Ulysse Nardin Releases a Svelte Freak [X] Packed with Technology

Packing increased sophistication into ever small sizes is a familiar theme here in Silicon Valley, and it is exactly the course taken by Ulysse Nardin in its newest Freak [X]. The design brief for the watch was relatively simple: shrink this most wearable and versatile of the Freak models from 43 mm in diameter to 41. But in a model as complex as complex as the Freak [X], such a reduction required an entirely new movement.

The company took the opportunity to make significant upgrades to the only crown-driven movement in the Freak family. A first-ever gold micro-rotor and enhanced finishing sets off the back, but the real improvement is up front. The escapement package is now rendered in DiamonSil for increased durability and efficiency. The silicon hairspring with a new geometry and thermocompensation is, along with other parts in the assembly, subject to new patents. Such developments are a reminder of how the Freak model originally led Ulysse Nardin to develop silicon technology for watches in the first place. All these developments are housed in a brand-new water-resistant case. A newly designed box crystal affords an even better view of the Freak’s signature flying carrousel movement.

HM12 Marks a Heady New Chapter for MB&F

While it may bear a passing resemblance to previous MB&F robots such as Balthazar or Mechior, the brand’s twelfth Horological Machine, HM12 The Guardian, is a much more complex and versatile creation. The Robot’s head is a wearable watch and a highly compelling one, with dial-side rotor in place of a mouth, eyes with side-by-side jumping hour and trailing minute displays and a tourbillon for a brain. A closable “face shield” gives the watch another futuristic look. The case back reveals a host of fine finishing techniques, underscoring the quality of the timepiece. The watch including case and movement is made up of 730 different components. The robot’s articulated body is no less complex with 755 components making up its highly detailed design that includes a mechanical thermometer, a loupe and a UV flashlight.

HM12 is also a significant milestone for the company. It is the first timepiece collaboration between Max Busser and Maximilian Maertens, a young designer who has contributed previously on music box and clock creations. It is also a departure from previous Horological Machines, which were the first family of watches on which the company was founded. HM12 will be produced in three colorways (blue, green and purple) of just 12 pieces each for the world—a new level of exclusivity and potential collectibility for these creations.

Summer Heat from H. Moser & Cie.

A typically Bold colorway From H. Moser & Cie debuts in the Pioneer Centre Seconds Sun Berry, which pairs a deep purple dial with a yellow Super-LumiNova accents and a yellow strap. Please contact our boutique to inquire when additional allocations may be available.