Blancpain’s commitment to ocean conservation puts its money where its dive watch is. Enter the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV, a 100-piece limited edition that plays an active role in marine preservation; with every watch sold, €1,000 goes straight to the newly established Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Centre to fuel discoveries and innovations into ocean restoration efforts.

The watch brand has been at this game for a long time. Since the Fifty Fathoms debuted in 1953 as the first modern dive watch, Blancpain has been entrenched in ocean advocacy. The Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) initiative is one such endeavour into marine conservation for over 20 years and now, the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV takes that mission even further.

Taking cues from the Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2 Tech Gombessa, the Tech BOC IV comes in a 45mm Grade 23 titanium case that’s robust yet surprisingly wearable. At 14.1mm thick, it has enough presence without feeling like an anchor on your wrist. Engineered for professional diving but stylish enough for everyday wear, the watch has a unidirectional bezel with a domed black ceramic insert and an "absolute black” dial that it absorbs 97 per cent of light and the luminescent block appliqués to ensure legibility in the murkiest depths.

Powered by Blancpain’s trusty Calibre 1315A, there's a five-day power reserve and an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring. Flip it over and you’ll see the 18-carat gold oscillating weight through the sapphire caseback, stamped with the blue BOC logo.

Proceeds from the BOC IV go straight to the Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Centre, an extension of the Sea Academy programme. The programme, which has been working since 2020, was set up to protect the marine ecosystems in the Philippines. Located in Sandoval, near Shark Fin Bay, the centre is positioned to enhance conservation research, restoration, and education efforts in the region.

Each watch comes in a rugged Pelicase box, bundled with a numbered donation certificate and an exclusive print by award-winning underwater photographer Laurent Ballesta. His image, taken around Pangatalan Island, captures a prehistoric horseshoe crab—a creature whose existence is threatened (and is also the logo for the Sulubaaï Marine Research Centre), but now finds sanctuary in the protected marine areas that Blancpain supports.