he idea came from Andreas Leibundgut, the company’s marketing manager, and a member of the family that owns Delma. “This is the first time we’ve organised this kind of competition,” he says, very curious and excited to discover the photos that will be submitted by the public.

The competition is open to a large number of participants, as amateur photographers are invited to try their luck. The beauty and originality of the photos will be the main criteria for selection, says Andreas Leibundgut. The only restriction is that the photos must be taken in Switzerland, and they must illustrate the theme of water, on or under the surface.

The competition is open to a large number of participants, as amateur photographers are invited to try their luck.

The new Shell Star Bronze model

Why did Delma choose this theme? As a producer of diving watches since the 1960s, the brand is naturally sensitive to the underwater environment – and to the pollution that threatens it, particularly that caused by plastic waste. “This phenomenon even has a negative effect on sailing,” Andreas Leibundgut explains. “Professional sailors, such as our ambassador Nick Maloney, often have to avoid entire containers lost at sea.”

Through this competition, Delma hopes to raise public awareness around the importance of preserving good water quality, even in Switzerland, the home of watchmaking, which is also often described as Europe’s “water tower”. The brand is doing its best to take a consistent position, and is committed to reducing the use of plastic, particularly in its watch packaging.

Through this competition, Delma hopes to raise public awareness around the importance of preserving good water quality, even in Switzerland, the home of watchmaking, which is also often described as Europe’s “water tower”.

Andreas Leibundgut, Marketing Manager and a member of the family that owns Delma

The first prize of the competition is a Shell Star Bronze watch, a reedition of the flagship model designed in 1975, which established Delma’s reputation in the diving watch segment. Style and durability characterise this timepiece made of bronze: “With the choice of this material, each model will take on a patina and will be truly unique,” explains Andreas Leibundgut. “To strengthen this focus on the choice of materials, the competition also takes ‘elements’ as a secondary theme.”

The photos will be exhibited in Basel, in parallel with the Baselworld exhibition in 2020, as well as at selected retailers. Andreas Leibundgut hopes that the competition will generate interest, and is already planning further editions dedicated to the diving world. The deadline for entering the competition is 31 January 2020.

The photos will be exhibited in Basel, in parallel with the Baselworld exhibition in 2020, as well as at selected retailers.

For more information on the Delma H₂O Photo Contest, click here.