They call it the Spanish Cousteau and the truth is that Manu San Felix (Madrid, 1964), marine biologist, photographer, adventurer, explorer... well known in the world of diving for his wonderful photographs, and TAG Heuer ambassador, He grew up watching the documentaries of the idolized Jacques Cousteau and dreaming of a submerged life. It is the life he leads today, with more than 300 dives per year. An authentic marine explorer who has created a school and who shares with Condé Nast Traveler Spain some details of his particular day-to-day life.
Turned to one of the greatest defenders of the world's great marine reserves, he travels to show the beauty of the seabed through his camera. In his project, known as The Pristine Seas, In addition, a team of leading scientists participates in this task of raising global awareness, given the global threat situation that the oceans are experiencing. He, better than anyone, shows through his profile on social networks (@manusanfelix) and his scientific project, how spectacular the underwater environment and the species that inhabit it are.
Manu San Félix ready to dive with his TAG Heuer Aquaracer Night Diver.
He dives daily, he confesses to us. And with the first salary that he received as a diver, 42 years ago, bought his first watch, a TAG Heuer. The reason is that this Swiss haute horlogerie firm has always been a benchmark for professional divers and today it continues to be so with the recent presentation of its three new additions to the emblematic family of watches. Aquaracer Professional 300 Night Diver, an all-black watch that features a striking luminous dial.
The three new models are added to the eight already presented and, in addition to the 43mm stainless steel case, they have a attractive rubber strap and the firm's own adjustable folding clasp. For Manu San Félix, who continues to carry TAG Heuer models around the world on the most extreme expeditions, the evolution of the signature design and the sharpness of the models are spectacular. Under water time control is essential and being submerged time escapes you. These models have excellent visibility and this gives you security. TAG Heuer thinks of all the details and continues to lead the way”.
The Aquaracer Professional 300 models remain at the forefront.
Although Manu San Félix dives between 0 and 60 meters, in the project, as he tells us, courses are offered for dives up to 200 meters. “I am already an age, 57 years old, and I have so much work to document in this area –between 0 and 60 meters deep– that I don't want to go any lower”. In addition, with current equipment "you can be diving up to five hours, and this is a very strong wear. Also, if I'm recording, even the batteries don't last that long,” he says with a laugh.
A LUXURY TOOL IN THE PRISTINE ISLANDS OF DIEGO RAMÍREZ
With his favorite model, a Aquaracer caliber 5 green, "precious" -which is not removed when going ashore because it gives it elegance- has immersed himself in one of the wildest and most virgin paradises under the sea, where "the footprint of man is not noticeable". As he himself defines it: “It is the purest nature that I have known in the world” and that, according to the explorer, is perceived “in the very sound under the sea, or in the smell”. Is different.
It is the archipelago of the Diego Ramirez Islands, the southernmost land before The antartida . About 100 km southwest of Cape Horn and 93 km from the Ildefonso Islands, in the Drake Passage, "this is the bravest and most conflictive pass on the planet, protected by roaring and stormy winds" -technical diver's slang-. So protected, he tells us, that "a week before arriving, the few inhabitants who were in this uninhabited place - three non-commissioned officers of the Chilean Navy - told him that they had blown winds of more than 200 km/h and they had not been able to leave the house.
The spectacular Aquaracer Professional 300 Night Diver model.
in these extreme conditions, but under the sea, Manu San Félix dives along with his equipment, and a luxury tool, as he himself defines: his latest Aquaracer model. “The titanium dial looks crystal clear. This is very important when you are at a depth of 50 meters because the narcotic effect of nitrogen – the increase in partial pressure in your head – produces a sensation as if you had drunk four whiskeys”, he laughs.
Three new Aquaracer Professional 300 models with rubber strap and more features
Since in 1983 TAG Heuer launched its first diving watches –although it had been researching and launching other models for decades– the house has always been faithful to its main characteristics: rotating bezel, screw-down crown, water resistance up to 200 meters, luminous indices and resistant glass, but has not stopped innovating and leading the way.
Interchangeable rubber straps and an adjustable buckle system with a safety lock.
To the basic elements of design and security, Other features have been added that, with the recent Aquaracer Professional 300 collection, have reached unbeatable heights. The Swiss firm presented in Geneva only a few months ago eight models, to which have been added the mythical Night Diver model, completely in black and with a luminous dial; the Aquaracer Professional 300 Tribute to Ref. 844, which also takes up another legendary model, the 844, which was presented in 1978 and of which only 844 copies will be launched and the new versions in black and blue with interchangeable rubber straps that are combined with each other. These feature ceramic inserts on the bezel and the strap is equipped with an adjustable closure system, newly developed by TAG Heuer, which is adjusted by simply pressing and sliding the button located on the side of the closure. Also has two safety buttons that prevent accidental unlocking of the system. More features that perfect this elegant luxury tool underwater and on land.
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