Ulysse Nardin DIVER X SKELETON

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ulysse Nardin’s links with the sea are as deep as the ocean itself. The Swiss Maison was a pioneer in watchmaking innovation from 1846 when the brand cemented its reputation for incomparably accurate marine chronometers robust navigational instruments that allowed sailors to calculate longitude at sea. Now Ulysse Nardin is reaffirming its status as a watchmaker destined to rule the oceans with the arrival of the DIVER X SKELETON. In 2019 Ulysse Nardin launched the DIVER X Cape Horn, Nemo Point and Antarctica, celebrating the bravery of the solo round the world sailors of the Vendée Globe. Now, to celebrate its 175 years, Ulysse Nardin is pushing the design of its DIVER X even further by stripping away the dial and revealing its skeleton.

In an Xciting merger of the two DIVER and EXECUTIVE SKELETON worlds, Ulysse Nardin adds a new design to its range of horological UFOs the DIVER X SKELETON, an exclusive edition of skeleton diving watches limited to 175 timepieces, all numbered. This cutting edge evolution of the DIVER X retains its sporty appeal, while taking a radical step towards transparency. As the new hero watch of the DIVER collection, the DIVER X SKELETON is an explosive fusion between the sporty design of a DIVER and technical prowess of the EXECUTIVE SKELETON It’s a match that was written in the stars.

Like all of Ulysse Nardin’s DIVERS, the DIVER X SKELETON is designed to withstand the potentially fatal pressures that exist at a depth of 200 meters. To achieve this, it is equipped with a concave inverted unidirectional rotating bezel, which protects the domed sapphire glass against untimely impacts.

The engineering team has completely redesigned the UN 371 movement, which is visible through the 44 mm case. Originally designed for the EXECUTIVE SKELETON collection, it has been improved by the addition of an oscillating weight in the shape of the Ulysse Nardin’s iconic X. There is also a barrel cover placed at midday with a blue Carbonium®, which is the same as the bezel, and the hours, minutes and seconds hands are coated with Superluminova so you won’t struggle to read the time underwater.

The desire to keep the dial interface of the DIVER X SKELETON in the shape of the blue PVD X was one of the most technical and complex developments ever undertaken by Ulysse Nardin. The hour markers had to be secretly connected to the dial, so they appear to be floating. To achieve the sensation of depth, overlaid layers were used to emphasize the tiered construction of the central “X”. Different levels of finish were also employed to cause a play of light, which was amplified by the transparency of the skeleton movement.

The case, microbeaded on the sides with satin polished lugs, has been coated in blue PVD Orange details, such as the hour markers, the internal lines of Ulysse Nardin’s signature “ and the protective rubber around the crown, add vibrant pops of colour and emphasize the model’s sports origins.

DIVER X SKELETON and Carbonium®, aircraft fuselage on the wrist

On the bezel, Ulysse Nardin has used blue Carbonium®, a material originally used on its FREAK X Carbonium ® is an extremely lightweight aerospace material and among the most robust and durable materials ever developed by scientists It is made from the same fibres as those used for the fuselage and wings of the latest generation of aircraft Because its manufacturing process involves using waste materials, it has a 40 lower environmental impact than other carbon. This high-performance material is created using a complex process which involves subjecting carbon fibres, which have a diameter of only 7 µm, to high pressure and temperature conditions. The process causes the fibres to form a pattern that is unique to each watch.

The DIVER X SKELETON comes on a rubber strap in either ocean blue or supercharged orange with an element adorned with the Ulysse Nardin anchor also in orange. A constant reminder that Ulysse Nardin has always ruled the waves by looking to the stars.