Restricted to 50 Items, Ulysse Nardin’s Freak [X Crystalium] Showcases Progressive Crystal Dial

Ulysse Nardin writes a brand new chapter within the story of its Freak assortment, this time dedicated to materials science and high-tech ornamental arts. Recent from Geneva Watch Days is the Ulysse Nardin Freak [X Crystalium], whose most distinct characteristic is its rotating hour disc manufactured from Crystalium, which was so complicated to fabricate that the Freak [X Crystalium] is introduced as a restricted manufacturing of simply 50 items.

The method of making Crystalium took years to develop and excellent. Ranging from ruthenium, a metallic that’s 10 occasions rarer than platinum and prized for its energy and shine, days of managed crystallisation through vapour deposition strategies leads to shimmering, intricate and irregular fractal-like crystal constructions, which means every disc bears a novel sample.

After a rose-gold PVD end, after which delicate black shading to amplify the distinction, the result’s putting and audacious, and much more so due to the aesthetic option to dim the lights on different aspects of the watch’s design: the 43mm case manufactured from black DLC-coated titanium, the black hour indicator and minute bridge, strap choices in black rubber or black alligator leather-based. All particulars are in service of enhancing Crystalium’s intrinsic options, by making a spectacle of depth and element.

Beneath the Crystalium hour disc sits the automated calibre UN-230, which offers 72 hours of energy reserve and operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, whereas above the Crystalium one finds the flying carousel and the silicon steadiness wheel and escapement, made by the model’s silicon lab, SIGATEC, and suspended by a bridge that doubles because the minute indicator.

This story was first seen as a part of the WOW #81 Autumn 2025 Concern

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