I’d be in the video with Cher… showing my tattooed buttocks to all the world. Alas, I’m a pregnant green vegan in NYC watching the City be blanketed in snow, and thinking about eco time pieces. Married to a collector of Vintage Rolex’s, I have never cared much for watches since his obsession takes up enough time for the both of us. What’s the big deal with watches, I always thought.. my Blackberry gives me the time! But now, with the advent of all sorts of fabulously eco-friendly time pieces.. I may just go back on my anti-watch crusade and rock one of these new green pieces, or at least alternate it with my 80’s fabulous Ebel Bat Mitzvah watch.
Winner for overall design, color options, eco-perfection, and price? Sprout Watches. Made with a natural bamboo dial – left in its pure unpolished state with corn resin bezels and cases and organic cotton straps, and mercury free batteries.. these watches totally cannot be beat. AND they come in kids sizes, in tons of kid-friendly color combos! And they are cheap enough to buy two!
Perfect for your eco-guy; The Ray is a hand-built watch that has been designed to not only be built from recyclable materials, but also do so with a minimal carbon footprint. How, you may ask? Only 1,000 individually numbered watches were produced worldwide, it’s made from real ebony wood sourced from sustainable managed forests (which means that for every tree used another is planted.) The case and links are from solid chunks of wood, not laminate, and this wood was chosen for its high density and durable characteristics. How could it get greener? It’s made with 100% recyclable anti-allergy stainless steel, 100% recyclable aluminum, 100% recyclable mineral crystal, 100% solvent free links, and brass automatic movement. Why does this matter? An automatic movement watch needs no batteries, which reduces waste and extends the life of the product. A traditional battery operated movement has a life of 18 months compared to a never-ending automatic mechanical movement’s lifespan. How else is The Ray green? The company uses sea shipping, rather than airplanes, and also optimized the watch’s packaging which has saved 30% of CO2 emissions.
The Casio Baby-G is perfect for the on-the-go green globetrotter in your life. Equipped with a solar panel, you won’t have to worry about changing a battery. With atomic timekeeping you are sure to be on-time whether you are in the states, Europe or Japan.
And before you anti-consumerists get on our arse about shopping… we will remind you all that obviously, the greenest choice is to buy vintage, or ask your Grannie or Gramps for his/ her old time piece. We particularly love how many French women troll vintage stores for old pocket watches and wear them hooked on to a long chain around their neck. Tres chic! In the States, we recommend antique stores, Ebay, and estate sales!
But for those of you who want to support sustainable, ethical, green, modern new businesses, we are providing you with those options above! Now.. what time is it again?