The Ocean Race Diver Chronograph from Ulysse Nardin sets sail with a legendary around-the-world sailing race to promote environmental awareness.

Sponsored by Ulysse Nardin, the 11th Hour Racing Team sails into Newport, Rhode Island.

For Ulysse Nardin, invention and inspiration come from human adventure and exploration. As a watchmaker and builder of onboard instruments for almost two centuries, Ulysse Nardin has been equipping over 50 navies worldwide, including the US Navy, for several decades. Continuing this nautical legacy, Ulysse Nardin is launching “The Ocean Race” Diver Chronograph, a limited edition timepiece in collaboration with the grueling around-the-world sailing race now celebrating its 50th anniversary.

A limited edition of 100 pieces, the Ulysse Nardin Ocean Race Diver Chronograph with its unique unidirectional bezel with Carbonium finish.

“Behind our legacy, there is a lot of tradition, a lot of expertise, but also a lot of emotion. And emotion is also something found here at The Ocean Race,” says Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Ulysse Nardin. “When we embarked on this adventure, we knew we shared many of the same goals. These shared views are precisely what we believe and how we see the world.”

A limited edition of 100 pieces, the Ulysse Nardin Ocean Race Diver Chronograph with its unique unidirectional bezel with Carbonium finish.

Participating boats gather important environmental data along the race route to provide an additional benefit for scientific research with the end goal of creating a global ocean “bill of rights” to be presented to The United Nations.

As the Official Timekeeper of The Ocean Race, Ulysse Nardin is responsible for the official timings of the various legs and the start countdowns – and is the official partner in the 24-Hour Speed Challenge, which rewards the crew that covers the greatest distance within 24 hours. Making a quick stop in Newport, Rhode Island, The Ocean Race crews continue on to Europe, passing through Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands before the June finale in Genoa, Italy.

A limited edition of 100 pieces, the Ulysse Nardin Ocean Race Diver Chronograph with its unique unidirectional bezel with Carbonium finish.

Built using upcycled parts with lower environmental impact, The Ocean Race Diver Chronograph uses a lightweight marbleized material called “Carbonium” that Ulysse Nardin first adopted in 2019. Water-resistant to 300 meters, the 44mm sandblasted black DLC titanium case houses the Ulysse Nardin Manufacture chronograph caliber UN-150 and its 318 components. This movement is visible through the sapphire crystal case back and bears the number 50 in tribute to this anniversary.

“A watch is a very small instrument; at the end of the day, it’s only four centimeters in diameter, but it encapsulates many values. It encapsulates a lot of stories,” says Pruniaux. “And we share a lot with The Ocean Race. Our priority is to protect the sea, making instruments and timepieces to help bring awareness to the world’s sustainability and create a better future for our oceans.”