Blancpain Commits to Saving Ocean with Bathyscaphe Chronographe

Blancpain Commits to Saving Ocean with Bathyscaphe Chronographe

Adrienne Faurote
By Adrienne Faurote December 4, 2014
BLANCPAIN SUPPORTS THE PRISTINE SEAS PROJECT
BLANCPAIN SUPPORTS THE PRISTINE SEAS PROJECT

Blancpain and its president and CEO, Marc A. Hayek, invited their friends and partners to join them in Cap d’Antibes for an evening devoted to Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment.

Blancpain’s legacy in the world of diving is a rich one. Sixty years ago, born of his own passion for scuba diving, Blancpain’s then-CEO, Jean-Jacques Fiechter, produced the world’s first modern diving watch, the now-iconic Fifty Fathoms.

Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain
Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain

That timepiece reflected a shared vision, that of Fiechter drawn from his own underwater experiences and also that of the newly formed French combat diving corps, led by Captain Robert “Bob” Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud. The ideas and concepts woven into that first Fifty Fathoms have defined diving watches for the industry ever since.

In recognition of its close links to diving and its Fifty Fathoms heritage, Blancpain has for many years been a fervent supporter of environmental initiatives to explore, preserve and protect the world’s oceans. Its generous financial donations to support the cause have come to be called the “Blancpain Ocean Commitment.”

This year, the brand has found a new way to solidify that relationship, by unveiling the Ocean Commitment Circle concept and the first of the limited-edition timepieces, the Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback. The new chronograph is the latest iteration in the Bathyscaphe collection, and joins the Chronograph Flyback launched at Baselworld 2014.

The Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronograph presents a few key changes. It features a deep blue dial to go with its oceanic theme, as well as a matching blue ceramic bezel. It also becomes the first Bathyscaphe with a matte grey ceramic case—a new material that looks like traditional steel, but is lighter and stronger.

The new chronograph, of which there will only be 250 pieces made, reinforces the brand’s commitment to the cause of the ocean´s preservation and protection. For each watch sold, Blancpain will be donating € 1,000 to its Ocean Commitment charities.