Roaring Through The Stages With The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000
The Gumball 3000 kicks off on September 14th in Saigon and culminates in Singapore on September 22nd. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the rally-style event that blends exotic cars, celebrities, and five-star treatment, and the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 is the official watch for the event. If participants don’t purchase all of the 150 pieces, enthusiasts will get a chance.
I’ve never attended a Gumball 3000, but because English entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper founded the event, maybe I’ll get my chance if it returns to London. The event features approximately 120 cars and a mix of first-timers and alumni. Exotic cars and their drivers complete a 3,000-mile journey over a week in various cities. This year, the event moves from Saigon to Singapore, stopping in Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. It sounds like fun with five-star accommodations and amazing food every night. With 25 years since the first rally, the merchandise is understandably strong. An example is the new Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000.
The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000
The new Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 is a limited edition of 150 pieces. It’s a 43mm by 49.5mm DLC-coated titanium watch with Carbonium case flanks and a 50m depth rating. As orange and black are the official colors of the event, the tones feature strongly on the watch. For example, the dial is made of black DLC-coated material, contrasting with the white Super-LumiNova found on the minute track, hands, and movement. Then, orange Super-LumiNova makes its way to the tips of the hands. That’s my favorite detail by far!
Interestingly, this limited-edition Freak X uses an orange Delugs Rubber CTS similar to the ones I reviewed this past summer. It’s a “cut to size” strap paired with a black DLC-treated titanium folding buckle. That’s a nice detail because Delugs offers a large selection of colors.
The UN-230 movement
The Freak is an idea almost as old as the Gumball 3000. In 2001, Ulysse Nardin introduced the original model with its atypical hands and rotating satellite movement. Surprisingly, it has become a hallmark of the brand’s lineup. Today’s edition is related to the 2019 Freak X, a smaller version with a conventional crown. Inside, it uses the in-house UN-230 automatic movement with 72 hours of power reserve. It features a silicon balance spring and consists of 206 parts! Note the Gumball 3000 logo on the sapphire crystal of the case back.
For certain, the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 is a modern-looking watch. However, with its reasonable dimensions (just 10mm thick), it should wear well. Don’t forget the lightness afforded by titanium and carbon. The looks may be polarizing, but I think it’s relatively toned down compared to other Haute Horlogerie pieces on the market.
Availability
The Ulysse Nardin Freak × Gumball 3000 will be available to rally participants before any are sold to the public. Drivers will have the opportunity to have their car’s number inscribed on the case flank, which is a nice touch. Subtle branding on the case back shouldn’t deter public buyers who like the color combination. Still, it would be more fun to drive and pick one of these up as a memento!
