Blancpain hosts an exclusive reception to acknowledge Oceans, an underwater photography exhibition at the United Nations

Dubai, UAE, July 16, 2013: On  July  10th,  friends  of  Blancpain, special   guests   of  DivePhotoGuide.com  and   the  National Geographic Society gathered for an evening reception in the exhibit gallery of the United Nations in New York to acknowledge Oceans, an underwater photography exhibition.

The opening ceremony included remarks  by  Mr.  Peter  Launsky-Tieffenthal,  United  Nations  Under- Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information and Master of Ceremonies; Ms. Patricia O'Brien,  United  Nations  Under-Secretary-General  for  Legal  Affairs,  The  Legal  Counsel;  Mr.  Adam Bossi,  Blancpain  US  Brand  Manager;  Mr.  Alain  Delamuraz  Blancpain  Vice-President  and  Head  of marketing  and  Dr.  Enric  Sala,  National  Geographic  In-Residence  Explorer  for  the  Pristine   Seas Expeditions with Blancpain.

The exhibition  highlights  the ecological  and economic  importance  of healthy oceans and the need to protect their fragile ecology and submarine life. Oceans invites the public to study, respect, and protect our oceans for future generations. Speaking about the importance of observing World Oceans Day, for which the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 designated June 8, Ms. Patricia O'Brien explained that “the theme of World Oceans Day chosen for 2013 is “oceans and people”, to highlight the important role oceans play in our lives. The oceans and seas provide us with food, minerals, employment, tourism, transport possibilities, energy sources and potentially much more.”

Blancpain's commitment to the underwater world dates from the creation of the Fifty Fathoms watch in
1953.  As  Alain  Delamuraz  said,  "Blancpain  contributed  to  the  discovery  of  the  ocean  and  to  our knowledge of the underwater world. Today, Blancpain continues its commitment by supporting scientific and conservation projects around the globe such as the Pristine Seas Expedition conducted by National Geographic explorer Enric Sala and his team." The oldest watch brand in the world wishes also to thank the sixteen photographers related to Edition Fifty Fathoms whose work is featured in the Oceans exhibit. Their generosity and their passion for the underwater universe made this exhibition possible.

Additional to the photographers,  videos from National Geographic and Projet  Gombessa from Laurent Ballesta were displayed. Conscious that no organization alone can achieve the desired positive change in ocean protection,  today, by the side of the National Geographic Society, Blancpain fully supports the Pristine Seas Expeditions.  This program explores, survey, and helps protect some of the last healthy, untouched places in the ocean. Dr. Enric Sala shared his personal experiences encountered during the last explorations. "The last pristine places in the ocean can show us what we have lost, but also point to what the future of the ocean could be like."

Blancpain once again helps increase the number of people knowing about and feeling concerned by this fascinating underwater universe.