Following the success of the Ulysse Nardin Diver X Skeleton in blue, which rapidly sold out upon its release in 2021, Ulysse Nardin relaunches 175 new pieces in black Carbonium. Unveiled last November during the Dubai Watch Week in partnership with leading watch retailer Seddiqi, the technical marvel is back with an audacious choice of a flashy yellow rubber strap and a black R-STRAP made of upcycled fishing nets.
The Diver X Skeleton Black is designed to withstand the potential pressures that exist at depths of 200 meters and is equipped with a black Carbonium concave unidirectional rotating bezel and domed sapphire glass. To bring the Diver X Skeleton model to life, the engineering team has completely redesigned the UN-371 movement, which is visible through the 44 mm case.
The case, sandblasted on the sides with satin lugs, has been coated in black DLC. Yellow details, such as the hour markers and the internal lines of Ulysse Nardin’s signature “X” add vibrant explosions of color and emphasize the model’s sports origins. On the bezel, Ulysse Nardin has used black 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 fibers as those used for the fuselage and wings of contemporary 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 that involves subjecting carbon fibers —which have a diameter of only 7 micrometers— to high pressure and temperature conditions. The process causes the fibers to form a pattern that is unique to each watch. The case back protecting the movement is made of black DLC titanium and fitted with a sapphire crystal.
Originally designed for the Blast Skeleton collection, it has been improved with the addition of an oscillating weight in the shape of the Ulysse Nardin’s iconic “X”. There is also a barrel cover placed at 12 o’clock in black Carbonium, which is the same as the bezel. The hours, minutes, and seconds hands, as well as the indexes, are coated with white or yellow-tinted Super-LumiNova.
The desire to keep the dial interface of the DIVER X SKELETON in the shape of the “X” was one of the most technical and complex developments ever undertaken by Ulysse Nardin. The hour indexes 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 create a play of light, amplified by the transparency of the skeleton movement.
The new Ulysse Nardin Diver X Skeleton Black is limited to 175 timepieces and is delivered with both a yellow rubber strap and a black fabric R-strap made of upcycled polyamide from fishing nets.
Sticker Price $25,800 USD. For more info on Ulysse Nardin click here.
