Ulysse Nardin Unveils Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2 for "Road to the World Cup" Rally

Experience the Thrill: The Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2, Your Companion for the Ultimate Road Trip

The Enduring Legacy of Outlaw Races and the Genesis of Gumball 3000

The spirit of the Gumball 3000 rally harks back to legendary long-distance road events, echoing the thrill and notoriety of the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an iconic cross-country race from Connecticut to California. While the modern Gumball 3000, founded by Maximillion Cooper in 1999, has evolved into a non-competitive motor rally, it retains the essence of exotic cars, celebrity participation, and a vibrant, rule-bending attitude that captivated audiences in films like The Cannonball Run and The Gumball Rally.

Ulysse Nardin's Tribute to the "Road to the World Cup" Adventure

The 2026 Gumball 3000 rally, dubbed the “Road to the World Cup,” offers a spectacular seven-day journey across North America, from Miami to Mexico City. This grand expedition, featuring 100 specially curated vehicles, weaves through picturesque locations such as Amelia Island, New Orleans, Austin, Monterrey, and San Miguel de Allende. It's more than a rally; it's a dynamic festival showcasing automotive culture, music, and exclusive live events, concluding with VIP access to the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match at the iconic XXL Estadio Azteca. To commemorate this extraordinary event, Ulysse Nardin introduces the striking black-and-orange Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2, a timepiece that perfectly captures the rally's adventurous and bold character.

A Distinctive Timepiece: The Freak X with a Modern Twist

Since its inception in 2001, the Ulysse Nardin Freak collection has consistently challenged traditional watchmaking with its avant-garde designs. The Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 continues this legacy, offering a more streamlined and accessible interpretation of the classic Freak's revolutionary architecture. Unlike its crown-less predecessors, the Freak X integrates a crown for simplified winding and time-setting, yet it retains the signature rotating disc for hour display and a captivating flying carousel that indicates minutes, completing a full rotation every hour. This blend of innovation and usability makes it a truly special creation within the Freak lineage.

Innovative Materials and Bold Aesthetics Define the Edition 2

The Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 stands out with its 43mm case crafted from black DLC-treated titanium, featuring a sophisticated satin finish. A highlight of this edition is the Carbonium hour disc, an exceptionally lightweight carbon fiber derived from the aerospace industry and infused with a vivid orange epoxy resin. This infusion process creates a unique, three-dimensional pattern reminiscent of Damascus steel, ensuring each watch possesses its own distinct visual identity. The design is further enhanced by an innovative orange Super-LumiNova ring around the balance wheel, complemented by white Super-LumiNova accents on the indexes and bridges, significantly boosting legibility and amplifying the watch's dramatic visual appeal. The timepiece is paired with an open-worked black rubber strap, accented with orange inserts and matching stitching, perfectly encapsulating its adventurous spirit. This limited edition comprises only 150 pieces, priced at CHF 37,700 / €41,000 / US$46,400 / £35,000.