Breguet embarks on a new odyssey with Race for Water

Race for Water Odyssey © Race For Water

Breguet and the Race for Water Foundation announce their partnership at Baselworld 2018 with a special exhibition opening on Saturday March 24th on the Swatch Group Plaza in the presence of Marc A. Hayek, President of Montres Breguet, and Marco Simeoni, President of the Race for Water Foundation. Breguet is joining forces with Race for Water to support the Odyssey 2017-2021 and its crucial mission for the oceans.

The Race for Water Foundation, committed to the conservation of the oceans against plastic pollution, is contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge, raising awareness among the general public and decision-makers, and taking concrete action in the implementation of local solutions with a lasting economic, environmental and social impact.

Advance scientific research on marine ecological balance has been carried out by the Race for Water Foundation, which now teams up with Breguet to raise awareness of ocean preservation and plastic pollution. A pioneering vessel embarks on a journey with the goal of promoting innovative solutions capable of transforming plastic waste into energy resources, and accelerating clean energy transition. The Race for Water Odyssey will make around 35 stopovers all around the world and provide an opportunity for scientists and decision-makers to gather and share their learnings on the need to preserve water, humanity's most precious resource. Breguet is committed to supporting this new Odyssey through its completion in 2021.

"We are proud and pleased to be able to support Race for Water, a Swiss project making a significant international contribution into the marine research and demonstrating that concrete solutions exists for the preservation of the ocean worldwide," - says Marc A. Hayek. "In the early 19th century, timekeeping played a pivotal role in maritime navigation. We are continuing that tradition by supporting an Odyssey of vital importance for our common future."

"We are proud to have Breguet as our main partner in this unique expedition. This new Odyssey aims at giving hope to the world showing that solutions exist against plastic pollution", explains Marco Simeoni, President of the Race for Water Foundation. "Education is key and that's why we're focusing on the young generation. However, we're also showing the decision-makers that we meet at every stopover, that innovation and new business models can offer lasting economic, ecological and social benefits. By giving value to plastic waste, we will get into a virtuous cycle where we will achieve a positive result. In addition, we're travelling aboard a boat that operates using renewable energy and is propelled by a solar-hydrogen-kite mix, proving that a 100-tonne vessel can circumnavigate the globe without depending on fossil fuels. Energy transition is already a reality!"

A special exhibition launching at Baselworld 2018 will travel to various destinations to further contribute in raising awareness for this mission.

A Breguet Marine "Race for Water" Special Edition watch to travel on the wrists of the explorers

Breguet has made an indelible mark in history by equipping sea going vessels with accurate chronometers that were set in the heart of the vessels and served to calculate longitude at sea.

Breguet demonstrates its exceptional mastery of time measurement through its contemporary Marine collection. In celebration of the partnership with Race for Water, Breguet creates a special edition of its Marine 5517 timepiece. It is set in a light titanium case with a custom blue dial that features the Race for Water vessel in a clous de Paris motif. The Breguet Marine Special Edition will embark on an oceanic tour traveling in its natural environment on the wrists of Race for Water explorers and accompanying them in their mission.

Sea exploration has been inspiring Breguet since the watchmaker was appointed the official chronometer-maker to the French Royal Navy in 1815. The king bestowed upon Breguet's founder the most prestigious title in recognition of his mastery, and that led to extraordinary inventions at the service of the fascinating world of marine navigation. The contemporary Marine collection resonates with history while being designed for the modern world. With its creations built to last for generations, it only makes sense for Breguet to commit to a long-term initiative at the forefront of modern oceanic scientific research.