How can you keep track of time—without stealing it from the planet and future generations? That is the matter at hand (err…wrist), which is why we’re talking about sustainable watches.
From using low-impact materials to designing extra long-lasting batteries, there are many things watchmakers can do to get their environmental practices on (c)lock.
So to that end, we’ve curated a list of our favorite timepieces made by brands that tick those boxes, as well as ensure ethical labor practices and low-waste packaging.
Note: Our brand rating system assesses brands based on multiple sustainability-related criteria, including things like climate action, biodiversity impact, and ethics in the supply chain. Brands need to opt in to be rated. You can find rated brands in our directory.
We independently research all featured brands, and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. We explain this further in our Terms of Use.
Make Time For These Sustainable Watch Brands
TRIWA takes a stand against conflict metals by recycling illegal firearms and turning them into their innovative solar-powered watches.
For keeping time with timeless styles, Danish brand Nordgreen offers a durable, versatile selection of ethically made watches featuring non-toxic materials and interchangeable straps. We were super impressed with the quality and design of all three of the styles we tested.
If you prefer a pop of color on your wrist, Swiss company Mondaine provides the bling by turning recycled PET bottles into classic analog timepieces.
Index: Eco-Friendly Watches
- Original Grain Jump to brand
- Mondaine Jump to brand
- Triwa Jump to brand
- Tense Jump to brand
- Nordgreen Jump to brand
- Solios Jump to brand
Original Grain
About Original Grain
Price Range: $189–$639
No two watches are the same from Original Grain. Their wooden watches are made from unique and sustainable sources, like harvested wood burls or an old seat from Yankee Stadium.
For example, the Reclaimed Military watches are their version of eco-friendly military watches—in a much more literal sense considering they’re made of reclaimed ammo wood crates.
Original Grain’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Much of the wood used for each watch case is reclaimed, and sourced from the likes of oak beer barrels, ammo crates, bourbon barrel crates, tequila barrel wood, guitar wood, and retired MLB Stadium seats.
Their virgin woods—Ebony, rosewood, African Sapele wood, mahogany, oak, zebrawood, ashwood—are all FSC certified. That’s paired with a 316L Stainless Steel frame, durable steel band, and a battery that lasts 2-3 years.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Original Grain high-quality wooden watches are assembled via handcrafting in China. We’ve reached out to learn more about what worker protections are in place at this factory but have yet to receive a reply.
Carbon comittments & green practices:
All watches come with a comprehensive one-year warranty.
Mondaine
About Mondaine
Price Range: $220–$795
Over half a century old, Mondaine might just be the oldest of all ethical watch brands. They made the world’s first solar-powered analog wristwatch and have been utilizing recycled materials for three decades.
They have several collections of men’s and women’s recycled watches but their most sustainable watch collection is the Essence Collection.
Mondaine’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
The Essence Collection features recycled PET bottles for straps, cork fabric lining, and a partial castor bean “wondertree” oil case. They come in a recycled PET case that doubles as a cell phone or eyeglass sleeve.
Most of Mondaine’s watches feature steel, the majority of which is recycled. Some watch bands are made of leather, sourced as a byproduct of the meat industry and tanned with RoHS-compliant chrome-free methods. They use no diamonds and only a few grams of gold per year.
Supply chain & labor practices:
All watches are handcrafted in their own factory in Biberist, Switzerland. By helping create jobs for the mentally impaired, they’ve been honored with the Social Star of Solothurn.
As for suppliers, they regularly monitor compliance to their ILO-approved Code of Conduct.
Carbon comittments & green practices:
Not only do the solar watches run on solar powered quartz movements, but are themselves made by solar powered machinery, powering 80% of their factory. They’ve achieved carbon neutrality by supporting tropic reforestation projects of the Fairventures Organization to offset the entirety of their carbon footprint.
Mondaine offers repairs and a free metal watch recycling program (of any brand), the first brand in Switzerland to do so.
This member of the ecology-minded company leadership program öbu also has an energy efficient HQ, in-house recycling, uses sea freight shipping and FSC certified packaging, and more that can be found in their sustainability report.
Triwa
About TRIWA
Price Range: $149–$299
TRIWA, short for Transforming the Industry of Watches, likes to think of themselves as “norm challengers and innovators in an industry that needs transforming.”
Combining Scandinavian simplicity with silhouettes, they cater to the passive and active watch enthusiast alike with sports watches (with 5 to 10 ATM resistance) and sleeker ethical modern watches. Shop four different collections of both quartz and solar powered watches: Time for Oceans, Time for Solar, Time for Peace, and Time to Talk.
TRIWA’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
For their Humanium recycled watches, TRIWA’s uses Humanium metal, made from recycled illegal firearms sourced from local authorities in El Salvador and IM Sweden. The Time for Oceans line creates both straps and cases from recycled ocean plastic.
While they use real leather for some of their straps, they source it from Swedish organic tannery Tärnsjӧ, known for its use of chrome-free vegetable tanning processes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
TRIWA’s recycled watches are designed and made in Sweden, using Miyota watch movements made in Japan. Factories are visited twice a year to ensure TRIWA’s ethical standards are upheld.
Carbon comittments & green practices:
Aside from reducing waste through recycled materials, TRIWA also uses the smallest packaging sizes they can. The first company to receive The 2030 Certification by Doconomy, each sustainable watch has a “cradle-to-gate” calculated carbon footprint score.
Community & charitable giving:
15% of every watch in the Time for Peace collection currently supports IM Sweden’s work in Ukraine. 15% of every Ocean Plastic – Sea Shepherd recycled ocean plastic watch goes to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
My Personal Review of TRIWA’s Black Solar Recycled Watch:
“I had the opportunity to test out the Black Solar Recycled watch, and I’m impressed by its design. The large face offers a great combination of readability and sleek, minimalist style. It also has glow-in-the-dark hands and is powered by the VS22B Solar movement, which charges in both natural and artificial light, lasting for months without needing a recharge. Even if I take a break from wearing it and store it for a while, it keeps time accurately. I also love that the recycled plastic canvas strap is comfortable enough to wear all day while still being highly durable.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Tense
About Tense
Price Range: $160–$390
Tense’s makes us feel anything but with their stunning collection of sustainable wood watches, which are fully customizable with laser engraving. The Cambridge Chrono represents Tense’s unique range of mechanical eco-friendly watches. It features three sub-dials showing hours, seconds, and minutes.
For those who prefer digital watches, you can forget the movement and just buy Apple Watch compatible wooden straps.
Tense’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Tense’s face frames are made from 100% recycled or reclaimed wood.
The most sustainable watch bands are also made out of this, but some feature Italian leather bands or vegan leather bands. They don’t specify what the vegan leather is made out of and have yet to respond to our inquiries on this. Because vegan leather can sometimes be made of less-than-sustainable types of plastic (like PVC) we recommend avoiding.
All feature a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal face and corrosion-resistant surgical grade 316 stainless steel hardware.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Handmade in Canada, each sustainable watch comes from Tense’s own Vancouver workshop. The premium movements are sourced from Switzerland (Rondo 6004D) and Japan (Miyota).
Carbon comittments & green practices:
Aside from being a certified carbon responsible business, each environmentally friendly watch comes with a two-year warranty and waterproof ratings up to 5 ATM.
Nordgreen
About Nordgreen
Price Range: $169–$372
Nordgreen is a Danish eco-friendly watch brand founded by two friends and watch enthusiasts. Their sustainable luxury watches are for those looking for ultra-classic, timeless (well, you get the idea) styles, like linked metal or leather bands.
Nordgreen’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
All Nordgreen watches are made with conflict-free, non-toxic materials, meaning no phthalate plasticizers or heavy metal stabilizers.
Choose between interchangeable straps of either stainless steel mesh, stainless steel links, recycled microfiber vegan leather, rubber, and LWG-certified Italian leather (only navy, white, and grey leather straps are LWG-certified).
Supply chain & labor practices:
This Certified B Corp’s ethically made watches are manufactured in a Danish-owned Chinese factory under European workforce standards.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Nordgreen recaptures and reuses at least 99% of manufacturing solvents, ships in FSC-certified cardboard, and offsets their plastic use through CleanHub. In addition to providing carbon-neutral shipping, they have a carbon-neutral office in Copenhagen, and over 90% of their team uses the trusty bicycle to commute to work.
They promote product circularity by allowing you to buy refurbished watches.
Community & charitable giving:
Through the brand’s Giving Back Program, each watch sold means a generous contribution to one of three different NGOs located in the Central African Republic, India, and Latin America. Customers may choose between providing clean water to those without, funding two months of education to underprivileged children, or preserving 200 square feet of rainforest.
They also create regular limited edition product collaborations to support other NGOs, like the Copenhagen Cartel collection that sees proceeds to Healthy Seas.
My Personal Review of Nordgreen’s Watches:
“I got to test three of Nordgreen’s watches, and if you asked which is my favorite, it’s definitely the Philospher—which isn’t to say the others aren’t stellar. This one is just perfect for me! I love the durability and versatility, thanks to its brushed metal body that doesn’t show wear and interchangeable strap design. I went with the flexible stainless steel mesh for its weatherproofing and am so pleased with how light and non-abrasive it feels.
For something a little more flashy and feminine, I’d suggest the Unika with a polished metal chain strap, which I also tested out. It looks and feels very dainty on the wrist while still featuring a robust build. The latch is a little tricky to do yourself until you get the hang of it, but afterward, it’s not so bad. Finally, the Native with a white dial and brown leather strap combo is ideal for those looking for an absolutely timeless timepiece.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Solios
About Solios
Price Range: $265–$355
Inspired by the forward-thinking city they’re based in—Montreal—Canada’s best eco-friendly watch brand Solios is driven by inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability.
Enter: eco-friendly solar watches with quartz mechanics that can run for six months on just a couple hours of sunlight or artificial UV light—total!
More than 300 million disposable watch batteries are produced every.single.year. If these batteries only last one or two years, that’s 300 million batteries hitting the landfill per annum. Compare that to a Solios battery which is rated to last 50 years. We thought portable solar panels were something but these are a no-brainer.
You’d never guess such a powerful solar movement dwells within a dainty recycled stainless steel design like the Solar Mini.
Solios’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
All of Solios’ solar powered watches feature either a metal mesh or PVC and PU-free Eco Leather (silicone) band.
They’re combined with a 100% recycled plastic microfiber inlay, 100% recyclable stainless steel body, and sapphire-coated glass face.
Their case is made of 316L stainless steel because it’s hypoallergenic, recycled and recyclable, and more durable and anti-corrosive than 314 stainless steel or other metals.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Solios was the first ethical watch brand to become a Certified B Corp. They personally audit all factories and enforce “responsible procurement” via their Supplier Code of Conduct for suppliers located in Canada, USA, Japan, Switzerland and Hong Kong.
Carbon comittments & green practices:
Solios allows you to recycle any watch in exchange for $50 of store credit. The ionic plating process they use has been designed to be as sustainable as possible, limiting contamination of soil and water.
They’ve done away with styrofoam and plastic in the watch production and transportation process. Product packaging consists of 100% recycled and recyclable FSC-certified cardboard, natural ink, and organic glue.
They recycle their organic waste, carbon offset business trips, use hydroelectricity to power their office, and have also partnered with tentree in their Climate+ program.
How We Found The Most Sustainable Watches
Regardless if it’s digital or analog, sometimes it’s difficult to tell the time when it comes to truly sustainable eco-friendly watches.
So what is a sustainable watch?
With any kind of sustainable and ethical jewelry, longevity and durability is key, which can be difficult to find in our world of planned obsolescence.
Beyond longevity, we referred to the following criteria:
Materials:
What is the most eco-friendly watch?
The best choice in materials are sustainable wood watches (recycled wood better still), as these can one day biodegrade if properly disassembled.
Other sustainable options include sustainable silicon watches, and those made of recycled materials (like certified recycled stainless steel and recycled plastic bottles), PVC-free vegan leather, and conflict-free metals.
If you’re asking, “How do watches affect the environment?” then be sure to keep their batteries in mind, as battery waste (and all the toxic chemicals that leach from them) is part of the largest impact area of watches.
For that reason, solar powered watches take the cake. Those with conventional batteries should be designed to last as long as possible (2-3 years seemed to be a common benchmark).
- Certifications: Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Recycle Standard (GRS), Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive(RoHS), Leather Working Group (LWG)
Supply chain & labor practices:
The making of products is just as important as the product itself, so we took the time to explore what each brand is doing—from product conception to clocking time.
We looked at codes of conduct, talked to the sustainable watch brands about how they choose their factories, and ensured they aren’t involved in anything like child labor, unfair pay, or unsafe working conditions.
- Certifications: Social Accountability International (SA8000), B Corporation (B Corp), International Labour Organization (ILO), ISO, fair trade
Green business practices:
Here we look at how brands ensure their products can stand the test of time. Durable materials, repair and recycle programs, and long-lasting batteries prevent unnecessary landfill waste.
We also looked for brands that enacted workplace practices to greenify their operations (like carbon offset programs and recycled materials for packaging).
Community & charitable giving:
Aside from giving the gift of time, some of the best eco-friendly watches also give time back to the world by supporting organizations solving social and environmental problems.
Final Thoughts On Eco-Friendly Watches
If you’re in the market for a new timepiece, remember the most eco-friendly watches are those already on your wrist. Or, if you don’t have a watch (or it’s no longer functional), have you considered an antique or vintage alternative?
Failing pre-loved timepieces, supporting one of these brands will certainly come in handy (er, wristy?). Have a friend who could also use a green hand?
Share this list of the best sustainable watches with them so we can all extend the time for our planet instead of stealing it.
Jenny is a UK-based sustainability writer and tea-drinker extraordinaire who has a Masters in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh. Her travels have taken her to organic permaculture farms in the UK and Nepal but you’ll mostly find her working on the veg patch with a garden fork in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Jenny writes for ethical brands and purpose-powered publications on a broad range of sustainable living and conscious consumerism topics. She is passionate about organic and regenerative farming, nature reconnection, and the small things we can do each day to better care for our planet.
