At first glance, it is strange: where are the clocks, and where are the environmental problems, where is the threat of irreversible pollution of the planet ?! Wristwatches are so small, can they really harm the environment, comparable to the impact of modern energy, mining and manufacturing industries, transport ?!
It is true that the watch itself, in general, is quite clean, their work is in no way connected with toxic emissions into the atmosphere, their production is concentrated in relatively small enterprises, or even in craft workshops. The volumes of materials that could be “sinned” for the creation of watches (metals, polymers) are incomparable with those in, for example, the automotive industry.
Nevertheless, every year the world watch industry, especially the luxury brands, is turning more and more to the topic of ecology. Promoting their achievements on this path, top watch brands, on the one hand, make a feasible contribution to the preservation of our world, and on the other - which is perhaps more important - they loudly draw everyone's attention to environmental problems.
The watch brands make their contribution to the preservation and improvement of the nature and climate of the Earth in various ways. Let's take a look at some of them.
Recycling of used materials
For the production of watches and their components, literally rubbish is used - first of all, used plastic, "mined" both on land and at sea. It is known that all kinds of waste of this kind - PET-bottles, plastic bags, etc. - practically do not decompose in the natural environment and heavily pollute it.
The collection of such waste, its processing and further use is the most direct, most obvious way to solve environmental problems. Of course, it is not easy and, moreover, is again associated with aspects harmful to the environment - take, for example, the exhaust of engines operating on sea-going ships that catch all sorts of rubbish from the ocean. However, studies show that this circle is by no means closed: it is more useful to remove the same PET bottles from the waters, collect paper waste, etc.
Various watch brands approach this problem more or less comprehensively. For example, Breitling launched an eco-friendly watch box made from recycled plastic in early 2021. All elements of the stylish compact case, including lining and buttons, are made from 100% recycled PET containers.
In addition, Breitling has optimized logistics, which has led to a 2% reduction in CO60 emissions associated with transporting finished products. However, if a client prefers an ordinary, classic box to such a box, then the company is accommodating, but voluntarily donates considerable sums to one of the Swiss environmental funds.
The same Breitling, as well as IWC and a number of others, even earlier began to create watch straps from recycled materials. This topic sounds quite loud also because there is a growing condemnation in the world about the use of natural leather.
The renowned brand Ulysse Nardin has taken an interesting path - fishing nets that have served their time and remained in the sea began to be actively used here. They also do not neglect plastic bottles, dead shells and algae - everything goes into action! The company presented the Diver Net watch, its case is made of polyamide obtained from old nets pulled out from the bays, and the strap is made of plastic waste found also in the sea. Moreover, even the traditional sapphire crystal has been replaced here with innovative ceramic - the process of its production is more environmentally friendly.
At Watches & Wonders-2021, the renowned Panerai company unveiled the Submersible eLAB-ID ™ watch, which is 98,6% recycled. They use EcoTitanium ™ eco-titanium alloy (more than 80% recycled), eco-luminescent coating (100%), recycled silicon (100%). And most of the other parts, from sapphire crystal to gold hands, are made from recycled materials.
Panerai also presented the Luminor Marina eSteel at the same time, made using an innovative recycled steel alloy. That is, not only waste plastic was used, but also scrap metal ...
Finally, we mention a well-known invention from the field of high technology - namely, the use of solar energy. Within the scope of our topic, it is essential for quartz watches, and a number of prominent brands use solar cells instead of chemical ones, which are very toxic waste at the end of their life. Japanese brands are very active in this direction - for example, Seiko.
Improving production ecology
As we have already said, the watch industry consumes incomparably less energy than, for example, the auto industry. Not to mention metallurgy and the like. Nevertheless, reducing the level of harmful emissions into the environment is a worthy contribution of watch companies to the common cause. So the brands IWC and Panerai mentioned above (and a number of others) are radically transferring their factories and even offices to "green" energy supply.
Well, and what remains in the traditional hydrocarbon energy, they are diligently and thoughtfully rebuilding, in every possible way reducing its use. The transport aspect is also significant - recall the above-mentioned efforts of Breitling to optimize logistics.
Donations, agitation, propaganda
Many of those watch companies, which have not yet come to the environmental friendliness of their products and their production processes, strongly support the activities of the relevant non-profit organizations. And their products are often devoted to the problems of saving and preserving nature. For example, the Carl F. Bucherer brand has long collaborated with the Manta Trust, releasing watches dedicated to giant stingrays and donating a significant share of the proceeds from sales to this fund.
Breguet and the Race for Water Foundation outfitted the Odyssey around the world in the world's largest solar-powered ship to raise public awareness of ocean pollution by plastic waste.
Blancpain has established the Ocean Commitment Fund, with the active support of which the area of protected water areas is growing worldwide. Every year the brand releases a new limited edition of Fifty Fathoms watches and 1000 euros of the cost of each piece goes to finance environmental projects.
Seiko runs its own charity program, Save the Ocean, to explore and conserve the marine environment. The company regularly releases new models of watches of the collection of the same name, the proceeds also go to finance these noble goals.
Others are not lagging behind - Oris, Chopard, Rolex ... you can list more.
Well, the matter is important and even sacred. Let's hope that the efforts of the watch brands will help the common cause - the preservation of life on our planet.
