The Best Brands of Sustainable Vegan Watches
Next time you need a new watch or watch strap, consider one of these alternative brands. All are vegan-friendly (so no leather straps) and top quality. All are also unique in offering something sustainable (the watch above is made from recycled furniture and railway sleepers!)
Recycle watch batteries (choking hazards) at jewellers.
Send broken and unused watches (and other jewellery) to Animals Asia, where the metal is used to raise cash for its work to help bears and other creatures abroad.
Watches Made from Recycled Furniture!
The Sustainable Watch Co (also sold at Etsy) offers a lovely range of vegan watches (in styles for men & women) all made from various woods, recycled from the furniture industry and even railway tracks.
The watches are carbon-neutral and sent in zero-waste packaging, and one tree is planted for each watch sold. Each watch and strap has a unique grain pattern and colour tone.
Some of the watches feature mechanical movement, which means movement will automatically wind the watch. It will stop after 38 to 40 hours in a static state. To fully re-wind, just turn the crown 360 degrees (20 times).
Votch: Vegan Watches for Men & Women
Votch (also sold at Immaculate Vegan and Shop Like You Give a Damn) is a wonderful company, which makes stunning vegan leather watches for men and women, along with straps, if you already own a watch.
Every Votch watch and strap is made from vegan leather, not animal hides. The brand uses a mix of innovative materials like Piñatex (made from pineapple leaf fibres), recycled PET, and other tested vegan alternatives.
The company was founded by a woman who read up on the leather industry, while in hospital with a skin condition. She promised that when recovered, she would launch a business to help prevent the leather industry, and has indeed done that. A portion of profits from each watch go to animal welfare charities.
Some Made with Solar Panels
Some of the watches are also solar-powered, so you don’t even need batteries. They feature solar panels beneath the face, so you only need a few hours of sunlight or daylight, to charge the battery for months.
Votch straps are soft, flexible and gentle against your wrist. Even though they skip animal leather, there’s no drop in comfort or quality. The vegan leather options hold up well against weather and daily use.
Votch puts charity at the heart of its brand. They partner with groups working for animal welfare and the environment. With each watch sold, Votch donates a share to these causes. They also use their voice to share facts on animal rights and green living. Every new collection shines a light on a different charity. It’s a small act, but it adds up over time.
A Wide Range of Styles
Many of the watches are made from apple leather (from the waste apple industry) or biodegradable bamboo leather. Also there are watches for small wrists in pretty pinks and fawns, along with more traditional metal watches, if you prefer.
Vegan Wristwatches from Barcelona
Hurtig Lane is a brand of quality vegan watches, created in the beautiful Spanish city of Barcelona. Designed to provide an alternative to leather, you can buy the entire watch, or just the straps, if you already own a watch.
The collection features many styles and designs, so you are sure to find something you like. Some are even made from cactus leather! The watches are in many styles from neutrals to pretty pinks.
Hurtig Lane’s mission starts with animal welfare. Every watch is made from cruelty-free materials. The straps use vegan leather alternatives, such as PU or recycled fibres, meaning no animals were harmed.
Detrash Watches (from recycled ocean trash)
Detrash is a unique brand of quality watches, with straps made from recycled ocean trash, instead of leather. Designed in Dorset (England), a portion of proceeds go to organisations like Surfers Against Sewage, to help restore our oceans.
Ghost fishing waste is a huge issue, so removing it to make watches, is a great idea!
The company founder is an entrepreneur, who after selling his previous business, noticed that while most industries are trying to do something more ethical, the watch industry isn’t.
These watches are sold with a 1-year guarantee, in unique designs. Many are made with recycled steel, and water-resistant. The range includes a California dial mix (Arabic & Roman numerals).
Designers focus on clean faces, bold colours, and light frames. Cases and straps often come in blues, greens, and greys inspired by the sea.
Beautiful Solar-Powered Vegan Watches
Solios is a Canadian brand of solar-powered watches, with vegan straps. A one-time purchase, then you never need buy watch batteries ever again.
Designed to charge for 6 months, just by a couple of hours in the sun, these watches use clever technology. The charger also works by daylight, so don’t worry if it’s raining!
The solar panel is hidden under the dial, and should charge your watch for a lifetime.
This company could get rid of the 1 million + batteries used for watches each year. They are simply not needed anymore. The solar battery life of this watch is 50 years!
In many styles and colours for men and women, you can swap the strap if wished, just use the tool-free quick release mechanism. The eco vegan leather straps are free from PVC, just wipe with damp cotton to clean.
Solios watches come in different sizes, so you don’t have to deal with a bulky or flimsy fit. Whether you prefer a big statement piece or a slim watch, there’s something for you. The adjustable straps make sure everyone finds the right fit.
