Time for change: watches with eco credentials

23 Sep 2019 | Updated on: 27 Sep 2022 | By Dominic Jeffares

From the bottom of the sea to the boardroom, these dive watches signal a time of increasing eco awareness. After all, it isn't much fun diving into a sea full of plastic...

Fifty Fathoms Ocean Commitment III

When Blancpain launched the Fifty Fathoms in 1953, the horologer created, arguably, the blueprint for the modern dive watch. Paying tribute to the watch’s natural habitat, a percentage of Commitment III’s proceeds will go to Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment programme, which supports marine expeditions and conservation efforts.

£13,120, Blancpain, blancpain.com

Submersible Mike Horn Edition

Created with explorer Mike Horn, this Panerai watch is limited to just 19 pieces. The timepiece features a case made from EcoTitanium™ (recycled titanium championed by Panerai) and a recycled PET rubber strap. Owners are invited to participate in intensive training with Horn among the ice floes of the Arctic.

£34,800, Panerai, panerai.com

Patravi Scubatec Black Manta Edition

Carl F. Bucherer has joined forces with Manta Trust, a UK-based charity with the mission to protect the habitats of endangered manta rays. With an automatic helium release valve, depth rating of 500m, and a menacing DLC-coated titanium case and ceramic bezel, this horological predator of the ocean is a goodie in disguise.

£5,500, Carl F. Bucherer , carl-f-bucherer.com

Supermarine Waterman

A portion of the sales of Bremont’s Supermarine Waterman, which was tested by free diver Mark Healey, will benefit Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii. The S500 watch architecture, upon which the watch is based, is chosen by multiple military units and explorers all over the world. Limited to 300 pieces.

£4,395, Bremont , bremont.com

Big Bang Unico SORAI

You can’t fault Hublot on making a big bang of an entrance – pun intended. In partnership with SORAI (Save Our Rhinos Africa and India), Hublot has created this desert-inspired timepiece to highlight the endangered status of the horned beast. It’s time to buckle up folks.

£19,900, Hublot , hublot.com

Freak X in Carbonium

Carbonium® is space-grade stuff. A high-performance composite material only used by aeronautical engineers until now, its exceptional resistance-to-lightness ratio makes it the perfect candidate to employ in watchmaking. Ninety-five per cent of its composition is eco-sourced from carbon by-products in the aeronautical cycle.

£21,800, Ulysse Nardin, ulysse-nardin.com

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