The new Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe sources sustainable materials local to a legendary sailing race
Zach BlassUlysse Nardin’s involvement in the world of sailing should be nothing new to a regular reader of Time+Tide, nor its usage of sustainable materials in the fabrication of its watches. Previously, we’ve covered the brand’s involvement with The Ocean Race, its role as Official Timekeeper, and its sponsorship of 11th Hour Racing – which became the first-ever US team to win last year. Alongside The Ocean Race, Ulysse Nardin also launched its Ocean Race Diver Chronograph, which honoured the brand’s desire to be more environmentally friendly and the sustainability missions of The Ocean Race, which also notably celebrated its 50th anniversary. Today, Ulysse Nardin honours another legendary, gruelling sailing competition with the new Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe that ups the sustainability element of the watch even further.
Before we dive into the race, what exactly is the Vendée Globe? The sailing competition entails a race across the globe, but unlike The Ocean Race, which consists of teams, the skippers competing in the Vendée Globe work alone – entirely by themselves with no third-party assistance in the most powerful monohulls in the world. Ulysse Nardin explains: “This year marks the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe. A record 40 skippers will start the race, which begins on 10 November 2024 in the bay of Les Sables-d’Olonne on the Atlantic coast of western France. The course will take them south to South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and past Australia’s Cape Leeuwin and South America’s Cape Horn, before returning them north to the finish line back at Les Sables-d’Olonne. The race distance is theoretical: many sailors will cover more than 50,000 kilometres as they zig-zag across the seas in search of the best conditions.”
The brand also points out that, since the competition’s inception in 1989, only around 50% of its participants have completed the challenge.”The race is known as ‘the Everest of the Seas’, although far more people have now scaled the world’s highest mountain than completed the Vendée Globe, making it arguably the ultimate test of human endurance,” Ulysse Nardin explains. “Racers must overcome extreme weather, freezing temperatures, giant waves, exhaustion, loneliness, (all but inevitable) damage to their boats and perhaps also illness and injury if they are to complete the 45,000-kilometre (24,300-mile) course.” Now that we have a better sense of the race, let’s run through the Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe that honours its 10th edition.
The case
The 300-metre water-resistant case is on the larger side, measuring 44mm in diameter, 14.81mm thick, and 50mm lug-to-lug. We can debate whether that is too wide or beefy within our subjective tastes, but in terms of a watch that would theoretically accompany skippers on a race like the Vendée Globe or even recreational sailors, I would say it’s appropriately sized to ensure legibility and function. Furthermore, even with my smaller 6.5-inch wrist, I feel comfortable wearing a 50mm lug-to-lug watch (though I wouldn’t push it much further). Perhaps a more interesting point of discussion, rather than its size, are the sustainable materials found throughout the case.
The Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe not only uses ample sustainable materials throughout its design, but also materials that are locally sourced in France near the start of the race. Akin to Ulysse Nardin’s Carbonium, this Diver Net watch has a bezel made of CarbonFoil. This material utilises excess carbon fibres used in the manufacturing of the foils found on monohull race boats, sourced from Ulysse Nardin’s partner CDK Technologies, who manufactures boats like the ones used in the Vendée Globe. On the bezel, you’ll notice a diver’s timing scale that incorporates both red and white Super-LumiNova for increased visibility.
The case, or its core, is made of 95% recycled stainless steel sourced from a foundry in Austria. But the lugs, case flanks, and caseback are made of a material dubbed NyloFoil that is comprised of 60% recycled fishing nets (sourced in partnership with France-based Fil&Fab), and 40% carbon fibres from upcycled foils (sourced from CDK Technologies). These materials net an environmentally conscious case that is still highly robust and race-ready.
The dial
The pleasantly gritty grey dial has the model’s signature X splayed out across it, executed with red and blue accents to match the official colours of the Vendée Globe. Red and blue accents are also used for the 12 o’clock-positioned power reserve indicator, with the fuller side of the scale done in blue and the verging-on-empty part aptly rendered in red. The running seconds counter is bordered with alternating red and blue segments as well. The last, very subtle red accent can be found on the date disc tucked at the 6 o’clock position. Nearly every date is indicated with blue numerals, but the number 10 has been printed in red in honour of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe. In the dark, all of the hands and hour indices glow brightly in blue thanks to their ample Super-LumiNova coatings.
The straps
We were only able to get our hands on the vibrant red fabric strap that is incorporates recycled fishing nets, but buyers can opt to sacrifice having the bolder coloured strap in favour of a grey Nylo that is fully made of recycled fishing nets. Both straps have a simple Velcro-style closure that allows you to fine-tune your perfect fit. While it may not be as sustainable – not to be a bad influence – I think the red strap gives the watch a very attractive, sporty edge that the grey strap just wouldn’t be able to match.
The movement
The Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe does have an exhibition caseback, but the darkened grey slice of sapphire is more a canvas for the commemorative Vendée Globe laser-etching than a crystal clear view of the in-house UN-118 automatic calibre. That said, the view of the movement is not completely obstructed. For example, nothing really covers the balance wheel – so you are certainly afforded a view of the heartbeat of the watch. Speaking of heartbeat, the UN-118 is a 4Hz movement with 260 components, 50 jewels, and 60 hours of power reserve. As Ulysse Nardin is known for being the first watch brand to ever produce a silicon escapement, the movement uses an antimagnetic silicon and DIAMonSIL (diamond-coated silicon) escapement. A pleasant twist is the fact that the silicon used is upcycled – incorporating the sustainability aspect into the calibre as well.
The verdict
With the fabric of sailing and boat culture woven into this watch, I suspect the 300-piece limited edition will largely find itself on the wrists of people who live in coastal cities and enjoy being out on the water. It’s such a sporty and summery-looking watch – one I don’t imagine will be worn in formal settings. Beyond the net of sailing and boating enthusiasts, I think a well-executed design such as this will land well with those fishing for a less ubiquitously seen diver’s watch that has provenance both in the marine world and the world of horology.
Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe pricing and availability
The Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Vendée Globe is available now as a limited edition of 300 pieces. Price: US$14,200
| Brand | Ulysse Nardin |
| Model | Diver Net Vendée Globe |
| Reference | 1183-170LE-2A-VG/0B 1183-170LE-2A-VG/0A |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm (D) x 14.8mm (T) x 50mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Recycled steel container, NyloFoil case flanks and lugs |
| Water Resistance | 300 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Sandblasted grey |
| Strap | Red fabric, hook-and-loop fastening Grey Nylo, hook-and-loop fastening |
| Movement | UN-118, in-house, automatic, silicon escapement |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve |
| Availability | Limited to 300 pieces |
| Price | US$14,200 |