News 
Like a message of gratitude delivered to the ocean, Ulysse Nardin focuses its efforts on the search for recyclable materials recovered from the sea.
From the ocean to the wrist, Diver Net is an innovative solution, a concept watch designed to limit its environmental impact and promote sustainability at the level of excellence.
On November 8th, around 30 adventurers set off from Les Sables d’Olonne (France) at the start of the 9th edition of the Vendée Globe, the ineffable non-stop and unassisted yacht race around the world. A circumnavigation of 21,638 nautical miles (40,075 kilometres), which only takes place every four years and for which Ulysse Nardin has the honour of being the official timekeeper.
The yachtsmen will spend a minimum of 70 days at sea before returning to Les Sables d’Olonne and crossing the finish line. During this odyssey, they are inevitably confronted with the 5,000 billion pieces of floating plastic that pollute the ocean.
To highlight the adventurous spirit of the Vendée Globe participants and fully associate itself with the warning message on plastic pollution, Ulysse Nardin has turned its efforts towards research and development devoted to serving the ocean. The watchmaker has implemented a dedicated research unit to studying materials from the sea, particularly the characteristics of oyster shells, algae, marine PET (plastic bottles) and polyamide fishing nets. The team is currently researching several avenues of sustainable innovation for future watchmaking projects.
In October 2020, Ulysse Nardin marked the first milestone in its commitment to the marine circular economy with the launch of the new “R-Strap”, made from recycled fishing nets, one of the main sources of ocean plastic pollution.
Today, Ulysse Nardin is taking its commitment further by introducing the Diver Net, a concept watch in which each trim element has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible. A totally innovative and “upcycled” watch for which the search for suppliers was key.
For the case, middle, back and bezel decoration of this model, Ulysse Nardin placed its trust in three young Breton designers who have created the first fishing net recycling sector in France. Fil&Fab recovers nets that are no longer in use from harbours and transforms them into polyamide pellets, a raw material that is highly resistant to friction. The partners’ background in industrial design and ecological transition is teamed with a high degree of product awareness.
The research around the Diver Net consisted of redesigning its trim elements, leading the watch to feature a strap made from PET plastic from the sea, transformed into reels of thread by the Swiss company Tide. This supplier is also working to stop the production of virgin plastic at its source and instead use the huge resources already available.
In its search for low-impact solutions, Ulysse Nardin has also replaced the traditional sapphire crystal by a transparent ceramic glass, machined in the Swiss Jura. The transparent ceramic glass is a material used with the goal of having a lower environmental impact by limitingthe the energy involved in manufacturing it. The innovation department has thus appraised and tested several solutions, which may be extended to other products.
The Diver Net is a concept watch that explores important environmentally-friendly innovations while keeping the brand’s tradition of brilliant watchmaking alive. The silicon technology of the UN-118 movement can in fact be admired through the back of its 44mm case. This concept diver watch is equipped with a concave inverted unidirectional bezel, also made of recycled fishing nets, with a curved transparent ceramic glass instead of a traditional sapphire crystal. The white, grey and green dial, with its majestic white “UN” lettering, heralds the mechanical marvel that lies within. On the hour-markers and hands, the tangy green Super-LumiNova makes it easier to see the time in the dark. Green touches – symbolising nature – are omnipresent: on the dial, bezel, crown guard 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 seconds hand at 6 o’clock.
To convey the message of this non-traditional watch, Ulysse Nardin has chosen Mathieu Crepel, a “Ulysses” of the company, as its ambassador. World champion snowboarder, Olympic medallist and surfer, he instinctively glides from snowflakes to waves and is heavily involved with The Water Family, an organisation dedicated to educating the public with regard to water protection and the health of the planet.
December 03, 2020