To celebrate its partnership with the Artemis Racing team for the 35th Americas Cup, Ulysse Nardin has crafted a new watch to encapsulate the sport of sailing. The FreakWing model, packed with new innovations and cutting-edge technology, is meant to capture the spirit of the Swedish team’s AC45 catamaran.
The Artemis Racing AC45 catamaran, the challenger of the Swedish Royal Yacht Club, features unparalleled design. Its rigid sail, crafted in the shape of an aeroplane wing and foils, allows it to reach up to 45 knots—more than 80 km/h. Ulysse Nardin’s FreakWing pays aesthetic homage to the AC45, with an upper bridge inspired by the internal structure of the boat’s rigid sail. Moreover, the texture of the rotating hours disc evokes the mesh net of the multihull, while the bezel and case back are forged from carbon fiber, an element that is omnipresent in high-level sailing.
With its Tourbillon in the center, the new new FreakWing also offers a highly readable hour and minute display, as well as the date at four o’clock. It is also technologically sound, featuring the UlyChoc safety system—a new generation of shock absorbers. Additionally, it replaces three traditional micro-elements with just one made from silicium. This solution avoids any slack or friction, allowing for perfect re-centering of the balance wheel in the event of an impact.
Furthermore, in the absence of a crown, it is the upper and lower bezels which perform the various functions: the first, secured by a safety clip between the lugs at 6 o’clock, can be used to set the hours and minutes when rotated clockwise, and to set the date when rotated counter-clockwise; the second, on the case back, winds the mainspring barrel and is designed for a power reserve of eight days.
The America’s Cup, which is the oldest international sporting competition, will take place in June 2017.
