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Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk Collaborate on the Innovative UR-Freak Timepiece

December 04

In an exceptional collaboration, two innovative Swiss watch manufacturers, Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk, have launched the UR-Freak, a limited-edition timepiece with only 100 pieces available. This venture seamlessly integrates Ulysse Nardin's revolutionary Freak platform, renowned for its dynamic, rotating movement that serves as hands, with Urwerk's distinctive satellite hour display. The outcome is a sophisticated and visually captivating watch, embodying the spirit of ingenuity, artistic vision, and superior mechanical craftsmanship that defines independent watchmaking.

The UR-Freak's core features include the rotating carousel structure of the Freak series, complemented by Urwerk's unique three-armed satellite hour system. This mechanism involves each arm carrying a rotating hour disk that navigates along a minute track, completing a full rotation every three hours in a mesmerizing display of precision. Powering this intricate design is the newly developed automatic Caliber UN-241, which harmonizes the signature elements of both brands. It boasts a Grinder winding system, advanced DIAMonSil escapement technology, and a silicon balance wheel operating at 3 Hz, ensuring exceptional accuracy and reliability.

Encased in a 44mm sandblasted titanium shell with a slim 12mm profile, the UR-Freak maintains the crown-less design characteristic of the Freak collection, with time adjustments made via a rotating bezel. The watch offers water resistance up to 30 meters and comes with integrated rubber straps, available in Urwerk's striking electric yellow and classic black, secured by a titanium folding clasp. Each of these exclusive timepieces is valued at 108,100 CHF (including 8.1% VAT), equivalent to approximately $135,200 USD, reflecting its status as a collector's item in the world of haute horlogerie.

The UR-Freak stands as a beacon of advanced watchmaking, demonstrating that true innovation flourishes when creative minds unite. It's a celebration of courage, precision, and the relentless pursuit of horological perfection, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in timepiece design and mechanics.

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