A pioneer in exploration of the oceans, Swiss watchmaker Blancpain can lay claim to the first modern diver’s watch, the legendary Fifty Fathoms presented in 1953. Through its Blancpain Ocean Commitment programme, it plays a significant part in the preservation and conservation of the oceans. In particular, Blancpain supported the Pristine Seas expeditions from 2011 to 2015, allowing for the creation of new protected marine zones covering several million square kilometres all over the world. Since 2013, the watchmaker has also underwritten the Gombessa Expeditions run by French naturalist photographer Laurent Ballesta, studying some of the most elusive marine creatures and phenomena on Earth. The 10th anniversary of their collaboration, and the 70th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms watch, gave rise to a new collection of watches dedicated to technical, long-duration diving (Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa).

By becoming a partner of the Ocean Photographer of the Year contest organized by the Oceanographic Magazine, Blancpain also reveals the splendour – and fragility – of the oceans. The most recent edition was won by Ben Thouard of France, with the Female Fifty Fathoms prize awarded to Australian photographer, Brooke Pyke.

Rolex also provides backing for explorers through the Perpetual Planet initiative. Since 1982, the brand sporting a crown logo has worked in partnership with American oceanographer and explorer Sylvia Earle, who focuses on the creation of Hope Spots, marine areas protected from human activities, through her Mission Blue organization. By working in close collaboration with local communities, more than 145 Hope Spots have been recognized throughout the world. The most recent is the island of Malpelo, 500 km west of the Colombian mainland. As part of its commitment to the oceans, Rolex became a partner of this organization in 2014.

Intimately linked to the ocean, Swiss watchmaker Ulysse Nardin, which has been making marine chronometers since 1846, is deeply involved on several fronts: preservation of sharks and the fight against plastic pollution, generated, among other things, by fishing nets lost or abandoned at sea. As part of this initiative, Ulysse Nardin has committed itself to the Plastic Odyssey project. Setting off in October 2022 from the port of Marseille, its ship will travel 40,000 nautical miles over three years, making 30 stopovers in the countries most impacted by plastic pollution. A partner in official timekeeping for The Ocean Race, Ulysse Nardin also demonstrated its commitment to the oceans by joining up with the 11th Hour Racing Team, whose symbolic name is a compelling reminder that time is running out. The event’s official watch, the Ocean Race Diver, to be unveiled this year in a chronograph version, is the first of its kind to be made of sustainable materials: recycled fishing nets!

Motivated by the principles of the circular economy in watchmaking, Italian designer Panerai has created the timepiece with the highest percentage of recycled materials ever achieved in this sector (98.6% of its weight). Already applauded for the eSteel™ (recycled steel alloy meeting the same demands for quality as traditional steel), it has developed a lightweight recycled titanium alloy of aerospatial quality, made of recycled materials for over 80%, for the case of the Submersible eLAB-ID™ EcoTitanium™. A real concentrate of innovations, this watch also proposes a dial and hands coated in recycled Super-LumiNova™ 100%, all completed by a strap made of recycled PET fabric. A partner of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Panerai demonstrates with these various initiatives that another watchmaking industry, more environmentally friendly, is indeed possible!