Time Ahead
The future of watchmaking is all about upcycling to save the environment—and these brands are at the forefront.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN POZNIAK
MARKET EDITOR PAUL FREDERICK
CHOPARD Alpine Eagle XL Chrono in Lucent Steel A223 and ethical rose gold, $27,500; chopard.com
Developed in partnership with German welding manufacturer Voestalpine Böhler, the 70-percent recycled Lucent Steel A223 is a unique precious metal produced after four years of research. The high-performance, hypoallergenic steel is 50 percent harder than other steels and is prized for its signature lucent quality that gives it an ethereal incandescence.
ZENITH Defy Midnight with Snowflake strap, $9,000; zenith-watches.com
Partnering with LVMH start-up Nona Source, Zenith introduces seven haute couture watch straps hand-tailored from excess fabrics of different colors and textures. Featuring rubber backings, the straps are interchangeable using the Defy Midnight watch’s quick-strap-change mechanism.
MONTBLANC Summit Lite Smartwatch, $725; montblanc.com
Instead of using virgin aluminum, Montblanc sources a recycled aluminum that makes up 80 percent of the entire smartwatch case. Additionally, the packaging is made of 100-percent ecologically friendly recyclable paper.
ULYSSE NARDIN Marine Chronometer Torpilleur with R-Strap, $7,900;
ulysse-nardin.com
Focusing its sustainability efforts on ocean and marine life conservation, Ulysse Nardin’s environmental commitment follows United Nations guidelines and warns about plastic polluting the oceans with its new R-Strap made from recycled fishing nets for its Diver, Marine, and Freak watches.
PANERAI Submersible Chrono Mike Horn Edition, $20,500; panerai.com
Personalize it with three new UpCamo recycled straps inspired by the Italian military uniform and made of 100-percent upcycled fabric with black rubber. Comes in new recycled plastic watch box as well.
BREITLING Superocean Automatic 44 Outerknown, $4,150; breitling.com
Committed to clean oceans and beaches through its partnership with surfer Kelly Slater’s sustainable clothing brand Outerknown, Breitling’s new Superocean Outerknown dive watch also introduces 18 ecologically responsible straps crafted from a yarn of regenerated nylon waste, one source of which is fishing nets from the world’s oceans.
