Wallpaper* Design Awards: this freaky watch is the Best Time Warp of 2026
The collaboration between Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk has resulted in the Ur-Freak, a groundbreaking watch that merges traditional Swiss craftsmanship with avant-garde design. This unique timepiece reinterprets Ulysse Nardin's iconic Freak model, renowned for its innovative hands-free time display and silicon escapement technology. The Ur-Freak utilizes a satellite system to show time, where one of the three hands moves around a minute indicator, offering a fresh perspective on timekeeping. The trend of innovative time-telling continues with various brands exploring unconventional methods. For instance, Trilobe replaces traditional hands with rotating rings, while HYT uses colored fluids to indicate time. Ressence adopts a minimalist approach, where constant motion on the watch face reflects the nature of time itself. These developments highlight the philosophical and artistic aspects of timekeeping, transforming the act of telling time into a creative expression.
