Happy World Oceans Day! World Oceans Day has taken place every year on 8th June since being officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008. The event is observed globally with a different theme to focus the campaign each year. For 2023, the theme is ‘Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing’, which intends to incite a “wave of excitement towards protecting the ocean and the entirety of our blue planet”. We marked the occasion last year with a list of our favourite #tide watches. But, this year, we have rounded up some durable divers watches for World Oceans Day 2023 so you can explore the depths of the oceans yourself.
But first, let’s dive into a brief history of the event.
A Brief History of World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day dates back to as early as 1987 when the World Commission on Environment and Development’s Brundtland Report noted that the ocean received little focus in climate activism. This catalysed the first-ever World Oceans Day in 1992 at the Global Forum in Rio de Janeiro. Eventually, the 8th June became officially designated by the United Nations as ‘World Oceans Day’ in 2008. A year later, the first-ever UN-observed World Oceans Day was celebrated under the theme of “Our Oceans, Our Responsibilities”.
Traditionally, the event takes place at the UN headquarters in New York. However, the global changes in recent years required the event to adjust accordingly. For example, 2020 saw the first-ever World Oceans Day to be hosted exclusively online due to the pandemic. Simultaneously, this also opened up the event to the public for the first time. This changed the dynamic of the event, and in 2022, the event transitioned into a hybrid format to maintain the global public’s involvement.
More About World Oceans Day 2023
Like last year, World Oceans Day 2023 will also be a hybrid event. From 10 am EDT (3 pm BST), high-level speakers from the UN and other climate organisations will run panels to discuss aspects of the campaign theme. Each of these talks will be streamed online and can be accessed by the general public by registering here. Without further ado, lets get started with our Top Divers Watches for World Oceans Day 2023.
Our Top Divers Watches for World Oceans Day 2023
Seiko Prospex Glacier ‘Save The Ocean’ Turtle 110th Anniversary Edition SPB333J1
First on our list is the Seiko Prospex Glacier. A very apt opener to divers watches for our World Oceans Day list, Seiko donates the proceeds from this model to the PADI Aware Foundation’s Marine Debris programme.
This watch is a limited edition timepiece that celebrates 110 years since both Seiko and Japan’s first-ever wristwatch, the Laurel. Inspired by the brand’s longstanding history of divers watches and its ties to Antarctica, this ‘Save The Ocean’ watch has a glacier-like appearance. For example, the silver-white dial’s texture is composed of over 2,000 surfaces to imitate the natural formation of glaciers. To draw attention to this design, the indices and hands are also silver with a luminescent inlay. These contrast the blue second hand which accents the design. Moreover, for added functionality, there is a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. Framing the dial is a 41mm wide stainless steel case. Its fan-named ‘turtle’ shape fondly echoes oceanic sentiments, particularly as turtles are symbols of good fortune to divers.
Beating within it is the brand’s in-house 6R35 calibre automatic movement, which has a 70-hour power reserve. Generously, this model comes with both a five-row stainless steel bracelet and a textile strap which is made solely of recycled plastic bottles. With its 200 metres of water resistance and 4,800 A/m of anti-magnetism, the watch is also highly reliable. Both sustainable, sturdy, and sleek, the Save The Ocean Prospex by Seiko is the ultimate World Oceans Day divers watch.
Alsta Nautoscaph Superautomatic 1970 Re-Edition (300m) Black Dial / Stainless Steel SUPERAUTOMATIC-BRACELET
Along the same oceanic theme, this Alsta Nautoscaph Superautomatic has a rich marine history. The watch is a re-edition of the Alsta timepiece featured in Jaws (1970), worn by Richard Dreyfuss. Featuring the same design, the new model has been crafted using modern-day materials and technologies in order to improve its durability.
Its 38mm wide stainless steel case frames the jet-black dial. To stand out against its deep colour, accessorising the dial are luminescent indices and hands. Sitting neatly at the 3 o’clock position is a white date display, which replaces the hour marker. Other functions on the watch include a durable sapphire crystal and a screw-in crown, which helps to seal the model’s 300 metres of water resistance. Beneath the surface, there is also Seiko’s NH35A automatic movement. As a finishing touch, a stainless steel porthole bracelet secures the watch to the wrist and reinforces the model’s roots. However, there are only 1975 pieces available worldwide, so snap it up before it’s too late.
Sinn U1 S Mother-of-Pearl S Limited Edition (300 Pieces) Black H Link 1010.0242
Sinn’s diving watches are some of the most capable in the industry, and this U1 is no exception. Although it’s hard to pick just one, perhaps the most outstanding feature of this Sinn U1 is its 1000-metre water resistance. Designed with the pressures of diving in mind, the Sinn U1 has superior resistance to other external influences too. It’s made of German Submarine Steel which is specifically designed to protect against seawater and magnetic interference. In fact, this is the same material used for the external hull of the German Navy’s 212 submarines. This is one of the most advanced non-nuclear submarines in the world.
However, the Sinn U1 has lots to offer aesthetically too. The centrepiece of the design is its shimmering mother-of-pearl dial, which exhibits black luminescent hands and baton indices. To match the watch’s black PVD-coated stainless steel 44mm case and bracelet, a black captive divers bezel frames the dial. Like the case, the brand’s TEGIMENT technology treatment coats the bezel. With 26 jewels and 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour, the SW 200-1 automatic movement powers the watch.
For the best diving companion this World Oceans Day, the Sinn U1 excels in every respect.
ORIS Aquis Date Upcycle 41.5 mm Watch 01 733 7766 4150-SET
Regularly committing itself to sustainable causes, Oris is a great addition to our World Oceans Day list. An excellent example of the brand’s dedication to the environment is the Aquis Date Upcycle. Made of recycled PET plastic, no two dials in the collection are the same. Each has a unique marble-like effect with silver-framed indices and hands to foreground it. So that the time is readable even when deep underwater, these indices and hands are also luminescent. To round off this design, a grey ceramic bezel encircles the dial and rests on a 41.5mm stainless steel case. A stainless steel bracelet completes the watch’s silhouette.
The Aquis Date Upcycle isn’t just a sustainable investment, but a reliable one. With a water resistance of up to 300 metres, the watch is the ideal diving companion. Moreover, its automatic mechanical movement boasts a power reserve of 38 hours. But, above all, the quirky charm of the Oris Aquis Upcycle really makes it an outstanding competitor on our list.
RADO Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Black Rubber R32127156 / R32.127.15.6
Last but by no means least is the RADO Captain Cook. RADO is regularly championed as the ‘master of materials’, which is certainly true in the case of this innovative Captain Cook. Crafted from the brand’s own high-tech ceramic, the case on the Captain Cook measures 43mm in diameter. This ceramic is also hypoallergenic and is ideal for those with material sensitivities. Moreover, for optimal comfort, the model comes with a black rubber strap.
Another intriguing feature of this model is its skeleton dial. Its window offers the wearer a view of the watch’s R734 automatic movement as it ticks below the surface. Resting upon it are bold luminescent indices and chunky central hands, as well as a little anchor motif at 12 o’clock. For ultimate protection, sealing the dial design is a black-tinted sapphire crystal. Finally, a classic ridged diver’s bezel with a black ceramic insert surrounds the dial.
And that concludes this year’s Divers Watches for World Oceans Day 2023 post. Enjoy your World Oceans Day 2023, and let us know what you think of the events later in the comments below!
