Super-Freak!

The FREAK [ S NOMAD ] -

Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin

From Ulysse Nardin.

I have had exactly three encounters with Ludwig Oechslin. They have all involved meals in Basel and La Chaux-de-Fonds - two lunches and one dinner. And I can say with a fair amount of certainty that I am one of the few members of the Fourth and Fifth Estate of Watch Town to have enjoyed a meal cooked by the master himself.

With that said, it is nice to see Ulysse Nardin reconnecting with the man who pretty much single handedly made them what they are by reinvigorating his seminal watch - the Freak.

I would love to share the pertinents with you, but UN in their "wisdom" provided a link to images and a PDF that defies simple use. So no offense gentle reader, but if you need more details you will need to look elsewhere ; )

The Freak Vision Coral

These are two "unique" pieces from Ulysse Nardin -

Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin

There is the CORALBAY-1 (above). And the CORALBAY-2 (below).

Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin

Here are the pertinents -

Reference:
FREAK VISION CORAL BAY “BONDING”: 2505-250LE/CORALBAY-1 / Unique piece
FREAK VISION CORAL BAY “MICROPAINTING”: 2505-250LE/CORALBAY-2 / Unique piece 

Movement:Calibre UN-250 

Functions:
H/M functions indicated by rotation of the movement
“Grinder” Automatic movement system with pawls and flexible guidance
Ulysse Nardin Anchor Constant Escapement, 2.5 Hz oscillator
Large diameter silicium oscillator with nickel inertia-blocks
Self-regulating silicium micro-blades
Silicium finishing gear train
Flying Carrousel (baguette movement): 1 turn in 1 hour      

Power reserve:
50 hours at constant amplitude

Case:
Platinium case with lateral «brancard » side bars coated blue rubber

Bezel:

Titanium coated blue rubber lining with 3 titanium riders for easy handling
Manual winding possible with the back bezel Time set with the front bezel, lever lock

Diameter:45 mm
 
Dial:
Sapphire, with engraved hour and minute indexes
2505-250LE/CORALBAY-2 : Micropainting on the hours and barrel cover
2505-250LE/CORALBAY-1 : Gold threads “Bonding” on the hours and barrel cover.

Water Resistance:
30 m

Crystal:
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, box-domed

Case Back:
Titanium, 6 screws, view of the “Grinder” through the domed sapphire crystal 

Strap:
Rubber-like leather and titanium folding clasp

 

This just in from Ulysse-Nardin -

Courtesy of Ulysse- Nardin

Born from a pioneering spirit in 2001, and completely redesigned in 2013 to bring it into line with the seafaring theme cherished by Ulysse Nardin, the Freak Cruiser is hoisting the mainsail and heading for blue ocean waters.

Never before has a watch accomplished such a conceptual and technological leap forward for watchmaking – a feat that remains unrivaled even today. Stripped of its dial and hands, the Blue Cruiser is designed so that the movement revolves on itself. Connected to the center of this incredible ship, the rotating lower bridge indicates the hours, while the upper bridge, in the form of a skeletonized ship's anchor shows the minutes. Named the flying Carrousel-Tourbillon, this system which defies the imagination is entirely free floating, as it no longer includes the center pin which in previous incarnations was stowed with the sapphire crystal to support the entire structure.

In 18 ct white or rose gold, this avant-garde vessel measures a respectable 45 mm in diameter and is, by its very nature, suited to voyages of all kinds.

Love or Money?

Okay, hopefully I've got your attention.  For the next little while, I want to take as many chances as I can to talk about people not only in the watch industry, but in fashion, etc. who are in it for love, not for money.

Today I will kick things off with watches - and as is often the case here at Tempus Fugit we turn to Lucerne and ochs und junior.

Courtesy of ochs und junior

Remembering Rolf Schnyder

By now, I'm sure that you have read or heard elsewhere about the passing
of Rolf Schnyder.

Reading this when I woke up this morning, I was reminded what Ludwig Oechslin had to say about
Mr. Schnyder:

"Rolf Schnyder is a wonderful guy. He is also, to some extent, a nervous guy! He was always pushing a new idea forward, which invariably meant that I was running "minute miles" to keep up with him! He is someone who never thinks about the limitations, never says impossible! Instead he thinks in terms of - how can we do this?!"

Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin