Timex Introduces the World’s First Sustainable Watch Program

Timex has just announced its new sustainability program, claiming to be the first of its kind in the world, and it seeks to help promote more eco-friendly change. Currently limited to the United States, "ReWound" allows consumers wanting to get rid of their old watches to send them to Timex instead of throwing them away.

All someone needs to do is fill out a form, and they will receive a free prepaid label. From there, they can package up their old watch and bring it to a post office. Once received, Timex will inspect the watch — which can be from any brand — and do its best to “expertly clean and restore it.” Afterward, Timex will sell the restored piece on its specialized ReWound online shop.

For a watch that is too badly damaged or unrepairable, Timex "will ground it down and use it as material for a new watch or other product."

Timex promises those who participate in this program that "zero items from the watches you send back will end up in landfill. Any items that do not make it to resale will be disassembled and entered into their proper recycling stream to be imagined into new items."

The ReWound program is promising since we produce over 2 billion tons of waste each year, and "99% of it ends up in a landfill," according to Timex. "Watch materials like stainless-steel and plastic can take up to 1,000 years to degrade."

From Timex's current shop listings, it’s apparent that many of its watches sell out quickly. This is most likely due to the fact that each restored timepiece for sale feels like a limited edition and exclusive product. The refurbished watches may be rare or vintage models that are no longer produced.

Prices seem to be in line with a fair value of what each watch’s worth would be, taking into consideration its original price, condition, and overall perceived value.

"By 2025, Timex’s goal is to have 50% of its watches made with eco-friendly components as a stepping stone to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net-Zero by 2050," according to WATCHPRO.

Trend Hunter adds that "Timex ReWound is a first-of-its-kind circular program for watches, inviting everyone to ship their pre-loved watches so that they can be upcycled or find a new owner."

And ReWound is not Timex's only sustainable practice. The company already advertises that many of its watches are “made in partnership with #tide™. Plastic is collected from the coastlines and then sent to Switzerland via carbon neutral transportation to be upcycled, resulting in a premium, sustainable material.”

Additionally, many Timex watches are “crafted from ocean-plastics to apple peels,” and these “upcycled and natural materials with battery-free movements” are paving the way for quality products that make sustainability easier.

There's no better time to present disruptive innovation aimed at environmentally conscious consumers who prioritize the reduction of the Earth's resource consumption. This also promotes environmental technology, more consumer recycling, and a growing sustainable fashion industry.

Fortunately, this program has arrived in the nick of time.