Back in March I wrote about my experience hanging out on the IWC Plastiki with its crew in San Francisco. This was prior to the ship's maiden voyage, which was to be an ambitious journey from San Francisco to Sydney. Please refer to the original article there for all the details on what the Plastiki is, and the purpose of its 'mission.'
A few days ago the plastic bottle boat successfully made it to its location in Australia. I believe the voyage took over 3 months. It was not likely an easy ride... as the Plastiki was the epitome of bare bones accommodations. Amazing that it was able to sustain 6 people for that long. I am really curious about being able to ask them questions about the trip. I am sure they are all loving each other after being so close for that long. The leader of the voyage was Daniel de Rothschild, who was likely nicknamed "dirty Daniel" somewhere along the way, given that the Plastiki has no showering or cleaning facilities on board.
The goal of the Plastiki was always to give credibility to the concept that goods can be recycled for useful purposes such as building materials for ships. The innovative material that the Plastiki team developed for the boat are actually likely to see industrial application in the future. Because the boat reached its final destination intact, with a crew in good shape, the concept of having environmentally neutral vehicles is a reality. Perhaps a lofty concept in today's world, I think this idea will become more and more appealing in the coming decades. IWC of course is thrilled and lucky to be associated with this project, and IWC watches are often the subject of unique partnership opportunities.
As you saw in the previous article, the partnership with Adventure Ecology and Plastiki led to IWC developing a limited edition Ingenieur watch in steel. IWC has now released an addition piece, but in platinum. It will be auctioned off for charity to support the efforts of Adventure Ecology. With a reserve price of 30,000 euros, it is unclear just how much the solid platinum Adventure Ecology Ingenieur watch will go for. Bidding is now open, and you can enter a bid yourself at the Plastiki website here. The auction will end on August 7th, 2010. Visit the site for more details and to bid.
Boy are time honored high end brands so desperate for a some kind of sponsorship that their honoring a mess of Polish Springs bottle taped together and called a boat?
Heaven forbid these watch companies come out with something affordable (affordable in the true sense of the word not the “Wheel of Fortune” definition.
Call me crazy (really – I enjoy it) but 25 years ago a serious computer that did little more word processing cost thousands. Thanks to technology and the concept of non-recurring engineering costs Today I can buy a pocket sized device that not only has a gazillion more times more power, can make reservations, has
GPS navigation, show movies, play music, take pictures AND act as a phone.
So far all this technology from the watch industry has resulted in nothing more that more expensive watches. And the Euros had the gall to accuse the Big Three of Badge engineering?
Oh. well. Just to let you know I’ve started my own watch company. I’ve named it after some old guy I saw in a book. But he looks impressive. Samrt even I’m emodying his spirit – or whatever the current overused watch company buzz phrase is this week. We’re looking for a launch concept. We’re gonna honore the kid up the street. Rumor has it he’s broken the Guiness record for most hours played on Xbox. I think he’s available.
If not we’ll celebrate thirty years of Ukranian
clog dancing.
We’ll be displaying at baselworld. Not IN BaselWorld but down the street in Colonel Klink Square. Look for me. I’ll be the one in the black turtleneck and no pants.
I’ll take two of whatever you are selling Pat!
Hey… I kid because I love. We no actually I kid because I hate BS.
I love logging in comments to your site. I hope you don’t mind a little angst and humor.
Your site perfomrs an important service to watch lovers – and to novcies like me. It’s honest funny
and even handed.
Your not afraid to say “this is an utter piece of cr*p” – it’s poorly made and ugly as Abe Vigoda on a bad day”. This is something the editor of magazines like “IW” should be doing – at least if you can get his lips surgically removed from Richard Mille’s derriere (or the “Children of the Corn” kid in the Patek Phillipe ad). What an ooily hack. I can’t wait for the day when he runs out of outfits (the past few months it’s been a wetsuit, flight suit, etc). I fear the day when they do a Van Cleef and Arpels feature and he shows up dressed like Liz Minelli.
Sorry. I’m going to invoke the low blood sugar defense for the above comments.
Now where did I put that Zagnut bar?
Keep up the good work Pat, always a pleasure. Watch out for a particularly funny article coming up on a new Patek Philippe ad.
I like the watch and the adventure it’s connected with. It’s an interesting idea. Will they recycle the boat now?