The Lightest Mechanical Dive Watch Ever Produced: Ulysse Nardin's 52-Gram Diver AIR
Ulysse Nardin Introduces the Revolutionary Diver AIR Watch
Ulysse Nardin, a Swiss luxury watchmaker, has unveiled the Diver AIR watch at this week's Watches & Wonders event. This innovative timepiece showcases a groundbreaking use of recycled and upcycled materials, aiming to achieve record-breaking lightness and sustainability.
The Diver AIR watch's middle case, caseback, and movement bridges are made from 90% recycled titanium, providing exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance essential for diving. The side parts and lugs are crafted from Nylo®-Foil, a composite lighter than traditional carbon fiber that incorporates recycled fishing nets, symbolizing a commitment to ocean conservation.
The unidirectional rotating bezel features a luminous insert made from CarbonFoil, an upcycled carbon fiber material originally developed for competitive sailing, combining functional durability and aesthetic appeal.
The case measures 44mm but remains extraordinarily lightweight due to this modular assembly of advanced materials. The lightweight nature is further enhanced by ultralight elastic fabric straps weighing less than six grams each, secured with a scratch closure for easy interchangeability without tools.
The Diver AIR watch's movement, the in-house Caliber UN-374 automatic, is housed within. This movement is 80% air, thanks to its skeletonized design, and weighs just 7g. Despite its light weight, it is capable of withstanding 5,000g of impact and has a power reserve of 90 hours. Ulysse Nardin has used mostly titanium for the construction of the movement, a first for the brand.
The sides of the case and lugs are made from Nylo-foil and recycled fishing nets. The movement includes a silicon escapement, oscillator, and balance spring. Each elastic fabric strap weighs under 6g.
The Diver AIR watch is water-resistant to 200 meters, making it a fully capable dive instrument. It is not a limited edition, and it is now available for purchase at a price of $38,000. The Diver AIR watch represents Ulysse Nardin's commitment to sustainability and innovation, combining style, functionality, and environmental consciousness in a single timepiece.
[1] Ulysse Nardin Press Release, 2023. [2] Ulysse Nardin Website, 2023.
The Diver AIR watch from Ulysse Nardin Marvelously blends technology, style, and sustainability, as it incorporates advanced materials such as upcycled carbon fiber and recycled titanium in its design. Customers can now purchase this innovative timepiece for $38,000, capitalizing on its blend of functional durability, aesthetic appeal, and commitment to ocean conservation.
