Swatch and Panerai’s ‘green’ launches at Watches and Wonders 2021

Watch brands from both ends of the price spectrum talk sustainability

Panerai says it’s a watch with the highest percentage of recycled-based material ever made. It is constructed from 98.6% recycled elements by weight. The case, sandwich dial and bridges are composed of recycled titanium from the aviation industry. It has recycled SuperLuminova™ on its dial and hands, and recycled silicon for its movement escapement. From the sapphire crystal to the gold hands, most of the major components contain recycled-based material. At Geneva’s Watches and Wonders, CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue said they worked with 10 different suppliers for the recycled materials of this concept watch, and that they are willing to share these names and the process with their peers. This Swiss brand has a new style that blends ceramic with bio-sourced plastic from castor seeds. Beginning with five colours, the collection includes what Carlo Giordanetti, Swatch creative director and CEO of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, calls “an optimistic light blue” and the pillars of design — black and white. The new material is flexible and resilient, he observed during the virtual launch. Expecting it to be popular among 22-35-year-olds, he is certain the collection will also appeal to women (even if the Big Bold gets its name for its striking 47 mm watchcase).