The Collection of a European Nobleman
Geneva, May 11, 2008
LOT 64
The Freak ? Diamond Heart, Limited Edition Ulysse Nardin, Le Locle, "The Freak", No. 34/99, Ref. 029-80. Made in a limited edition of 99 pieces, circa 2003. Very fine and highly unusual, platinum and round diamond-set wristwatch with 60-minute revolving movement, Ludwig Oechslin's dual direct escapement, 7-day power reserve and Ulysse Nardin platinum deployant buckle. Accompanied by Ulysse Nardin Certificate of Origin and booklets.
CHF 60,000 - 80,000
EUR 38,000 - 50,000 / USD 60,000 - 80,000
Sold: CHF 81,600
C. Three-body, solid, polished, round diamond-set stepped curled lugs, round diamond-set bidirectional rotating bezel to set the time released by an applied brushed plaque engraved "28,800V/h", transparent rotating case back with blued steel panel beneath and aperture for viewing the mainspring, the band with an applied brushed plaque engraved ?34/99?, sapphire crystals. D. Dark blue, sapphire crystal chapter ring with silver radial Arabic numerals. Movement parts with diamond-set white gold hour and minute pointers as hands. M. Cal. UN 01, rhodium-plated bridges with ?diamond? etched pattern, with blued steel screws, rotating from the center, the lower bridge indicates the hour while the upper bridge, fitted with the linear wheel train and escapement assembly, revolves once every hour indicating the minutes, the center axis pivoted in the sapphire crystal, 28 jewels, dual direct escapement with 2 crystal silicon impulse wheels, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, mainspring underneath the movement spanning the case diameter. Dial and case signed. Diam. 44.5 mm. Thickness 13 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Notes
The Freak is the brainchild of Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, interpreted by Ulysse Nardin's research and production team. ?The Freak? is a tourbillon of seven-day duration, without hands or winding crown. In most tourbillons, the balance wheel assembly rotates once per minute in a cage. In the ?Freak?, the whole movement rotates once per hour, the drive wheel meshing with teeth around the whole circumference of the dial, a similar arrangement mounted below driving the hour wheel. The mainspring is located underneath the movement and spans the entire diameter of the case. The extra large size of the mainspring provides the watch with a power reserve of one week. Winding is facilitated by turning the back of the case anti-clockwise.