Introducing: The Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe
The new Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe celebrates one of the most taxing sailing races. It’s also the most sustainable watch yet from the Swiss brand. Let’s take a closer look at this sporty and colorful diver.
Ulysse Nardin is no stranger to supporting lengthy, challenging races. The Gumball 3000 comes to mind in the automotive world, but the company is also involved with sailing. The Diver Net Vendée Globe is made to support a race with the same name and marks the second time the company has supported the event. The demanding Vendée Globe happens every four years and is a global sailing race featuring boats with solo crews. The participants will cover more than 25,000 kilometers over 70+ days without stepping foot on dry land. Normally, few complete the race, but this year’s will feature a record-breaking 40 contestants.
The Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe
The latest Diver Net Vendée Globe uses a familiar case shape. This 44mm by 50mm diver is bold and brightly colored. It’s also highly legible with ample Super-LumiNova on the applied dial indices, bezel markers, and thick hands. The watch has an ocean-ready 300m depth rating, ensured in part by a large screw-down crown.
A focus on sustainable materials
As with all Diver Net models, sustainability plays a big role in the Diver Net Vendée Globe’s construction. Ulysse Nardin states that the case’s core is stainless steel with a minimum of 95% recycled content. The case flanks and lugs are made from a combination of polyamide from recycled fishing nets and upcycled carbon fiber, while the bezel uses upcycled carbon fiber from the hulls of racing sailboats. Finally, the movement shows off a new technology. It has a silicon escapement made from upcycled silicon-wafer-production waste.
Back to the dial of the Diver Net Vendée Globe
Ulysse Nardin chose a sandblasted gray dial along with stainless elements. Red, white, and blue also feature strongly, perhaps as a nod to the race’s starting point in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The blue-on-white date wheel uses a red font for the 10th. This signifies the 10th running of the race and the start date of November 10th. A power reserve display is at the top of the dial, and a small seconds indicator sits at the bottom. The result is a regulator-like look, which is uncommon for a dive watch.
The UN-118 automatic movement
The UN-118 automatic is semi-visible through a sapphire window in the case back. A map depicts the globe with the slogan, “THE ONLY SOLO UNASSISTED NON-STOP SAILING RACE AROUND THE WORLD.” Ulysse Nardin has created a modern movement with 60 hours of power reserve and a frequency of 28,800vph.
Enjoyment for the wrist
The Diver Net Vendée Globe isn’t an ultra-lightweight watch, but the carbon fiber components help reduce mass. Plus, despite the larger size, it’s comfortable due to downward-curving lugs. Also, the red strap made from recycled fishing nets is great on the wrist. It has a simple pull-through design with a Velcro closure system. It’s the perfect strap design for sporty activities or swimming.
The best aspects of this watch are its colors and the use of materials. At times, carbon cases look funky or futuristic. The Diver Net Vendée Globe avoids this with a lighter-toned dial and the flourishes of color throughout the watch. It’s certainly a less orthodox choice than, say, a Submariner, but the overall execution comes together nicely.
Pricing and availability
Ulysse Nardin will produce 300 numbered pieces of the Diver Net Vendée Globe. The price is €14,400, which is expected from a brand like this. The watches will be available globally at retailers. Visit the official Ulysse Nardin website if you’d like to learn more about the watch and the race. For now, let us know what you think of this latest collaboration. Does the focus on sustainable materials interest you?
This is a partnership post. Read about our transparency here.
