Ulysse Nardin Freak [S Howlite] – A North American Exclusive
Ulysse Nardin Freak [S Howlite] – A North American Exclusive
To mark the 25th anniversary of the Freak collection, Ulysse Nardin has unveiled the Freak [S Howlite]—a limited edition of 15 pieces available exclusively in North America, featuring hour markers crafted from Canadian howlite.
In celebration of the Freak collection’s 25th anniversary, Ulysse Nardin has introduced a timepiece created specifically for the North American market. Dubbed the Freak [S Howlite], this limited edition of 15 pieces is powered by the dual-oscillator Freak S movement and incorporates a material never before used by the brand: howlite. Each watch features hour markers cut from Canadian howlite, with the unique veining of the stone ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike.
The Ulysse Nardin Freak [S Howlite] is a North American exclusive, limited to 15 examples, commemorating 25 years of the Freak collection. It houses the UN-251 movement—featuring dual balance wheels—and is presented in a 45mm titanium case, accented by natural howlite hour markers. high quality fake watches
This year marks a double milestone: Ulysse Nardin, founded in Le Locle, Switzerland, in 1846, celebrates its 180th anniversary, while the Freak collection reaches its 25th year. When the Freak debuted in 2001, it defied convention by eschewing a traditional dial, hands, and crown—the movement itself served to display the time, while its pioneering use of silicon challenged long-standing industry norms. Ulysse Nardin aptly describes it as a “true UFO in the world of traditional Swiss watchmaking.”
A quarter of a century later, the Freak has evolved into what Ulysse Nardin calls a “veritable laboratory on the wrist,” boasting 35 patents and 17 distinct movements. In 2023, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) awarded the “Iconic Watch” prize to the Freak [ONE]. The brand’s momentum has continued well beyond this milestone—from the “Super Freak” unveiled at Watches & Wonders and the more everyday-wearable iterations of the Freak, to the exquisite enamel and guilloché craftsmanship seen in the Freak [ONE]. The “Howlite” edition stands as the most refined chapter in this collection to date—a release that resonates particularly strongly with North American collectors.
Introducing the Freak [S Howlite]
The Freak S represents the most ambitious evolution within the Freak collection. Launched in 2022, it elevates the essence of the Freak into a three-dimensional realm: approximately 95% of the movement’s components are in motion, ensuring that no two timepieces look exactly alike. Such an intricate design demands exceptional skill; each Freak [S Howlite] is assembled from start to finish by a single master watchmaker specializing in the brand’s most complex complications.
The time is read in a single minute—a detail that captures the very heart of the Discount replica watch. Comprising 373 components, the in-house UN-251 movement functions like a rotating carousel, completing one full revolution on its own axis every 60 minutes, with a pointer at the tip of the elongated movement indicating the minutes. Beneath this, a rotating hour disc—equipped with its own dedicated indicator—completes a full rotation every 12 hours. To accommodate this sophisticated mechanical architecture, the watch utilizes six gear trains, whereas most mechanical timepieces rely on only two.
Its timekeeping mechanism is equally unconventional: two oversized silicon oscillators, each inclined at a 20-degree angle, vibrate at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour, regulated by silicon balance wheels and a DIAMonSIL® escapement. Connecting these two oscillators is what Ulysse Nardin calls the world’s smallest vertical mechanical differential—an assembly comprising 47 components and six ceramic ball bearings, designed to average out the oscillation frequencies of the two balance wheels.
Since 2001, silicon has been woven into the DNA of the Freak collection. The movement features ten silicon components, including the balance wheels and hairsprings, all produced by Sigatec—the brand’s dedicated silicon laboratory in Sion. Furthermore, the patented DIAMonSIL® technology—introduced in 2007—applies a diamond coating to the escapement, enabling it to withstand more than 150 million impacts per year.
Then there is the crown—or rather, the lack thereof. To set the time, one must disengage the safety lock at the 6 o’clock position and rotate the bi-directional bezel. To manually wind the watch, you turn it over and rotate the caseback counter-clockwise using both thumbs; this engages the patented Grinder® system, which transmits energy directly to the mainspring barrel. www.perfectwrist.co
First unveiled in the 2017 Freak InnoVision 2 concept watch, the Grinder® winding system was engineered to power the high-energy, dual-oscillator movement—in this instance, providing a 72-hour power reserve. Winding the Freak in this manner becomes a small ritual, which, in our view, is half the joy of owning one.
The Howlite Edition
What earns this particular timepiece its status as a North American exclusive is its use of gemstone inlays. Howlite is a naturally occurring white mineral characterized by distinctive grey-black veining. It was first discovered in 1868 in Nova Scotia, Canada, by the Canadian chemist and geologist Henry How, after whom it is named. In this model—dubbed the “Freak [S Howlite]”—the howlite is sourced from Canada and meticulously crafted in Switzerland. Incorporating a mineral native to Canada into a timepiece designed specifically for the North American continent makes for a compelling narrative.
Working with this material is no simple task. Howlite is relatively soft and fragile; the raw stone must first be drilled and then sliced into thin wafers using a wire saw. Each piece is meticulously inspected for its whiteness, veining, and overall characteristics—with roughly 60% failing to make the cut. The remaining pieces are refined to their final thickness, polished, and coated with a protective varnish. This process preserves the mineral’s natural appearance while ensuring it meets the exacting tolerances required by the Freak S movement. perfect replica watches
The effort is well worth it. Against this marble-like, pristine white surface, the rotating flying movement—featuring dual inclined oscillators and a differential—appears to float above the hour disc, enhancing the three-dimensional quality and legibility of the caliber. In our view, this light-toned stone provides a superior backdrop for the movement compared to any lacquered finish; it imbues each watch with a unique, one-of-a-kind character without ever distracting from the mechanical performance.
The rest of the timepiece is equally focused on the wearer’s experience. The 45mm case, bezel, crown, and caseback are crafted from grey titanium—a material Ulysse Nardin notes is approximately 45% lighter than stainless steel. The movement can be admired through a sapphire crystal caseback. The watch measures 13.66mm in thickness (16.65mm overall) and is water-resistant to 30 meters. It is paired with a white rubber strap featuring a ballistic texture and a titanium folding clasp—a sporty aesthetic that complements the stone dial far better than one might initially expect. The Freak [S Howlite] watch, reference 2513-500LE-9A-HOW/3A, marks a return of the dial to the Freak collection—25 years after the series first debuted its dial-free design. Ulysse Nardin fake has achieved this by incorporating a dial crafted from a piece of natural stone that took millions of years to form.
Specifications Details
Reference 2513-500LE-9A-HOW/3A
Movement Manufacture Caliber UN-251, automatic
Functions Hours, minutes
Architecture Carrousel movement rotating on its own axis
Regulation Two oversized oscillators inclined at a 20-degree angle, featuring silicon balance wheels and a DIAMonSIL® escapement
Differential Vertical differential with ball bearings
Winding Grinder® automatic winding system, utilizing blade technology
Components 373 parts, 33 jewels
Frequency 2 x 2.5 Hz (2 x 18,000 vph)
Power Reserve 72 hours
Case 45mm grey titanium case, bezel, and case back
Case Back Open sapphire crystal
Height Perceived thickness: 13.66 mm; total thickness: 16.65 mm
Water Resistance 30 meters
Hour Disc Natural howlite, individually cut from mineral sourced in Nova Scotia, Canada
Strap White rubber with a “ballistic” texture
Clasp Titanium folding clasp
