's SIGATEC silicon lab. The Crystalium disk of the Freak X Crystalium watch is coated in rose gold via a PVD process and has a gradient effect due to a lacquer application.
The Freak X Crystalium is billed as the most complicated time-only watch ever created. Ulysse Nardin's CEO, Patrick Pruniaud, stated that the difficulty for the Freak X lies in the crystals of the Hour disk being high enough to reflect light in a mesmerizing way but not too high, as the component is rotating on itself. Every disk of the Freak X Crystalium is unique due to the complex process of crystalizing the ruthenium metal.
Only 50 pieces of the Freak X Crystalium watch will be made, with each retailing for $42,200. The watch deftly represents Ulysse Nardin's product philosophy of balancing craftsmanship with experimentation. With its unique design and innovative technology, the Freak X Crystalium is sure to be a coveted timepiece among watch enthusiasts.
Ulysse Nardin has a history of working with innovative materials, as shown by the creation of the Freewheel Osmium limited edition in 2019 and the Freak S WOS limited edition in ruthenium in 2024. The development of the Freak X Crystalium watch took years to perfect, with the help of Crystal Tech. The watch was first introduced at the Geneva Watch Days in 2025, marking a significant milestone in Ulysse Nardin's history.
Sabatier, the brand's creative director, stated that most brands do not boast the complex crystalline growth that the Freak X Crystalium watch possesses. The Freak X Crystalium is a testament to Ulysse Nardin's dedication to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking technology and design.
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