Founded in 1846, Ulysse Nardin built its reputation on marine chronometers but has since evolved into a maverick force in haute horlogerie, perhaps most notably with the introduction of the revolutionary Freak in 2001 – the first watch with no dial, no crown, and no hands. In 2025, Ulysse Nardin will continue to honor its rich heritage while pushing technical and design boundaries with 3 bold new watches.
Diver [AIR]: The World's Lightest Mechanical Dive Watch
In a stunning achievement of engineering, Ulysse Nardin unveils what it claims is the world's lightest mechanical dive watch. Weighing just 52 grams including the strap (under 46 grams for the head alone), the Diver [AIR] represents a remarkable evolution of the dive watch concept.
Building upon the foundation established by the Diver X Skeleton introduced in 2021, Ulysse Nardin has created something truly revolutionary by cutting the weight by more than half compared to a standard Diver 44mm (which weighs 120.5g). This feat was accomplished through a complete redesign of the movement and case while maintaining impressive durability.
The new UN-374 calibre is a marvel of skeletonization, with bridges barely a few millimeters wide and further hollowed out to reduce mass. Despite containing 80% air and only 20% material, the movement can withstand impacts of up to 5,000g. This structural integrity is achieved through clever engineering that uses slender bridges arranged in triangular formations – a rigid shape borrowed from architecture and engineering principles.
Material selection plays a crucial role in the Diver [AIR]'s lightweight construction. The movement and middle case utilize 90% recycled titanium sourced through partnerships with TiFast and Thyssenkrupp. The titanium is recovered from the Swiss biomedical industry and processed with advanced thermal treatments to enhance its machinability and deformation characteristics.
The 44mm case features a modular construction with side parts made from Nylo®-Foil – a blend of 60% recycled fishing nets (Nylo®) and 40% upcycled carbon fiber. The bezel insert is crafted from CarbonFoil, consisting of 100% upcycled carbon fibers from IMOCA sailing boats, creating a distinctive marble-like pattern.
The UN-374 calibre itself weighs a mere 7 grams – less than half the weight of the already lightweight Diver X Skeleton's movement. Despite this extreme weight reduction, the automatic movement provides an impressive 90-hour power reserve through its innovative flying barrel design. The movement also features a highly antimagnetic silicon escapement that weighs half as much as a standard balance, produced from upcycled silicon wafers supplied by Sigatec.
Water resistance remains robust at 200 meters, which the company notes subjects the sapphire crystal to the equivalent of 170kg of pressure. The Diver [AIR] comes with two interchangeable ultralight elastic straps in white and orange, secured with a scratch closing system, and is priced at 36,000 CHF (approximately $38,000).
Diver NET Vendée Globe: Sustainable Innovation for the High Seas
Coinciding with Ulysse Nardin's role as Official Partner and Official Timekeeper of the 10th Vendée Globe race, the brand introduces the Diver NET Vendée Globe – its most sustainable timepiece to date. Limited to 300 numbered pieces, this watch celebrates both the legendary solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-world sailing race and the company's commitment to ocean conservation.
The watch incorporates an impressive array of recycled and upcycled materials. The case flanks, lugs, and case back are crafted from NyloFoil – a hybrid material combining 60% recycled fishing nets (sourced directly from Les Sables d'Olonne where the race begins) and 40% upcycled carbon fibers from CDK Technologies. The bezel is made from CarbonFoil, composed entirely of excess carbon fibers used in manufacturing foils for monohull race boats.
Even the movement makes sustainability strides with its DIAMonSIL escapement produced from upcycled silicon wafer production waste – building on Ulysse Nardin's pioneering introduction of silicon into high-end watchmaking in 2001. The 44mm case's core "container" is constructed from 95% recycled steel from production waste, in partnership with an Austrian foundry.
The grey sandblasted dial features a red and blue X echoing the official colors of the Vendée Globe, while the power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock continues this color scheme. A unique detail appears in the date window at 6 o'clock, where all dates appear in blue except for the 10th, which is displayed in red to commemorate both the 10th edition of the race and its November 10, 2024 departure date.
Through the sapphire crystal case back, wearers can observe part of the UN-118 manufacture movement with its 60-hour power reserve, along with decorative elements showing the Vendée Globe route and the inscription "THE ONLY SOLO UNASSISTED NON-STOP SAILING RACE AROUND THE WORLD."
The Diver NET Vendée Globe is available with either a red strap made partly from recycled fishing nets or a grey strap made entirely from recycled fishing nets. Priced at 13,500 CHF (approximately $14,200), the watch represents Ulysse Nardin's alignment with the Vendée Globe's "One Globe, One Ocean" mission, using the race to raise awareness about ocean conservation and the threats posed by climate change and pollution.
Also Read: Geneva Watch Days: Ulysse Nardin’s new Blast Free Wheel Marquetry honours the iconic Freak
Blast Amoureuxpeintre: Art Meets Horology
In a distinctive collaboration with fashion designer Vsevolod Sever Cherepanov, known professionally as Amoureuxpeintre, Ulysse Nardin presents the Blast Amoureuxpeintre – a limited edition of 29 pieces that bridges the worlds of fashion and horology.
The result of a three-year development process, this artistic timepiece is built around a minimalist concept that invites deeper contemplation. Inspired by frosted glass panes that distort silhouettes, the watch features a blurred sapphire skeleton dial achieved through an advanced laser technique and thin metallization with a fumé effect. This semi-transparent design allows for a subtle glimpse of the skeletonized movement beneath – creating what Ulysse Nardin describes as "a window of deconstruction."
The 42mm case and bezel are crafted from anthracite lightweight sandblasted titanium, complementing Amoureuxpeintre's muted color palette. The crown has been refined by removing any ribbed texture to enhance the clean lines of the design, while the open case back features frosted sapphire glass adorned with the designer's signature.
Powering the Blast [Amoureuxpeintre] is the Manufacture Calibre UN-371, offering a substantial 96-hour power reserve. The movement features one of the innovations first seen in the FREAK VISION: a wide, super-light balance wheel in silicon with nickel flyweights.
The watch comes on a modern grey Alcantara strap paired with an anthracite PVD titanium sandblasted tang buckle and is presented in a special watch box crafted in anthracite and grey tones. With a price of 31,000 CHF (approximately $32,700), this collaboration exemplifies Ulysse Nardin's willingness to partner with unconventional creative minds in pursuit of novel horological expressions.
Images courtesy: Ulysse Nardin
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