Mondaine Brings You Essence – A Truly Natural Design Classic
Mondaine has once again proved it is at the forefront of watchmaking with the launch of its newest model, the Mondaine Essence. The new Mondaine Essence marks a new era for the brand, built with sustainable materials, perfect for the stylish man or woman who is also eco-concious.
Developed using eco-friendly sources, its made from recycled and renewable materials such as Rizinus (castor oil), natural rubber and recycled PET bottles The stunning new collection uses 41% Rizinus for its case, natural rubber for the strap and recycled PET bottles for is mutli-purpose pouch. Other materials include glass powder and 26% fossil plastics allowing the wearer to be fashion conscious as well as eco-concious. Mondaine had one aim, to make these modern creations not only clean and simple in design but considerate to the world we live in.
The full watch materials specifications are:
Watch Case Materials:
41% Rizinus (castor plant), 30% Glass, 2% Black Color pigments, 27 % Fossil based plastics
Watch strap:
The strap is based on 38 % of natural rubber and extremely comfortable to wear and on top very durable.
PET Pouch:
The perfect match to underline the topic “sustainability” material – the felt pouch is made from recycled PET bottles. The packaging is specially designed for a second use as a smart phone pouch.
Today’s younger generation is taking an increasingly stronger stance on environmental issues and the effects that certain materials have on our planet so to be in keeping with this change Mondaine have designed their new timepieces to be supportive of their aims.
The challenge Mondaine faced was how to make these new models in keeping with the key markers of the Mondaine brand DNA. Their new Essence collection successfully blends classic Swiss craftsmanship with sustainable and renewable eco friendly materials that are better for the planet. They wanted to keep the model recognisable at a glance and they have done just that, the Mondaine Essence is instantly identifiable as Mondaine due to the unmistakable easy-to-read face, distinctive hands and the famous red seconds hand. The watch is housed in a thoughtfully-crafted soft grey highly tactile pouch. The material that Mondaine chose actually has other uses beyond a cover for the watch, such as protection for a mobile phone; the eco-packaging made out of recycled PET bottles is the perfect partner to the Essence’s eco-conscious craftsmanship.
Product information:
MS1.32110.RB / Black case Ø 32mm / white dial / black strap based on natural rubber 16mm – RRP: £149.00
MS1.41110.RB / Black case Ø 41mm / white dial / black strap based on natural rubber 20mm – RRP: £149.00
MS1.32120.RB / Black case Ø 32mm / black dial / black strap based on natural rubber 16mm – RRP: £149.00
MS1.41120.RB / Black case Ø 41mm / black dial / black strap based on natural rubber 20mm – RRP: £149.00
Watch Case Materials:
41% Rizinus (castor plant)
30% Glass
2% Black Color pigments
27 % Fossil based plastics
About the origin material used in the Mondaine Essence:
The material used for the watch case is a polyamide provided by BASF SE which is partly based on renewable resources. The bio-based sebacic acid, which is used to produce the polyamide, originates from the castor oil plant. The most important characterictics are:
• High percentage of renewable resources (in comparison to other watch brands: over 70% less fossil based plastic in the case as 40% of the case content is made out of the Rizinus plant, 30% are
glass re-inforcement materials.)
• High strength and rigidity
• Very good impact strength
• Outstanding resistance to chemicals
• Unique surface appearance
Castor is cultivated from the seeds of the tropical “wonder tree” (ricinus communis) a kind of wolfs milfoil. The castor plant is mainly grown by small farmers in the tropics and subtropics. Its use also helps to strengthen the social sustainability of production. The castor seed itself is not edible. The oil is extracted from the seeds by a mechanical pressing process. The castor oil obtained is further processed in granulate form and processed as a bio-plastic in the case of the essence watch. Castor oil is increasingly becoming an important bio based raw material in the cosmetic and medical industry, and is sustainable and eco-friendly.
