A Snapshot In Time

Reservoir Hydrosphere

Everyone has heard about climate change and plastic pollution, but how much of what exactly it means for the planet is realised to verydifferentdegrees from person to person. The Antarctic continent, uninhabited by Man, could be and is often imagined and perceived as preserved. Itis, however, the first observatory in the world of real and alarming climate change. Its high biodiversity is endangered by the loss of the fragile balance it relies on which leads to the disappearance of many animal species. During the last 5 years, the melting of the ice cap has accelerated and has become alarming. Icebergs and ice patches released

by glaciers disappear with currents and pose a major threat to biodiversity.

In order to observe, identify and relay these fundamental issues, a team set out to explore this hazardous land. Three adventurers set out aboard a sailboat to share the image, the fragility of the frozen world and its fauna. A visual testimony of the behavior of local species and their mutual dependence through the eyes of photographerGregLecoeur, afilmmakerandan apneist. In order to have the least possible impact on the environment, the expedition took place on a legendary yacht Kotick, in a rather small space. A challenge for the protagonists and experienced members of the polar crew, witnessing changes over the last 20 years.

The journey was itself driven by climatic hazards a capricious nature making access to its uninhabited land even more complex than a few years ago - the melting of ice disrupting the natural clock of seasonality creates an ever changing and unpredictable landscape.

The animal encounters from the expedition are aimed at transmitting knowledge to younger generations in order to interact and open them up to the understanding of this very real place and its key role as an indicator of the health of the entire planet and the interdependence between the species.

One incredibly small part of the global puzzle, Krill - which is vital to the biodiversity around the Antarctic -wouldcauseacatastrophicsnowballeffectshouldtheir numbers suffer significant loss. This small crustacean

sits at the base of the food chain, consuming algae under the frozen surface, yet it supports a plethora of species above it in the chain either directly or indirectly.

Equally, the landscape itself is already causing issues for Emperor penguins who need icy surfaces to hatch their eggs and raise their young. Many glaciers have already retreated, and some ice floes have completelycollapsedreducingthis essentialhabitat. The ultimate predator of this part of the world (only the killer whale is above), the leopard seal feeds on all kinds of food - almost anything it can find in the region: from krill to baby seals with a preference for penguins. However, they are incredibly difficult to study in their hostile habitat. Documentation of penguin life during the main predation season of leopard seals highlights the correlation between the two closely related species in the food chain.

International multiaward winning ocean and wildlife photographer Greg Lecoeur joined the expedition to photograph and document the teams findings. A native of Nice, on the French Riviera, the Mediterranean Sea seduced Greg from his childhood - developing his interest in marine biology and his desire to explore. When he wasn’t working, he was diving, growing a devouring passion for the sea. At 32 with the Diving Instructor Certificate in his pocket and developed knowledge and skill for underwater photography, he left his comfortable life, sold his company and took off to

realise his dream. A year around the world with his underwater camera. The trip took him to explore the Americas, starting with the Galapagos, then continuing on to Ecuador, Florida, Bahamas, Honduras, Yucatan, Baja California, California, Hawaii and British Columbia.

Since then, recognized by many international awards, he has been living his passion to the full, traveling across the blue planet, presenting the underwater world through his eyes and his photographic style. He continues to aim to attract the attention of the general public through the capture of unexpected scenes of life, to raise awareness of the fragility of our ecosystems and the preservation of biodiversity.

Clamped to his wrist on this latest adventure, Hydrosphere, a watch resembling Scuba diving pressure gauges - the first survival instruments for divers - provided support during dives. Having a unidirectional, rotating bezel with a double scale, helium valve and power indicator, Reservoir’s Hydrosphere asserts its uniqueness with a single needle on the dial. Featuringa45mm, 316Lsteelcasewithabrushedfinish, superluminova black, white or blue dial and black hour markers set in a magnifying glass on the jumping hour window, this is timepiece designed with quick and easy readability at the fore.

The automatic mechanical movement boasts a 37-hour power reserve and offers a retrograde minute and jumping time set behind anti-reflective sapphire crystal. An essential unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel with double scale for reading the dive stop time before and after the return of the retrograde needle and Helium valve combine with the screw-down case back and screw-down crown to offer the ultimate diving companion with water-resistance up to 250m. Upending the aesthetics of diving watches, it possesses the mainstays of a successful dive - security, functionality, confidence in itself andits equipment. “I’m excited about becoming a brand ambassador for Reservoir watches. Our partnership was born out of our shared passion and enthusiasm in both of our respective fields - myself bringing to life the beauty and fragility of our deep blue eco-system through the lens of my camera and Reservoir’s innovative way of showing us the measurement of time beautifully with their unique dial and movement designs. I love how the Reservoir Hydrosphere resembles ascubadivingpressure gauge andfindthe heliumvalve and superluminova extremely helpful, which I use regularly for my dives.” says Lecoeur.