Watchmaking and the environment

Watchmaking and the environment

THE WATCH FILES

Watchmaking and the environment

Environmental issues increasingly impact the way the global watch industry works. Europa Star has a selection of articles on this vital topic.

MycoWorks: spore-chic out to conquer luxury

MycoWorks: spore-chic out to conquer luxury

Biomaterials are making inroads in the luxury market. Few are as versatile as fungus. We met with MycoWorks, a US biotech company that is pioneering (...)

Breitling: update on an ambitious ESG approach

Breitling: update on an ambitious ESG approach

INTERVIEW

While Breitling consumed much more gold in 2023 than in 2022 (up from 602 to 902 kilos), it also succeeded in reducing emissions, despite the fact that (...)

Frugal luxury: the ultimate oxymoron?

Frugal luxury: the ultimate oxymoron?

Luxury companies seem to be aware of their impact, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies are flourishing. The stated aim is to create a (...)

The green galaxy of Leonardo DiCaprio

The green galaxy of Leonardo DiCaprio

INFOGRAPHIC

Leonardo DiCaprio has just entered the capital of Swiss watch company ID Genève. The actor has been a long-standing supporter of multiple initiatives in (...)

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Leonardo DiCaprio: Heavyweight support for ID Genève

Leonardo DiCaprio: Heavyweight support for ID Genève

Since its founding in 2020, the Swiss brand has been carving out a path with a bold vision: to produce the most eco-responsible watches possible. Although (...)

Oris: Dat Watt Limited Edition II

Oris: Dat Watt Limited Edition II

The second collaboration between Oris and the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, dedicated to the Wadden Sea, mimics the radiant green of the salt marshes of (...)

A partnership between ID Genève and Watches of Switzerland

A partnership between ID Genève and Watches of Switzerland

The Swiss start-up and one of the largest watch retailers in the world have announced a partnership built around environmental responsibility. ID Genève (...)

One step closer to organic watches?

One step closer to organic watches?

SUSTAINABILITY

Innovation is an area wide open to spurious claims of environmental benefits and promises to save the planet. Even so, there are a number of ideas out (...)

Feminine meets sustainable at Iris Alt.

Feminine meets sustainable at Iris Alt.

It could be argued that women still have limited options for their choice of timepiece. Gem-set iterations of men’s models or exuberant jewellery watches (...)

Web3 and sustainability: reconciling the irreconcilable?

Web3 and sustainability: reconciling the irreconcilable?

Not a day goes by without news that a brand is releasing an NFT, harnessing the possibilities of blockchain or investing in the metaverse. Is this really (...)

Breitling: “Our goal is to use only accredited and traceable sources”

Breitling: “Our goal is to use only accredited and traceable sources”

INTERVIEW

From 2025, Breitling will use only artisanal gold and lab-grown diamonds for its gold and gem-set watches. Over recent years the brand has been promoting (...)

Are you ready for radical solutions?

Are you ready for radical solutions?

EDITORIAL

Only radical solutions can create real change. But how do you steer an iceberg the size of Ireland, for example, never mind the entire world? What are (...)

From ego to eco

From ego to eco

EDITORIAL

The 2000s were all about tourbillons; the 2010s were a race for vintage; the decade that has just begun looks set to be all about who can be greenest. But (...)

Awake, watches and the fragility of the Earth

Awake, watches and the fragility of the Earth

CASE STUDY

Awake’s latest Mission to Earth model is inspired by the “Overview Effect”, which takes hold of astronauts who are lucky enough to see our planet from the (...)

“Through innovation, we will achieve 100% traceability”

“Through innovation, we will achieve 100% traceability”

CASE STUDY

As part of LVMH, Bulgari is required to follow sustainability objectives set at the group level. We spoke to Eleonora Rizzuto, Chief Ethics & (...)

Oris, a commonsense environmental approach

Oris, a commonsense environmental approach

CASE STUDY

A brand named after a river near its home village of Hölstein could not help but be environmentally conscious. Well before many other companies, Oris showed (...)

ESG: Chopard, the special case of a family company

ESG: Chopard, the special case of a family company

CASE STUDY

Chopard has been a pioneer in initiatives such as “ethical gold”, while remaining discreet (until now) about the results it has achieved. But the time has (...)

“The new customer experience is about environmental responsibility”

“The new customer experience is about environmental responsibility”

INTERVIEW

The environmental and social emergency is leading luxury companies, including watchmakers, to rethink their business models and accept a new level of (...)

The impact of gold: a visit to Metalor

The impact of gold: a visit to Metalor

ENVIRONMENT

Gold is one of the main sources of the watch industry’s environmental and social impact. To better understand the consequences of this supply, we went to (...)

Audemars Piguet, a quiet path towards sustainability

Audemars Piguet, a quiet path towards sustainability

CASE STUDY

The watch industry does not particularly stand out for its advances in social and environmental responsibility. A few brands are nevertheless pioneers. (...)

Introducing the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030

Introducing the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030

Aiming at common objectives of sustainable development and supported by both Kering and Richemont via Cartier, the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 (...)

Mondaine Group: sustainable lessons from the entry level

Mondaine Group: sustainable lessons from the entry level

ENVIRONMENT

Sustainability has become a hot topic in watchmaking. Luxury brands are starting to voice their willingness to improve their approach. But perhaps the most (...)

ID Genève, the circular challenge

ID Genève, the circular challenge

INNOVATION

Founded in December 2020 through a crowdfunding campaign, the Geneva-based watch brand immediately distinguished itself by the strength of its concept, (...)

Where does watchmaking stand on the sustainability scale?

Where does watchmaking stand on the sustainability scale?

ANALYSIS

With the rising evidence that our climate is changing and natural resources are being over-exploited, the issue of sustainable development is becoming (...)