Ulysse Nardin Diver Watches

Although its establishment plans had started earlier, the story of the Ulysse Nardin Watchmaking Company began in 1846. At the time, the demand for chronometers was very high and that inspired a young watchmaker, Ulysse Nardin, to start making his own instruments.

By the early 20th Century, the Ulysse Nardin Chronometers were amongst the most recognized precision instruments, particularly by sailors from navies and shipping Companies.

Around the year 1916, the rising demand for wristwatches for the war combatants brought about a new prospect for the Ulysse Nardin Company. The Swiss watches manufacturer introduced a smaller 13” movement which could fit in the wristwatches perfectly.

In the year 1996, Ulysse Nardin introduced the iconic Marine Chronometer 1846 watch which was like a celebration piece for its 150th anniversary. Following its vintage-inspired appearance, the watch received a warm reception in the market, a status it has retained up of today.

Through its deep attachment with the seas, Ulysse Nardin decided to expand its Marine collection and introduced a diving watch with 300-meter waterproofness. Actually, apart from the waterproofness, the timepiece also has a 60-minute calibrated unidirectional rotating bezel and luminous ultra-large indexes and hands to ensure optimum readability.

In the year 2009, Ulysse Nardin Watch Company became part of the renowned Monaco Yacht Show where companies and individual boat owners exhibit their superyachts. To mark the moment, the Switzerland-based watchmaker introduced the Monaco YS Maxi Marine Diver watch which seems to borrow a lot from the original model. For instance, the watch has ultra-large hands and indexes with a grey luminescent coating to enhance optimum readability while in the dark depths. The unidirectional bezel was wave-patterned as well, and the sub-dial with small seconds and date function still sits at 6 o’clock. However, the dial of the new Marine Diver is wave-patterned and the watch has a water resistance of 200 meters, instead of 300 meters.

In 2014, a new model of the Ulysse Nardin Diver was released to the world as an update of the original 2001 watch. Aesthetically, the timepiece looks just as its predecessor, though larger and with a new contemporary look. The 300-meter waterproofness, unidirectional bezel, power reserve indicator, rotatable bezel, ETA 2892A2 caliber UN-26, and the sub-dial with small seconds and date window were retained.

By its 170th birthday, the Ulysse Nardin Watchmaking Company was a well-reputed name in the oceanic voyages and the Marine editions. In 2018, the Swiss watchmaker decided to make a big splash and introduced a new Diver selection with not only a new face but 1000-meter waterproofness.

Known as the Ulysse Nardin Diver Deep Dive watch, the timepiece has the crown at the 2 o’clock position and with a movable titanium guard. To prevent the Deep Dive watch from malfunctioning at the great depths, there is a helium release valve at 9 o’clock. The unidirectional bezel also has notched teeth instead of knurling, hence, offering you a remarkable grip while under water.

Still, in 2018, Ulysse Nardin Designers also went on giving the previous Diver series a more elegant styling, including the notched unidirectional rotating bezel. Identified as the Diver Chronometer, the new watch has four distinct models, with two being a limited edition and the other the standard production unit. As a refinement of the original model, the encompassed References have new hands and design of the small dial at the six o’clock.

For a distinguishable look from the other three, the Great White 1183-170LE-3/90-GW features a characteristic white brilliance and a caseback stamped with a gigantic shark. The watch is one of the special limited edition which has only 300 pieces available.

For the past few years since the first reissue of the Marine Diver, the new diving models have been appearing in large sizes. With the Deep Dive 3203-500LE-3/93-HAMMER, for example, the wristwatch has a 46mm girth, while the Great White has 44mm.

Of course the Le Locle watchmaker has several Reference with a smaller girth of 40mm. But, unfortunately, they are all in the Lady Diver series, whose design is much feminine with the diamond-set dial and casing.

Anyhow, with the desire to serve each of its esteemed consumers, Ulysse Nardin Watch Company has recently introduced a smaller edition in the “masculine” Diver series. With a slim and sleek makeup, the new Diver 42mm watch models have a fine dressier fit on the wrist (in case humongous watches aren’t your kind). The watch debuted in two different versions, with either a black/ blue dial or bezel. Depending on how you like it, the watch is bonded to the wrist with a fabric strap or leather strap or a steel mesh bracelet.

Similar to the rest of the diving watches from the brand, the Ulysse Nardin Diver 42mm has high-quality luminescent material at the 0 marker. This ensures the watch is highly readable even at the blued dark depth of 300 meters.