Ulysse Nardin Leans Into Ocean Preservation With DIVER 42mm Lemon Shark

Some brands probably don’t get the love that they deserve around here, for one reason or another. One such brand I’d nominate is Ulysse Nardin. While their style might not suit all of our personal tastes, there’s no denying the impact they’ve had on the advancement of high tech materials in horology via their Freak collection. They’ve also thrown their weight behind ocean conservation projects, including the study of delicate and vulnerable ecosystems found in our seas. Their latest creation, the Lemon Shark diver, shines a light on these efforts, and happens to be a pretty sharp diver to boot.

In celebration of World’s Oceans Day, Ulysse Nardin has revealed a new member of their Diver 42mm family in the Lemon Shark. The Lemon Shark is classified as a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and Ulysse Nardin has teamed up with OCEARCH and the FIU Medina Aquarius Program for this watch to help shed light on the important work they’re doing. In tagging these sharks, OCEARCH collects and access valuable data about the movement and ecosystems vital to their long term survival. 

The watch gives a nod to its namesake with a caseback engraving that depicts three of the sharks, which are not thought to be a danger to humans. Additionally, the watch uses one of UN’s R STRAPs, made from recycled fishing nets.

The watch itself features a black DLC steel case that measures 42mm in diameter, with a black dial and bezel that receive yellow and grey accents. A concave bezel meets a domed crystal and keeps the case relatively svelte, which is also largely thanks to the automatic UN caliber 816 inside. This is a base Sellita SW300, a movement we’re all quite fond of around here, however, it’s a tough pill to swallow at the $7,300 that Ulysse Nardin is asking for the Lemon Shark. 

It’s worth noting that the movement has been fitted with the brand’s silicium escapement components. Ulysse Nardin has been at the forefront of this technology since the early 2000s, and while silicone parts are relatively commonplace these days, UN’s tech goes beyond the hairspring. Is it enough to justify the price premium? Well, given the closed caseback, and more broadly, the general uncertainty of the UN brand these days… I’d call it up in the air. 

The watch is limited to 300 units, and I’d argue that the watch is noble in its causes. In the midst of their Freaks and X Divers, the Lemon Shark stands out as thoughtfully restrained. Ulysse Nardin.