A day after the 94th birthday of pioneer ocean explorer Austrian Professor Hans Hass, Swiss watch manufacturer Blancpain and the Historical Diving Society Hans Hass Award Committee awarded French marine biologist Laurent Ballesta the annual “Hans Hass Fifty Fathoms Award”. The public ceremony took place in Düsseldorf (DE) during “Boot”, the largest marine industry exhibition worldwide.

In the year that celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain is proud to present the direct descendent of this first modern diving watch to the winner in honor of his achievement and excellence in the fields of diving, underwater photography, and science. An engraving on the case back has been specially customized for the “Hans Hass Fifty Fathoms Award”.

Ten years after the first Hans Hass Award was established in recognition of the Austrian professor, the annual winner is selected in the spirit of his pioneering work. Professor Hass distinguished himself internationally with his underwater work in science and the arts. In tribute to this living legend, and following the proposition of the Award Committee, Blancpain is delighted to acknowledge Laurent Ballesta, whose passion for diving and dedication to achieving goals once thought unreachable, recalls Hass’s own pioneering spirit.

Discover more about Laurent Ballesta in this exclusive interview filmed on the hills of Lavaux, classified landscape in the UNESCO world heritage list.