amanico
[JLC Moderator]
368784
Watches and Wonders 2023: Some thoughts on the Ulysse Nardin Freak One.
The Freak One is not really a new Freak. The case and the bezel are those of the Freak S, presented ( and reviewed ) last year. It is the 44 mm DLC coated titanium case, with a rose gold bezel.
The Freak One has an automatic movement, such as the Freak S. The Cal UN 240 has a power reserve of 72 hours, silicon oscillator and balance spring and the famous DiaMonSil escapement.
The dial and minutes / hours " hands " change for a wiser concept, here, but also for a more " affordable " price.
So can we say that it is a true Freak?
I will kill the suspense and answer YES. But let me tell you why I asked this question.
During the Press Presentation, Jean Christophe Sabatier, who is Ulysse Nardin Chief Product Officer, explained to us what is a Freak.
To quote him, the three main characteristics of a Freak are " No Dial, No Hands, No Crown ". As a first hour Freak Lover I am ( since the first time I saw it in... 2001 ), I concur 1000 times!
The Freak One gathers all these characteristics and adds its own personality, with this front design, and its baguette movement:
The automatic movement doesn't disqualify the " One " as a true Freak, even if I must confess that I prefer long power reserve manual winding movements housed in the first Freaks.
One thing I disliked is the rubber strap. I tested it, it is supple and comfortable, but well, not much my taste.
Long life to the Freak! I hope that they will top the collection with a new Innovision, though. A kind of Super Freak. I just can't wait to see that.
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best.
Nicolas
Watches and Wonders 2023: Some thoughts on the Ulysse Nardin Freak One.
22 years after the worldwide horological shock represented by the unveiling of THE Freak, Ulysse Nardin just gave birth to another " Freakie Baby", the Freak One. The Freak One is not really a new Freak. The case and the bezel are those of the Freak S, pr...
I agree it is a "real" Freak as we understand the requirements to be.
And while I hate to sound negative, I would also say it is the worst version of The Freak so far. This brand is lost at sea. Pun intended. The need a new boat, and a new captain. Nothing is working in my view, and it is a real pity, as this used to be my ...
Posting two times, you love the Freak so much, i understand it
What i see is a very readable Freak. I do not have to search for the time. As i think UN used for this Freak enough superluminova, it is also easy to read in the dark.
Interesting....
But, as others have lamented, simply not enough.... Something is missing to me and I'm not sure that I can properly express what........ An 'x factor' of sort.... My next watch purchase is easily going to be the most expensive I have ever bought, but they...
UN is really need to rotate their focus on their other models.
Every year a new freak... Each year the Freaks are indistinguishable from previous year. Nothing really new. It's tiresome and not a novelty anymore. I admit the first time I saw a Freak, I was blown away and was amaze. While I can appreciate the engineer...
Very attractive. A true Freak is still an amazing watch. To me "true Freak" always meant no crown and the movement IS also the hands. Freaks are an icon, a signature piece and should
create respect for the brand. Something recent Freaks haven't done. This goes in the right direction! Unfortunately not as impressive when you flip it over. The beauty of that massive mainspring in the manual wind is missed!
If that's how UN defines a Freak -No Dial, No Hands, No Crown, so be it.
Maybe I need more time so I am not fully convinced yet. Freak Out was in the right direction to make the Freak accessible if that was the intention which UN could have perhaps expanded the product line. Instead, the Freak Out is now gone and in comes the ...
This Freak...
I love the UN Freaks (including those FREAKS with crowns - one can argue with the Grinder-winder, this down not have a rear-case manual wind and therefore...) However, unlike the Freak S, which was a tad over-complicated/bulky, the F-One has a nice baguet...
Do I like it? Yes. Do I like it better than Freak 1/1.5? No.
I agree that this version is a clear technological step over the original Freak, but what I dislike is the finish. It may be flawless, it may be modern. But it appears .... machined. The first Freak still spanned the bridge to traditional watchmaking craf...
The spiritual successor to the Freak Out
Looking at the two side-by-side, I prefer the older Freak Out to the Freak ONE. Reviewing the comments, it would be fair to say that this Freak ONE does not appear to be making anyone's Favourite Freak list. I don't think the concept is poor, but the desi...
This is clearly..
A Freak. Same level of affordability. I wonder if Freaks have hit a technological limit.? Or UN puts out one a year for mostly financial reasons?