Imagine being trapped in a tiny space, one so small that you can’t even stand up, with four other people. Now imagine that you also happen to be moving at approximately 40mph on the open sea two weeks from landfall. Do this, and you might have a rough approximation of what it takes to compete in the Ocean Race, the world’s most grueling sailing competition, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The Ocean Race, founded as The Whitbred Round the World Race in 1973, is a unique competition that requires the utmost in endurance from both boat and sailor. With the longest leg being 12,750 nautical miles, a distance that takes over a month to complete, mental endurance is a must as well. Within each boat, four sailors will make the seas their home as they race across some of the most remote waters in the world, battling the elements and each other for the ultimate prize.

As the Ocean Race’s official timing partner, Ulysse Nardin, is responsible for timing the individual legs of the race, as well as starting countdowns. Ulysse Nardin is also a partner of Time To Act, which works to raise awareness of and combat the effects of pollution, climate change, and overfishing in our oceans. As part of this program 11th Hour Racing, one of the Ocean Race’s main sponsors, as well as a competitor, is using the race as a research opportunity, with an onboard sensor package continually taking water samples, which are transmitted back to base via satellite uplink.

To help commemorate the Jubilee Anniversary of the Ocean Race, Ulysse Nardin has created the Ocean Race Diver Chronograph, which channels their unique design language into a rugged timepiece that embodies the best of this demanding competition. To this end, the 120-click bezel is crafted from Carbonium, a proprietary material upcycled from airplane fuselages, which leads to a 40% reduction in environmental impact relative to other carbon fiber composites. Under the hood is Ulysse-Nardin’s manufacture chronograph calibre UN-150, which features a silicon escape wheel, anchor, and balance spring among its 318 components. The movement is visible through a sapphire display back that is embossed with a stylized “50” honoring the Ocean Race and its 50-year heritage. (In a nice touch, the decoration is small enough that it still affords a generous view of the mechanical proceedings underneath.) Rounding out the package is a ceramic insert with the Ocean Race logo on the strap. The 44mm case is sand-blasted DLC-coated titanium, and the watch is water-resistant to 300 meters.

The Ocean Race will ultimately conclude in Genoa, Italy, after which the racers will have sailed over 37,000 miles in some of the roughest conditions on the open ocean. Naturally, Ulysse Nardin will be there with them to record the historic moment and help crown the next winner of sailing’s toughest race.

The Ocean Race Diver Chronograph is limited to 100 pieces and is available for sale now with a list price of $15,700.

Tech Specs

Ulysse Nardin Ocean Race Diver Chronograph

Movement: Calibre UN-150, automatic
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date
Case: Titanium, 44mm, sand-blasted and satin-finished black DLC treatment, water-resistant to 300M
Dial: Sandblasted black
Strap: Black rubber strap with black ceramic element at 6 o’clock, ceramic pin buckle
Availability: Limited to 100 pieces, USD 15,700