Introducing: Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 – 2 Edition, specially designed for the “Road to the World Cup”
When you’re driving 3,000 miles from Miami to Mexico City, you’d better bring a Freak.
I always find myself thinking of the 1981 action-comedy The Cannonball Run, starring Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuis, Roger Moore, and of course, the radiant Farah Fawcett. This slapstick comedy, which may seem a bit dated now, is actually based on a true story. The story is largely inspired by the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. This was a real illegal road race across the continental United States, starting in Connecticut and finishing in California. The Gumball 3000 rally does indeed have some connection to this real-life Cannonball Trophy Dash. But beyond that, let me introduce you to the Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2, built specifically for the 2026 race, dubbed “Road to the World Cup.”
I had no idea there was a movie called Gumball Rally. This comedy-action (B-movie) was released in 1976 and starred a cast of completely unknown actors. In short, the Gumball 3000 is directly inspired by the illegal off-road races organized by Brock Yates in the 1970s and the movie Gumball Rally. Maximillion Cooper organized the first Gumball 3000 in 1999. Since then, it has lived up to the original spirit of long-distance “racing,” bringing together a variety of rare sports cars and showcasing a glamorous, rule-breaking attitude. However, unlike previous editions, the modern Gumball 3000 is officially a non-competitive car rally or road trip, not a time trial. Nevertheless, Gumball 3000 remains incredibly wild. The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 replica luxury watch is no exception.
The Ulysse Nardin Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 was created for the “Road to the World Cup.”
Unlike the illegal racing of the past, the essence of today’s Gumball 3000 rally (3000 miles) is not speed, but the journey itself. It’s more like an adventurous road trip, bringing together artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, and cultural figures. This year, Gumball 3000 returns to North America with the theme “Road to the World Cup.” This seven-day route starts in Miami, passes through Amelia Island, New Orleans, Austin, Monterey, and San Miguel de Allende, and finally arrives in Mexico City. One hundred carefully selected cars will gather, and with the support of the host city and global partners, this rally will transform into a mobile extravaganza combining car culture, music, and live events. The culmination of the journey is winning VIP tickets to the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at the XXL Azteca Stadium.
Ulysse Nardin has created a timepiece for this event. Named the Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2, this black and orange best fake watch embodies the spirit of the rally in both its name and appearance.
A freak wearing a crown, but still a freak.
Since its debut in 2001, the crownless Freak watch has captivated audiences with its unconventional design. Even the crowned Freak X is a true gem. The Freak X is a simpler, more everyday version of the classic Freak. The classic Freak was a groundbreaking timepiece, arguably the first Nouvelle Horlogerie watch, but we’ll leave that aside for now. The Freak X’s crown makes winding and adjusting easier, but the watch’s signature structure remains. Freak watches always use a disc that rotates once every 12 hours to display the hour. Additionally, the pilot’s rotating dial without a bridge is a “must-have” design, rotating once every hour to indicate the minutes.
Recycled Carbon Fiber and Colored Epoxy Resin
The Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 fake swiss watch features a 43mm black DLC-coated titanium case with striking Carbonium hour markers. Carbonium is an ultralight carbon fiber recycled from the aerospace industry and infused with vibrant orange epoxy resin. This infusion process creates a three-dimensional texture similar to Damascus steel. Each hour marker is unique, further highlighting the watch’s bold aesthetic design and exquisite craftsmanship.
This watch is the first to feature an orange Super-LumiNova luminous ring surrounding the balance wheel. Furthermore, the hour markers and bridges are adorned with a white Super-LumiNova luminescent coating. Ulysse Nardin stated that this was intended to improve legibility, but it actually enhances the visual impact of the Freak watch. The Freak X Gumball 3000 – Edition 2 features a skeletonized black rubber strap with orange inserts and stitching.
Watch Specifications
Brand: Ulysse Nardin
Model: Freak X Gumball 3000
Reference: 2303-270LE-2B-GUM/3A
Dial: Carbon fiber hour markers impregnated with orange epoxy resin, topped with luminescent stick-shaped hour markers.
Case Materials: Black DLC-coated titanium with a satin finish, orange personalized side panels engraved with the serial number.
Case Dimensions: 43mm (diameter) × 13.78mm (including crystal thickness, 11mm without crystal thickness)
Crystal: Sapphire crystal
Case Back: Black DLC-coated titanium and sapphire crystal
Movement: UN-230: Automatic flying caliber movement, 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), 72-hour power reserve, 21 jewels, silicon balance wheel, oversized oscillator and escapement, 206 parts in total
Water Resistance: 50 meters (5 ATM)
Strap: Black skeletonized matte rubber upper with orange inserts and orange stitching
Functions: Time (hours, minutes) only