Ulysse Nardin Diver Air

The history of dive watches dates back to the 1950s, but Ulysse Nardin is taking this tradition to new heights. With its latest creation, the Diver [AIR], Ulysse Nardin has redefined the limits of what is possible, achieving the unimaginable: the lightest mechanical dive watch ever made.

Ulysse Nardin has always been a pioneer in the diving watch industry, introducing its first waterproof instrument in 1893 and a dive watch in 1964. The brand revolutionized diving watches again in 2001 with the Aqua Perpetual, the first water-resistant dive watch featuring a perpetual calendar. In 2021, the Diver X Skeleton broke conventions by merging skeletonization with dive watch technology, showcasing the brand's commitment to pushing boundaries.

With the Diver [AIR], Ulysse Nardin has taken the next step by significantly reducing the watch's weight without compromising its performance. This watch, weighing a mere 52 grams (46 grams without the strap), is half the weight of its predecessor, the Diver X Skeleton, which weighed 105.8 grams. Achieving this feat required a complete rethinking of the movement.

The new calibre, the UN-374, is a technological marvel. The components have been hollowed out, with even the mainspring barrel reconfigured to save weight. To maintain robustness, Ulysse Nardin used slim, triangular bridges—an engineering principle that adds strength. Despite the watch being 80% air, the movement can withstand impacts of up to 5,000g and has been rigorously tested for durability.

The watch's lightweight construction is made possible by Ulysse Nardin’s collaboration with leaders in materials technology. The titanium used in the movement and case is 90% recycled, sourced from the biomedical industry, and processed with cutting-edge techniques. Furthermore, the watch incorporates high-tech materials such as Nylo®-Foil and CarbonFoil, both made from upcycled materials like fishing nets and sailing boat carbon fibre.

Ulysse Nardin’s Diver [AIR] proves that innovation, performance, and sustainability can coexist, creating a timepiece that is not only extraordinarily light but also incredibly robust.