Thomas Mercer strengthens ties with Shackleton

Thomas Mercer and Shackleton Epic have revealed plans to work together on the release of a limited edition of Legacy, the new Thomas Mercer marine chronometer.

British-based watch company Thomas Mercer, best known for its marine chronometers, has a long history with polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton after the latter wore a Mercer chronometer on the famous James Caird boat voyage.

The Shackleton Epic was an expedition that was initiated by the granddaughter of Shackleton, in collaboration with renowned British and Australian adventurer Tim Jarvis AM FRGS, to mark the centenary of the James Caird voyage.

In 1916, the James Caird voyage saw Shackleton set out to save 27 men stranded with him in the Antartic pack ice for a year after the loss of their ship Endurance. Shackleton embarked on an 800 nautical mile trip across the Southern Ocean aboard whaler James Caird.

In January 2013, Jarvis and his team of five became the first to set sail to authentically retrace the voyage.

For both Shackleton’s original journey and the recreation, a Thomas Mercer chronometer was used for safe navigation across the Antartic Ocean.

Now, to celebrate this latest achievement, Thomas Mercer is partnering with Shackleton Epic to create a very limited edition of the new Legacy marine chronometer.

Leader of the modern expedition, Jarvis said: "Thomas Mercer chronometers were used on both expeditions allowing both teams to safetly navigate across the roughest ocean in the world to arrive at King Haakon Bay almost 100 years apart and it is in no small part down to Thomas Mercer that they were able to do so."

Also talking about the partnership, Thomas Mercer CEO Alessandro Quintaville said: "With the Shackleton: “With the Shackleton Epic, Tim has accomplished a truly heroic feat, adding yet another success to his unparalleled track record. Jarvis’ achievement demonstrates not only how unsurpassed was Shackleton’s contribution to the story of mankind, but also how relevant his message remains in 2013. We are honoured that Thomas Mercer chronometers supported both voyages and we eagerly anticipate further collaboration”.

The Legacy marine chronometer Shackleton Epic Edition will be presented in preview to the press on September 27 and 28, 2013, at the Hotel Hermitage – Salon Jardin d’Hiver – during the Monaco Yacht Show in Monte Carlo.

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