Freak NeXt is Ulysse Nardin’s latest proof that innovation continues.
In 2001, when Ulysse Nardin copy launched the first Freak, it represented not only an unprecedented leap in watch design, but also the development of watch technology-in addition to its unique tourbillon, it was also the first watch, wrist or Watch. In the pocket, silicon components are used. In the following years, the relationship between Ulysse Nardin and its manufacturing partner Sigatec continued to produce many important innovations in the silicon technology of the watchmaking industry, the most important of which is the Ulysse Anchor Escape escapement, the escapement It is the pillars that hang down from a very thin silicon spring. This means that the lever has no pivot, just like a traditional anchor escapement,
The movement of Elysse’s anchorage escape is worthy of attention. It was first used by Ulysse Nardin in the Ulysse Nardin Anchor tourbillon and is one of the very small family of experimental escapement systems. In recent years, the escapement has begun to use the flexibility of silicon to eliminate some of the silicon found in silicon Wear and friction points are more traditional watchmaking.
The idea of using the elastic properties of silicon is not a new idea. Silicon springs have long been the mainstream of modern watchmaking. However, some quite radical experiments have been carried out in recent years. In 2016, Parmigiani Fleurier showed the Senfine concept table, which uses a high-frequency silicon oscillator system that guarantees a theoretical 70-day power reserve; the oscillator is made by the former CSEM (Swiss Electronics And Microtechnology Center) developed by physicist Pierre Genequand. Genequand oscillators have no conventional fulcrum in terms of balance. Instead, the ring oscillator is suspended on a silicon spring, which performs the function of a conventional hairspring.
Zenith launched Defy Lab in 2017, which is conceptually related to the Genequand oscillator, but has many of its own unique characteristics, including the overall structure of integrating the balance wheel, hairspring and lever into a single silicon chip. Functional unit. The production scale of Defy Lab is very small. However, Zenith plans to continue to develop Defy Lab’s oscillation system. Ulysse Nardin ’s new Freak NeXt uses what Ulysse Nardin calls a “flight regulator”, which is a ring oscillator suspended from a silicon spring and pushed by Ulysse Nardin ’s anchor escapement. The low mass of the vibrator, combined with the frictionless pivot of the balance wheel and the non-lubricated impulse surface on the escapement, form a 70-hour power reserve. The structure of the balance wheel is very complex and visually striking-Ulysse Nardin said that there are a total of 32 silicon springs, forming 16 triangles in four separate layers at a frequency of 12 Hz. The rapid speed makes it one of the most angry freaks since 2001.
The low mass of the vibrator, combined with the frictionless pivot of the balance wheel and the non-lubricated impulse surface on the escapement, form a 70-hour power reserve. The structure of the balance wheel is very complex and visually striking-Ulysse Nardin said that there are a total of 32 silicon springs, forming 16 triangles in four separate layers at a frequency of 12 Hz.
This is not the first time Ulysse Nardin has used silicon as an oscillator in the timing system – Freak Innovision 2 has a silicon hairspring and hairspring. However, the balance in Innovision 2 has a conventional balance bar and a conventional fulcrum. The latest developments in Ulysse Nardin ’s silicon oscillator technology completely eliminated the balance staff.
One of the most interesting features of these recent experiments on silicon oscillators is how each manufacturer responds to the aesthetic requirements of various systems – Senfine copy watches from Parmigiani have a largely experimental atmosphere, while Zenith Defy Lab Wholeheartedly embrace the physical characteristics, especially the optical characteristics, of the adjustment system. Of course, Freak of Ulysse Nardin has been committed to combining visual impact with mechanical innovation from the beginning, and Freak NeXt closely follows the footsteps of its predecessors. Not only is the oscillator very compelling, but Super-LumiNova ’s wise deployment also makes Freak NeXt also nightly active.
Freak NeXt also uses the so-called Grinder automatic winding system. The pendulum of the grinder is connected to the flexible circular frame by four pawls, which mesh with a sun gear to tighten the mainspring. The system is wound in two directions and is designed to increase mechanical efficiency.
Freak NeXt has been announced as a disposable concept watch, although I very much hope that some versions of it will be used in at least a small number of commercially available watches. At this point, both the Ulysse Nardin escapement escapement system and the Grinder winding system have been more or less proven to be mature technologies. Due to its peacock iridescence and relatively high frequency, Flying Oscillator will be on the wrist Quite impressive. We will keep an eye on Baselworld.
The Ulysse Nardin Freak NeXt: Reference. 2505-250 / 00. Movement, UN-25X movement, automatic winding system with automatic grinder; 12 Hz flight oscillator and Ulysse Nardin anchor escapement. 70 hours power reserve. Case, 45mm x 14.1mm, platinum and titanium. Water resistant to 30 meters; white rubber coated bezel with Super-LumiNova.
Introduced Ulysse Nardin Monster X
One of the most classic watches ever made by the United Nations has been completely reinterpreted.
Today, we launched a new version of “Ulysse Nardin’s Freak”. As one of the first series of watches made of experimental silicon materials and early examples of unconventional tourbillons – the watch is a tourbillon and the escapement itself is also part of the display screen – the Freak series has helped Ulysse Nardin ‘s long-established company The name of the old revivalist and former owner Rolf Schnyder can be renamed.
The main knowledge about Freak X is that it comes in various versions (the titanium alloy seen above, with a black DLC / PVD surface coating), with a traditional crown (not common in Freaks, usually set by turning ) Border), and the price is lower, so that more collectors can use this freak. Compared with the 45mm size seen in Freak Vision last year, the case size of all versions has been reduced by 43mm.
Freak X debuted a new movement called UN-230, which the United Nations describes as a fusion between manufacturer UN-118 and Freak Vision UN-250, which debuted last year. Reading time is as simple as the freaks of the past. The minutes are indicated by the central bridge itself, while the shorter hours are fixed by the wheels in the center of the dial.
Interestingly, Ulysse Nardin has launched its most famous and technically most interesting watch at a more affordable price. Although the movement itself is a simplified version of what Freak Vision has seen, this new copy watch Price is one of Freak Vision ‘s most important technological advances. It is a lightweight silicon balance wheel with a nickel flying hammer and a stable micro blade.
basis
Brand: Ulysse Nardin
Model: Freak X
Reference number: 2303-270 / 03 (blue); 2305-270 / 02 (gold); 2303-270.1 / BLACK; 2303-270 / carbohydrate
Diameter: 43 mm
Case material: titanium, titanium gold plated with PVD, rose gold or matt carbon fiber
Dial color: black gloss
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap / Bracelet: Calfskin or crocodile leather strap
motion
Caliber: UN-230
Function: hour, minute
Power reserve: 72 hours
Chain: Automatic
Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 vph)