Watches

Rolex Releases BBC Studios-Produced Documentary

WatchesJun 09, 2021

Rolex Releases BBC Studios-Produced Documentary

The hour-long special highlights the work of environmentalists fighting to protect the planet’s oceans.

20210609_Rolex oceans documentary header.jpg
Emma Camp is one of the Rolex Awards Laureates featured in “Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Oceans.” Here, she searches for resilient corals that might save the Great Barrier Reef. (©Rolex/Franck Gazzola)
New York—Rolex marked World Oceans Day (June 8) with the release of its first documentary commissioned from BBC Studios’ Science Unit. 
 
“Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Oceans” is an hour-long film that documents work being done around the globe to protect the fragile ecosystems of the world’s oceans, as almost a third of ocean life has been destroyed due to climate change and human activity.
 
Rolex Testimonee (brand ambassador) Sylvia Earle, who has been involved with Rolex through exploration since 1970, narrates.
 
Earle is a legendary oceanographer, explorer, author, field research scientist and environmentalist who is also the president and co-chair of Mission Blue, a campaign to explore and protect the world’s oceans while raising public awareness, access, and support for marine protected areas.

In the documentary, she highlights the work of seven individuals, five of whom are Rolex Award Laureates. Laureates receive cash grants to advance their research projects, access to Rolex’s network of 150 Laureates, media coverage, and a Rolex chronometer.
 
Michel André, a 2002 Rolex Awards Laureate, works in Antarctica deploying pioneering new technology to listen to the ocean’s acoustic environment and help protect it from noise pollution. 
 
Ghislain Bardout is co-founder and leader of Under The Pole expeditions. He developed a special capsule that enables scientists to stay underwater for 72 hours at a time, gathering data to protect the oceans.
 
Emma Camp, a 2019 Rolex Awards Associate Laureate, has developed coral nurseries on the Great Barrier Reef that she hopes will help revitalize other vulnerable reefs worldwide.
 
Kerstin Forsberg, a 2016 Rolex Awards Laureate, works in Peru protecting endangered manta rays by
improving ocean literacy through education, developing ecotourism, raising awareness, and getting the next generation involved.
 
Vreni Häussermann, a 2016 Rolex Awards Laureate, works in the depths of the Chilean fjords of Patagonia using mini submersibles to find and protect previously unknown coral species.
 
Brad Norman, a 2006 Rolex Awards Laureate, uses sophisticated electronic tagging to protect
whale sharks in his native Australia and elsewhere.
 
Angélique Pouponneau represents a Mission Blue “Hope Spot” in the Seychelles. Mission Blue creates
marine-protected Hope Spots in areas of the  oceans considered vital to the preservation of species, or places where communities rely on a healthy marine environment for their livelihoods.

20210609_Rolex oceans documentary whale shark.jpg
Brad Norman tags a whale shark off the coast of Australia. A 2006 Rolex Awards Laureate, Norman tracks whale sharks, which are an endangered species, in order to better protect them. (©Rolex/Franck Gazzola)
 
Rolex commissioned the film as part of its Perpetual Planet initiative, which it launched in 2019.

The watch brand noted that it has been involved in exploration for the sake of discovery for almost 100 years; Sir Edmund Hillary, for example, was wearing a Rolex Oyster Perpetual when he and Tenzing Norgay summitted Mount Everest in 1953.

 Related stories will be right here … 
In recent years, it has shifted to championing explorers who are working to protect the planet and using science to find solutions to today’s mounting environmental challenges. 
 
“Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Oceans” is being broadcast on National Geographic channels and is available to watch on Rolex.org. 
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Adobe Stock image of skyline of Bangkok, Thailand
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Seaman Schepps pearl earrings
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

David Allouche
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein Diamonds

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

DCA-student-cert-NJ1872x1052-2.png
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry Business

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Zoë Chicco Bracelets
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable Environment

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ Necklace

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

Article Image 1.png
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs Invalid

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

Britney Spears
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry Line

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Inoveo Platinum Grain image.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by Stuller

Sponsored by Stuller

Grizzly Mining Pilala emerald
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat Emerald

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

GemFind Logo
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description Software

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

Graff Fontainebleau Las Vegas
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas Flagship

The 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.

Kim Kardashian
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist Trial

Aging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.

New York Liberty 2024 WNBA Championship Ring
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic Win

The WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.

Jewelers Board of Trade logo
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT President

A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.

Logos for Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and Jewelers of America
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America

The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

Al Capone Pocket Watch
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for Auction

The platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.

Kat Florence Lumina
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K

Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.

Mark Henry Gumdrop Bypass Ring
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored Gemstones

Get a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeMay 23, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Bliss Lau Bright Ring
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ Ring

From Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.

GIA pearl report
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification System

The lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.

GCALbySarine Diamond Journey Certificate_1872x1052.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the Spotlight

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

The late West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO Show

David Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.

Watches of Switzerland store in Mall of America
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14%

The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy