The new Diver [AIR] introduced by Ulysse Nardin at the Watches and Wonders 2025 weights a mere 52g and can withstand 5,000 G shocks.
Ulysse Nardin’s impressed watch enthusiasts with the lightest mechanical dive watch ever created. The 52g overall weight (including 6g for the strap) is a result of using highly innovative materials and skeletonizing the movement to the extreme, while keeping structural robustness.
Both properties, lightness and durability, are also visually evident at first glance. In fact, the Diver [AIR] is really similar to the 2021 Diver Skeleton models, but when you hold both in the hand it surprises how lighter it became compared to the already 105.8g light Skeleton – it is less than half the weight, indeed. The piece has a 44mm titanium / PA6 / carbon fibre case and black hands, rhodium-finish indexes with white Superluminova® on the skeleton dial.
The UN-374 calibre
The 7 gramms light UN-374 calibre is based on the Skeleton’s UN-372 with important modifications: the mass of the base plate and the bridges were reduced to the minimum, the barrel had been fixed from the back and therefore appears to be flying, and components were hollowed wherever possible. The escapement, the balance wheel and he hairspring are etched from silicon offering high performance at very low friction and weight. The 3Hz balance keeps on oscillating at the same pace for 90 hours when fully wound.
New materials
A big part of the weight reduction comes from the selection of materials produced by a set of specialists. 90% of the bridges and the middle case are created from recycled titanium sourced from TiFast and Thyssenkrupp. The side parts of the case were made by Lavoisier Composites from Nylo®-Foil, a combination of Nylo® (a material recycled by French start-up Fil & Fab from ocean nets) and carbon fibre, recovered from sailing boats by Extracthive. The bezel is also 100% recycled carbon fibre. The escapement is made of up-cycled silicon wafer by Sigatec. The timepiece comes with two elastic fabric straps, in orange and white.
The lightness of components and the robust structure is not only fantastic to experience, but it also helps the timepiece to withstand greater physical impacts. The Diver [AIR] is certified to resist to pressures in the depths of 200 metres and 5,000 G forces.
The novelty comes into Ulysse Nardin’s Diver collection as an unlimited edition timepiece.
Check out Matthieu Haverlan, Managing Director of Ulysse Nardin discussing stories of the ocean and the Diver Air with Mike Coots, ocean advocate, surfer, photographer and Ulysse Nardin Brand Ambassador here.
Photo credits: Loupiosity.com
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