Every Ulysse Nardin Released in 2026
Having supplied dozens of the world’s navies, Ulysse Nardin was once a huge name in the world of marine chronometers, and they made high-quality wristwatches too. But like many Swiss firms, they didn’t survive the “quartz crisis” of the 1970s. Rolf Schnyder revived the brand in 1983, and it was in turn sold to luxury conglomerate Kering in 2014, a few years after his death. But in 2022, Kering sold the Sowind Group (the division that owns Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux) to Sowind’s own management team. Since then, the newly independent brand has been making some savvy tweaks to its lineup, and the 2026 Ulysse Nardin releases reflect their promising direction.
Brief Overview of the Ulysse Nardin Freak
Aside from a set of tasteful limited Classico models and one Blast model, all of the Ulysse Nardin 2026 releases so far are part of the Freak family, including a new generation of entry-level models as well as a new flagship. So, I’ll provide some context.
The Freak, introduced in 2001, has become Ulysse Nardin’s signature watch family and their most distinctive horological flex. Imagined by watchmaking legend Carole Forestier-Kasapi and tweaked by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin and Pierre Gygax, the Freak is known for using rotating parts of the movement as the hands.
The exposed going train (the bridge-like assembly carrying the balance and escapement) makes one rotation per hour, so it functions as the minute hand; beneath it, the barrel turns once every 12 hours and thus serves as the hour hand. Furthermore, the Freak uses Oechslin’s Dual Direct Escapement, has no crown (it can be manually wound with the caseback and set with the bezel), and was the first production watch with silicon components ever.
Plus, all Freak watches aside from Freak X models have Ulysse Nardin’s proprietary Grinder automatic winding system, which uses a peripheral rotor to make four claw-like levers oscillate and nudge a toothed winding wheel. Compared to traditional rotors, it’s far more efficient at converting small wrist movements into stored energy. List prices start around $70,000 for all this complexity.
For a few years, there were three “tiers” of Freak models: the Freak X (a “more affordable” option with a standard winding rotor and crown), the regular Freak (now called the Freak One), and the Freak S (like a standard Freak but with two inclined balance wheels).
While the Freak One and Freak S use the entire going train as part of the orbiting “minute hand,” the Freak X primarily just exposes the balance and escapement within its rotating bridges, leaving more of its movement architecture underneath. Ulysse Nardin calls the whole rotating movement a “carrousel tourbillon” which is technically correct, although typical tourbillons rotate once per minute, not once per hour.
Before we talk about the new Ulysse Nardin Freak X models for 2026, which include a fresh slightly downsized generation, let’s talk about the new exotic “fourth tier” of Freak: the Super Freak.
Super Freak
Until 2026, Ulysse Nardin had never put a seconds hand on a Freak. A new patented 11-component 4.8mm gimbal (a tiny pivoting frame) enables a novel cylindrical running-seconds display on the “minute hand” of the range-topping Super Freak.
The dual balance springs, hairsprings, escape wheels and pallet forks are all made of silicon. The escape wheels and pallet forks are coated in Diamonsil, Ulysse Nardin’s proprietary diamond-like coating, to further minimize friction and wear. What takes the Super Freak to the next level, even beyond the twin balance assemblies of the Freak S, are its twin tourbillons, each inclined 10 degrees to offset/minimize the effects of gravity.
The differential between the two tourbillons alone, which effectively averages their beat rate, is made of 69 components. In total, the 511 parts of the Ulysse Nardin Super Freak make it the most complicated time-only watch ever made.
This level of innovation comes with a high cost–$393,600, to be exact–but the 2026 Ulysse Nardin Superfreak represents another serious achievement for the brand. Technically I would say it’s even more impressive than the UR-Freak that debuted as part of the 2025 Ulysse Nardin releases.
As of 2026, the Ulysse Nardin Super Freak is only available in one configuration: a 44mm 18k white gold case with a translucent blue dial made of Nanosital (a brand name of transparent polycrystalline glass-ceramic). It comes on a grey rubber strap with a stamped “weave” texture and a deployant clasp. It’s limited to 50 pieces.
2026 Ulysse Nardin Super Freak Specs
| Model | Super Freak |
|---|---|
| Reference number(s) | 2520-500LE-3A-BLUE/3A |
| Case material | 18k white gold |
| Case width | 44mm |
| Case thickness | 16.54mm |
| Water resistance | 30m |
| Movement caliber | UN-252 (automatic, 5 beats per second) |
| Movement functions | Flying carrousel displaying hours, minutes, cylindrical seconds; dual flying tourbillons with differential |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Limited Edition | 50 pieces |
| MSRP | $393,600 |
Freak X Gumball 3000 — Edition 2
The Freak X first brought a traditional rotor and crown to the Freak lineup in 2019. And for 2026, Ulysse Nardin released their final iteration of the 43mm first-generation Freak X: The Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2.
The annual Gumball 3000 Rally, which began in 1999, is basically a hybrid race/party where people with exotic cars drive them from one coast of the United States to the other. The first Gumball 3000 version of the Freak X came out in 2024, featuring orange lume and an orange strap, and the Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2 has slightly more subtle orange accents.
The standout feature is the hour disc (which effectively looks like most of the “dial” here) which is made of Carbonium, a proprietary carbon composite that Ulysse Nardin first started using in 2019. For the 2026 Freak X Gumball Edition 2, orange epoxy was added to the resin mixture for an appealing bowling-ball-like swirly effect.
The 43mm DLC-coated titanium case has a satin finish, and its leather-lined black rubber strap has a tasteful hint of orange stitching along with a deployant clasp. List price is $46,400, and like the first Freak X Gumball Edition, it’s limited to 150 pieces.
2026 Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball Edition 2 Specs
| Model | Freak X Gumball 3000 — Edition 2 |
|---|---|
| Reference number(s) | 2303-270LE-2B-GUM/3A |
| Case material | Black PVD titanium; Carbonium hour disc |
| Case width | 43mm |
| Case thickness | 13.9mm |
| Case lug-to-lug | 49.6mm |
| Water resistance | 50m |
| Movement caliber | UN-230 (automatic, 6 beats per second) |
| Movement functions | Flying carrousel displaying hours and minutes |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Limited Edition | 150 pieces |
| MSRP | $46,400 |
Freak X – Second Generation
The second generation of Ulysse Nardin Freak X models, released in June 2026, includes two major firsts for the Freak family: a metal bracelet, and a case width under 42mm. Previously, all Freak models were between 42.5mm-45mm in diameter but the updated Freak X has a 41mm case offered in either stainless steel or 18k rose gold.
The gold model features a black dial with a matching alligator strap. The steel version comes with either a blue dial and a steel bracelet, or a grey dial with a brown leather strap. Notably, the steel bracelet has a butterfly clasp with a 2 mm micro-adjustment on each side. The strap versions come with folding clasps.
The new caliber UN-232 is the thinner, ground-up technically upgraded successor to the original Freak X’s UN-230. It keeps the same 3 Hz rate, 72-hour power reserve, and flying-carrousel time display, but adds a micro-rotor and a Diamonsil-coated escapement. And surprisingly, the UN-232 only has 216 parts–189 fewer than the UN-230!
Although the Freak is almost universally admired by seasoned watch collectors, its sheer size has historically put it beyond the comfort zone of many wrists. I think this new 41mm generation of Freak X will help make the Freak a bit more mainstream. Prices start at $41,200.
2026 Ulysse Nardin Freak X 41mm Specs
| Model | Freak X 2nd Gen |
|---|---|
| Reference number(s) | 2323-500-1A/0A (Grey) 2323-500-3A/7A (Blue) 2322-500-2A/1A (Gold) |
| Case material | Stainless steel (grey, blue) or 18k rose gold (gold) |
| Case width | 41mm |
| Case thickness | 13.6mm |
| Case lug-to-lug | 47.3mm |
| Water resistance | 100m |
| Movement caliber | UN-232 (automatic, 6 beats per second) |
| Movement functions | Flying carrousel displaying hours and minutes |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Bracelet/strap | Grey: Brown calf leather strap with deployant clasp Blue: Stainless steel bracelet with 4mm total micro-adjust clasp Gold: Black alligator strap with deployant clasp |
| Limited Edition | No |
| MSRP | Grey: $41,200 Blue: $42,400 Gold: $64,000 |
Classico Liu
Ulysse Nardin’s 40mm classic dress watch line, the Classico, replaced the smaller San Marco around 2009. The Classico was revised in 2015 to include their impressive automatic in-house UN-320 movement, featuring 39 jewels and a total of 227 parts. That same generation of Classico is still going strong, and for 2026, Ulysse Nardin worked with renowned Chinese artist Rendao Liu to make a special run of 100 simple two-hand watches in rose gold: 4 striking ocean-themed dials, 25 pieces each.
And these dials are not done by machine. While Liu Rendao created the original ink paintings, UN’s miniature-painting artisans must recreate each composition individually on the dial. Each dial reportedly takes about 50 hours, which makes the list price of the Ulysse Nardin Classico Rendao Liu (about $67,000) seem somewhat understandable. All four versions come on brown alligator straps with traditional pin buckles.
2026 Ulysse Nardin Classico Rendao Liu Specs
| Model | Classico Rendao Liu |
|---|---|
| Reference number(s) | Zhi Yin — 3202-136LE-9A-LIU/1A Miao Yin — 3202-136LE-9B-LIU/1A Xuan Qu — 3202-136LE-9C-LIU/1A You Ya — 3202-136LE-9D-LIU/1A |
| Case material | 18k rose gold |
| Case width | 40mm |
| Case thickness | 10.2mm |
| Water resistance | 30m |
| Movement caliber | UN-320 (automatic, 8 beats per second) |
| Movement functions | Hours, minutes |
| Power reserve | 48 hours |
| Limited Edition | 25 pieces per model |
| MSRP | ~$67,000 |
Blast Moonstruck in Rose Gold/DLC Titanium
The first Ulysse Nardin Moonstruck model debuted in 2009, including several astronomical complications. Since 2017, all Moonstruck models have included a 24-city worldtime display. In 2022, Ulysse Nardin put a Moonstruck movement in a sporty Blast model for the first time, and for 2026, they released a two-tone version: a 20-piece limited edition cased in rose gold and black-DLC titanium.
The Blast Moonstruck comes on a rubber-lined black alligator strap. Like the case, the deployant clasp is made of a combination of 18k rose gold and DLC-coated titanium.
Modern Ulysse Nardin Moonstruck models essentially have five key complications:
Worldtime — 24 reference cities read against the rotating 24-hour Sun disc
Moonphase — highly accurate, only off by about 3 minutes per lunar cycle (most moonphases “round” the cycle to 29.5 days and are off by more than 44 minutes per cycle)
Lunar orbit/position — where the Moon is relative to the (central) Earth
Lunar age — days elapsed in the 29.53-day lunar month
Tidal coefficients — indicating the relative strength/type of tides, including spring (high or low tide) and neap (when the tide is most moderate) conditions
While worldtimers and astronomical complications are typically on the dressier side, the Blast is an unapologetic luxury sports watch with a 45mm case. However, its meager water resistance of 30m means it’s not for serious underwater activity. But most people don’t wear $116,000 watches in the pool anyway.
2026 Ulysse Nardin Blast Moonstruck Specs
| Model | Blast Moonstruck |
|---|---|
| Reference number(s) | 1065-400LE-2A-BLACK/1A |
| Case material | 18k rose gold |
| Case width | 45mm |
| Case thickness | 13mm |
| Water resistance | 30m |
| Movement caliber | UN-106 (Automatic, 8 beats per second) |
| Movement functions | Hours, minutes, 24-hour hand (with world map and disc), moonphase, lunar location, lunar age, tide indicator |
| Power reserve | 50 hours |
| MSRP | $116,000 |
All in all, Ulysse Nardin seems to be on a promising trajectory. While the brand’s quality and horological bona fides have never been in question, Ulysse Nardin’s management has seemingly focused more on approachable design language and wearability in recent years. The Diver Air, one of Ulysse Nardin’s 2025 novelties, was one of the best releases of Watches and Wonders 2025, and their 2026 releases have been strong as well. We suspect the brand has more in store, and we’ll certainly keep you posted.
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