LIFE UNDER THE ARCTIC

Rolex joins forces with the underwater explorers of Under The Pole and, together, makes first discovery of a marine animal forest in the Arctic

- KC YAP

FOUNDED BY EXPERT DIVERS and ocean explorers Ghislain Bardout and Emmanuelle Périé-Bardout in 2007, Under The Pole was set up to push the boundaries of ocean exploration through a series of scientific expeditions combining research and innovation with the aim of expanding knowledge and awareness of the oceans and assist in their preservation.

In 2010, in hopes of learning more about the submerged areas of the Arctic, Under The Pole and Rolex, an all-time proponent of exploration with its Perpetual Planet Initiative, joined forces for the first time and embarked on the Deepsea Under The Pole by Rolex expedition. By means of ski trekking and scuba diving in one of the toughest climates on the planet, the eight-member crew collected audio, photographic and video material from the hidden world of the ice cap.

In addition, they successfully conducted scientific experiments related to snow thickness, crucial to estimating the total volume of ice, as well as human body reactions. The unprecedented 45-day adventure, which featured 51 dives in extreme conditions, was a remarkable success. Using specialist equipment, including Rolex Deepsea watches, the team captured spectacular images under the ice that would be seen worldwide – images that were a tribute to a dream world that is being destroyed by global warming.

While the goal of the 2010 expedition was exploration and ocean advocacy in the face of global warming, the aim of the subsequent Under The Pole – Twilight Zone expedition supported by Rolex was primarily scientific. The expedition began in 2017 and was completed in 2021.