Tom Ford has released its Ocean Plastic Timepiece, the very first high-end watch made from 100 percent recycled sea plastic
Every year an estimated 11 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean. Every Tom Ford ocean plastic timepiece purchased, permanently removes the equivalent of 35 bottles of plastic waste from the ocean, with all packaging being recyclable. This swiss-made watch was developed and produced in partnership with suppliers who are equally committed to finding solutions to the world’s plastic problem. The timepiece is made of 100% ocean plastic collected from oceans, coastlines and uncontrolled landfills, and the material used contains no virgin plastics or non-ocean bound plastics and is traceable to the collection source. The transportation of the ocean plastic granules is carbon neutral and the compounding in Switzerland is powered by solar energy.
“In my opinion, ethical luxury is the greatest luxury of all,” Ford says. “The Tom Ford customer is sophisticated with a heightened awareness of the issues facing our planet and the responsibility we have to protect it. Sustainability is a key issue in our lives right now. In particular, the amount of ocean plastic that we are generating is perhaps taking the greatest toll on our environment of all. For every 1000 ocean plastic timepieces we produce and sell, we permanently remove and prevent 490 pounds of plastic waste from entering the ocean. It is incredibly appealing to know that you are not only wearing a high-quality product, but by simply owning the product you are also taking direct action to improve the planet. I feel it is my responsibility as a designer to provide the customer with luxury pieces that last and endure.”
The handsome watch has a classic round 40mm case with a black DLC stainless steel screw case back, and is water-resistant up to 330ft. Like the case, the strap is made from ocean plastic, braided from fibers spun from the recycled material.
In sync with the launch of its watch, the brand is also launching The Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize in partnership with 52HZ, an advisory group from the ocean conservation organization, Lonely Whale. The prize money - a purse total of $1 million - will be awarded by a panel of judges, and the winning ideas will all be vetted not only for their ability to help the environment but also to ensure they are scalable and market-ready by 2025. The plastic innovation prize will create broad awareness of the issues associated with the use of thin-film plastics and will educate consumers in an effort to ensure the quick and widespread adoption of the newly developed products.
“Building on five years of success at lonely whale pioneering disruptive change in the conversation about plastics and the ocean, we’re thrilled to launch 52hz, an advisory service designed to share what we’ve learned with individuals and brands seeking to do the same,” said dr. Dune Ives, CEO of Lonely Whale. “Collaboration accelerates innovation, and we are so proud to partner with Tom Ford in 52hz’s inaugural venture. He is an icon certainly, but now also a leader in the fight for the future of our planet. His ocean plastic timepiece and the launch of the prize is a technological feat and proof positive that the fashion industry can be an ally, with plenty to contribute to the environmental movement.”
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