Dive watches have been a mainstay in the world of horology since the 1950s. With decades of innovation behind them, it might seem the limits of creativity, performance, and design have already been pushed to the edge. But for Swiss independent watchmaker Ulysse Nardin, limits are simply invitations to go further.
With its latest breakthrough, the brand once again rewrites the rules. Enter the Diver [AIR]—a revolutionary creation that brings together three pillars of excellence: High Horology, High Technology, and High Performance. The Diver [AIR] is now officially the lightest mechanical dive watch ever made.
High Horology – The Hybridisation of a Skeleton and a Sport Watch
Ulysse Nardin’s dive watch legacy dates back to 1893, with its first waterproof instruments, and in 2001, it unveiled the Aqua Perpetual—the first and only dive watch water-resistant to 200 metres with a perpetual calendar. But in 2021, the brand made waves with the Diver X Skeleton, which merged high horology’s signature skeletonisation with the robust functionality of a dive watch.
Where collectors typically see skeleton watches as refined showpieces and dive watches as everyday rugged tools, Ulysse Nardin envisioned a piece that could be both. The Diver [AIR] elevates this concept to new heights. Lighter, stronger, and bolder, it is the ultimate expression of a high-horology sport watch.
High Performance – The World’s Lightest Mechanical Dive Watch
To understand how groundbreaking this is, consider the numbers. The Diver 44mm from 2019 weighed a sturdy 120.5g. The Diver X Skeleton brought that down to 105.8g, a remarkable feat considering its open-worked design. Now, the Diver [AIR] achieves the impossible. It shaves off an astonishing 68.6g, coming in at less than half the weight of the Diver X Skeleton.
High Technology – Diver [AIR] as Innovation Lab
Achieving such dramatic weight reduction required more than just trimming components. Ulysse Nardin turned to two decades of experience in high-tech materials and the periodic table itself. By using cutting-edge alloys and composites, the UN-374 calibre was transformed into a record-breaking ultralight engine. Every detail, from the case to the movement, was reimagined for optimal performance and minimal mass.
Priced at SGD 55,600 (including tax), the Diver [AIR] is a mechanical watch designed for those who dare to dive into the extreme.
