Ulysse Nardin has unveiled its third collaborative timepiece with One More Wave, the Diver X Skeleton One More Wave. This new limited-edition model continues a partnership built on a shared maritime spirit and a commitment to a profound cause, channeling the brand's horological innovation into direct support for a veteran-operated non-profit organization. The release signifies a deepening of the relationship, leveraging one of Ulysse Nardin's most technically forward-thinking dive watch platforms to amplify the message and mission of its partner.
Since 1846,
Ulysse Nardin has established itself as a premier name in the world of marine chronometers. The Le Locle-based manufacturer was a critical supplier of precision timekeeping instruments to navies across the globe, including the U.S. Navy as early as 1905. This historical connection to the sea is not merely a footnote in the brand’s history; it is a core component of its identity. This legacy of creating robust, reliable instruments for maritime professionals provides an authentic foundation for a modern dive watch, and more importantly, for a partnership dedicated to those who have served their country.
Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin
The partner in this endeavor is One More Wave, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2015 by retired U.S. Navy SEAL Alex West. The organization’s mission is direct and impactful: to assist wounded and disabled veterans through the therapeutic power of surfing. Recognizing the profound healing potential of the ocean, One More Wave provides veterans with custom-designed surfing equipment tailored specifically to their individual needs, which often result from their service-related injuries. This goes far beyond simply handing over a surfboard; it is about creating a supportive community and providing a tangible path toward healing and wellness.
The collaboration between Ulysse Nardin and One More Wave is not a recent or superficial marketing alignment. It began in 2018, stemming from a desire by François-Xavier Hotier, President of Ulysse Nardin Americas, to create a more direct and meaningful way to support veterans. An introduction to the Navy SEAL community led to a fateful meeting in a Coronado, California bar with Kyle Buckett, then CEO of One More Wave. That initial conversation, surrounded by the memorabilia of fallen SEALs, laid the groundwork for a genuine partnership, resulting in the first collaborative watch, the Deep Dive “One More Wave” Edition.
This was followed by a second model, the Diver Chronometer 44mm One More Wave Edition, which further integrated the charity’s identity into the timepiece's design. The relationship has blossomed into something more akin to a family affair for Ulysse Nardin’s U.S. team, with employees personally volunteering and supporting One More Wave events. This deep-seated commitment ensures the collaboration transcends a simple product release, becoming a continuous effort to raise funds and awareness for the organization's life-saving work.
The new Diver X Skeleton One More Wave is the latest evolution of this partnership. The watch immediately captures attention with its assertive and technical aesthetic. The design is dominated by a large, open-worked "X" structure that forms the central part of the dial. This signature element is rendered in black PVD with a combination of polished and satin finishes, creating a dynamic play of light across its surfaces. This architectural framework allows an unobstructed view into the intricate mechanics of the movement beneath, offering a visual depth that is both complex and captivating.
Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin
Visually, the watch is a study in modern material science and bold color accents. The 44 mm case is crafted from black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coated titanium, a material chosen for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This makes the watch surprisingly light on the wrist despite its substantial dimensions of 15.7 mm in thickness. The finish on the titanium is a mix of sandblasted and satin textures, giving it a tactical, non-reflective quality that underscores its identity as a serious instrument.
A key highlight is the unidirectional rotating bezel, which is made from Carbonium®. This high-performance composite material is created from upcycled aerospace carbon fibers, resulting in a unique, marbled pattern of black and grey. This process means that no two bezels are exactly alike, giving each of the 50 limited-edition pieces a distinct character. The concave design of the bezel, topped by a domed sapphire crystal, further enhances the watch's three-dimensional appearance.
The color scheme is a direct tribute to One More Wave, incorporating the organization’s signature grey and turquoise hues. The hour and minute hands are treated with a vibrant turquoise Super-Luminova®, ensuring they stand out vividly against the dark, skeletonized backdrop for clear legibility in low-light conditions. In contrast, the black indexes and the seconds hand are filled with grey Super-Luminova®, creating a cohesive and purposeful color palette that is both functional and symbolic of the partnership.
Furthering the collaborative identity, the grey rubber strap is seamlessly integrated into the case design. At the 6 o’clock position, the strap features a black ceramic element proudly emblazoned with the One More Wave trident logo in a matching turquoise color. This subtle yet powerful detail serves as a constant reminder of the watch's purpose. The strap is secured with a deployant buckle made from black ceramic and black PVD titanium, continuing the watch's theme of advanced, durable materials.
Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin
At the heart of this timepiece beats the Manufacture Caliber UN-372, a self-winding skeleton movement that is a testament to Ulysse Nardin's 34 years of expertise in open-working calibers. Composed of 187 individual parts and 23 jewels, this movement is not just functionally impressive but also a piece of mechanical art. The architecture is designed to complement the "X" motif of the dial, with the barrel cover at 12 o’clock also crafted from the same distinctive Carbonium® as the bezel.
Ulysse Nardin has long been a pioneer in the use of silicon in watchmaking, a technology introduced with the revolutionary Freak watch in 2001. The Caliber UN-372 fully embraces this legacy. The oversized oscillator, or balance wheel, is crafted from silicon and features nickel flyweights for superior stability. The escapement wheel, anchor, and balance spring are also made from silicon, a material prized for its anti-magnetic properties, resistance to corrosion, and long-term durability without the need for lubrication.
This extensive use of silicon contributes significantly to the watch’s chronometric performance. The movement operates at a frequency of 3 Hz, or 21,600 vibrations per hour, a steady beat that ensures reliable accuracy. Furthermore, it provides a very practical and robust power reserve of 72 hours, meaning the watch can be set down for a full three days and will still be running when picked back up.
Despite its intricate, open-worked design, the Diver X Skeleton One More Wave is a fully capable dive watch. The robust construction, featuring a screw-down crown and a solid case back, guarantees water resistance to a depth of 200 meters. The open sapphire case back offers another view of the movement's complex architecture, while also featuring the One More Wave logo transferred onto the crystal, reinforcing the collaborative nature of this special edition.
Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin
The ethos of One More Wave is about overcoming past limitations and facing the future with a determined spirit. This philosophy is mirrored in the design and engineering of the Diver X Skeleton. Ulysse Nardin challenged the conventional idea of a dive watch, which is typically characterized by a solid, utilitarian dial, and instead created the world’s first skeletonized diver. This act of reimagining boundaries reflects the journey of the veterans that One More Wave supports, who are themselves redefining their own futures.
The choice of materials speaks to this forward-looking theme. Titanium and Carbonium® are materials of the future, born from aerospace and advanced engineering. Their inclusion in this watch makes it not just a timekeeping device, but a statement about innovation, resilience, and high performance. The skeletonized form reveals the inner workings, a mechanical honesty that aligns with the transparent and direct mission of its non-profit partner.
The mission of One More Wave is starkly critical. With an average of 17 veterans dying by suicide in the U.S. every day, the organization’s work in providing surf therapy is not just beneficial, it is lifesaving. Research continues to affirm the efficacy of this therapy for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The organization provides the custom equipment and connects veterans to a global network of volunteers and therapy programs, creating a framework of support and a community to belong to.
This watch, therefore, represents a convergence of high-end horology and a vital humanitarian mission. Every component, from the upcycled carbon fiber in the bezel to the meticulously finished silicon components in the movement, is part of a larger story. It is a story of a partnership that began over burgers and beers and evolved into a sustained effort that has a real-world impact on the lives of veterans.
Courtesy of Ulysse Nardin
The Ulysse Nardin Diver X Skeleton One More Wave is a testament to what can be achieved when a brand with a rich history and a forward-thinking mindset dedicates its resources to a worthy cause. It combines futuristic aesthetics, cutting-edge materials, and profound mechanical innovation into a single, cohesive package that supports the healing journey of those who have served.
The watch, reference 3723-170LE-2A-OMW/3A, is offered as an exclusive limited edition of just 50 pieces, available only in the United States. This exclusivity underscores the focused nature of the partnership and the targeted community it serves. With a retail price of $30,600, it represents a significant commitment from collectors who wish to own a unique piece of horological art while simultaneously contributing to the critical mission of One More Wave.
Case: Black DLC titanium, sandblasted & satin-finish; 44 mm diameter, 15.7 mm height. Concave unidirectional rotating bezel in Carbonium®. Domed sapphire crystal and open sapphire case back. Water resistant to 200 m.
Movement: Caliber UN-372 Manufacture automatic skeleton movement. 72-hour power reserve, 3 Hz frequency (21,600 vph). Features silicon escapement wheel, anchor, balance spring, and oversized balance wheel. 171 components, 23 jewels.
Dial: Black PVD skeleton dial with "X" shape. Carbonium® barrel cover. Hour and minute hands with turquoise Super-Luminova®; indexes and second hand with grey Super-Luminova®.
Strap: Grey rubber strap with a black ceramic element at 6 o’clock featuring the One More Wave logo. Black ceramic and black PVD titanium deployant buckle.
Price: $30,600
Reference Number: 3723-170LE-2A-OMW/3A
Notes: Limited edition of 50 pieces, available exclusively in the USA. A collaboration with One More Wave, a non-profit supporting wounded and disabled veterans. The bezel is crafted from Carbonium®, a material made from upcycled aerospace carbon fibers.