zelin0802 / July 18, 2022

Subverting watchmaking norms, this Freak X is dazzling

The Ulysse Nardin Fantasy series is already synonymous with subversion and innovation in the field of watches, and the Freak X watch launched in 2019 is positioned to be young and lower the threshold to allow watch friends to start better. Everyone is welcome. When I introduced the silicon dial style before, I happened to chat with you that there are currently two special dial designs in this series, one is silicon inlay, and the other is black and white camouflage. This black and white camouflage plate, today I will introduce it to you in detail.

Before introducing the watch, let’s talk about how the black and white camouflage of this Freak X in Athens came from? Ulysse Nardin has a deep historical relationship with the sailing world and the navies of many countries. This watch is familiar to all of you. The dazzling camouflage is also known as zebra painting. It was the first ship camouflage adopted by British warships during World War I. Camouflage, with dazzling camouflage patterns to cover up ships, but its purpose is not to “stealth” in the sea, like jungle camouflage, you can’t find it in the woods, making the battleship invisible at sea, it can’t be achieved, Therefore, the zebra camouflage is to make the enemy unable to distinguish, the outline of the hull, the distance, speed and heading of the ship, and the direction of the bow and stern from a long distance. However, although it does reduce the sinking rate of the battleship, this eye-catching design also increases the probability of the battleship being attacked, so we can also understand that the significance of Athens using this coating is to make the watch more eye-catching.

The 43mm case is made of titanium. Athens uses a DLC black coating for it and is decorated with a brushed process. This side of the case has a classic nameplate design, engraved with a separate digital code, and you can see the watch. Limited edition of 30 pieces.

The difference between the Freak X and the Freak whimsy that can be distinguished at a glance is the added crown at 3 o’clock. The water resistance of the entire watch is 50 meters.

The black and white zebra pattern on the dial of the watch, reinterpreted by the design department with geometric beauty, is indeed very modern art. Ulysse Nardin copy also uses three different polishing and decoration techniques to make it, including lacquer decoration, Electroplating and laser engraving for the ultimate dazzling effect.

Freak X’s Carrousel bar movement rotates 1 revolution per hour, which is used as a minute hand indication. The short lower bridge plate is an hour indication, and the entire disk surface will also rotate with time. On the Carrousel mechanism, we can also clearly see the large, ultra-light silicon balance wheel with nickel counterweight and stabilizing micro silicon flakes.

Freak X’s luminous effect is often a link that everyone will ignore. In fact, it does a good job. As you can see from the luminous effect in the picture, it belongs to the sci-fi style of Freak X.

In terms of movement, the watch is equipped with the UN-230 automatic movement produced in Athens, which is based on the UN-118 automatic movement with the addition of the Carrousel module. We will often say that the movement is assembled with the UN-118 movement. And the UN-250 movement of the Freak Vision and Transcend watch, the advantages of these two movements actually refer to the fact that the UN-230 uses diamond silicon crystal technology on the one hand, and a layer of diamond film is plated on the silicon parts, which is better than no plating. The silicon is more resistant to wear, and has better hardness and smoothness. At the same time, it overcomes the problem that silicon is easy to break during processing, and inherits the large silicon ultra-light balance wheel from UN-250. The movement data is 21,600 times per hour, and the full chain dynamic storage can provide 72 hours.

The original luxury copy watches offers a choice of black and white straps, a black hollow rubber-coated leather strap, and a white hollow calfskin strap. We photographed this, but changed it to a black alligator leather strap, which is also very good. Fits the watch.

This Freak X dazzling camouflage watch, I think it is in terms of visual effects, even if you don’t have to cooperate with popular modern artists like other brands, Athens can play with its own understanding of aesthetic design. This kind of expressive modern art effect, so this piece of whimsy freak X has a unique charm and is the best carrier to show the wearer’s unique personality. The metallic properties are laid out here.

zelin0802 / July 12, 2022

Richard Mille RM 50-03 McLaren F1: The world’s lightest minute-seconds tourbillon chronograph

There was only one new timepiece from Richard Mille at the SIHH Watch Salon last week, but it’s pretty awesome. With its RM 50-03 McLaren F1 model – which debuted as the world’s lightest split-seconds chronograph tourbillon watch, weighing less than 40 grams including strap – the brand brings yet another high-tech Material introduced to watchmaking: Graph TPT, also known as graphene.

Graphene was first isolated back in 2004 by Professor Andre Geim from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester. He and his colleague Professor Konstantin Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for this discovery in 2010 and at the University in 2015. Collaborative research between the Institute, McLaren Applied Technologies and North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) has resulted in a case machined in a modified form of carbon TPT, the physical properties of which have been enhanced by the introduction of graphene .

Graphene, a nanomaterial six times lighter and 200 times stronger than steel, is currently the focus of work between McLaren Technology Group and McLaren Honda to bring the material to McLaren Grand Prix cars . Richard Mille’s timepieces have long shown motorsport influences in their designs and materials, and he sees graphene’s physical properties as significantly reducing the density of its carbon composite case while increasing its a means of resistance.

Carbon TPT, first introduced to the watch industry by copy Richard Mille in 2013, consists of 600 layers of parallel carbon filaments, each no thicker than 30 microns, impregnated with a supercharged resin and compiled by a CNC machine, where the fibers are inserted between the layers The direction changes by 45°. The composite was then heated to 120 degrees Celsius under 6 bar pressure to cure it. Graphene is added to the resin mixture, and the end result is a material known as Graph TPT, used exclusively in watchmaking by Richard Mille. The Graph TPT case of the RM 50-03 consists of three parts, manipulating the material by creating and programming special ultra-precision cutting tools over a long period of time, with a high degree of durability and extreme lightness, while also exhibiting the same undulating, wooden Grain – like the characteristic stripes on other Richard Mille watches made of carbon TPT.

The movement is also very light – just 7 grams – thanks largely to the use of grade 5 titanium and carbon TPT for the baseplate and bridges, as well as the extreme skeletonisation of these and other components. (Titanium is used extensively in McLaren Racing’s Formula 1 engineering build program to lighten and strengthen chassis and aerodynamic elements, and as a material for transmissions, linkages and valve systems. The sport combines brushed, polished, satin finishes And the soft-polished surfaces are all done by hand. The dial, also made of titanium, requires three hours of angling and polishing.

Carbon fiber TPT is also used for the lateral cage, inspired by the wishbone suspension structure of McLaren-Honda Formula 1 cars, and is attached to the case to support movement without traditional case rings. This unconventional system allows for a perfect fit between the movement and the case and increases resistance: in tests carried out at the Richard Mille workshop, the case movement endured a shock load of 5,000 Gs without incident.

The RM 50-03 McLaren F1 combines the tourbillon escapement with the split-seconds chronograph function in one mechanism, requiring perfect energy transmission. The need to reduce friction prompted Richard Mille’s watchmakers to improve the tooth profiles on the movement’s barrel and gear train, resulting in more balanced torque and optimized output. Torque and 70-hour power reserve are displayed on coloured scales on the front of the watch between 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock.

Other technical and aesthetic touches influenced by McLaren Formula 1 include the skeletonized chronograph pushers, reminiscent of the air intake ducts of McLaren Hondas, and the shape of the crown resembling a racing rim.

After extensive research on the split-seconds clip, Richard Mille developed a new split-seconds mechanism for this watch that reduces the energy consumption of the chronograph by 50% while reducing spindle friction. The six-column wheel that controls each rocker of the split-seconds function is designed to ensure perfectly synchronised movements, clean functional locking and very stable settings.

Graphene and its unique properties are also incorporated into the strap: nanomaterials are added to the rubber strap to increase its elasticity and wear resistance. copy watch for sale