Words: Zoe Dickens
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (in which case kudos for your low carbon consumption) you’ll know the world’s ocean are in somewhat dire straits. Rising temperatures are destroying coral eco-systems at an alarming rate and micro plastics are choking sea life and, in turn, contaminating food chains all the way up to the seafood on your plate.
But, while it may seem insurmountable, the crisis facing the oceans in, in fact, the largest environmental crisis that can be almost fully reversed should humans decide to take the necessary actions. But where to begin?
When it announced its partnership with sustainable clothing brand Outerknown back in 2018, Breitling offered a suitably chic starting point in the Superocean Heritage Chronograph 44 Outerknown. Housed in recyclable packaging and with a strap made from Econyl – a sustainable material created from recycled fishing nets and waste nylon – the watch would help NGO Ocean Conservancy raise awareness of the problems around marine waste and support the environmental work of Outerknown co-founder and Breitling Surf Squad member Kelly Slater.
For 2019, Breitling has renewed this partnership, launching both a new Superocean Outerknown and an 18-strong collection of Econyl NATO straps to go with it. Featuring a 44mm stainless steel case, the latest version of the Superocean Outerknown incorporates all the hallmarks of a good diving watch, including a unidirectional bezel and SuperLumiNova-coated numerals and indices for high visibility under water.
The central hour, minute and seconds hands adorning the green dial have also been given the luminescent treatment while the caseback has been etched with the Outerknown logo in honour of the partnership. Under the dial, a calibre 17 COSC-certified chronometer movement boasts water resistance to 1,000 metres along with a 38-hour power reserve. Presented on a striped black and khaki Econyl NATO strap, it’s the perfect timepiece for ocean-conscious divers with an eye for style.
Complementing the new watch, the Econyl NATO strap collection offers Breitling customers the option to freshen up their timepieces in an eco-friendly fashion. Although designed with Outerknown for the new Superocean, the straps can be worn with any Breitling timepiece and are available in six colours: blue with dark blue stripes, light blue with dark blue stripes, yellow with orange stripes, grey with black stripes, red with black stripes, and green with black stripes. Each comes with either stainless steel or black DLC-coated steel buckles and are available in four sizes, ranging from 18mm to 24mm, to ensure there is a Econyl strap perfect for whichever Breitling watch you favour.
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