Watchmakers have long been fascinated by materials and the design and technical possibilities they hold. Now, more sustainable options are also tempting some brands, which have been experimenting with everything from ceramic to bark, creating a new breed of more eco-friendly watch. Here are three tempting timepieces from the new guard working to improve sustainability in the industry.
Rado
Rado has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to experimenting with materials, with its light and colourful ceramic collections both technically accomplished and appealingly design-led. Now, its Captain Cook watch collection has for the first time been crafted from high-tech ceramic, the hypoallergenic and scratch-resistant material Rado has long championed. The new Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic is available in four versions, including in gleaming all-black.
Swatch
Swatch’s latest launch, the Big Bold Bioceramic, is made from one-third ceramic and two-thirds bio-sourced plastic in a sustainably minded design. It builds on a collection made from bio-sourced plastic – created from a base of castor seeds – that launched last year, and sees the material mixed with ceramic for a silky, strong finish. The natural result can be seen in the white model, while the four other models feature added pigment to create the familiar, cheerfully bright Swatch hues. The bioceramic’s thermal properties mean it quickly adapts to the temperature of your body and is light to wear, making it a natural choice for use in all Swatch’s main product lines – something the company plans on actioning by the end of the year.
Skagen
Skagen’s new collection of watches, Aaren Naturals, is deliberately Earth-friendly, with each component carefully considered for its sustainability. Stainless steel is partly recycled, and in place of leather there is Mulberry bark, cork and apple-based alternatives. ‘Skagen is a brand influenced by Danish design, and we often look to Denmark for inspiration with the progressive steps it has made when it comes to sustainability,’ says chief brand officer Steve Evans. ‘Our teams are working diligently to transform our processes from sourcing to design, for a greater, more sustainable future. We are excited to share more on our sustainability efforts in the coming months.’
Panatere
Not a producer of watches, but a supplier of recyled and recyclable steel to manufacturers, Panatere is a key player in a more sustainable watchmaking future. The Swiss company is working to create sustainable raw materials for use in both the watch and medical industries, with manufacturing processes that are almost carbon neutral. Currently, Panatere produces 50 tonnes of fully recycled and recyclable steel annually; by working with a local solar furnace, it hopes to quadruple this output and also hugely lower the carbon footprint that traditionally comes with steel production.
-
Aesop’s Queer Library bookmarks brilliant literature, no purchase requiredReturning to London’s Soho, 3-6 July 2025, the Queer Library pop-up offers complimentary books by LGBTQIA+ authors and allies
-
Wangechi Mutu's powerful sculptures take over the palatial interiors of Rome's Galleria BorgheseThe Kenyan-born artist is the first living woman to have a solo exhibition at the villa
-
Il Sereno’s new Listening Suite is what phonophiles’ dreams are made ofDesigned by Patricia Urquiola and Il Sereno founder and audiophile Luis Contreras, the new Lake Como-facing suite unites Japanese listening culture with Italian design
-
Meet the young watchmakers stirring up the industryLoupes at the ready, these artisans are ones to 'watch'
-
Take a look at the big winners of the watch world OscarsThe Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is the Oscars for the watch world – get all the news on the 2024 event here
-
Why are watch designers so drawn to brutalism?Watch brands looking for ways to break the conservative mould look to brutalist architecture and 1970s design codes
-
Classic watch designs to last a lifetimeWhen considering which watch design to invest in, disregard trends and consider classic pieces characterised by timeless design
-
Browns and Mad Paris rethink Audemars Piguet Royal OakWatch customisation specialist Mad Paris has developed two new versions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak for Browns
-
Boundary-breaking Chanel watch is tweaked for a new generationThe Boy.Friend Skeleton appeals to both men and women with its distinctive octagonal silhouette
-
On the button: Chanel's perfectly hidden timepieceThe ‘Mademoiselle Privé Bouton’ watch is everything but off the cuff
-
Sound bite: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s contemporary art celebrates acoustic watchesJaeger-LeCoultre and Swiss artist Zimoun have collaborated on an artwork to commemorate the 150 year anniversary of its first minute repeater
