Latest news with #marine
Khaleej Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Blancpain's new 38mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique reinterprets the world's first true dive watch
In 1953, long before dive watches became 'desk divers' and fashion statements, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms emerged from the abyss — not as a luxury accessory, but as a lifeline. Although Omega's Marine had tested the waters of deep-sea horology in the 1930s, it was the Fifty Fathoms that gave shape and soul to the modern dive watch. It was the first of its kind in many ways, forged by the needs of real divers and driven by the vision of then-CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter, himself a man of the sea. Lockable bezel, luminous markers, automatic movement, anti-magnetic defences, and water resistance that defied convention weren't just flourishes — they were fundamentals. Together, they helped create the blueprint for what would shape the future of underwater timekeeping. The watch soon became the essential instrument for those who dared to go deeper. Among them was the legendary Jacques Cousteau and his pioneering diving team, who were among the first to adopt the Fifty Fathoms in the field — an early, unscripted endorsement that would help seal the watch's place in history. Seven decades later, the Swiss watchmaker has announced a delicate recalibration of the titan born in the marine depths. The new 38mm Fifty Fathoms Automatique, joining the 42mm and the 45mm models, is no mere downsizing exercise. It is a masterclass in proportion, restraint, and reverence — a quiet, confident re-balancing of scale, presence, and purpose. This new 38mm case reintroduces the spirit of the original 1953 Fifty Fathoms, which measured 41mm, not by matching its dimensions, but by echoing its balanced proportions and purpose-driven grace. With this new iteration, the Fifty Fathoms sheds its more imposing modern persona in favour of a slimmer, subtler silhouette, one that bridges modern sensibilities with its pioneering soul. Offered in stainless steel, grade 23 titanium, and 18-karat red gold, the 38mm line embodies three distinct temperaments. The steel model, with its black dial and bezel, honours the original's stoic utility. The titanium version injects a modern, kinetic flair, its sunburst blue dial catching light like ripples across the ocean floor. And the red gold model, combined with the same rich blue dial, introduces a more elevated aesthetic, highlighting Blancpain's ability to balance robust performance with discreet sophistication. All three are unmistakably Fifty Fathoms, with oversized luminescent markers, domed sapphire bezels, and Blancpain's hallmark commitment to functional beauty. Inside, the Manufacture Calibre 1150 hums with elegance: slim, reliable, and generous with its 100-hour reserve. A silicon balance spring ensures resilience against magnetic fields, while the 18k gold rotor — visible through the sapphire caseback — adds a flourish of mechanical theatre, its NAC-coated finish drawing a subtle line back to the watch's origin story. But perhaps the most striking aspect of this watch isn't technical or dimensional — it lies in its depth, in an emotional resonance that reaches well beyond its physical form. This is not a watch 'for men' or 'for women'. It's for those drawn to the sea's most closely guarded mysteries, and to the extraordinary legacy of the Fifty Fathoms. For those who know that true strength often speaks in the quiet language of elegance. With the 38mm Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain hasn't just resized an icon; it has reshaped our expectations. The abyss remains: vast, dangerously beautiful, and unyielding. But now, it calls to discerning wrists of every size.
CTV News
a day ago
- Science
- CTV News
Darkening oceans threatening marine life
Watch Research oceanographer Paige Hoel speaks about the important role sunlight plays in marine life and why parts of the ocean are darkening.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mexican lawmakers vote to ban dolphin shows
Mexico's Congress on Thursday approved a ban on entertainment shows involving dolphins and other marine mammals, the lower house announced, delighting animal rights campaigners. The reform, which won unanimous support, has already been passed by the upper house and now goes to the president to be signed into law. It means that dolphinariums will be phased out in Mexico, which is home to eight percent of the world's captive dolphins, according to figures published by Congress. Marine mammals will only be allowed to be caught in the wild or bred in captivity for conservation purposes. The NGO Humane World for Animals Mexico hailed the vote as "a decisive move toward ending the exploitation of whales, dolphins and other marine mammals for entertainment." The ban marked "a major stride forward in animal welfare and conservation efforts in Mexico," it added. The NGO said that there were an estimated 350 dolphins in captivity in Mexico that would now have to be relocated to sea pens. jla-dr/ksb/dw
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
LiTime Unveils World's First Smart 'Talking LiFePO4 Battery' T5.0 for RV and Marine Use
The first smart lithium battery system in the RV and marine industries to feature an open, protocol-compatible communication ecosystem. LiTime, a global pioneer in energy innovation, has launched its fifth-generation T5.0 technology platform alongside compatible products. The breakthrough solution supports both CAN and RS485 communication protocols, enables OTA updates, and delivers native integration with leading RV and marine energy systems. By dismantling traditional battery data silos, T5.0 establishes intelligent power hubs — propelling LiTime into the era of smart, connected energy. As the global shift to off-grid living and electric mobility accelerates, lithium batteries are evolving into connected control centers. A 2024 Statista report projects that the smart RV market alone will reach $42.3 billion by 2027, with connectivity emerging as a key purchase driver. LiTime T5.0 is a strategic response to this growing trend—designed to meet the increasing demands of RV and marine users for real-time data access, precision insights, operational transparency, remote control capabilities, and seamless integration with smart external systems. Forging Industry Partnerships to Redefine Lithium Battery Capabilities Within the smart energy landscape, leading inverter manufacturers like SMA, Fronius, Victron, Enphase Energy, SolarEdge, Sungrow, and Growatt have set high benchmarks for power conversion. LiTime, committed to advancing lithium battery innovation, bridges the gap with its T5.0 platform. By embracing an open protocol architecture, T5.0 enables seamless integration between LiTime battery systems and advanced power converters. This pivotal advancement transforms LiTime's RV and marine batteries into intelligent nodes within the broader smart energy ecosystem — enabling significantly more efficient and intelligent energy management. LiTime's T5.0 Tech Revolution: From Silent to Speaking Batteries Through five rapid iterations, LiTime has evolved from a hardware-focused battery manufacturer into a full-stack smart energy provider. Each generation solved key user pain points: T1.0: High-efficiency lithium alternatives to replace short-lived lead-acid batteries. T2.0: Precision software control and real-time current sampling. T3.0: First-in-class Bluetooth control via mobile app. T4.0: Internal system networking and external data displays. T5.0: Breakthrough in external communication — enabling intelligent control and data exchange between lithium batteries and external devices like inverters and MPPT controllers via CAN and RS485 protocols. The LiTime Tech Evolution Milestone What Makes T5.0 a Game-Changer? 1. The Industry's First Universal Open-Protocol Platform for RV and Marine Applications Built-in support for a wide range of mainstream energy systems and extendable to RV-C and NMEA2000 protocols. OTA firmware updates and custom protocol configuration. Out-of-the-box compatibility with over 90% of market devices. 2. Next-Level Data Intelligence Continuously tracks 26 critical battery metrics in real time—delivering five times the detail of conventional batteries. Cloud-based access to historical data and predictive discharge alerts to help prevent outages. Introducing the T5.0 Series: Smart Batteries That Can Speak and Link all Remotely Designed for cross-platform communication, the T5.0 battery system supports both CAN and RS485 protocols and is available in two versions—Entry and Advanced. The Advanced lineup includes: LiTime's Groundbreaking New Product Coming Soon These models support both closed-loop integration with LiTime's proprietary hardware and open collaboration with third-party brands. Entry-Level Seamless OTA updates and customizable cross-brand protocol support Smart charging based on SOC and temperature regulation Real-time monitoring of voltage, temperature, current, and protection status Low-battery alerts to prevent sudden shutdowns or incorrect operation Compatible with LiTime's 48V inverter-charger; supports parallel expansion up to 16 units Advanced-Level Building on the Entry-Level Edition's foundation, the Advanced-Level Edition introduces three key upgrades: Supports third-party RV-C and NMEA2000 protocols for centralized control via RV or marine display panels, with seamless coordination across multiple onboard systems. Comprehensive data visibility: voltage, current, power, individual cell voltages, max/min battery temperature, module count, and detailed protection diagnostics. Global remote access with account-based data queries and full historical tracking. Future Vision: Building an Intelligent Energy Control Hub T5.0 is not only a technological leap but also the starting point of LiTime's smart ecosystem strategy. The company plans to continuously iterate toward T6.0, T7.0，and beyond, aiming to incorporate AI-powered predictive analysis and edge-computing adaptive control. The ultimate goal: to empower global users to build safer, smarter, and more efficient green energy systems. 'From our first generation of protection-focused batteries to today's intelligent, fully integrated systems, LiTime has remained committed to its core mission — Powering Outdoor Adventures for Generations,' said LiTime's founder."This is more than just technology — it's continuity. When a grandparent's RV runs on our T5.0-powered battery, their grandchild can monitor and protect that journey from anywhere in the world.' About LiTime LiTime is a premium brand specializing in LiFePO4 battery technologies. Focused on safety, intelligence, and sustainability, the company serves a global user base across RV, marine, solar, and off-grid applications. With strong R&D capabilities, rigorous production standards, and top-tier service, LiTime is trusted by both professionals and adventurer to power tomorrow's clean energy journeys. Media Contact Company Name: Shenzhen LiTime Technology Co., Ltd Contact Person: Shafee Chang Email: Send Email Country: China Website:
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Garmin's Latest Watch Leaves Out Key Battery-Saving Option
Garmin Quatix 8 Garmin has updated its line-up of watches for mariners with the Garmin Quatix 8, which starts at a cool $1199. And, a sign of the company's broader strategy, this time around you have no range of options on screen tech. The Garmin Quatix 8 uses OLED across the board, while transflective, OLED and solar-charging displays were options in the Quatix 7. From a zoomed-out view, the OLED-screen Quatix 8 does not initially appear hugely different to a more mainstream watch like the Fenix 8. But this one has a series of features for mariners. Most important, it can connect to chartplotters, or Garmin's GHC 50 autopilot tool, to become a key part of how you work while at sea. The Quatix also has a special fork of Garmin's relatively recent voice command feature, which lets you control watch features using voice commands, without needing a connection to a phone. This is called Boat Command, and extends that control to outboard equipment. And, naturally, this also means the Garmin Quatix 8 has a microphone, as well as an integrated speaker. Additionally, the Quatix 8 comes with the Fusion Audio app, to control compatible boat entertainment systems, and will stream crucial data direct from chart plotter systems to the watch face. As with all of Garmin's specialized watch categories, check your on-board equipment is compatible before buying to avoid disappointment. 'Reliable marine tools give mariners the control and awareness they need while boating, sailing or fishing. Then once it's time to dock, the watch's robust collection of wellness features and fitness activities can help them stay on top of their health and pursue their passions,' says Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of consumer sales and marketing. Garmin Quatix 8 vs Fenix 8 Outside of these mariner-friendly extras, the Garmin Quatix 8 appears to be on a level with a high-end series like the Fenix 8. It comes in 47mm and 51mm sizes, the latter costing $100 more at $1299.99. They have both 10ATM water resistance and dive-readiness, up to 40m. The bezel is titanium, the display top layer Sapphire Crystal, and there's a metal rear to the body, unlike the recent Garmin Forerunner 970. Typical of a higher-end watch, the Quatix 8 provides dual-band GPS, and 32GB storage for maps and music. Garmin rates battery life at 'up to' 29 days, or 13 days in the always-on mode (51mm) or 16 days (7 always-on) for the smaller 47mm watch. This matches, you guessed it, the Fenix 8. However, it also suggests the Quatix 8 will not have the super-bright screen seen in the Garmin Forerunner 970. It's one of that new watch's best features, but also a contentious one as it has a significant hit on battery life.
