"One-Armed Captain" Xu Jingkun Becomes Ulysse Nardin's Brand Ambassador

Ulysse Nardin recently announced that Xu Jingkun, the sailor famously known as the "One-Armed Captain," has joined the brand as its new ambassador. He will embark on an extraordinary journey with the brand, beginning with his participation in the 10th Vendée Globe, which set sail on November 10. Xu is the first Chinese skipper to take part in this challenging race and will compete against some of the world's best sailors.

Born in 1989, Xu Jingkun lost his left arm in an accident when he was 12 years old. However, he refused to be defined by this tragedy. He joined China's national sailing team in 2005 and has since achieved remarkable success in the Paralympic Games and several international sailing events. He is the first Chinese sailor to complete a circumnavigation on a multihull, the first Chinese participant in prestigious solo transatlantic races like the French Route du Rhum and Transat Jacques Vabre, and the first one-armed sailor to finish the extreme Mini Transat challenge.

Xu has said, "A true hero is not someone who knows no fear, but someone who, despite fear, continues to move forward." His courage and determination embody the spirit of Ulysse Nardin—being uniquely different.

The Vendée Globe is renowned for its extreme difficulty and is considered one of the toughest challenges in the sailing world. Since its inception in 1989, only around 200 sailors have participated in the non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation, with just 84 sailors successfully completing the race. Over the last three years, Xu Jingkun earned his place in the 2024 event, with six trans-oceanic voyages, and over 30,000 nautical miles sailed, maintaining an impeccable completion rate. He will be the first Chinese skipper to join this prestigious race. Ulysse Nardin, once again the official partner and timekeeper of the Vendée Globe, is collaborating with Xu Jingkun as he embarks on this new maritime adventure.

To commemorate this remarkable journey, Ulysse Nardin has launched a special limited-edition Diver NET for the Vendée Globe. Diver NET Vendée Globe uses sustainable materials such as CarbonFoil carbon fiber and NyloFoil nylon fiber. It represents a milestone in the brand's commitment to sustainability. The back of the watch features an engraving of the race route map along with the words "The Only Solo, Unassisted, Non-Stop Round-the-World Sailing Race," and only 300 pieces will be made globally.