It’s a new look, same mission for the watch that rewrote the Swiss fine watchmaking playbook
With its ‘no dial, no hands, no crown’ aesthetic, the Freak ONE OPS picks up Ulysse Nardin’s Freak story where it last left off. A khaki-and-black palette cements the military spirit as indicated by its name (OPS is short for ‘operations’).
The 44mm watch is cased in black DLC titanium, complemented by a khaki green palette that informs the special sunray-patterned barrel cover and the watch’s integrated rubber strap pairing.
The bezel, meanwhile, is made of Carbonium. The innovative material with exceptional strength-to-lightness properties is produced using the same carbon fibres found in state-of-the-art aircraft wings and fuselages.
In fact, the Freak ONE OPS is made from Carbonium offcuts from the aircraft manufacturing process, reducing its environmental impact by 40 per cent compared to other carbon composites.
Another plus: the manufacturing technique is organic, meaning the marbled finish found in the bezel is unique to each watch.
Since there is no dial, the Freak ONE OPS’ in-house UN-240 calibre is clearly visible. Its flying carousel simultaneously relays the minutes as it rotates on its own axis, while the hour hand is a pointer set on a rotating disc that sits under the movement.
Also on display are the oversized oscillator and balance spring, both in striking blue silicon. The movement is automatic and offers 90 hours of power reserve.
There is a choice of two integrated straps: one in black and khaki ‘ballistic’ rubber, and an alternate two-tone rubber strap, also in black and khaki. Both have black DLC titanium and black ceramic folding clasps.
Like the bezel, the straps are environmentally sound too. They are made using 30 per cent recycled rubber from production waste.
