May 13th 2025
From Trauma to Triumph
At 18, Mike Coots survived a life-altering shark attack that took his right leg. Instead of turning away from the ocean, he returned to it just a month later with a prosthetic leg and a new sense of mission. Today, he’s a celebrated ocean photographer, diver, and shark conservationist.
Empathy Over Fear
Rather than harboring resentment, Coots embraced a deeper understanding of sharks as essential apex predators in our marine ecosystems. “Over the years, I fell in love more and more with sharks,” he says. “They are imperative for a healthy Planet Earth.” His journey transformed a traumatic event into a lifelong advocacy for marine life protection.
A Legacy of Conservation
Coots played a pivotal role in getting shark fin possession banned in Hawai’i in 2010. As a Ulysse Nardin ambassador since 2022, he represents a unique blend of resilience and responsibility—echoing the Hawaiian concept of kuleana, meaning one’s duty to give back. Fittingly, Ulysse Nardin donates 1% of annual Diver Hammerhead Shark sales to the Shark Trust.
Watches With Purpose
More than just an ambassador, Coots is a living reminder of what the Diver Hammerhead Shark watch stands for: boldness, empathy, and environmental responsibility. Ulysse Nardin’s dedication to marine conservation is reflected not only in its watches but in its partnerships that speak louder than marketing campaigns.
