I want an environmentally friendly watch; Do they actually exist?

You try to live as sustainably as possible. You separate your waste, eat organic and buy as much ecological clothing as possible. But now you need a (new) watch. Environmentally friendly watches, do they actually exist? Yes! More and more brands are bringing watches to the market that are made wholly or partly from natural, recycled or biodegradable materials.

Which watches are really completely sustainable?

Fortunately, there are more and more watch manufacturers who consider sustainability to be of paramount importance. They think about the choice of materials, but also about working conditions and the origin of materials. On our page about environmentally friendly watches we have collected all watches from our collection that are largely produced sustainably and made from recyclable materials or materials of natural origin. Brands such as Citizen, Mondaine and Swatch are at the forefront of these developments.

What is an eco-friendly watch?

The criteria for what exactly is an environmentally friendly watch are not (yet) fixed. An eco label does not yet exist for this sector. The choice of almost completely sustainable watches is also limited at the moment. Nevertheless, you can already make a more sustainable choice from our regular watch collection if you pay attention to the following:

Choose timeless quality and a neutral color

As with the choice of any utensil, a simple rule actually applies: choose quality. Do not go with the latest trends that quickly get boring or for a simple product that does not last long. Choose a timeless design of solid quality that you will enjoy for years to come.

Tip: A watch in one of the basic colours silver, gold, rose gold and black suits different clothing styles and looks less dated than a watch in a bright color or with a print. The more minimal the design, the more neutral. That makes the watch less fashion-sensitive.

Automatic and solar are more environmentally friendly than quartz

A (digital) quartz watch contains a battery. Harmful substances are used in the production and processing of batteries. An automatic watch - which is wound up by your own movements - is the most sustainable choice. An automatic watch, if you maintain it properly, can last a lifetime.

A solar watch is also more eco-friendly than quartz, but less eco-friendly than an automatic watch. Because a solar watch also contains a battery. This rechargeable battery rarely needs to be replaced, but it still remains a battery.

Tip: If you choose quartz or solar, always hand in the old battery at a collection point after replacement. When you have your watch battery replaced with us or a jeweller's, the watchmaker will make sure it is recycled.

Charities

Some brands join organizations that strive to conserve nature and biodiversity. For example, Bering offers some models of which part of the proceeds go to Polar Bears International, Certina supports the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Seiko Save The Ocean conservation projects.

Are smartwatches sustainable?

Smartwatches as well as smartphones, due to rapidly developing technology, only last for a limited time and are usually discarded. If you still want a smartwatch, look for a model where the software can be updated and the battery lasts a long time.

Are vegan watches available?

Are you a vegan, vegetarian, or just concerned with the fate of animals, then choose a watch with a strap that is not made of leather. Steel or titanium are strong and last a long time. If you don't like to wear metal, you can of course opt for a plastic or silicone strap. But rather choose a strap made from a natural or recycled material.

Various watches are available with cork, wood, vegan leather or recycled plastic straps.

Do not buy a new watch

Huh, what? But you are a watch retailer, right? That's right. We are watch specialists. And that means that you can not only come to us for a new watch, but that we also want to do everything we can to give your old watch a new life. 

We offer a large selection of watch straps, buckles, repair kits and batteries so you can update your old watch.

Sustainable watch developments

Unfortunately, a 100% sustainable watch does not exist yet, but there is more and more choice for people who find sustainability important. Of course we keep a close eye on all watch developments and as soon as new sustainable watches come on the market we add them to our collection.

Need help finding your sustainable watch? Our Customer Service colleagues are happy to help.