Manufacturer: Ulysse Nardin Year: Circa 2014 Reference No: 2050-131 Case No: No. 009 Model Name: Freak “Blue Cruiser” Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, UN-205, 19 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Ulysse Nardin deployant clasp Dimensions: 45mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Further accompanied by Ulysse Nardin international warranty dated 31st August 2014 stamped The Hour Glass, instruction manual, product literature, leather passport holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
In 2001, Ulysse Nardin introduced what would be their most unconventional timepiece and arguably the most iconic timepiece produced by the manufacturer in recent times, the Freak. With the gear train repurposed to depicting the hour and minutes, it was also amongst one of the very first to utilize silicon in its escapement.
In 2013, the manufacturer upgraded their iconic timepiece by implementing more silicon components to the escapement such as the hairspring to enhance efficiency and to reduce stress caused by friction. In the following year, Ulysse Nardin introduced the “Blue Cruiser” with a 7 day power reserve manually-wound in-house caliber UN-205 and further enhanced by a carrousel tourbillon fitted on the tail end of the gear train.
The present example is numbered No. 009 and dated 2014 on the warranty indicating that this watch is one of the earliest examples of this reference produced.
Founded in 1846 in Le Locle, Switzerland, Ulysse Nardin is a widely acclaimed Swiss watch manufacturer that earned recognition for its precision chronometers during the early to mid-twentieth century. Ulysse Nardin himself was a trained watchmaker under the guidance of his father, Leonard-Frederic Nardin, as well as master watchmakers Frederic William Dubois and Louis Jean Richard-dit-Bressel. Collectors in particular seek this brand's oversized vintage chronograph wristwatches, including the reference 7536-2.