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Trustworthy timepieces are quintessential to journeys of great importance. It’s hard to forget the Omega Speedmaster’s one small step or Sir Edmund Hillary’s Rolex worn on Everest. Luxury watchmakers Ulysse Nardin are the latest to throw their proverbial hat in the ring: on the heels of becoming the official timekeeper of The Ocean Race — a 36,000-mile, around-the-world sailing contest — the Swiss label has announced its partnership with the 11th Hour Racing Team for the duration of the competition.
The boat crew, out of Newport, Rhode Island, is the only team to be representing the United States in the 2022-23 Ocean Race, and, much like Ulysse Nardin, they are committed to the mission of fostering a clean, healthy ocean for everyone.
“11th Hour Racing Team is the ideal partner for our brand,” says Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Ulysse Nardin. “Like us, they are explorers. We strive to innovate through use of novel materials that lessen our impact on the environment and 11th Hour Racing Team employs cutting-edge technology that proves sustainability can win the race.”
To celebrate this partnership, Ulysse Nardin has released a special edition of their coveted Diver style, in collaboration with The Ocean Race. The Diver x The Ocean Race 44mm can be viewed as a dedication to a healthier ocean via sustainable practices and upcycling. Not only is the strap made from recycled fishing nets, but so is 60% of the actual case. Appropriate for the arena, the watch is water resistant to 300 meters and functions with self-winding UN-118 movement, and it’s finished with green touches — a nod to nature — and features the iconic matte-satin double X dial insignia.
The precision and quality of the Diver x The Ocean Race is perfectly suited for the intense demands that the 11th Hour Racing Team face on a daily basis, a fact that does not go unnoticed.
“Time is ingrained in everything we do at 11th Hour Racing Team. From the precise second we cross the startline of The Ocean Race, the hundreds of thousands of minutes we will be pushing ourselves and the boat on each leg, to the critical hour we are at in relation to climate change,” founder Mark Towill commented. “We are proud to be carrying the marque of a sustainably focused brand such as Ulysse Nardin and look forward to our partnership on this epic race around the planet.”
The Ulysse Nardin Diver x The Ocean Race is limited to 200 pieces and retails at $11,500, available for purchase in select locations now. The Ocean Race kicks off on January 15, 2023, with the 11th Hour Racing Team looking to claim victory in the world’s longest race. You can learn more about the crew and mission of the 11th Hour Racing Team here, and find the limited edition Diver x The Ocean Race below.
Ulysse Nardin Diver x The Ocean Race
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