Ulysse Nardin, Freak, 28'800 V/H, "Carrousel Tourbillon", ca 2008.

In a departure from traditional watch design, the Freak by Ulysse Nardin boldly eschews conventional hands to convey the time through the mesmerizing rotation of its movement. The hour is ingeniously indicated by the arrow embellishing the main spring barrel, while the upper bridge, housing the revolutionary Dual Ulysse Escapement and the balance wheel assembly, completes a full revolution every hour to signify the minutes. Throughout this captivating 60-minute rotation, the upper bridge unveils the intricate mechanics that govern time.

A distinguishing feature of the Freak lies in the central axis, which pivots within the sapphire crystal of the watch case. Unlike typical Tourbillons where the balance wheel assembly moves within a cage every minute, in the Freak, the entire movement, including the balance wheel assembly, rotates once an hour within the confines of the watch case.

Setting the timepiece is an intuitive experience, accomplished by rotating the top bezel. A lever positioned at the 6 o'clock mark between the lugs facilitates the locking and unlocking of the bezel. Winding the watch is a tactile process, achieved by turning the case back counter-clockwise.

Ulysse Nardin's commitment to innovation finds a remarkable embodiment in the Freak, a timepiece that stands as a testament to their enduring pursuit of pushing boundaries in watchmaking. Undoubtedly, the Freak stands out as one of the most distinctive and avant-garde timepieces to be introduced in decades.