Watches are versatile items. Even the most basic of mechanical watches can end up being keepsakes for our loved ones due to the way they work. They work well as gifts and could be used as presents to self to commemorate milestones. They can make great gifts for others, as well. 

But perhaps an often overlooked way of giving comes from the brands themselves. Besides bestowing the world with years — even decades — of joy through owning an intricate timepiece, these brands take it a step further and better the world through their corporate decisions. 

Coral Collaboration 

Luminox is best known for its watches that can handle any rugged environment, which is why few other brands can match its synergy with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)’s mission to conserve Malaysia’s coral reefs. You will need a robust watch when exploring the coral reefs, after all. 

How Luminox is helping with coral conservation is by donating part of its sales proceeds of the Luminox Pirate Watch to support UMT in its various efforts to protect and repopulate the country’s coral reefs, as well as educating the public on Malaysia’s rich marine heritage.  

It also helps that the limited edition timepiece looks cool on its own, and stands out even among Luminox’s long range of unique watches. While the Jolly Roger insignia is coated in Super-LumiNova, it is the Luminox Light Technology that will make this a useful watch in the open waters, especially if night missions are involved. 

Message In A Bottle 

Maurice Lacroix took on a huge challenge when it collaborated with Switzerland-based upcycling company #tide, pledging to clear 10 million plastic bottles along the coasts and islands of Thailand within three years. It quickly became apparent what a much-needed effort it was, as the project ended up amassing seven million bottles within just the span of 18 months. 

Yet, it was through this mission that Maurice Lacroix launched the Aikon #tide timepiece. The watch itself maintained the model’s recognisable design, while showcasing vibrant colours which looked right at home on the beach. The wave motif on the dial harkens back to these seaside locales, and the most impressive part was that these watches were constructed out of a fibreglass and plastic composite that resulted from the clean-up campaign with #tide. 

Those interested in concrete numbers can revel in this takeaway fact: each Aikon #tide is made out of 17 plastic bottles. That is 17 bottles that once littered the seas, and now act as fashionable timepieces on the wrist. 

Where this collaboration shines is Maurice Lacroix’s choice of using its flagship watch as the face of this campaign. It sends the message that the watchmaker puts its money where its mouth is, and that it is not afraid of putting its name on the line when it comes to pledging for a better world. 

Technical Yet Committed 

Blancpain has always been a strong advocate for the oceans, which is particularly fitting, seeing how it introduced the world to the first diver’s watch. But it is through the Blancpain Ocean Commitment that it puts its support for the ocean on full display. 

Through its limited edition BOC watches, Blancpain allocates a portion of sales funds towards meaningful projects, and in the case of the Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV, the watchmaker supports the Blancpain x Sulubaaï Marine Research Centre. And these resources go into building a network of marine protected areas around Palawan, Philippines. Through this, both parties aim to protect and restore these marine ecosystems, which are threatened by destructive practices like blast- or cyanide-fishing.  

The watch in focus, the BOC IV, is a technical powerhouse built for the deep. Such features include its Grade 23 titanium case, which is a hardy yet light material, and the helium release valve, which is practical for the most serious of divers. But the strength of this watch, just like the other watches featured in this story, is not just the technical prowess, but the knowledge bestowed on its owner that they have helped make the world a better place. 

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