Rolex celebrates and protects ocean bays with the Oceans Moment project

Rolex recently launched its Oceans Moment on World Oceans Day. The Swiss watchmaker has been involved in international efforts to explore the oceans for over 70 years, first for exploration, then for research and conservation.

In June 2024, Rolex responsibly launched the Oceans Moment on World Oceans Day. The Swiss watchmaker has been involved in international efforts to explore the oceans for over 70 years, initially for exploration, and later for research and conservation.

Since 2019, Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative has supported projects working on conservation in all of the planet’s natural landscapes, with a focus on ocean conservation, wilderness protection and the preservation of the living world. To ensure consistent focus on all the inspiring projects Rolex supports, the company has established key Moments throughout the year to delve deeper into the projects and stories of individuals who are making a difference in each of these areas. The Oceans Moment is an opportunity to celebrate those at the forefront of efforts to understand and protect the blue heart of the Planet: the sea.

adult female person woman head face photography

Sylvia Earle has been a Rolex Testimonee since 1982. A pioneer in ocean exploration, she has been breaking barriers for over 50 years. Earle has spent over 7,000 hours underwater, led over 100 expeditions and has long been a world-leading advocate for the conservation of our oceans.

nature outdoors water underwater ocean floor adult male man person glove

Titouan Bernicot, Founder and CEO of Coral Gardeners in French Polynesia, inspects a coral nursery. The coral nurseries have attracted a variety of marine life.

The initiative now has more than 30 other partnerships in its expanding portfolio focused on ocean conservation, wilderness protection and the preservation of the living world. These partners include: Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen; Under The Pole expedition; Monaco Blue Initiative; Coral Gardeners; Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile, subsidiaries of Tompkins Conservation; and multiple Rolex Award for Enterprise Laureates. Through their lens and with the support of the Perpetual Planet Initiative, they have drawn attention to the urgent changes needed to conserve the ocean and inspired positive action on a global scale.

coat jacket face head person smile photography portrait adult woman

Cristina Mittermeier is one of the world's most influential conservation photographers. She uses striking visual storytelling to advocate for the environment, focusing on the ocean and encouraging discussion about the threats plaguing the marine world.

vegetation tree land rainforest jungle glove summer portrait soil water

2019 Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Emma Camp is bringing new hope to the world's rapidly disappearing corals by identifying highly resilient species and developing transplant techniques to regenerate damaged reefs.

Marine Biologist's Lifelong Mission to Protect Unique Bays Around the World

Since 2014, Rolex has partnered with the non-profit organization Mission Blue, as part of the brand's Perpetual Planet Initiative, to protect and preserve important ecological areas of the ocean.

Ben Fitzpatrick is the perfect embodiment of the Mission Blue Hope Spot Champion, having spent decades fighting to protect the coastal ecosystem he grew up loving: the Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, home to part of the world’s largest humpback whale population and its calf-rearing habitat. With the support of Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative, Fitzpatrick and his team hope to build a case for expanding protection around this sanctuary for marine life.

beachwear face head person photography portrait adult male man beach

Ben Fitzpatrick is the Director of Oceanwise Australia and Champion of the Blue Hope Spot Mission. Fitzpatrick hopes to highlight the biodiversity of the Exmouth Gulf and its close connection to the Ningaloo Coast. He is leading a growing movement to extend the area's protected boundaries.

The tail of a humpback whale in the Gulf of Exmouth, Australia. Humpback whales can live 80 to 90 years and have the longest migration of any mammal.

“Most of the time the bay is murky and difficult to access, so people don’t realize that beneath the surface lies one of the most unique and incredible marine ecosystems on the planet. It needs to be protected. The environment speaks for itself, and all I’m doing is raising my voice.”

Ningaloo Reef is one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage marine sites and is located at the corner of the reef peninsula in the calm waters of Exmouth Gulf. The incredibly diverse habitats of Exmouth Gulf include nutrient-rich salt flats, seagrass beds, macroalgal reefs, hard corals and a filter-feeding dominated seabed, supporting a rich biodiversity. This spectacular natural area is home to nearly 2,000 animal species.

Renew your commitment to the Perpetual Planet Initiative

For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers pushing the boundaries of human endeavour. The company has moved from supporting exploration for exploration’s sake to protecting the planet, making a long-term commitment to supporting individuals and organizations that use science to understand and develop solutions to today’s environmental challenges.

Rolex also supports future generations of explorers, scientists and conservationists through education through scholarships and grants, such as the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society and The Rolex Explorers Club Grants.