Ulysse Nardin

Freak 1 Question to owners/enthusiasts...............
Jun 21 2008,18:50 PM

the Ulysse Freak has been a "grail" of mine for some time, seeing it first come out.. then hearing of problems.. later seeing the revision which was beautiful but felt too large on my wrist because of the "Fixed" strap...

recently i have been offered a Freak 1 (RG) which is said to be working fine, but it clearly outside of warranty due to its age. my worries are the escapement and if something were to go wrong, would the purchase be worth while seeing the horror stories of past pieces, not only needing thousands of dollars to repair, but also months to be serviced because of the way the case is designed..

One main question i have, is that i heard with all the problems of the Freak 1, an extended warranty was given...

-how was this given and could the original buyer of the piece still request this extended warranty?

Also could the authorized dealer the piece was originally purchased from request an extended warranty for the customer?

basically, how could one obtain an extended warranty? the piece is currently running fine but i have my worries... i dont want to buy the piece and then later say "damnit" when something fails and im left saying "damnit" to the bill that is more than likely 25% of its value.

riley

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ALSO.....questions to owners
Jun 21 2008,18:53 PM

if i bought the piece that is running fine.... what are some "hints" to keep the piece in ideal working condition..

i read the article by bernard stating when winding start with 10-15 winds and tilt the piece back and forth... as far as winding the rest of the way, do you guys wind until you see the spring is tight? or only wind a certain amount?

as far as setting, do you wait until a certain time? do you only set forwards?

any help would be appreciated... i am used to "typical" pieces with the most extreme owned being an URWERK which was a breeze to set and use... just want to make sure if i buy it that i treat it properly so that nothing happens down the line.

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thank you bernard
Jun 21 2008,20:11 PM

for the PM and help regarding the "warranty" for the FREAK 1..

now all i would need to know is any special care for the Freak 1.

i read where you said how to start the piece with the tilting..

as far as winding, do owners then wind fully? do you wind until you see the spring tight, or until it gets to the point where you feel tension on the back?(im guessing it has a stopping point like most manual winds)

as far as winding, do you find it best to wind weekly or every few days.

thank you,

sorry for the redundant topic, i went back and gathered as much info as i could but still lacking in some area.s

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Riley
Jun 21 2008,22:41 PM

I will be crystal clear...

When you buy a Freak 1, you have to accept that your watch may have some problems.

This is the only watch I bought knowing that, and accepting that.

But, as said, once the problem fixed, it's fixed forever.

As for the winding of the Freak, Bernard is Damn right.

At the beginning, I was worried, thinking that the watch didn't work, and I tried this solution and it works...

There is no other solution, my friend.

I wind it completely, and I tilt the glass.

But I wind it completely.

Why?

Because the Freak 1 is a very accurate watch the 5th, 6th forst days, and after it runs too fast.

Note that the power reserve is given for 7 days, but mine has a PR, in fact, of 9 Days and 14 hours...

Hope this will help you to make your mind on this fantastic CULT watch!

Nicolas

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problems..
Jun 22 2008,01:53 AM

im just curious in the fact i have read before that UN will make the change to 1.5 for free, but with a required overhaul that runs like 5k...

whereas others say the overhaul was free... i guess it all depends how good of a relationship you have with UN?

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Well, Riley, I got mine for 3 years, now
Jun 22 2008,02:07 AM

And 1 month after, first problem...

So the watch was still under warranty.

After, of course, it will depend on how you present the problem, and of the relation you have with your AD or with U.N.

The overhaul isindeed very expensive.

Best.

Nicolas

 

 

This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-06-22 03:57:37

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thank you
Jun 22 2008,14:48 PM

i have a great relationship with AD... so hopefully they are nice... the overhaul i heard is 4-5k which isnt "that" bad for such a time piece.. so i figure "worst case" i have to shell out an additional 5k...

as far as this site... so much great info!

where else would you find an article about a sommelier of fine watches?






haha...

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Agree, Riley
Jun 22 2008,22:50 PM

This post is one of the nicest and the funniest, not to say one of the most interesting I ever read about the U.N Freak.

A Purist Post!

Best.

Nicolas

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buy it and worry about the 'possible' problem afterwards
Jun 24 2008,02:50 AM

if it still has its original escapement then there is a very good chance that it will never go wrong, but if it does and is out of warranty my understanding is that they will retro fit the 1.5 escapement free of charge if you have it serviced. the cost of servicing is the same as a decent watch, but its well worth it as the Freak is not just a watch, its a concept, a piece of artwork, a life choice. its so much more than a timepiece. there arent enough words to express how special it makes you feel just to own one. its like being a member of an exclusive club with a 'dead mans shoes' waiting list. 

we think that there were only about 240 of each colour made and quite a lot of them are still working perfectly well on the original escapement so you might never have a problem.

as far as winding goes, i wind mine until it looks fully wound and like Nicholas' it runs for 9 days. remember, always wind before adjusting time or you'll damage it.

you do realise of course that once you own a freak and read all about Dr Ludwig Oeschlin and his achievements, you'll want a UN perpetual(the Ludwig for me) and an MIH(coming soon), then the astrolabium trilogy(out of my league and i dont understand them anyway). the Freak is as much about the soul of the inventor as it is about the watch itself. the man is such a horological superhero that he should wear his underwear on the outside of his trousers

when(not if) you buy it, please post pics so that we can all enjoy it.

this post is unashamedly biased.

Graham

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lol. nice post
Jun 24 2008,15:55 PM

i should be getting the watch maybe tomorrow... the deal is "done" just waiting for some funds to come in before i hand over the chunk of change for the FREAK

never been more excited... has been a grail of mine since i first became interested in watches...

will have pics asap ofcourse... like i said, hopefully tomorrow..

riley

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ROFL, Graham, very well put
Jun 24 2008,21:17 PM

So now you're my super hero, and as you said, you know what it means...LOLOLOL

Let's see that on Frieday! ROFL

Best.

Nicolas

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Bernard, cheers my freaky friend...
Jun 24 2008,16:37 PM

I'm afraid this is the best I could do...as mine is quite a young vintage, and there is, of course, no sediment to be found!

Cheers, and many more freaks...

palmasea

How about an apples and oranges picture?

This message has been edited by palmasea on 2008-06-24 16:42:52

This message has been edited by palmasea on 2008-06-24 16:47:06

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diamonsil!
Jun 24 2008,17:56 PM

great piece!!!

i love the diamond markers on the diamonsil, but still the RG is my fav cause the entire movement contrasts with "dial"

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Those are fantastic watches. Owning a Diamonsil puts you in a special place of mind
Jun 25 2008,05:12 AM

The Freak and the Diamonsil version...owning such a piece puts your mind into a place when you can feel like you own an original Rembrandt.

Just think of it..over a glass of that fine wine!

Think of how rare it is. How many relevant and significant canvass paintings there are in the whole world...just the ones in museums alone will drown out our minds...and then think of how many relevant and sigificant watches there are...the Freaks...rare..the Diamonsil..ultra rare.

If the arguments for canvass is that they are "singular" and "only one"...then the arguments for the Freak are that they have a few, just enough, to have a standard of comparison. For canvass..we group them under a painter, under a certain period of his life...still..there are more than there are Diamonsils.

Enjoy your Freak..it is a precious work.

It should elevate your frame of mind into the high end....and nothing feels so damned good, as you realise that..and just think about it!

It is not just about money. In this case, its absolutely true...there are more expensive watches..but money can't buy you a freak ..just yet.

Congrats!!!

Likewise to the owners of Dufours, Opus(s) and so on...

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YES, YES, YES...a special place of mind...just ask Riley! LOL!!
Jun 27 2008,14:28 PM

Bernard, I could not agree with you anymore...but just ask Riley for his FREAKY opinions...

It is of course an exhilirating experience... and there is tremendous pride in being able to have this watch beating on your wrist.  Not only are you wearing horological history, but you are also looking at (perhaps ironically for its name ) one of the most beautiful watches ever produced!

On the other hand, your right, you do 'come full circle,' as you are carrying a work of art that very, very  few can have the pleasure of enjoying...and it serves as a reminder to those of us that can wear one, that we should always maintain a certain level of humility, and of course a promise to those who aren't lucky enough to own one, to share in our experiences...

Best regards,

Congratulations to Riley for his new enfreakanation! )))))))))))))

palmasea

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UN- Freak and Diamonsil
Jul 16 2008,01:14 AM

I have long been fascinated by these two models

Very unique pieces of art.

Unfortunately they are in limited production and I was disappointed at the last Tempus event.

I hope these models are now free of the problems that used to bug the earlier models of the

Freak.

The chaps in Hour Glass took great delight in telling me that the watch was sold out, but

never made any effort to help me get one.

 

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VP Regulator, there are so many other appealing freaks!
Jul 16 2008,01:17 AM

The Blue Phantom, for example...
It won't be too hard to get one, IMO.
And yes, they are now reliable.
Best.
Nicolas

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The Freak is still one of those "edge of Patek" products
Jul 16 2008,01:40 AM

Why did this happen? The watch is very hard to pigeonhole or classify.

I must add that whatever problems, old or new, have settled by now. Old ones were sent back and fixed, new ones are 100% go!

Retailers know that the watch is "in demand", and will not push it to you, but wait for someone to ask. You are at an advantage, because although you are "asking", you also know who and where to ask for one.

For the Freak, pop down to Millenia Walk, as you are in Singapore. The watch es are in very small but certain supply. I would say it is about as hard to get as some of the highly sought after Patek Nautilus Steel models.

 

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UN FREAK
Jul 16 2008,04:39 AM

Thanks for the info.

I hope I won't get the same frosty reception as the  last Tempus

Perhaps their staff ought to treat every customer with respect

 

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