Ulysse Nardin DIVER NET: Pioneering Recycled Fishing Nets in Luxury Watchmaking
From Ocean Waste to Wrist: The DIVER NET Concept
Ulysse Nardin's long maritime heritage extends beyond marine chronometers. In 2020, the brand introduced the DIVER NET — a concept watch constructed primarily from recycled fishing nets, one of the largest sources of ocean plastic pollution. This initiative marked a significant step in the luxury watch industry's engagement with marine conservation.
Partnership With FIL&FAB
The DIVER NET was developed in collaboration with three young French designers who founded FIL&FAB, the first fishing net recycling company in France. The startup recovers discarded nets from harbors and transforms them into polyamide pellets — a raw material highly resistant to friction. This process converts what would otherwise become ocean pollution into functional watch components.
CEO Patrick Pruniaux explained the brand's motivation: "Our intention is not to be the first to innovate with sustainable materials, but rather to show the watch industry that it is possible to make our customers aware of recycled materials, even for luxury items."
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case diameter | 44mm |
| Case material | Recycled fishing nets + recycled PET |
| Crystal | Transparent ceramic glass (lower resource usage than sapphire) |
| Water resistance | 300 meters |
| Movement | UN-118 automatic, 60h power reserve |
| Strap | R-PET fabric from sea-sourced recycled PET |
| Reference | 1183-170/90-PLAST |
| Availability | Concept watch (technologies may appear in future products) |
Beyond the Concept
While the DIVER NET was never intended for commercial sale, it served as a testing ground for sustainable materials that Ulysse Nardin continues to integrate into production models. The brand's R-STRAP — made from recycled fishing nets — became commercially available, and the material research conducted for the DIVER NET directly influenced subsequent innovations like the Diver [Air] series.
This approach mirrors a broader industry trend where concept watches serve as material laboratories. Dutch/Swiss brand GYRE pioneered upcycled ocean plastic watch cases, while Alpina partnered with GYRE for the Seastrong Diver Gyre collection. Panerai introduced the Submersible eLAB-ID, constructed from 98.6% recycled-based materials.
The Ocean Plastic Crisis
An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually, with fishing nets accounting for a significant portion of marine debris. The ghost gear problem — abandoned fishing equipment that continues to trap marine life — represents one of the most urgent ocean conservation challenges. Luxury brands using recycled ocean materials can help raise awareness while funding cleanup efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the Ulysse Nardin DIVER NET?
The DIVER NET was a concept watch and is not available for purchase. However, the sustainable materials and technologies developed for it have been incorporated into Ulysse Nardin's commercial products, including the R-STRAP and Diver [Air] series.
What is FIL&FAB?
FIL&FAB is a French startup that pioneered fishing net recycling. They collect discarded nets from harbors and transform them into polyamide pellets for industrial use, including watch components.
Are other brands using recycled fishing nets?
Yes. GYRE Watches, Alpina, and several microbrands have incorporated recycled ocean plastics into watch cases and straps, though Ulysse Nardin remains the most prominent luxury brand in this space.
Source: Monochrome Watches — Ulysse Nardin's Fight Against Marine Plastic Pollution by Brice Goulard (November 2020)
Also read: Ocean Conservation & Watches