Ulysse Nardin Freak X Enamel Seddiqi: The Rule Breaker in Yas Blue

Now, before you think this is just another luxury watch, let’s set the record straight. The Freak X Enamel Seddiqi comes from a family of timepieces that’s been turning heads – and turning horology upside down – since 2001. That was the year Ulysse Nardin introduced the original Freak, a watch so unconventional it ditched the dial, the hands, and even the crown.

Yes, you read that right – no crown! It didn’t look like a watch, but it worked like a masterpiece. Powered by a groundbreaking silicon movement, the Freak was like a sci-fi experiment that somehow became wearable art. Today, silicon is a standard in the industry, but back then, it was the equivalent of discovering fire.

Fast-forward to the Freak X Enamel Seddiqi, and this bold tradition continues, albeit with some flair tailored to the UAE’s unmistakable character. First, there’s that breathtaking guilloché and enamelled hour disc in Yas Blue – a hue that echoes the electric dusk over Yas Island. Creating this disc is no walk in the park. It starts with a guilloché texture – a meticulous pattern that gives the surface a geometric depth. Then, artisans at the Donzé Cadrans workshop in Switzerland add four layers of water-based enamel, transforming fine powder into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle. Each layer is fired at 800 degrees Celsius and then cooled in just 60 seconds. It’s a bit like baking the world’s fanciest cake, except the oven doesn’t forgive mistakes. One bubble, and it’s back to square one.

The result? A glossy, glass-like finish so pristine that métiers d’art aficionados could probably spot it from across the room. And because Ulysse Nardin likes to keep things interesting, the watch’s unique ‘no hands’ setup is at play once again. Instead of traditional hands, the flying carousel movement doubles as the minute indicator, rotating elegantly around the disc every hour, while a pointer shows the hour. Watching it in action feels a bit like observing a mechanical ballet – mesmerising, intricate, and utterly hypnotic.

Inside the 43mm grey titanium case sits the in-house caliber UN-230, an automatic wonder with a 72-hour power reserve. That’s three days of precision, which is more than enough time for a weekend trip where you casually remind people that your watch doesn’t just tell the time – it reinvents it. And yes, there’s a crown this time around for those who want a touch of familiarity amidst the innovation.

As you’d surely guessed, The Freak X Enamel Seddiqi is a partnership between Ulysse Nardin and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the Middle East’s go-to for haute horlogerie. It’s a 30-piece limited edition tribute to shared traditions, artistic passions, and a love for pushing the limits of craftsmanship. In a world filled with cookie-cutter timepieces, this watch proudly stands out as an iconoclast – a nod to both Swiss ingenuity and the vibrant soul of the UAE. And while some watches may come with a hefty price tag and no explanation, this one’s price of 154,000 AED comes with a story you’ll want to tell.