Watches & Wonders: Ulysse Nardin Diver [AIR] Sets New Standard for Lightness

The watchmaker’s cross-category luxury fake Watches breaks new ground in the world of premium sports watches by diving deep (pun intended) into the brand’s creative use of technology and its signature approach to visibility.

In the world of performance cars, there’s an Italian term used to refer to production vehicles that reduce weight without compromising luxury: Superleggera, or “superlight.” Given Le Locle-based watchmaker Ulysse Nardin’s focus on performance, engineering, and technology, I thought the phrase was particularly apt to describe the new Diver Air.

Wait, Diver Air? Isn’t that a metaphor for mixing elements? Yes and no:

The new best replica watches is based on the DNA of Ulysse Nardin’s Diver line, and according to the brand, it’s actually the lightest (52 grams!) mechanical diver’s watch in the world. However, you could think of this bold-looking, lightweight watch as an all-around sports watch that opens up new (and unfettered) possibilities both on land and in the air.

Ocean skeleton?
You can trace some of the DNA leading to the new Diver Air from last year’s Diver X Skeleton OPS. But with its Carbonium and mil-spec vibes, this skeletonized watch feels less lightweight and less generic; more like a sophisticated yet cool dive watch. The new Diver Air is more of a colorful, technical, and gender-neutral watch.

So while a higher degree of skeletonization is a key factor in the technical success of the Diver [AIR] (which weighs about half the weight of the Ulysse Nardin Diver 44mm released in 2019), there’s more to the story: namely, movement innovation and materials. replica watches for sale

Moving Light
The Diver [AIR] is powered by a new, high-tech movement, the UN-374. Taking material out of a movement to make it lighter is a rather counterintuitive exercise for a watchmaker; generally speaking, by adding more material, a movement is improved and enhanced.

Here, the mainspring barrel has had its material shaved off and reconfigured into a “flying” arrangement to save weight. The slim triangular bridges reduce weight while increasing the movement’s resilience. replica Jacob & Co. Epic X

The movement itself is made of titanium (usually watch movements are made of heavier but easier to machine brass), despite the challenges of manipulating this notoriously tough material.

This deliberate weight-saving measure has paid off handsomely. The interior of the Dive [AIR] is 80% air and 20% movement material, but the UN-374 can still withstand a 5,000-g shock. Real-world impact tests by the manufacturer confirm this toughness. Moreover, the rigorous standards of a dive watch have not been compromised, and the automatic winding and impressive 90-hour power reserve have been retained. replica Richard Mille RM 060

Lighter Baggage
The Diver [AIR]’s 44mm case has also undergone some material transformations to reduce the overall weight as much as possible. A modular case construction is used here, made from a composite material of titanium (90% recycled, in fact) and carbon fiber (more specifically, a composite Nylo material made from 60% recycled marine fishing nets and 40% carbon fiber – fun fact: the carbon portion of the Nylo comes from recycled material from IMOCA racing boats.)

Carbon fiber, however, isn’t particularly water-resistant (which doesn’t look good for a watch called “Diver”). To address this, a recycled titanium midcase was used, giving this new watch a 200-meter diving water resistance.

By Sea, By Air?
While Ocean Awareness informs divers [AIR], you only need to look at the images provided in the announcement details to understand some of Ulysse Nardin’s intentions in developing this watch. replica Patek Philippe Complications Watches