Sustainable Watches

Sustainability is a topic that concerns us all and shapes our times. Naturally, the watch industry is not unaffected by this. But what makes a watch sustainable? What should the environmentally conscious watch fan consider when making their collection more sustainable? We take a close look at sustainable watches and provide inspiration for making purchasing decisions that consider the protection of nature and our planet.

Sustainability in luxury watches: An industry analysis

The luxury segment of fashion, jewelry, and watches isn't necessarily known for prioritizing sustainability in the design and production of its expensive products. However, in recent years, a certain "green" trend has certainly become apparent: More and more brands have begun to incorporate sustainability into their value system and, at least in part, align their products accordingly. At the same time, the number of companies that build their image from the outset on the above-average sustainability of the items they offer is growing. Modern brands, such as Kerbholz and nordgreen Copenhagen, make environmental friendliness a priority and demonstrate that solid quality and appealing designs can also be implemented sustainably.

There are now numerous approaches to more sustainable production of cases, dials, and straps. For example, many companies build cases from natural wood, such as walnut, maple, sandalwood, and teak, and even ensure that the material is sourced from sustainable forests. Some manufacturers use recycled paper or recycled plastic for various elements of their watch models, while others produce vegan straps and replace leather with plant-based materials, such as those based on apples, cacti, or cork.

Despite all these developments, the watch industry faces certain limitations when it comes to sustainable products. Watch movements rely on rare earth elements, and battery-powered watches always contain lithium, which is environmentally questionable. Therefore, producing a watch that is completely sustainable and environmentally friendly will be difficult. However, this does not mean that efforts to make timepieces more sustainable, for example, through the use of natural materials, are in vain. Even if perfection may not be achieved in this regard, every sustainable product sets an example and contributes to environmental protection.

Why vintage watches are sustainable

In our view, the most sustainable watch is one that isn't newly produced. Even the production of watches from natural materials requires energy. Accordingly, the most sustainable watch is a used vintage model—our specialty! At HORANDO, the search for high-quality CPO watches from renowned brands is over. With our large selection and variety of used models, we make it easy for our customers to make a sustainable choice.

Environmental benefits of buying vintage watches

A luxury vintage watch may not be made of wood, but of stainless steel, gold, or platinum, and may have a classic leather strap instead of a cork band, and therefore probably doesn't look like a particularly environmentally friendly product at first glance – yet that's exactly what it is. The production of wooden watches and other sustainable alternatives consumes electricity and water. It's also important to remember that even a watch made of renewable, natural materials on the outside still has a movement inside. This contains components from finite resources, the extraction of which is anything but environmentally friendly. This also applies to the vintage watch, of course, but it wasn't newly produced. The resources used in it don't have to be extracted twice for the watch to serve a second owner well. This makes buying used watches a responsible, sustainable decision and illustrates why CPO watches are sustainable watches, regardless of collection and design.

Longevity and timeless vintage pieces

The lifespan and useful life of a product determine its sustainability. Giving a used watch a long life in its "new home" is therefore far more sustainable than buying a new wooden watch every few years. While many other accessories quickly go out of fashion and are rarely worn for more than a season by the trend-conscious buyer, many CPO watches are also timeless classics, so you don't have to buy a new one to be "up-to-date."

The advantages of buying used watches

As an environmentally conscious watch lover, browsing through the diverse range of watches available on the market will naturally draw attention to watches made of wood and other natural materials, and perhaps be primarily interested in items explicitly advertised as sustainable. The obvious option of buying used watches is quickly overlooked. That's a shame, because the advantages of vintage watches are obvious:

Financial and environmental benefits

We've already explained in detail that buying a used watch makes sense from an ecological perspective. There are also financial advantages. And who doesn't like to save money when buying a watch? Compared to a brand-new watch, used models for men and women are often more affordable. The products, which are rigorously tested at HORANDO and are therefore guaranteed to be genuine and original, are often in immaculate condition, show no significant signs of wear, and function perfectly. This results in excellent value for the buyer. So, buying a sustainable watch doesn't have to be overpriced!

Unique history and charm of used pieces

A wristwatch that doesn't come directly from the manufacturer's warehouse, but has already spent several years in this world, often has significantly more charm than products that have just "rolled off the production line." In the eyes of some watch collectors, it's precisely the tangible history that a CPO model brings with it that makes it so authentic and valuable. This is a fascinating facet of used watches that you probably have to see for yourself to fully appreciate.

Sustainable watch models

Even though we believe used watches are the most sustainable choice, we'd like to take a brief tour of the market for wooden watches and introduce a few wristwatches made of natural wood. Nature-loving women and men who desire a watch made of solid wood will find what they're looking for at Holzkern, for example. The manufacturer, which also offers sunglasses and other accessories, includes the "Herbstdämmerung" model in a solid wood design made of maple and walnut among its many wooden watches for women, but also has sustainable watches with a stone dial in its range. The "Sommerabend" watch, for example, skillfully combines a walnut case with a leaf made of vibrantly marbled lapis lazuli.

The Kerbholz "CARLA" collection presents itself somewhat less wood-heavy, with only the frame of the dial and date display made of wood. The nordgreen "Native" watch dispenses with wood entirely, but demonstrates that a deceptively authentic leather look is possible even with 100% vegan designs. The black "alternative leather material," for which no animal was killed, looks extremely elegant and no less high-quality than comparable straps made of conventional leather.

The Laimer brand stands out from the crowd with solar-powered movements, such as those found in the "Milo Solar" men's and women's watches made of walnut wood with a date display and chronograph function. The company thus offers customers sustainable approaches that go beyond the material used for the case and dial. Also interesting about this brand is the selection of straps, which includes versions made of supple cork and robust felt.

Of course, we can only mention a tiny fraction of the products in the "wooden watches and co." category available on the market here. After all, there are now a great many products made from alternative, environmentally friendly materials. Women and men who don't want to buy a used watch but still want to make a sustainable choice should have no trouble finding something stylish for themselves.

Conclusion: The importance of a sustainable choice

Ultimately, the growing range of watches made of wood and similarly eco-friendly materials is a truly welcome development in the watch industry. After all, for the future of our planet, it is essential that society and industry—and thus also the watch world—become more environmentally conscious. Nevertheless, our position is clear: When it comes to sustainability, nothing beats a well-maintained pre-owned watch. At HORANDO, we currently have over 4,000 of these in stock, making our shop a promising starting point for anyone interested in sustainable watches but preferring luxury products from renowned designers and brands. With our wide product range full of authenticated branded products, we succeed in combining sustainability, quality, and pure luxury.