Le Roque, March 13th-Marine watch maker Ulysse Nardin is proud to announce that free diver and photographer FredBuyle have become friends of the brand. Over the past three decades, as an underwater explorer, Buyle has dived into the deep sea most of the time, using only cameras and visible light to capture the light and shadow of the ocean in one breath.
Dancing with sharks, Buyle photographs marine animals in their natural environment in a non-invasive way. Buyle wears the Athens watch diving series, a diving watch that is water-resistant to 1,000 meters
Sun, water, air. FredBuyle is using underwater photography to change the way we look at the ocean. Thanks to his adventurous spirit, we can admire the Antarctic iceberg from the perspective of a whale, swim with sharks, and look up at the dazzling sunlight through the sea from 60 meters underwater.
Without damaging the fragile marine environment, Buyle used his artistic background to capture creatures rarely seen in the film for biologists to mark. He was able to take a camera, take a deep breath, and dive into the deep 60 meters, taking pictures with natural light and free diving techniques. Buyle, born in Belgium, is good at capturing images of sharks in their natural habitat, and dives freely with iconic species like hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, and even great white sharks without any protective cover.
In order to accompany Buyle to the depths of the ocean, the Athenian watch manufactures a durable and practical sports watch with a water resistance of up to 1,000 meters-the diving series deep diving watch. Patrick Pruniaux, chief executive officer of Athens Watch, said: ‘In an era of so much fluidity, it’s great to be able to carry an item that shows your true identity with you.’ Everything you need for an experienced diver: a helium exhaust valve, removable titanium protection, an adjustable rubber strap that can be extended, and a large 12-tooth bezel that’s easy to handle (even with diving gloves). The dial is decorated with 15 sharks, and the back is decorated with 1 shark-a reminder that humans are just a visitor deep in the ocean; the ocean belongs to these marine animals first.
Buyle said, ‘Three things fascinated me most when I was young: bicycles, sailboats, and mechanical watches. All three share common characteristics: advanced technology, natural energy, and a little magic.’
The talented, bold and humble FredBuyle never ceases to surprise us.
About FredBuyle
For Ulysse Nardin, a watch manufacturer based in the ocean, the cooperation with FredBuyle is a natural thing. Buyle is a free diver and underwater photographer. At the age of 10, he started exploring free diving.
In 1995, he set his first world record and decided to focus on freediving. Between 1997 and 2000, he broke three world records. In 1999, he dived to a depth of 100 meters in one breath and completed the fabulous record.
In 2002, he began to take underwater photography as his second profession. His goal: show the beauty of aquatic life and free diving in the natural deep sea. Buyle uses only natural light to capture images of sharks, catfish, fish, dolphins, and countless other samples of spectacular marine life on the sea bottom at a depth of 60 meters. From his works, he can deeply feel the subtle influence of the family. Only experienced eyes can find such subtle beauty.
Buyle uses a series of simple elements in photography: water, visible light, camera and breathless time. With simple equipment and the freedom to swim around, free divers can capture unique moments. This ‘zen style’ approach makes Buyle’s photography completely different from other underwater photography. In 2005, Buyle began working with marine biologists to assist them in field work. He uses his free diving skills to approach animals for tasks such as acoustics, satellite tagging, and DNA sampling. His photos have been used in marine conservation activities by NGOs around the world to raise awareness and focus on marine conservation issues.
In 2018, the launch of the new DiverDeepDive watch perfectly matched this new partnership, linking the consistent image of watchmakers, watches, and wearers.
Technical Information
Model 3203-500LE-3 / 93-HAMMER
Limited to 300 pieces
Movement UN-320
Self-designed and developed movement, professional certification of Athens Watch Observatory
Silicon hairspring and anchor escapement
Power reserve about 48 hours
Automatic winding movement
Hours, minutes, seconds and date display
3 o’clock position, date window display, date adjustment before and after
5 o’clock position, small seconds
9 o’clock position, screw-in automatic pressure reducing valve system
Case titanium
Bezel anti-clockwise one-way diving chronograph bezel, titanium, partially rubberized
Dial Blue Hammerhead Shark Dial
Luminous hands and hour markers
46 mm diameter
Crown at 2 o’clock, detachable titanium crown protector
Hammerhead Shark Pattern on Side
Water-resistant to 1,000 meters
Table mirror: anti-glare sapphire crystal
Case back: stainless steel, embossed hammerhead shark design
Strap rubber strap with expansion unit (a spring that can be adjusted according to the dive depth), folding buckle
Reference price 96,000 RMB