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Diving for CLERC: Meet Professional Underwater Photographer Chris Parsons

This week we highlight Chris Parsons – another CLERC Professional Underwater Photographer. Yes, it’s another Chris, but a very different one at that!

Partly because this Chris did something most people only dream of: leave everything behind to pursue his dream. Once a very successful software consultant, he left civilization behind to pursue his life-long passion for the oceans. He bought a boat, moved to Florida (USA), and started living for sailing and diving exclusively.

The results? Over 2,000 dives, 500 hours on re-breather, Coast Guard certified to captain 200 ton ships, accomplished sailor, and of course, thousands of amazing professional underwater photos and videos to his credit. Just visit Chris’ website for a small sample of his underwater artwork.

“I absolutely love the ocean, and am in awe of it. If I had my way, every day would be on (or under) the water. I am concerned about its well being though, and I hope that through my images I can, in some small way, help people be aware of how fragile it is.”

Chris’ work has been published in major magazines including Alert Diver, Sport Diver, Scuba Diving, Southern Living and River Watch. Loggerhead Marine Life Center, Sea Shepard, National Geographic, and the Tennessee Aquarium have all featured his photographs.

TM_585These days, Chris dives with a CLERC Hydroscaph Central Chronograph on his wrist. He likes the chronograph’s striking visibility at depth in the lowest of light conditions. Orange is the last color the human eye can distinguish under water. And of course, the CHY-585 – Clockwork Orange as it’s called – is the toughest, most rugged diving watch he owns.

He will soon be heading out to Belize and Honduras to bring us some more spectacular underwater content so stay tuned for that!

Here are some of the numerous spectacular shots Chris has been sending our way for the past months:

CLERC Launches Openwater Heroes Ocean Conservancy Initiative

big_logoOpenwater Heroes is CLERC’s new Ocean Conservancy Program dedicated to generating and expanding awareness of specific ocean conservancy initiatives throughout the world.

Every year, CLERC will promote and raise awareness for specific causes dedicated to preserving the beauty and health of our marine ecosystems.  The individuals spearheading these causes will be selected as CLERC Openwater Heroes then recognized and rewarded for their efforts and leadership.

According to CLERC CEO Gérald Clerc:

“Our Hydroscaph watches were born from the oceans, and extreme underwater conditions at depth drive everything we do on the engineering side. The same can be said for the aesthetic side of our timepieces. So it’s only natural that CLERC should strive to give back to the oceans for inspiring us. We will do this by promoting significant ocean causes and the selfless heroes behind them who too often remain unknown and uncelebrated.”

Gerald, himself a certified scuba diver, believes the oceans are increasingly being threatened by industrialisation, consumption, and energy exploration. Yet the beauty of the wide oceans and the life they contain is a gift to all mankind and deserves protection and preservation.

CLERC’s Openwater Heroes promotional efforts will undoubtedly benefit from the brand’s newly-announced partnership with Sub Aviator Systems – making it the first Swiss luxury dive watch company ever to conceive and test its watches in partnership with a luxury submarine builder at their underwater testing facilities.

Do you want to participate, contribute, or suggest a new Openwater Hero to us? Then email us at openwater@clercwatches.wpengine.com.