Ulysse Nardin x Urwerk UR-Freak Titanium Wristwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 2025
The Ulysse Nardin x Urwerk UR-Freak is an automatic wristwatch produced in a limited edition of 100 examples. The watch features a 44mm sandblasted titanium case and is powered by the Calibre UN-241, an automatic movement developed through a joint collaboration between Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk.
The timekeeping mechanism utilizes a carousel-driven movement, a platform associated with the Ulysse Nardin Freak, which is combined with a wandering hour display designed by Urwerk. The orbital display system incorporates three arms, each carrying domed hour discs that rotate along a 60-minute arc. The design includes a crownless configuration and is paired with a yellow ballistic-textured rubber strap. The watch was selected as a finalist in the Complication category at the 2026 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 2025
- Type
- Wandering hour display wristwatch
- Maker
- Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk
- Model
- UR-Freak
- Movement
- Automatic Calibre UN-241
- Case material
- Sandblasted titanium
- Limited edition
- 100 examples
- Award nomination
- 2026 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève
- Maker / attribution
- Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk
Design
- Case and Display
- The UR-Freak is housed in a 44mm sandblasted titanium case. The watch utilizes a crownless architecture that relies on a carousel-driven movement to manage adjustments. The dial is characterized by a grey color palette and incorporates an orbital display system. This system consists of three arms that support domed hour discs; these arms move along a 60-minute arc to indicate the time. The visual presentation of the movement is exposed, following an aesthetic associated with Urwerk's mechanical style. The strap is constructed from yellow ballistic-textured rubber and features a rigid insert labeled with the model name 'UR-FREAK'. The overall design integrates elements from the Ulysse Nardin Freak platform with a specialized wandering hour complication, marking a collaborative effort between the two manufacturers. The exhibition caseback allows for visibility into the movement components from the rear of the watch.
- Visible features
- • Exposed carousel movement mechanism • Hour discs labeled with numeric indices and a star-like symbol • 60-minute scale printed on the peripheral dial ring • Yellow strap featuring an integrated 'UR-FREAK' plaque
- Provenance and Delivery
- The UR-Freak was released as a limited edition, with a total production run of 100 examples. The inclusion of the original box and formal certificates confirms the completeness of the delivery set as reported by the source. As a collaborative project, this object marks the first time Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk have united their respective design philosophies into a single watch. The provenance of the piece is tied to this specific 100-piece production run, with the 2026 award nomination serving as a documented milestone in the model's history.
- Movement and Development
- The timepiece is driven by the automatic Calibre UN-241. This movement was the result of a three-year development cycle involving a joint effort between Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk. It serves as the mechanical core for the watch's unconventional time display, which eliminates the traditional crown and utilizes a carousel configuration to power the rotating hour arms. The movement design represents the integration of Ulysse Nardin's existing Freak architecture with Urwerk's mechanical wandering hour display technology. The technical development of this caliber led to the watch being recognized as a finalist for the Complication category at the 2026 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, documenting the project's industry-facing technical claims.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The production date is listed as circa 2025, which may overlap with the 2026 award mention
- Research required: Status of internal mechanical components beyond the carousel system remains unverified