The Gumball 3000 car rally is not your average race. Since 1999, this event has combined luxury, adventure, and extravagance, attracting automotive enthusiasts worldwide. This 3,000-mile journey features supercars, celebrities, and a spirit of breaking boundaries and living life on the edge. To mark its 25th anniversary, Ulysse Nardin has introduced a limited edition watch inspired by the event – the Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition.
In 2024, the Gumball 3000 rally will take participants through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, culminating in the Singapore F1 Grand Prix on September 22, 2024. According to Maximillian Cooper, the Founder of Gumball 3000, partnering with Ulysse Nardin to create this special timepiece was the perfect way to celebrate the event’s milestone. The Freak X watch is designed to defy conventions, much like the Gumball rally itself.
The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition features a 43mm case made of black DLC titanium with black carbonium side parts and a matte finish. The watch is accented with orange details inspired by the Gumball event, such as iridescent orange Super-LumiNova indicators and a vibrant Delugs orange rubber strap. The caseback proudly displays the Gumball 3000 logo.
Powered by the UN-230 calibre with automatic winding, the Freak X watch features a unique design. The hours are indicated by a rotating and recessed wheel, while the minutes are shown on a baguette-shaped carousel. The watch boasts an oversized silicon balance wheel with nickel flyweights and stabilizing micro-blades, operating at a frequency of 3Hz with a 72-hour power reserve. Unlike other Freak models, the Freak X comes with a standard crown.
Limited to just 150 pieces, the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition will first be available to Gumball participants before being offered to the public. Participants can customize the watch to match their team number, adding a personal touch to the timepiece. While the price has not been confirmed, similar Freak X watches retail between CHF 26,100 and CHF 38,200, depending on the materials and versions.
For more information on the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition and its technical specifications, visit the official Ulysse Nardin website. This exclusive timepiece is a tribute to the spirit of adventure and luxury embodied by the Gumball 3000 rally, offering a unique and bold design for watch enthusiasts and automotive fans alike.