Swiss watchmaker Ulysse Nardin has extended its official timekeeping partnership with the Vendée Globe solo non-stop round-the-world sailing race through 2028. Founded in 1846 in Le Locle, Switzerland, the manufacture is maintaining its role as the race timer for a third edition, while expanding its footprint across the broader racing circuit.
Engineering Precision for the Open Ocean
The relationship between high-end horology and elite offshore racing is rooted in navigational necessity. Ulysse Nardin built its reputation on supplying high-precision timepieces essential for maritime exploration, adopted by the world’s leading navies as well as by scientists in geodesy, astronomy and the Earth sciences, according to vendeeglobe.org.
Today, that instrumentation heritage translates into sponsoring what the brand terms the most radical testing ground for a brand that champions pushing one’s limits, resilience and human ambition. The Vendée Globe demands resilience from skippers and hardware alike, as it is a solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-world sailing race.
Circuit Expansion and Key Race Dates
Under the renewed agreement, Ulysse Nardin’s sponsorship extends beyond the marquee solo race around the globe. The partnership covers several fixtures on the calendar. These include the Vendée Arctique – Les Sables d’Olonne starting from 2026, followed by the New York Vendée – Les Sables d’Olonne in 2028.
This multi-year roadmap guarantees that the Swiss manufacture will maintain its presence through 2028.
Material Science and Upcycled Marine Hardware
Beyond traditional timekeeping duties, the partnership serves as an occasion to put forward initiatives in favor of the preservation of the oceans. During the previous race cycle, Ulysse Nardin introduced the Diver NET Vendée Globe timepiece, positioning it as a showcase for recycled and upcycled materials.
The watch incorporated two specialized material innovations. The first is CarbonFoil, an upcycled material made from carbon fibre production offcuts from the manufacture of monohull foils by CDK Technologies, an expert in IMOCA construction, according to vendeeglobe.org. The second is NyloFoil, a hybrid material produced using Nylo, which is derived from recycled fishing nets collected in Les Sables-d’Olonne.
By tying its product pipeline to recycled materials, the brand aims to highlight its commitment to sustainability. As the countdown to the 2028 events continues, this collaboration bridges precision engineering with circular material design on a global stage.
