Race for Water : stopover in Valparaiso

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Race for Water : stopover in Valparaiso - Breguet
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The Race for Water vessel is now sailing off the coast of Chile. In addition to Valparaiso, the crew will stop over on Robinson Crusoe Island in August and Easter Island in September.

Breguet and Race for Water continue their partnership announced in March at Baselworld 2018 in the presence of Marc A. Hayek, President of Montres Breguet, and Marco Simeoni, President of the Race for Water Foundation. Sailing the first vessel powered by a solar-hydrogen-kite energy mix is a technological feat, which has required the support of numerous engineers, professional sailors and experienced technicians. Though the crew has very specific roles aboard - captain, second in command, engineer, steward - , on shore these same people take on the role of ambassadors of the Race for Water Foundation.

Race for Water : stopover in Valparaiso

The pioneering vessel embarked on a journey with a crucial mission for the oceans and the goal of promoting innovative solutions capable of transforming plastic waste into energy resources, and accelerating clean energy transition.

The recent stopover in Valparaiso, Chile, in June proved to be very intense, with over 850 visitors aboard the boat, including 250 schoolchildren and nearly 70 decision-makers and politicians. Two further stopovers in Chile will follow; the first on Robinson Crusoe Island in August and Easter Island in early September. The Race for Water stops are occasions to gather scientists and decision-makers, to bring forth debates, promote exchanges and sharing on the need to preserve our most precious resource – the ocean.

Race for Water : stopover in Valparaiso

The Marine Special Edition wristwatch accompanies the team members in their mission. This model has been created especially for the crew, proving Breguet’s solidarity with Race for Water. The in-house movement of the watch includes silicon parts and the oscillating weight carries the inscription Race for Water. The dial is hand-engraved on a rose-engine, which is a classic Breguet craft, and depicts the boat as seen from above.

Race for Water : stopover in Valparaiso

Islands, which are particularly affected by plastic pollution, are currently highly dependent on fossil fuels. Indeed, it is with the fuel supplied at great expense by freighters that they produce the vast majority of their electricity. "The Race for Water vessel, powered solely by the energy of the sun, water and wind, is a model of the energy transition for islands, which have these same natural resources at their disposal", explains Marco Simeoni. "In addition, throughout the Odyssey 2017-2021 the vessel will promote a technology capable of transforming plastic waste into energy resources, thus providing an additional resource to the energy mix."

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