Ulysse Nardin Introduces Another Freak: The Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2

Ulysse Nardin has added another Freak to its incredibly impressive repertoire: the Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2.

Now entering their third consecutive year of collaboration, Ulysse Nardin and Gumball 3000 continue to build on a shared mindset rooted in performance, freedom of expression, and fearless innovation, extending their partnership with Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2, an exclusive release limited to just 150 pieces worldwide, designed for collectors who value technical mastery as much as bold identity.

This new edition elevates the Freak X platform into a performance-driven statement piece, wrapped in a dramatic black-and-orange aesthetic that directly reflects Gumball 3000’s culture of movement, energy, and visual intensity, translating the rally’s unmistakable codes into contemporary haute horlogerie. The watch features an ultra-light Carbonium® hour disc crafted from aerospace-grade carbon fibers infused with orange epoxy resin, paired with a black DLC titanium case that delivers both strength and refined aggression in equal measure.

Since its debut in 2001, the original Freak fundamentally reshaped modern watchmaking by eliminating traditional hands, dial, and crown, transforming the movement itself into the display of time. It also became the first watch to introduce silicon components, unlocking a new era of high precision, magnetism-resistant mechanics that would ripple across the entire industry. With more than 35 patents attributed to the Freak platform, its legacy remains deeply embedded in 21st century horology.

The Freak X refined that revolutionary DNA into a more wearable format while preserving its defining architecture, featuring a rotating hour disc that completes one full rotation every twelve hours, alongside a flying carrousel that turns once per hour to indicate minutes, all held without an upper bridge for a floating visual effect that feels both futuristic and mechanically poetic.

Edition 2 channels the pulse of Gumball 3000 directly into this architecture, introducing a Carbonium® hour disc inspired by Damascus steel patterns, where woven carbon fibers and vivid orange resin create a unique three-dimensional texture that ensures no two watches are ever identical. This material not only enhances the watch’s graphic presence but also reinforces Ulysse Nardin’s long-standing commitment to advanced materials and contemporary engineering.

For the first time, the minute wheel is highlighted by an orange Super LumiNova® ring, complemented by white Super LumiNova® accents across indexes and bridges, improving legibility while amplifying the technical character of the dial. The black DLC titanium case is paired with an openworked matte rubber strap featuring orange inserts and stitching, delivering a lightweight yet uncompromisingly performance-driven profile that feels equally suited to city streets or cross-border adventures.

Powering the timepiece is the in-house Calibre UN 230 automatic movement, featuring a flying carrousel, oversized silicon balance wheel and balance spring, silicon escapement wheel and anchor, and an oversized oscillator, delivering a 72-hour power reserve within a 43 mm case. With 206 components, 21 jewels, and a frequency of 3 Hz, the movement reflects Ulysse Nardin’s mastery of mechanical innovation while maintaining a perceived height of just 11 mm for impressive wrist comfort. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters, and each watch features a personalized side plate with the serial number rendered in orange.

Beyond its technical brilliance, Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2 also draws inspiration from the rally’s evolving global narrative. Founded in 1999 by Maximillion Cooper, Gumball 3000 has grown from an underground road adventure into a worldwide cultural platform blending cars, music, fashion, and entertainment. In 2026, the rally returns to North America with a bold route from Miami to Mexico City, crossing borders and cultures over seven days and three thousand miles, culminating in a VIP hospitality experience tied to the FIFA World Cup opening match at Estadio Azteca.

This spirit of movement is embedded in every detail of the watch, reflecting Gumball’s philosophy that the journey matters more than the destination. The rally unites artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons through shared adventure, and that same ethos lives inside this timepiece, where precision meets spontaneity and performance meets creativity.

Priced at approximately 46,400 USD excluding VAT, Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2 positions itself firmly within the realm of collectible high horology, offering not just a watch but a wearable expression of contemporary luxury culture. Backed by a five-year warranty and produced in extremely limited numbers, it stands as a modern icon for those who seek rarity, innovation, and narrative depth in equal measure.

Ultimately, this collaboration is less about crossover and more about continuation, a seamless fusion of two independent worlds driven by a refusal of convention. On the road or on the wrist, Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2 captures a shared commitment to pushing boundaries, embracing individuality, and moving forward without pause, making it one of the most compelling luxury watch releases of the year for collectors who live life in motion.