IWC may be a fine watchmaker, but they also know that their watches are carried by their customers on the high seas. They are now entering the realm of “ecological responsibility.” The issue of pollution in the world’s oceans and oceanic wildlife habitats is of growing concern to environmentalists and marine biologists as well as individuals and companies. It has been reported that over 100 million tons of plastic are produced every year, an estimated 10 per cent of which ends up at the bottom of the ocean. Other debris such as tires, cans are also negatively affecting the underwater wildlife. As plastic breaks down, it becomes detrimental to coral, turtles who mistake plastic for jellyfish, as well as sea birds and other aquatic mammals.

While the problem has been growing, it’s growth has also incited the involvement of several organizations, including IWC. IWC has recently decided to embark upon a “social and ecological responsbility policy” as a continuation to their global efforts at nature conservancy.

As a part of this program, IWC released five diving watches: the Deep Two, the 18k Red Gold Aquatimer Chronograph, the Aquatimer Automatic 200, and the Chronograph Edition Galapagos Islands. These watches all feature highly functional features, such as the 200 bar pressure resistance of the Aquatimer Automatic 200, that endear them to diving enthusiasts.