Ulysse Nardin Unveils the Freak [X Crystalium] at Geneva Watch Days | stupidDOPE | Est. 2008

"At Geneva Watch Days 2025, Ulysse Nardin once again proved its reputation for mechanical daring and avant-garde design with the unveiling of the Freak [X Crystalium]. Limited to only 50 pieces worldwide, this latest addition to the iconic Freak line pushes horology into uncharted territory, blending radical material innovation with the brand's signature technical mastery. With its crystalline display, titanium case, and in-house caliber, the Freak [X Crystalium] demonstrates how Ulysse Nardin continues to challenge traditional watchmaking conventions."

"Rather than employing conventional indices and hands, the watch uses a rotating Crystalium disc as the 12-hour display. Each disc is the result of a vapor-deposition crystallization process that produces natural, fractal-like crystal structures. The outcome is a dial that is not only unique to each watch but also visually dynamic, shimmering with depth and unpredictability. This radical approach underscores Ulysse Nardin's ethos: embracing risk, pursuing innovation, and merging science with artistry."

"The heart of this release lies in the Crystalium disc. Made from ruthenium - a platinum-group metal ten times rarer than platinum - the material undergoes a days-long crystallization process in controlled vapor-deposition chambers. The resulting structures resemble frost patterns or fractured ice, creating an organic texture that no two pieces share. To enhance the effect, each disc is treated with rose-gold PVD, adding warmth and contrast, followed by hand-appl"

The Freak [X Crystalium] is a 50-piece limited edition that advances the Freak lineage through radical material and display innovation. The watch replaces traditional hands and indices with a rotating Crystalium disc that functions as the 12-hour display. Each disc forms via a days-long vapor-deposition crystallization of ruthenium, producing fractal, frost-like crystal structures that make every dial unique. Rose-gold PVD treatment adds warmth and contrast. The model pairs the crystalline display with a titanium case and an in-house caliber, continuing the collection's experimental approach and its fusion of scientific processes with horological artistry.

Read at stupidDOPE | Est. 2008