In 2003, Marcus Fillinger travelled half way across the globe to dive beneath the pack ice at the North Pole, becoming the first man to do so solo and unassisted. Why someone from Australia would leave the warm and sunny climate of his home in order to dive in the dark and cold waters of the Arctic is hard to explain, at least for sedentary watchmakers. What isn't hard to explain is why someone looking for a suitable watch to wear during such an expedition, would come to Kobold.

After all, our Polar Surveyor Chronograph was made specifically with explorers like Marcus Fillinger in mind. For his 2004 expedition, called Dogs to the Pole, Marcus has chosen to wear a Soarway Diver because of its clean and uncluttered dial. During the expedition, he plans to reach the geographic North Pole by way of dog sledge. Due to the rough terrain of the Arctic, it is regarded as the most difficult type of expedition on the Arctic pack ice. Once at 90ºN, he also plans to dive beneath the ice at the North Pole, making him the first person to reach the North Pole by way of dog sledge and to dive under 90ºN.

Marcus will be facing temperatures as low as –40ºC during his surface travel, as well as –1.8ºC water temperatures while diving beneath the pack ice at the North Pole. Besides the danger of severe exposure to the Arctic environment, Marcus will also face the threat of polar bears.

For more information on the 2004 Dogs to the Pole Expedition, please click here.