Ulysse Nardin Freak Blue Cruiser — Ref 2056-131/03

This Freak Blue Cruiser is a mechanical masterpiece as well as a showstopper. What makes this timepiece extra special and unique is the movement which revolves on itself to tell the time instead of using hands like your typical timepiece. The gear train acts as the minute hand while the hour hand is a pointer set on a rotating disc which is driven directly by the barrel.

The collection was first introduced in 2001 and continue evolving and improving thru out the years. This Blue Freak is a 2013 model which was the first one to use the free floating hand structure while using more silicon parts. One of the biggest improvements over its predecessors, is the 30 meters of water resistance. The previous generations had 0 water resistance.

The timepiece consist of an 18k rose gold case with an integrated blue alligator leather strap. The case measures 45 mm in diameter with an overall length of 54 mm when measure from lug to lug.

The case has no crown on the right side, thats because time is adjusted with the bezel ring. To adjust, you lift the safety clip located at 6 o’clock and this unlocks the bezel ring so you can adjust the time by rotating it clockwise or counter clockwise.

The gear train acting as the minute hand includes a large balance wheel and dual Ulysse silicon escapement. The use of silicone for many of the mechanical parts including the hairspring and the escapement wheels help the components resist corrosion and wear and improve the precision of the timepiece.

Under the hood, this sophisticated timepiece is using Caliber UN 205. This is a complex manual movement works at 4 hertz using 19 jewels and has an impressive power reserve of 7 days thanks to the massive mainspring which is under the movement.

To wind the timepiece, you turned the knurled bezel on the underside of the timepiece.