Many folks will tend to focus in on the higher-end releases that come from Ulysse Nardin, such as the Freak line. And that makes sense, because those are quite intriguing in their own right. But to look only at them is to give short shrift to their very well-sorted divers, of which they’ve released a new one – the Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Azure.
To be fair, the Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Azure is part of a two-watch collection, with the other one featuring a skeletonized dial and movement. For us, though, the star is the “regular” version of the watch. Last year, they introduced the first Diver Net, which used a number of recycled materials in its construction, bringing a focus on the waste that is filling the oceans and choking out marine life. Here’s what they’re saying about the usage of those materials in the design:
This exceptional watch – a first when it launched – was the product of a collaboration between the Manufacture and several start-ups. Its case is made from Carbonium® (with a 40% lower environmental impact than other carbon composites), Nylo® (recycled polyamide from fishing nets), and 95% recycled steel.
This particularly high percentage represents a further improvement on the first Diver Net, which contained 80% recycled steel. The new Diver Net Azure is powered by the iconic UN-118 movement, fitted with a silicon balance- spring, and an escapement wheel and an anchor in DiamonSil. This fine watchmaking piece, water-resistant up to 300 metres, is adorned with blue, highlighting the X on the dial, the display indications, and the markings on the bezel.
For us, all that material usage is just another bonus for the watch. We like how the Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Azure is still a capable tool watch while moving things in some very interesting aesthetic directions that make it stand out from other divers, while not impacting functionality. If you want to pick one of these up, they’re $12,600 (the skeletonized version is $26,400). Check out the details, and find your local store, over at ulysse-nardin.com
Tech Specs from Ulysse Nardin
- Reference: 1183-170-2B/3A
- Movement & functions
- UN-118 Manufacture calibre
- Automatic movement
- Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, power reserve indicator Silicon balance-spring
- DiamonSil escapement wheel and anchor
- 260 components / 50 jewels
- Frequency 4Hz / Oscillating at 28,800 vib/h
- Case
- Central case, bezel, case back and movement mount in 95% recycled stainless steel.
- Side case and case back ring: 60% Nylo® recycled fishing nets and 40% Carbonium® upcycled carbon fibres from the aeronautic industry.
- Open sapphire crystal case back
- Diameter 44 mm, height 14.81 mm
- Water-resistance: 300m
- Bezel: Concave unidirectional rotating bezel in 100% upcycled Carbonium® with domed sapphire crystal
- Dial
- Sandblasted black dial with an embossed and satinated X
- Power-reserve indicator at 12 o’clock, date and small seconds at 6 o’clock
- Hour-markers and hands with Super-LumiNova
- Strap and buckle
- Azure-coloured rubber strap with black “Ulysse Nardin” ceramic element at 6 o’clock
- Black ceramic pin buckle
- Price: CHF 11,900 (7.7% VAT) / €12,700 (21% VAT) / $12,600
