The luxury watch industry is getting on with the times. A slew of eco-friendly changes has altered standard manufacturing processes. Meanwhile, there has been a rising consumer demand for sustainable products. As a result, the luxury market today has changed its appearance. Compared to five years ago, it looks very different.
Luxury items such as jewelry have rightfully been linked with unethical business practices and the gross consumption of natural resources. However, as climate change and fair trade have entered the broader public consciousness, producers adapt and breathe new life into a once-struggling market. In watchmaking, changes have been dramatic to mirror the shift in the consciousness of both producers and consumers.
The question is, do sustainable watches change the game? Here is our answer:
Sustainable Materials
Luxury watches often have precious stones, leather, and metals that come with a high cost to the environment in their designs, in a prominent light. There is a serious debate, though, about the standards of eco-friendly production means. Many organizations, such as the Responsible Jewelry Council, promote environmentally-friendly manufacturing practices in the watchmaking and jewelry industries. On the other hand, watchhouses and producers also must meet green material sourcing standards to acquire RJC certification. However, it has been criticized for needing high standards for certification.
Several potentially harmful materials go into the production of a watch. Therefore, it is understandable that there is a demand to set higher standards for eco-friendly watch production.
Due to this sentiment, in 20019, Tag Heuer tried to address these issues. Their advertising campaign featured the slogan “What are you made of?” headlined by Leonardo DiCaprio, who was well-known for his environmental activism. Tag Heuer’s manufacturer tried to distinguish their new range of ethically and environmentally produced watches in a market once saturated with poor practices and dubious associations.
With their new campaign, Tag Heuer changed the change and consciousness of their consumers. On the other end of the scale, smaller manufacturers like Sprout have even made fashion timepieces from bamboo and organic cotton, which are not luxury, but truly eco-friendly.
Another good choice for a watch is the Seiko 5. From its end, Seiko has also been trying to improve itself regarding eco-friendly practices.
Green Power
The power source of these watches has also changed because of the shift of consciousness in the producers’ and consumers’ minds.
Since the inception of the first solar-powered watch in 1976, it has been the first time since solar-powered timepieces have become viable options for ethical and sustainable mass production. The Eco-Drive One piece, in particular, embodies the current peak of green power.
The production side, too, has been making efforts and strides. They now use LED light to reduce energy consumption.
Audemars Pigeut’s industrial building is the only one to have attained Minergie-ECO status in Switzerland; furthermore, this building operates entirely on hydraulic electricity.
Wrapping Up
Sustainable watches truly have changed the game. From using safer materials and challenging consumers’ mindsets, the watch industry has slowly been trying to improve itself.
Author’s Bio:
Luther Abrams is quite a jack of all trades type of guy. He loves exploring new things and cultivating his knowledge every now and then. Today, he grows more and more interested in jewelry and watches and even writes about such things in his free time.