zelin0802 / September 19, 2024

An unconventional journey for extraordinary times…

Gumball 3000 is no ordinary car rally. Known for its high-energy extravagance, adventure and luxury, Gumball has been enchanting car enthusiasts since 1999. Featuring supercars and celebrities, this iconic road rally is an annual celebration of breaking boundaries and enjoying life in the fast lane over a 3,000-mile journey. To mark the 25th anniversary of this daring event, replica Ulysse Nardin has unveiled a limited edition watch that was also born to break with tradition – the Freak.

The 2024 edition of Gumball 3000 will take competitors through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia to the Singapore F1 Grand Prix on September 22, 2024. As Gumball 3000 founder Maximillian Cooper explains: “Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Gumball 3000 is a huge milestone, and working with Ulysse Nardin to create something truly special seemed like the perfect way to mark it. Just like Gumball, the Freak X breaks the mold – it’s bold, unconventional, and made for those who aren’t afraid to push boundaries.”

To celebrate Gumball, Ulysse Nardin chose the Freak X, the most casual Freak watch and entry point into the world of Freak. To that end, the model’s 43mm case is crafted from black DLC titanium with black carbide on the sides and a matte finish. The black case and movement are accented with orange Gumball elements: iridescent orange Super-LumiNova on the hour and minute “indicators,” and a vibrant Delugs orange rubber strap. Flip the replica watch over to reveal the Gumball 3000 logo printed on the caseback.

Like all Freak Xs, this model is powered by the automatic UN-230 movement. A rotating sunken wheel indicates the hours. A rectangular hour carrousel indicates the minutes. It has an oversized, ultra-light silicon balance with a nickel flywheel and stabilizing micro-blades. With a frequency of 3Hz, the barrel provides a comfortable 72 hours of power reserve. Finally, unlike other Freaks, the Freak X and its UN-230 movement come with a standard crown.

Technical specifications – ULYSSE NARDIN FREAK X GUMBALL 3000
Case: 43 mm diameter – black DLC titanium, satin-finished, matte-finish carbocation side parts, orange personalised side plate number – sapphire crystal, personalised Gumball 3000 caseback – water-resistant to 50 metres
Dial: black DLC hour disc, white Super-LumiNova hands, orange Super-LumiNova bridges
Movement: Manufacture UN-230 calibre – automatic – open-flying Carolina square movement, rotating on its own axis – exclusive oversized central oscillator – 3 Hz silicon balance – 206 parts, 21 jewels – power reserve 72 hours – hours and minutes
Strap: orange rubber strap “Delugs for Ulysse-Nardin” – black DLC Titanium folding clasp
Reference: 2303-270LE-2A-GUM/3A