Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV in action.
This month, StarChrono highlights three timepieces with a nod to the ocean.
Brands such as Blancpain, committed to ocean protection, has produced a limited edition timepiece towards that end while Omega adds another watch to its Seamaster Planet Ocean series. Tudor plays it up with a unique hue reminiscent of the tropical sea.
Blancpain has come up with its new limited-edition Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) piece, showcasing the Fifty Fathoms Tech line in a new 45mm format.
The funds raised will be allocated to the newly established Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Centre, an extension of the Sea Academy project that is a flagship initiative of the brand’s commitment to the ocean.
Since the creation of the Fifty Fathoms in 1953, Blancpain has been a strong advocate for the oceanic community.
The Blancpain Ocean Commitment encompasses the brand’s global initiatives to support ocean exploration and protection.
Limited to 100 pieces, the new Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV adopts the design of the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2 Tech Gombessa.
With a 45mm diameter and 14.1mm thickness, the BOC IV is perfect for both underwater diving and everyday wear.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue.
It embodies Blancpain’s innovation and watchmaking excellence, as well as its commitment to the oceans.
For each watch sold, 1,000 euros will be allocated to the Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Centre, contributing to a total fund of 100,000 euros.
The Grade 23 titanium case, known for its strength and lightness, houses a helium valve for saturation dives in a hyperbaric chamber.
The unidirectional bezel with domed black ceramic insert is angled towards the dial, making it easy to use even with diving gloves.
Absorbing up to 97% of light, the absolute black dial ensures optimal readability underwater, with hour-markers formed by luminescent block-shaped appliques.
The integrated black rubber strap, combined with the central lugs attached from inside the case, provides exceptional ergonomics and contemporary style.
The BOC IV combines comfort, performance and design, ideal for both professional and amateur divers.
At the heart beats calibre 1315A, Blancpain’s renowned automatic movement with a five-day power reserve.
Equipped with an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring, this calibre guarantees exceptional chronometric performance and unmatched timekeeping precision.
The 18kt gold oscillating weight, adorned with the blue BOC logo, is visible through the sapphire case back.
The Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Centre is an extension of the Sea Academy programme which focuses on creating a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in partnership with local communities around Pangatalan Island and in Shark Fin Bay, Palawan in the Philippines.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean.
Strategically located near the main research areas and the five MPAs established in Shark Fin Bay with Blancpain’s support, the research centre aims to enhance the study, restoration and protection of these marine ecosystems.
The operations and activities of the research centre will be supported by the BOV IV sales.
Each timepiece comes with a Pelicase box, a donation certificate and special edition
photograph in a series of 100 prints, numbered to match the watch’s serial number.
Signed by photographer Laurent Ballesta, the image is from his award-winning series from the 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year grand prize.
It depicts a horseshoe crab in its natural habitat around Pangatalan Island in Shark Fin Bay.
Omega’s innovative Worldtimer has now been introduced into the Seamaster Planet Ocean collection.
Since 2017, this captivating style has been a popular choice within the brand’s Aqua Terra 150M range.
The mechanical complexity and meticulous aesthetics have been reimagined in a bold new ceramic form, giving avid travellers two captivating choices to wear on their wrists.
Following the look of the Planet Ocean Deep Black, each of the 45.5mm models is presented with a brushed case in black ceramic, along with a black ceramic bezel that features a laser-ablated diving scale that is polished in positive relief.
At the centre, a vision of the continents is produced on a grade 5 titanium surface, with a view over the North Pole created via laser-ablation and varnish.
Surrounding this topographic map is a 24-hour indication, dividing night and day, beneath hesalite glass.
The outer section of each dial is made with a DLC black colour and further embellished with a laser-ablated and polished honeycomb pattern.
The two unique styles include:
- One with turquoise varnish, featuring hands and indexes filled with white Super-LumiNova. It is worn on an integrated strap in black structured rubber with turquoise stitching and a foldover clasp in ceramic and ceramised titanium.
- Another with grey varnish, featuring hands and indexes filled with Omega’s new grey Super-LumiNova. It is worn on the same black structured rubber strap but includes a grey underside.
More than just a list of intrepid place names, markers allow the wearer to track the day across multiple time zones, including in Switzerland, where Omega has included its hometown of Bienne at GMT+1.
Powering these watches is the automatic Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8938 which can be seen through the sapphire crystal casebacks.
The impressive water-resistance of 60 bar (600m) allows each Worldtimer to go deeper than ever before.
Complete with a new “Flamingo Blue” dial, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono delivers a classic South Beach vibe.
It features a column wheel, vertical clutch chronograph calibre and a five-link bracelet with a T-Fit clasp, making it a perfect companion to its pink-dialed cousin.
Breaking convention has always been in Tudor’s practice.
We know flamingos aren’t blue, but if you had to describe “Flamingo Blue,” you’d likely think of a turquoise tone, as distinctive as the tropical waters loved by flamingos.
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue is designed to stand out, showcasing a vibrant blue hue unique to the Tudor line-up.
The Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue continues the Black Bay tradition with its iconic “snowflake” hand, ensuring optimal readability on its domed dial with two black sub-counters.
Inspired by early Tudor chronographs, it features a 45-minute counter and date aperture at 6 o’clock.
The 41mm steel case includes a tachymetric scale bezel, satin- brushed finishes and historical design elements.
The new Black Bay Chrono model features a 5-link stainless steel bracelet with a Tudor “T-fit” rapid adjustment clasp, allowing easy, tool-free adjustments across five positions within an 8mm range.
The clasp includes ceramic ball bearings for smooth, secure closure, enhancing both functionality and tactile experience.
This practical system provides wearers with the convenience of instant, precise fit adjustments.
The Black Bay Chrono’s MT5813 Calibre provides hour, minute, second, chronograph and date functions with Tudor’s distinctive finishing.
It boasts a 70-hour power reserve and silicon balance spring, surpassing COSC standards with a -2/+4 seconds daily rate.
Derived from Breitling’s B01 Calibre, it includes a column wheel and vertical clutch, embodying Tudor’s commitment to exceptional robustness and reliability through rigorous testing.
