Risk, fear, adrenalin—and thinking on his flippers—are all part of the job for Fabien Cousteau. The grandson of Jacques Cousteau
spent four months diving with Great Whites in Guadeloupe inside a shark-shaped mini-submarine—at one point finding himself
stranded, his “shark” having broken down, during a night dive in the predators’ feeding zone. At dinner time. He also lived for a
month in an underwater laboratory 63ft beneath the sea’s surface off the Florida Keys. As a member of seafaring royalty, Fabien
is dedicated to continuing the legacy of his grandfather. Having learnt to scuba dive at the age of four while on board Cousteau’s
research vessels, he is today an explorer, documentary filmmaker and marine conservationist: he set up the non-profit Fabien
Cousteau Ocean Learning Centre in 2016. “We need to see the ocean as our planet’s life-support system,” he says. “I’ve been
thousands of miles further than many humans have ever been, yet still see the negative impacts of human behaviour upon the
beauty of the ocean.” That beauty, as he knows only too well, can be treacherous, which is why he needs a watch as “backup life-
support”. His favourite is a vintage Seiko Divers’ Spring Drive SBDB001—the latest version of which is the SNR029 Prospex LX
edition. “It’s something I can count on in potentially life and death scenarios,” he says. Today, he is wearing a Prospex Save the
Ocean Divers SRPD21K1. Unsurprisingly, for the man who enjoys hanging out with Great Whites, Fabien is particularly fond of its
little “white shark’s fin” next to the eight o’clock marker. “I’m always looking for a ‘clean’ uncluttered dial. I have split seconds to
make decisions under water. I want to see everything clearly in all conditions,” he says. Quite. You wouldn’t want to bump noses with
a ravenous Great White.—KATE QUILLFabien Cousteau
AQUANAUTPhotograph by BÉNJAMIN BECHET
Photographed in Sanary-Sur-Mer on June 27, 2019 wearing a Seiko Prospex Save the Ocean Divers SRPD21K1AUTUMN 2019 VANITY FAIR ON TIME 79