Event Period: January 17 (Saturday) to February 15 (Sunday), 2026
Stores：COMMON TIME Yokohama Motomachi main store, Shibuya Koen-dori store
Cutting-edge technology • Métiers d'Art
Freak X Gray Enamel
An exclusive model specially crafted by Ulysse Nardin for Japan.
The perfect symbiosis of 17th-century and 21st-century watchmaking.
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A bold fusion of traditional craftsmanship and mechanical innovation.
•Cutting-edge technology: Freak is the pioneer in silicon usage and the first superwatch to revolutionize modern watchmaking. This timepiece, where the movement itself tells time, overturns conventional wisdom.
Métiers d'Art: A white gold disc adorned with guilloché engraving and coated in refined gray enamel. This combination, used for the first time on the Freak X, accentuates depth, texture, and the excellence of craftsmanship.
Japan-exclusive, limited edition of just 25 pieces.
Ulysse Nardin's "Freak," unveiled in 2001, redefined the boundaries of Haute Horlogerie. The name "Freak," a code name given by then-owner Rolf W. Schneider, perfectly captures the bold spirit of this watch conveyed by its groundbreaking design and mechanism.The original Freak, lacking hands, dial, or crown, featured a time-setting system integrated into the bezel instead of a crown and was wound by a mechanism in the case back. Incorporating numerous groundbreaking innovations, the Freak pioneered the use of silicon in watchmaking, particularly for its exceptional durability, lightness, and magnetic resistance.This material revolutionized the watch industry and remains a testament to the Freak's technical excellence. Having secured over 20 patents in the past two decades, the Freak symbolizes Ulysse Nardin's relentless pursuit of innovation and has become an icon among collectors. In 2023, the Freak ONE won the Iconic Watch Award at the prestigious Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève.
In 2019, Ulysse Nardin expanded the "Freak" collection, introducing the "Freak X" designed with more accessible specifications. The Freak X maintains the core spirit and innovation defining the collection while featuring a slim profile and smaller case suitable for everyday wear. The main evolution was the addition of a crown for winding and time adjustment.
The Freak X Grey Enamel inherits the unconventional principle of the original Freak. The movement itself rotates to indicate the time: the minutes are tracked by the flying carousel itself, while a pointer on a rotating enamel disc indicates the hour.Suspended without an upper bridge, the carousel appears to float above the dial, creating a fascinating mechanical spectacle.
This limited edition model features a white gold disc coated in gray enamel and decorated with a guilloché flanquet pattern by the Donzé Cadran workshop. This gray enamel color is a first for the Freak X.The inscription "DONZÉ ÉMAIL" next to the hour wheel on the enamel disc pays homage to the craftsmanship and highlights the interplay between the Métiers d'Art and cutting-edge watchmaking.
The 43 mm black DLC titanium case is paired with a black ballistic rubber strap with white stitching, giving it a bold, contemporary look.Inside, the in-house Caliber UN-230 is equipped with a flying carousel, a silicon escapement, a balance spring, a balance wheel (all manufactured by the company's silicon research institute, Sigatech), and a rose gold rotor, achieving a 72-hour power reserve.
The rotor is made of solid 18-karat gold. Individually engraved with a serial number, this special Japan-exclusive model, limited to only 25 pieces, embodies a fusion of innovative mechanisms and timeless craftsmanship.
: The Art of EnamelAmong the rare decorative techniques Ulysse Nardin continues to preserve, enamel decoration holds a special place. This ancient craft, practiced for over 3,000 years in civilizations such as Egypt, China, and the Roman Empire, became associated with watchmaking in the 17th century.Renowned for its rich, vivid colors, enamel decoration differs from conventional surface treatments by producing unparalleled depth of hue that resists fading over time. Today, this technique remains one of the most complex métiers d'art in watchmaking, mastered by only a handful of workshops worldwide, including H. Moser & Cie.'s dedicated enamel atelier, Dontzé Cadran.
To ensure the preservation of this specialized expertise, Ulysse Nardin began a partnership with Donzé Cadran in the 1980s, acquiring the atelier in 2011. Donzé Cadran was founded in 1972 by master enameler Francis Donzé, just a few blocks from the Ulysse Nardin Manufacture in Le Locle.The atelier mastered traditional techniques such as Grand Feu, Cloisonné, Champlevé, and Guilloché Francaise, becoming a reference in the field. Producing approximately 1,200 dials annually, the atelier supplies not only Ulysse Nardin but also other prestigious watchmakers and institutions commissioning the restoration of historical pieces.
The enamel artisans at Donzé Cadran boast some of the most extensive experience in the industry. Eight artisans work in the atelier, including some who have honed their craft for over 30 years. Mastering the fundamentals of enamel requires at least five years, and continuous practice is essential to reach the required level of excellence.Each dial is the culmination of accumulated expertise and meticulous handwork, embodying both artistic sensibility and technical discipline. Enameling is an extremely delicate process that cannot be industrialized. The intuition and sensitivity required for this craftsmanship cannot be replicated by programs or machines.
Donzé Cadran is highly regarded for its fixed enamel dials, while the Freak X presents far more advanced technical challenges due to its rotating disc. Unlike traditional dials, the hour disc is integrated with the movement, a functional and movable mechanical component secured by multiple screws. These elements make the enameling process more complex, demanding exceptional precision and technical expertise.
Furthermore, white gold, with its excellent thermal stability, was carefully selected as the material for the disc. This unique composition allows the plate to withstand the extremely high temperatures required for firing, a crucial step in the enameling process. The disc is also engraved with a guilloche-franke pattern that enhances the visual effect of the Freak X's iconic rotating carousel.
The enameling process begins with cleaning the solid compounds of the raw materials and grinding them into a fine powder using a traditional mortar and pestle. This meticulous process ensures the perfect uniformity and color tone of the gray enamel applied to the rotating disc.
The gray enamel transcends a mere neutral hue; developed specifically for this Freak X, it lends the watch a delicate balance and elegant harmony. Its depth captures light in a subtle yet striking manner, creating a dial that feels modern yet timeless.The gray dial represents a contemporary reinterpretation of Ulysse Nardin's design codes, with the artisans at Donzé Cadrans constantly developing new shades for each timepiece. Achieving the perfect blend of pigments requires an experimental aspect demanding deep knowledge of chemical reactions and color theory, while artistic sensibility is equally essential to realize a perfectly balanced, delicate, and beautiful hue.
Water is then added to create a pigment paste, which is carefully applied to the plate and fired at approximately 800°C. After cooling and cleaning, three to four additional layers of pigment are applied and fired, each layer enhancing the depth, intensity, and brilliance of the hue. Once firing is complete, the disc undergoes meticulous hand polishing, a delicate process requiring up to an hour.
Every step within the kiln carries the risk of defects like bubbles or cracks, often necessitating the process to be repeated. This is a rigorous discipline demanding patience, precision, and exceptional technical skill, making enamel one of the most challenging materials to master in Haute Horlogerie.The rotating discs of the Freak X Grey Enamel are crafted sequentially, one by one. Each disc requires at least a full day to complete, approximately 8 to 12 hours. The result is a truly unique piece, with no two discs ever identical.Each possesses its own depth and hue, radiating a distinct soul and timeless individuality.
For the first time on the Freak X, the hour disc bears the discreet engraving "DONZÉ ÉMAIL," a unique specification for this limited edition that pays a subtle tribute to the workshop's unparalleled savoir-faire.
During the fair period, we have special benefits available for those who make a purchase.
(The number of tickets is limited and will be closed as soon as they are gone.)
You can also use shopping credit with no interest for up to 120 installments (COMMON TIME covers the handling fee). *Terms and conditions apply; please ask our staff for details.
Ulysse Nardin, the first independent watchmaking group, continually pushes the boundaries of horology and redefines expectations as a brand with a rich heritage.
Please take this opportunity to experience it in our stores.
The entire staff looks forward to serving you.