Omega, one of the world’s leading Swiss watch brands, has made a long-term commitment to Blakexpeditions-an organization dedicated to protecting life in, on, and around the waters of the world-by becoming its first official sponsor.

Blakexpeditions is headed by New Zealand’s world-class yachtsman Sir Peter Blake, an Omega brand ambassador since 1995, who retired from competitive yachting after successfully defending the prestigious America’s Cup this year. Sir Peter and his organization aim to create greater awareness of the need to protect the world’s oceans, lakes, and rivers, which are under severe threat from pollution and exploitation.

Omega’s contribution will help fund the group’s expeditions, documentary films about each expedition, and an Internet site. The first voyage, scheduled to start by year’s end, will mark the start of expeditions to areas vital to the planet’s ecosystem, including the Arctic, Antarctic, the Amazon, and tropical coral reefs.

Omega’s association with Blakexpeditions is reflected in the name of the organization’s vessel, “Seamaster,” also the name of Omega’s successful diver’s watch.

Omega, which is based in Bienne, Switzerland, is a company of The Swatch Group.