SpotlightRoad Trippin’: Presenting The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 Watch

It’s a different kind of trip when two extremely diverse brands with one common idea—to push boundaries—collaborate. Maverick watchmaker Ulysse Nardin have partnered with global supercar rally Gumball 3000 to mark 25 years of the one-of-a-kind road trip that involves art, music, celebrities and, of course, the coolest cars in the world. The result of this unconventional partnership is the stunning new Freak X Gumball 3000, a 150-piece limited edition with orange highlights that commemorates the annual 3,000-mile party. Bolder than its predecessors, the Gumball 3000 edition of the Freak X is a fitting tribute to the adventure and chaos of the supercar rally. “Just like Gumball, the Freak X breaks the mould—it’s bold, unconventional, and engineered for those who aren’t afraid to push boundaries,” says Maximillian Cooper, founder of Gumball 3000.

Journey Of A Lifetime

What started in 1999 with 50-odd friends setting off on an endurance ride through streets of Europe has turned into a global phenomenon involving rappers, rockstars, Formula One drivers, actors, racing enthusiasts, sheikhs, and others. Along the way, there’s music, art, and endless parties. The venue varies every year, and the 25th anniversary of the rally starts at Saigon, Vietnam, and ends at the Singapore Formula One track.

What started as an endurance ride through streets of Europe has turned into a global phenomenon involving rappers, rockstars, F1 drivers, actors, racing enthusiasts, sheikhs, and others. Along the way, there’s music, art, and endless parties. Photo credit: Gumball 3000 Singapore

The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 is ‘the perfect embodiment’ of the rally’s unique spirit, according to Ulysse Nardin managing director Matthieu Haverlan. “It is our way of celebrating the individuality and adventure that makes Gumball 3000 so legendary,” he says.

Beyond Convention: The Freak X Gumball 3000

Like the first Freak that redefined watchmaking in 2001, and all subsequent versions that came after, the Freak X Gumball 3000 is a dial-less watch with no hands. Sized at 43mm, the titanium case features a black DLC satin finish, with matt-finished carbonium flanks. With a water resistance rating of 50m, coupled with the use of these two lightweight materials makes the watch comfortable to wear all day. A sapphire crystal window on the caseback is decorated with the Gumball 3000 logo in bright orange, but you can still get a glimpse at the automatic UN-230 manufacture movement that offers a power reserve of 72 hours.

The more stunning view of the calibre, however, is displayed on the dial side, with a flying carousel movement rotating on its own axis. The pointer on the mainplate, which serves as the hour hand, and the minutes pointer on the flying carousel movement are tipped in a vibrant orange Super-LumiNova, while hour indexes on the dial are filled with white lume. Black DLC treatment on the hour disc offers a contrast for these orange and white highlights. The Freak X Gumball 3000 watch is paired with a bright orange rubber strap with a black DLC titanium folding clasp.

Limited to 150 pieces only, the watch will first be offered to participants, with the option to personalise this extremely cool timepiece. This Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 timepiece is a prime example on how to celebrate an event while keeping the Freak X’s inherent identity intact.