From The Straits Times    |

The Ulysse Nardin Freak L.E. (Limited Edition) watch has been unveiled to mark another milestone in the field of artisanal horology.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Freak emerged as a product of radical innovation and new-age technology which created a progressive tour de force and usurped traditional watchmaking. Launched over ten years after the first Freak timepiece, the Freak L.E. is also a symbolic anniversary timepiece exclusively created for The Hour Glass boutique in Singapore. The limited edition watch represents Ulysse Nardin’s tribute to over 20 years of synergistic partnership with The Hour Glass.

Ulysse Nardin Freak LE limited edition watch DECOR

The Freak watch was conceived under the watchmaking excellence of Rolf Schnyder, late CEO of Ulysse Nardin , and long-time partner Dr Ludwig Oechslin. The Freak L.E. watch, like its predecessors, bears the 7-day Carrousel Tourbillon as first conceptualized by Dr Ludwig Oechslin.

Instead of having the balance wheel assembly move within a cage once every minute, the entire movement rotates once every hour in the case of the Freak watch. The Freak L.E. watch also spots the turnaround technology of the Dual Ulysse Escapement, a principle which substantially reduces the lift angle from the typical 50-52 degrees to just 30 degrees.

Over a decade of continuous breakthroughs and innovation, the Freak L.E. watch spots several improvements to bring the iconic Freak series to greater heights. Ulysse Nardin introduces a new design in the balance wheel, which bears four inertia adjusting screws that are hidden within the rim to avoid creating air turbulence. These enable the user to fine-tune the frequency of its 28’800 V/h Oscillator by adjusting the inertia of the balance, rather than the spiral length which is affixed. In addition, the Freak L.E. watch’s patented Dual Ulysse Escapement is now crafted out of silicium that does not require any lubrication.

The latest Freak L.E. timepiece comes in magnificent black.  The bottom of the case, together with the PVD of the minutes movement plate and its bridges, are set in black to accentuate the elegant contrast with its golden upper screws and the golden numerals and indexes. Fifty-three diamonds are also encased within the hour and minute indexes to add an exquisite finish to the watch. 

The Ulysse Nardin Freak L.E. watch is retailing at $175,700 in a very limited quantity of 20 pieces worldwide. To honour its exclusive partnership with The Hour Glass, the Freak L.E. watch is available solely at The Hour Glass boutiques in Singapore.

The Hour Glass boutiques are located at Takashimaya S.C. #01-02, Tel: 6734 2420, Millenia Walk #01-27, Tel: 6339 4870, and Orchard Central #01-06, Tel: 6337 8309. For more information about the Freak watch by Ulysse Nardin, please check out their website at www.ulysse-nardin.ch. You can also follow Ulysse Nardin on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ulyssenardinwatches and on Twitter at @ulysse_nardin. For more information about The Hour Glass, go to www.thehourglass.com. You can follow The Hour Glass on Facebook at www.facebook.com/The-Hour-Glass-Singapore.