A watch is one of the most practical things we wear. So why not also make it one of the most sustainable? As more brands acknowledge the struggles that our planet is facing, they make a conscious effort to change their manufacturing process and make it more environmentally friendly. While brands may claim to be ‘sustainable’ it is important to check this further. They could put this claim out there and fool you into thinking they’re helping the planet when they could be harming it. To help you with your decisions, we have curated this short guide on the best sustainable watch brands for 2024. Whether it’s the materials they use or their manufacturing process, these brands all contribute to saving the planet and making it a more sustainable place.
Our Best Sustainable Watch Brands for 2024
Skagen
From manufacturing methods to raw materials, Skagen is constantly looking for new ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Collaborating with community-sensitive partners and using materials that have the least impact on the environment are just some of the ways that the Danish brand is showcasing its sustainable nature. As well as this, both their product and postal packaging are made from FSC-certified 100% recycled content. Bettering the planet one step at a time, Skagen promises to be transparent and share how they’re evolving as a brand that places sustainability at their core.
Skagen Women’s Grenen Lille | White Dial | Nude Leather Strap SKW3079
Standing out with its minimalist Scandinavian design, this watch follows a stone grey and rose gold colour scheme. For a classic look, the white dial is complemented by rose gold-coloured hands and Arabic numeral indices. A K1 mineral crystal protects the dial, so durability levels are great. Framing the dial is a 26mm rose gold-tone stainless steel case. Made from at least 50% recycled stainless steel, it showcases the sustainable nature of the watch perfectly. Completing the design of the watch is a stone-grey leather strap. Fastening with a single prong strap buckle, it provides optimal comfort to the wearer. Moreover, the watch is powered by a solar-powered three hand movement. From full charge, the watch has a power reserve of 6 months, and when you need to charge it again, just place it in either natural or artificial light.
Mondaine
As a pioneer in moving the watch industry towards a greener future, Mondaine’s stance on sustainability is nothing but the best. Receiving global recognition for its efforts, the Swiss brand has always been ahead of its time. Standing out from its competitors, Mondaine is the first company in the world to offer watch recycling and among the world’s first comprehensively carbon-neutral watch brands and companies (from 2020 onwards) to follow the 3R rules: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. In addition, as part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, all of their watch collections are now available with vegan straps; made from recycled plastic bottles, cork, cotton and grape leather. These efforts, alongside many more, certainly make Mondaine one of the best sustainable watch brands for 2024.
Mondaine Essence 41mm | Deep Ocean Blue Strap | Blue Dial MS1.41140.LD
Through the Essence collection, Mondaine is making strides towards sustainability; this model makes no exceptions. While the watch retains the brand’s iconic look, it showcases Mondaine’s quest to reimagine the timepiece in an eco-friendly way. The watch’s tone-on-tone blue case is made of Ricinus oil-based polyamide and measures 41mm in diameter. Keeping true to the Swiss Railway Clock, the deep ocean blue dial is contrasted by white rectangular hands and indices. As well as this, the dial features a red seconds hand shaped to resemble a train dispatcher’s baton. A hardened mineral crystal protects the dial. Completing the watch’s design is a blue fabric strap. The strap is made from recycled material and has a skin-friendly natural cork lining. Most importantly, the watch is completely vegan and it has been assembled with up to 80% power from Mondaine’s own photovoltaic system.
Swatch
Swatch may not initially come to mind when thinking of the best sustainable watch brands for 2024. However, they are a brand that strives to ensure that resources are used efficiently and that their products are marketed in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Shaping the future of watchmaking, Swatch have created the unique composition of BIOCERAMIC which makes for a versatile and durable material. Thanks to this, Swatch can get even more creative with their shapes, crowns and bezels. The innovation also continues Swatch’s efforts in sourcing for sustainable materials, which started from their first line of bio-sourced watches launched in September 2020.
Swatch Big Bold Bioceramic Colours of Nature Forest SB03G100
Inspired by Mother Nature, this oversized Bog Bold watch features a solid dark green dial. Black hour, minute and second hands adorn the dial, and to evoke a sense of adventure, the second hand is shaped like a compass needle. For optimal readability, white superlight features on the black hands. A light green bioceramic 47mm case frames the dial. Made from a mix of zirconium oxide ceramic powder and biosourced material derived from castor oil, the case and bezel both have unparalleled strength and softness. Securing the watch to the wrist is a matte green silicone strap with a light green print. In honour of majestic rainforests, this watch is all about tall trees and dense foliage. Hence, makes total sense that sustainable materials have been used in its construction.
Oris
Luxury watches have always been about communicating more than the time. What gets Oris across is its maker’s sustainability program. In 2021, the Swiss brand became climate-neutral and as a result, now frequently collaborates with conservation organisations. Each year, Oris is striving to improve their carbon footprint and they’re making good progress! Oris has a mission to bring change for the better, and the bold steps that they’re taking are guiding them in the right direction. While the steps are brave, Oris remains ambitious. The environmental crisis that the planet is facing motivates the brand and pushes it to achieve its sustainability goals.
ORIS Aquis Date Upcycle Automatic (41.5mm) Multicoloured PET Recycled Dial / Stainless Steel Bracelet 01 733 7766 4150-SET
This watch, with a 41.5mm case, is particularly special. The PET plastic recycling process produces random patterns, so no two dials are the same. Sharing a design with the popular Aquis Date models, this watch has a stainless steel case and bracelet as well as a uni-directional diver’s bezel with a scratch-resistant grey ceramic insert. For added functionality, a white minutes scale features on the bezel and a date aperture sits at the 6 o’clock position on the dial. A sapphire crystal, with an anti-reflective coating on both sides of the glass, protects the dial. Not only does it provide high clarity but it also provides great levels of durability. Aided by its screw-down crown, this model has a water resistance of 300 metres (30 bar). Moreover, the watch is powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. Wear this Aquis Date Upcycle and join Oris in reducing the world’s ocean plastic crisis.
Maurice Lacroix
Maurice Lacroix believes that responsible businesses should endeavor to minimise the environmental impact of their actions. For this reason and many more, they are undoubtedly one of the best sustainable watch brands for 2024. In 2022, the luxury Swiss brand announced a new partnership with #tide; a specialist in upcycling ocean-bound plastic waste. As part of this initiative, Maurice Lacroix sponsored plastic collection activities, payed for longtail boats and funded educational programmes. Only 9% of plastic in the world is recycled, but Maurice Lacroix wished to change this. Making the oceans cleaner and playing a part in making the planet a little better is what Maurice Lacroix wishes to achieve.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Quartz #TIDE Upcycled-Plastic (40mm) FIBA 3×3 Special Edition AI2008-00YZ1-000-0
Contributing to a better tomorrow, this sustainable watch places a white dial with a “3×3” pattern at its centre. Providing optimal timekeeping in low-light situations, the watch comes with luminescent hands and indices. There is also a date display window at the 3 o’clock position. A 40mm #tide case frames the dial. Made from a mix of upcycled ocean plastic and glass fibre, the material is extremely durable. In addition, its production has a much smaller carbon footprint than virgin plastic. To make sure the watch is suitable for daily wear, it has a water resistance of 100 metres (10 bar) and an anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the dial. Securing the watch to the wrist is a white rubber strap which features the Maurice Lacroix ‘m’ logo. The strap is finished with a #tide pin buckle, and thanks to the easy change system, you can swap it for other compatible options.
What did you think of our best sustainable watch brands for 2024? Which brand would you consider buying a sustainable timepiece from? Let us know in the comments!
