Watch Brands Celebrate World Oceans Day

IWC Schaffhausen is one such supporter. Since 2009 the company has partnered with the Charles Darwin Foundation to help preserve the fragile eco-system of the Galapagos Islands. More than a hundred researchers and scientists work from Santa Cruz Island to protect the fauna and flora of the Galapagos. The brand has regularly created Aquatimer watches dedicated to the cause, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Foundation and the Research Facility. Recently, the brand unveiled the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “La Cumbre Volcano” in honor of the active volcano on the island of Fernandina. Part of the proceeds from sales of this watch will benefit the Charles Darwin Foundation, as will proceeds from the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Galapagos Islands” watch and the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Expedition Charles Darwin”, among others.

Additionally, IWC is a longstanding supporter of scuba-diving pioneer and researcher Jacques Cousteau, founder of the Cousteau Society dedicated to protecting marine life. IWC has supported the organization since 2004, especially in its work to establish marine conservation zones to protect against over-fishing, poaching and destruction. The brand has developed the Aquatimer Automatic Edition “Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau” watch, which retails for $5,600, wherein a portion of the proceeds go directly to the Cousteau Society.

Financing scientific expeditions

Blancpain is also a huge supporter of the oceans. Indeed, this year marks the fourth time the brand has co-hosted the annual World Oceans Day reception at the UN headquarters in New York City. This partnership underscores Blancpain’s commitment to the oceans, which the brand took to a new level back in 2014 when it gathered all of its various efforts in the realm of ocean preservation and exploration under one roof: Blancpain Ocean Commitment. Since then, the brand has co-financed ten major scientific expeditions and has helped to expand the surface of marine-protected ocean areas. Additionally, it recently unveiled its second limited-edition watch in honor of the oceans: Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Blancpain Ocean Commitment II (BOC II). The BOC II limited-edition timepiece comes with a hand-numbered copy of a manuscript written by Professor Hans Hass – considered a premier pioneer in diving – in the 1960s, and which has never before been published in full. Hass changed the world of science with his revolutionary scuba-diving developments, underwater photography, and scientific research. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these watches goes toward ocean initiatives backed by Blancpain.

By supporting such explorations as the “Deepest Dive,” and polar water expeditions, Rolex continues to encourage the world’s finest scientists in their quests to preserve our oceans. The brand has long ongoing partnerships with a host of scientists, including Sylvia Earle, a U.S. marine biologist who has logged more than 7,000 hours underwater.

The brand also supports James Cameron and was fully behind the DeepSea Challenge, wherein the filmmaker-turned-explorer (director of Titanic and Avatar among others) designed and built not only his own futuristic vertical submersible vehicle, but also the 3-D cameras that would enable him to explore life at depths of more than 30,000 feet. He coordinated a top-notch team of experts and sought out advice from U.S. Navy Lt. Don Walsh, the operator of the bathyscaphe Trieste that made the first (and only previous) venture to the Mariana Trench more than 50 years ago in 1960; (Rolex was on that journey too, strapped to the hull of the Bathyscaphe). The team spent months testing the DeepSea Challenger at different ocean depths before embarking on the pioneering scientific expedition. Attached to the outside camera arm was the then-new experimental Rolex DeepSea Challenge watch.

Raising public awareness

These are just a few examples of Rolex’s extensive involvement in our waters. Through other initiatives, the company supports research into marine birds, flora and other realms. For example, via the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, the brand is helping one particular scientist in Patagonia to study the depths of the fjords and the influences of ecotourism and salmon fishing on sea life there.

Another long-standing supporter of the marine world, Omega has worked with GoodPlanet Foundation for the past six years to raise public awareness and emphasize sustainability of our oceans. The brand has created several timepieces in honor of GoodPlanet, with part of the proceeds from sales helping to fund projects such as preserving sea grasses in Southeast Asia, and educating local populations about conserving these important natural resources.

Jaeger-LeCoultre also has a long history of ocean protection. In 2008 it became lead supporter of the UNESCO Marine Heritage program, working with UNESCO to protect the 47 marine sites on the World Heritage List, with special emphasis on conservation projects in the United States, Brazil, Philippines and Costa Rica. This partnership recently ended.