Blancpain Fifty Fathoms contributes to marine conservation in the Philippines

Blancpain has announced the latest addition to its "Ocean Commitment" series, the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV. This watch supports the Surubai Environmental Foundation, which works to restore the ocean around Shark Fin Bay on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. We take a closer look at the organization's environmental conservation efforts and the history of the "Ocean Commitment" series.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV

　Frédéric Tardieu and his wife, Christiane, are the guardians of a paradise on earth. Pangatalan Island, a small island near Palawan in the Philippines, was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1990, and this small island was included. However, in 2011, Pangatalan Island was far from utopia and was steadily falling into disrepair.

　When the French couple, Tardieu and his wife, acquired the approximately 4.5 hectare island through the Surbaai Environmental Foundation, the mangrove forests had been illegally burned to produce charcoal, and bird and insect species were on the brink of extinction. The previous owners had sold the sand from the beaches in the south of the island and were using illegal and highly harmful methods to capture large numbers of ornamental fish, including dynamite, traps, and highly toxic cyanide compounds. This method, which temporarily paralyzes the fish, had a huge environmental impact.

　What's more, the island had never had a waste disposal system in its history. In the first few years of their restoration, the Tardieu couple collected over 3000 batteries from the beaches. To date, they have planted approximately 80,000 trees, including 12,000 mangrove seedlings, with the goal of sustainable vegetation and soil restoration. "We have transformed this abandoned island into a model of sustainable development," says Frederick.

The trajectory of Pangatalan Island's regeneration

　But the Tardieu couple's challenge did not end there. In 2016, the Surubai Environmental Foundation added the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems to its activities, and after consultation with the neighboring communities of Taytay City, Deprah Village, and Silanga Village, 46 hectares of the waters around Pangatalan Island were designated a marine protected area. In 15, the Surubai Environmental Foundation developed the Sulu Reef Prosthesis to restore damaged coral reefs. This artificial reef is characterized by its ease of installation, low cost, and stable coral settlement.

　In recent years, the number of marine protected areas in the waters of Shark Fin Bay has expanded to five. "Through years of working with local communities, we've built trust in our efforts and more people want to join us," says Tardieu. The Sea Academy program was created with the aim of building a network of marine protected areas managed in collaboration with local communities. Specifically, the program has four action pillars: the establishment of marine protected areas, coral habitat restoration, awareness and education, and outreach.

　Many of the foundation's sustainable projects are now supported by ecotourism. The villas, each with a pool, were built to sustainable eco-lodge standards. They use spring water for drinking water and solar power for energy. The villas are sometimes open to tourists. Additionally, the food consumed daily is organically grown on the property's farm, and recycling and transportation infrastructure is in place. The villas occupy approximately 5% of the island's total land area.

　Thanks to the Tardieu couple's painstaking efforts to restore the environment, Pangatalan Island was once again restored to a paradise in just a few years. Not only that, but it also created jobs for the surrounding area, providing an important source of income for the residents. 98% of the employees commute by boat from the island's neighboring villages, a major boon to the local economy and a sustainable foundation for future projects.

Watch brand takes on ocean conservation

　In 2019, Swiss luxury watch brand Blancpain entered into a partnership with the Surbaai Environmental Foundation. Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain, said:

"Following the role that Fifty Fathoms has played in ocean exploration, Blancpain supports initiatives that raise awareness of marine issues, and in particular those who are dedicated to spreading positive messages that highlight the inspiring beauty of untouched nature."

　A positive statement of this was made in February 2025 with the announcement of the opening of the Blancpain x Surbaai Marine Research Center. Located north of Sandoval village, about a 30-minute boat ride from Pangatalan Island, this new research center was established as part of the Surbaai Environmental Foundation's Sea Academy program. The facility, funded by Blancpain, aims to provide a forum for local communities, researchers, and government officials to share knowledge about marine ecosystems and their conservation.

　Through scientific knowledge and collaboration with local communities, the center aims to strengthen the protection and management of marine ecosystems and resources in the Palawan region, while also sensitizing local residents to take ownership of the area. The center also serves as a hub for biodiversity and marine ecosystem restoration. Its exemplary sustainability initiatives include the use of solar and other renewable energy sources, organic farming, and water conservation. Furthermore, in collaboration with universities, the center provides researchers with opportunities for on-site research and fieldwork. To support the long-term conservation of Palawan's ecosystems and marine protected areas, the center also offers training programs for local fishermen, educators, and environmental conservation organizations.

　To further advance this significant and promising project, Blancpain is dedicating the fourth Blancpain Ocean Commitment limited edition, the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV, to marine conservation efforts in the region. 1000 euros will be donated from each watch sold to the Blancpain x Surbaai Marine Research Center, raising a total of 100,000 euros.

　The Ocean Commitment program was officially launched in 2014 with the aim of integrating Blancpain's various ocean conservation initiatives. The first model was the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Ocean Commitment. Two years later, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Ocean Commitment II, featuring a blue ceramic case, followed in 2018 by the Fifty Fathoms Ocean Commitment III, featuring a 40.3mm case and blue dial and bezel. Now, the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV represents Blancpain's unwavering commitment to ocean conservation. Developed for technical diving, this model retains the spirit of the classic Fifty Fathoms while reinterpreting it for the modern era.

The evolved diver, the power of BOC IV

　This model has the same 45mm case diameter as the slightly larger Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa, released in 2023, and is paired with an integrated rubber strap. The black dial absorbs up to 97% of light for exceptional legibility. The Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa is designed for long-duration diving using a rebreather. Meanwhile, this model, with its ceramic bezel, is a more traditional three-hand diver's watch capable of measuring dive times of up to 60 minutes.

　The Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV is a limited edition of 100 pieces. Inside is Blancpain's in-house Caliber 1315A movement. Three barrels provide a power reserve of approximately five days. The balance spring is made of silicon. The transparent sapphire crystal case back allows the wearer to admire the understated yet exquisitely finished movement. The Blancpain Ocean Commitment logo on the hollowed-out rotor is a special touch.

　The case design, particularly the new lug structure secured by a central connecting piece, allows the black rubber strap to be seamlessly integrated into the case. The sophisticated, ergonomic case, despite its imposing 45mm diameter, is both compact and comfortable to wear. However, there are currently no alternative strap options available.

　This 30-bar water-resistant model features a helium escape valve for saturation diving at 10 o'clock, which, like the screw-down crown at 3 o'clock, accents the case. The crown is protected by an intricate crown guard, creating a visually unified look with the strap fastening parts. The unidirectional rotating bezel offers excellent grip and harmonizes with the crown design, but compared to other Fifty Fathoms models with sapphire crystal inserts, it gives off a slightly more rugged impression.

　Blancpain uses satin-finished grade 23 titanium for the case, a higher-purity material with lower oxygen and iron content than standard grade 5 titanium, resulting in a lower specific gravity and better corrosion resistance.

　The "Tech" logo on the dial and the blue second hand are a common color scheme for the limited edition models dedicated to Blancpain's Ocean Commitment program. With the introduction of the highly complicated X Fathoms in 11, the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa in 23, and the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV in 25, Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms "Tech" series has been further enhanced.

　This model, which was released for 3,168,000 yen (tax included) (now sold out), is a more affordable model than the X Fathoms (6,644,000 yen (tax included)) and the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa (4,389,000 yen (tax included), but it is more expensive than the non-limited edition titanium Fifty Fathoms Automatic (2,860,000 yen (tax included)).

Laurent Ballesta and the horseshoe crab

　The Fifty Fathoms Tech series was introduced in 2023 as a new series for technical diving. It was developed jointly by Laurent Ballesta, founder of the Gombessa Project, and Marc A. Hayek, and features a modern design designed to meet the high demands of professional divers. Ballesta is not only a trusted partner of Blancpain, but also has deep ties to Pangatalan Island. He won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award in 2023 for his work titled "The Golden Horseshoe," becoming only the second person in the award's 60-year history to win the award twice.

　Cathy Moran, chair of the awards judging committee, praised the film:

"I was blown away by the way horseshoe crabs were captured so vividly and with such a magical quality in their natural habitat. I was deeply moved by the fact that we were looking at an ancient, severely endangered species that is so vital to human health. His photographs truly radiate light."

　Horseshoe crabs have remained largely unchanged for over 1 million years, but are now on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and overfishing for their blue blood, which is used for food and medicine. However, there is hope for their survival in the protected waters around Pangatalan Island in the Philippines.

　In addition to a donation certificate, 100 collectors who purchase a Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV will receive an original photograph, limited to 100 copies, numbered to correspond to the watch's serial number and autographed by Laurent Ballesta. The photograph depicts a horseshoe crab (known as a horseshoe crab in English) taken on Pangatalan Island in the Philippines.