Face to Face with the Coelacanth: A Story Revealed by Laurent Ballesta & Alexis Chappuis - Blancpain

Blancpain is proud to present an exclusive documentary bringing together two explorers whose groundbreaking encounters with the coelacanth have reshaped our understanding of the deep ocean. In 2013, Laurent Ballesta, Founder & Leader of Gombessa Expeditions, became the first diver to photograph living coelacanths (Latimeria chalumnae) in their natural habitat off the coast of South Africa. More than a decade later, Alexis Chappuis, leader of UNSEEN Expeditions, captured the first in situ images of the Indonesian coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis) in the Maluku archipelago—at a depth of 145 meters. Both discoveries were made possible through Blancpain’s long-standing commitment to ocean exploration. Once believed to have vanished 70 million years ago, the coelacanth was rediscovered in 1938. It remains one of the ocean’s most enigmatic creatures. These rare encounters not only deepen our scientific knowledge but also serve as powerful catalysts for marine conservation. As flagship species, coelacanths draw global attention to the fragile ecosystems they inhabit and underscore the urgency of protecting them through initiatives such as Marine Protected Areas. This 12-minute documentary brings Ballesta and Chappuis together for the first time, offering a unique perspective on their respective journeys, the technical challenges they overcame, and the enduring mystery of this ancient lineage. A tribute to curiosity, perseverance, and the spirit of exploration and preservation that defines the Blancpain Ocean Commitment. #Blancpain1735 #BlancpainOceanCommitment #UnderwaterExploration #Coelacanth #DeepOcean