Race for Water in London

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Race for Water in London - Breguet
2 minutes read
Breguet and Race for Water recently held an event in London’s Hyde Park to promote the partnership.

If there is a cause du jour right now – what with climate change protests erupting around the world – saving our oceans is certainly top of the list. Enter Breguet, whose sustainability vision is a partnership with Race for Water, a water preservation foundation that has developed a groundbreaking ship that’s completely powered by renewable energy, namely 512sq m of solar panels, a 40sq m self-piloted kite wing and an on-board hydrogen plant that generates electricity from seawater.

Race for Water in London

The 32m Odyssey is currently sailing the world’s seas to raise awareness of its mission, which centres on three pillars: gathering scientific research on plastic pollution; education, especially for the younger generation; and projects with local communities to transform waste into energy. Since setting off in 2017 from Lorient, Odyssey has welcomed on board some 5,500 school children and various NGOs, government officials and journalists.

She’s recently docked in Hong Kong and will make her way to China and later Japan for the Olympics. But for the more land bound among us, Breguet and Race for Water recently held an event in London’s Hyde Park to promote the partnership. Presiding over the evening was Race for Water’s Annabelle Boudinot, who has spent the last 15 months on the vessel, and record-breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari. The latter pointed out that although she has raced around the world six times, speed is not the point of this “space machine, beast of a boat”, she said.

Race for Water in London

Odyssey’s average speed is four knots, or 8km/hour. “So you run, but not too fast,” added Boudinot. “What’s of paramount importance is raising awareness, and of course sharing experiences.” Among those was sailing to the world’s most far-flung spots, such as Point Nemo, the farthest point from land, and which, frighteningly, revealed evidence of microplastics.

Also gracing the event were the latest novelties in Bregeut’s Marine collection, bespoke versions of which are worn by Odyssey’s crew. On display were new titanium designs featuring eye-catching, sunburst slate-grey, gold dials - and found on the likes of the elegant, 40m three-hander Marine 5517 with a date window; the 42.3mm Chronographe 5527; and the 40mm Alarme Musicale 5547 with alarm activation and date functions. The Ladies Marine collection was also on show – and on-theme – with their gorgeous guillochage, wave-like dials. All sized at 33.8mm, the collection includes the classic steel Dame 9517 with a luminescent, white mother of pearl dial that’s chicly paired with a white rubber strap. Meanwhile the Dame 9518 comes in two dazzling, diamond bezel models: a rose gold beauty with a white mother-of-pearl dial etched with the fine, wave-like pattern of a sea bed; or a steel version set with an intense blue lacquer dial that swirls with nautical mystery and depth.

Race for Water in London

 

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