Swiss watchmaker, Rolex, celebrates defender of ocean life, Sylvia Earle and her lifetime dedication to finding solutions for a better world
Through oceans, rainforests and the poles—Rolex has continued to preserve, protect and inspire the world with initiatives that champion explorers and scientists to help them catalyse and find solutions. Hans Wilsdorf, who founded Rolex, exemplified this pioneering spirit—dispatching his Oyster Perpetual watches into uncharted territories during the 1930s to support intrepid adventurers. For decades, Rolex has supported these individuals and groups—employing scientific approaches to address contemporary environmental issues— culminating in countless feats and defining moments.
An aerial view of Three Rooker Island, which forms part of the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot
In 2019, the brand strengthened this dedication through the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative—oceans, landscapes, science, health and technology— which backs a growing collection of environmental projects that build a better future for all life. Mission Blue stands among these initiatives. Established by renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle— who has been a Rolex Testimonee since 1982— Mission Blue works toward safeguarding 30 per cent of global oceans by 2030. Since 2014, Rolex has collaborated with the organisation to advance its mission of establishing a worldwide system of marine protected areas known as Hope Spots—ecologically significant areas essential for conserving marine life. More than a decade from its launch, the number of Hope Spots has increased from 50 to more than 160 and includes biodiverse regions such as the Azores Archipelago and the Galapagos Islands—all thanks to Earle.
Mission Blue Champion Sandra Bessudo diving beneath the surface to photograph a school of hammerhead sharks off the coast of Malpelo Island in Colombia.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sylvia Earle:
Few people on Earth can tell the kind of stories that Earle can. What began as hours at the pond observing fish and tadpoles as a kid, to earning a PhD from Duke University with extensive research on marine algae and a two-week underwater mission in 1970, leading a team of aquanauts, to being honoured at the White House, Earle is a groundbreaking leader in marine science and defender of ocean life.
Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle emerging from the JIM Atmospheric Diving Suit in 1979, after becoming the world record holder for the deepest untethered dive. Earle walked, untethered, 381 metres beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
This year, Rolex celebrates Earle and her lifetime dedication towards safeguarding our oceans. Leading more than 100 expeditions exploring the planet’s blue heart to launching a pioneering initiative dedicated to promoting marine conservation, Earle is among the most renowned oceanographers on the planet. “Whether we are explorers or concerned citizens, we must save the planet for future generations,” said Earle. She has spent thousands of hours underwater, has 250 publications to her name, and remains one of the most powerful voices in her field. “All of us, individually and collectively, need to respect nature and take care of it,” said Earle. “We need to treat the ocean and the rest of our living planet like our lives depend on them—because they do.” Her words echo a truth that extends far beyond the depths she has explored: the health of our oceans mirrors the health of our planet.
Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle cutting the ribbon at the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot near Dunedin in America. Mission Blue Hope Spots are places where scientists and local communities work together to understand and protect the oceans’ health.
Through its partnership with visionaries like Earle and initiatives like Mission Blue, Rolex continues its legacy of upholding a commitment to preserving the natural world and reminding us that exploration and conservation are not separate pursuits, but intertwined missions that will define the future we leave behind.
