Blancpain is highlighting its efforts to protect the world’s oceans with a special exhibition at Baselworld that will go on to tour the world.

The Ocean Commitment Exhibition, launched by Blancpain CEO Marc Hayek, offers visitors the watch and jewellery show the chance to explore the underwater universe and learn about the tangible results that have been achieved by the organisations that the Swiss watch manufacturer supports. 

To date more than 2.2 million sq km of ocean have been accorded protection and Blancpain is particularly proud of the recent creation of the world's largest single marine reserve around the Pitcairn Islands which follows upon the 2012 Pristine Seas Expedition with Blancpain. 

Blancpain’s links with diving dates back to 1953 with the development of what is said to be the first modern diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms. 

This iconic timepiece, not only selected by navies around the world but as well by diving pioneers, has come to define diving watches for the entire industry, says the manufacture.

Blancpain has for many years been a fervent supporter of environmental initiatives to protect the world’s oceans, and its generous financial donations to support the cause have come to be called the “Blancpain Ocean Commitment”. 

Chief among its beneficiaries have been National Geographic’s Pristine Seas Expeditions and the Gombessa Projects of noted marine biologist and photographer Laurent Ballesta, who attended the launch of the exhibition. 

A total of nine Pristine Seas expeditions have been undertaken with Blancpain's support and governmental decisions to protect more than two million sq km of ocean - almost equal to the size of the Mediterranean Sea - have followed upon the efforts of these expeditions. 

To call further attention to its Ocean Commitment, Blancpain has unveiled the latest member of the Fifty Fathoms Collection, a special limited edition diving watch called the Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe, which together with many examples of Fifty Fathoms timepieces, is displayed in the exhibit. 

Limited to 250 pieces, the timepiece features Blancpain’s latest in-house chronograph movement and a special gray ceramic case and blue dial and bezel. Blancpain has connected the new special limited edition to its Ocean Commitment by making a charitable contribution for each watch in the limited series. These funds will be added to Blancpain’s ongoing support of the Pristine Seas and Gombessa projects. 

The Ocean Commitment Exhibition unites all of these themes. As visitors enter through the portal echoing the design of the Fifty Fathoms bezel, they will discover zones devoted to History, Science and Exploration, Art, and the Ocean Commitment Circle. 

The History area exhibits illustrate the inventions and milestones in the evolution of the Fifty Fathoms and the achievements of the pioneers and adventurers in underwater exploration. 

The Science and Environment section presents the work of Pristine Seas expeditions and Gombessa projects, including film clips documenting their works. Other environmental initiatives supported by Blancpain are also included in this zone. 

The Art section features the images from some of the world’s finest underwater photographers. 

The Circle area, with its projection of waves, houses a number elements which span the other zones. The Circle draws its name from the Ocean Commitment Circle, which is a privileged area of Blancpain’s dedicated website www.blancpain-ocean-commitment.com. 

Each purchaser of the Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe is automatically enrolled in the Circle and given special access to news and information on preservation activities. 

The general public and visitors to the exhibit can take a tour of the public areas of the site and, by navigating a spinning globe, discover reports and photos from Ocean Commitment projects around the world. 

Additionally a rich selection of photographs are accessible on the site. Also displayed in the Circle area is Blancpain’s historical treatise “Fifty Fathoms - The Dive and Watch History 1953-2013”. 

This limited edition volume chronicles the twin histories of the Fifty Fathoms and diving. 

Following Baselworld, it is planned that the exhibit will tour the world.

Baselworld runs in Basel, Switzerland, until March 26.