While it’s hard to identify just how much plastic debris gets in the globe’s oceans every year, it’s thought that 8 million tons of such waste wound up under the sea in 2010 alone.
It’s an ecological catastrophe – yet, likewise – an opportunity for businesses and individuals to make something good out of this massive loast of waste plastic. And that’s specifically what Tom Ford is doing.
After a preliminary tease in September, Tom Ford is releasing its Ocean Plastic Timepiece, the very first high-end watch made from 100 percent recycled sea plastic.
Every example of this Swiss-made version eliminates the equivalent of 35 bottles of plastic waste from the sea. The watch also comes in recyclable product packaging.
“Sustainability is a key issue in our lives right now,” Ford said at the watch’s launch.
“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.”
The handsome watch has a timeless round 40mm dial with a black DLC stainless-steel screw down back plate. It is waterproof down to 100 metres. Like the case, the band is made entirely from ocean plastic, entwined plastic fibres.
Together with the launch of its watch, the brand name is also launching The Tom Ford Plastic Development Prize in partnership with 52HZ, a consultatory group from the ocean preservation company, Lonely Whale.
The prize money—- a purse overall of $1 million—- will be granted by a panel of judges, and also the winning concepts will all be vetted not only for their ability to assist the setting but also to guarantee they are scalable and market-ready by 2025.
The Tom Ford Ocean Plastic watch is available from Tom Ford shops and also the brand’s website for US$995.
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