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Ulysse Nardin's Concept Watch Diver Net

From the sea to your wrist, Ulysse Nardin brings you a new concept watch that not only celebrates the Vendée Globe but also combats marine plastic pollution.

Born from the ocean is the all new concept watch from Ulysse Nardin – the Diver Net. This is a watch that only epitomises Ulysse Nardin's sincerest effort to combat marine plastic pollution but also honours the 9th edition of the Vendée Globe of which Ulysse Nardin is the Official Timekeeper.

The Vendée Globe is a non-stop and unassisted yachtrace across the world that takes place every four years. Around 30 adventurers set off from Les Sables d'Olonne on the 8th of November and will be travelling a total of 21,638 nautical miles (40,075 kilometres). They will be spending a total of 70 days at sea. This year around, the Swiss watchmaker who has been supporting the Vendée Globe by continuing its tradition of making marine chronometers of incomparable reliability.

This time around, Ulysse Nardin has chosen to turn its efforts towards researching and developing solutions for the growing plastic pollution crisis. Apart from launching the new “R-Strap” that is made of fishing nets last month, Ulysse Nardin takes it commitment further by launching the Diver Net – a concept watch that is designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

The case, middle, back and bezel has been designed by three young Brighton designers who have created the first net recycling sector in France. FIL&FAB recovers nets that are no longer in use and transforms them into polyamide pellets which is a raw material that is highly resistant to friction. “A design object is creating one which has been thought out from start to finish to fulfil its functions without damaging the environment”, emphasises Yann Louboutin, one of the three founders of FIL&FAB. “Our association with Ulysse Nardin is natural: it is inevitably first and foremost linked to the sea, to Ulysses, the Odyssey, adventure, exploration, gusts of wind, salt spray and so on. We also share the desire to produce reliable objects, made to last, while reducing the ecological impact. Today, we are devoting our energy to trying to curb environmental problems, and no initiatives should be considered too small. Recycled materials are a necessity for the future.” Yann Louboutin, one of the three founders of FIL&FAB, a supplier of recycled plastic from fishing nets (Brittany,France).

Keeping this thought process in mind, the Ulysse Nardin Diver Net explores important environment-friendly innovations while keeping the brand's excellent watchmaking alive. How? The watch features a wrist strap made from PET plastic from the sea, it has replaced the traditional sapphire glass by a transparent ceramic glass. The 44mm case houses the silicon technology of the UN-118 movement that can be admired through the back. The concave inverted unidirectional bezel made of recycled fishing nets encircles a dial set in the combination of white, green and grey. The placement of the majestic white “UN” lettering recalls the mechanical marvels that sits within, the acid-green SuperLuminova on the hands and hour markers makes its a joy to read time in the dark. Keeping in tune with the Green initiative is the subtle touches of the same colour on the bezel, crown protector and on the stitching of the recycled PET strap. The dial also features a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock, as well as a date window and a small second hand at 6 o’clock.

“The sea has always been part of our brand’s DNA and exploration has always been our spearhead”, stresses Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Ulysse Nardin. “There is generally a strong willingness and interest of the staff members to support initiatives to improve the brand’s environmental performance. Our intention is not to be the first to innovate with sustainable materials, but rather to show the watch industry that it is possible to make our customers aware of recycled materials, even for luxury items. We would be very happy if our innovations were somehow ‘open-source’.”

To further accentuate the message of this non-traditional watch, Ulysse Nardin ahs bestowed this honour on Mathieu Crepel – a world champion snowboarder, Olympic medalist and an ambassador. He has been heavily involved with The Water Family which is an organisation that is dedicated in spreading the education of water protection and health of the planet. ““When you surf, you are faced with the problem of plastic on the beach, in the water and so on. It has harmful effects on marine fauna and flora. I am proud to be able to support Ulysse Nardin in a reflection that leads them to use recycled materials. They are at the forefront in working with the noblest and most durable materials. This recycled plastic in turn becomes a raw material that can be used for an exceptional product. This is an important brand statement: manufacturing luxury goods now requires a global approach. Being the spokesman for the launch of this watch makes me want to motivate and inspire people even more. It’s an achievement,” stated Mathieu Crepel.

To convey the message of this nontraditional watch, Ulysse Nardin has chosen Mathieu Crepel, a “Ulysses” of the company, as its ambassador. World champion snowboarder, Olympic medalist and surfer, he instinctively glides from snowflakes to waves and is heavily involved with The Water Family, an organisation dedicated to the education of water protection and health of the planet.

“When you surf, you are faced with the problem of plastic on the beach, in the water and so on. It has harmful effects on marine fauna and flora. I am proud to be able to support Ulysse Nardin in a reflection that leads them to use recycled materials. They are at the forefront in working with the noblest and most durable materials. This recycled plastic in turn becomes a raw material that can be used for an exceptional product. This is an important brand statement: manufacturing luxury goods now requires a global approach. Being the spokesman for the launch of this watch makes me want to motivate and inspire people even more. It’s an achievement,” stated Mathieu Crepel.

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