Ulysse Nardin Unveils Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2

Ulysse Nardin Unveils Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2: Power And Performance

Cars and watches grew up together. At the dawn of the 20th century, both moved from novelty to necessity—machines built for precision, performance and the measurement of progress itself. As automobiles reshaped how we traveled, wristwatches redefined how we tracked time. Over the decades, the two industries became inseparable, bonded by engineering, adrenaline and the pursuit of speed. Today, watch brands sponsor races, teams and drivers across the globe. Now, Ulysse Nardin accelerates that connection once again with its ongoing partnership with Gumball 3000 and the introduction of the new Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2.

For those unfamiliar, Gumball 3000 is no ordinary race. Founded in 1999 by Maximillion Cooper, it is a 3,000-mile, seven-day road rally that crosses countries and cultures, bringing together 100 carefully selected cars and an eclectic mix of entrepreneurs, athletes, artists and cultural icons. It is as much a rolling festival of car culture, music and spectacle as it is a test of endurance behind the wheel. In 2026, the rally runs from Miami to Mexico City, culminating at the iconic Estadio Azteca. It’s about the journey, the community and the mindset: bold, individualistic, unapologetically forward-moving.

Photo Courtesy of Gumball 3000 Edition 2

That same spirit defines the Freak. When first unveiled in 2001, it didn’t just bend the rules of watchmaking—it ignored them. No dial. No hands. No crown. The movement itself became the display. I still remember when Ludwig Oechslin and Rolf Schnyder first presented it to me in a one-on-one meeting years ago. It felt radical then. It still does. The Freak has always been one of my favorites precisely because it refuses convention.

The Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 channels that rebellion into a performance-driven machine for the wrist. Inside the 43mm black DLC titanium case beats the automatic manufacture Calibre UN-230. Its flying carrousel rotates once per hour to indicate the minutes, while the oversized orange Carbonium® hour disc completes a full rotation every 12 hours. Silicon components—including the balance wheel, balance spring and escapement—enhance precision and resistance to magnetism, underscoring the brand’s technical edge. The movement, composed of 206 parts, beats at 3 Hz and delivers a strong 72-hour power reserve—timing engineered for endurance.

The Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 watch is a 43mm black DLC titanium case powered by the automatic manufacture Calibre UN-230.

Visually, the watch is pure Gumball. The ultra-light Carbonium® hour disc—crafted from aerospace-grade carbon fibers infused with vivid orange epoxy—creates a dramatic, Damascus-like pattern, meaning no two pieces are identical. An orange Super-LumiNova® ring frames the minute display, while white luminous indexes and bridges heighten contrast. The open-worked black rubber strap with orange inserts completes the high-impact look. Lightweight, aggressive, unmistakable.

Limited to 150 pieces, the Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 retails for $46,400 in the United States. It is mechanical theater with horsepower—proof that whether on the road from Miami to Mexico City, or on the wrist, precision and performance still drive the story forward.