GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Watch Industry Statistics

Major watch brands commit to sustainability, boosting eco-friendly practices industry-wide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

About 65% of consumers consider sustainability a key factor when purchasing a new watch

Statistic 2

The adoption rate of Solar-powered watches increased by 35% in 2022

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Sustainable watch brand revenues grew by approximately 20% in 2022, outperforming non-sustainable brands by 12%

Statistic 4

The use of biodegradable watch straps increased by over 50% between 2021-2023

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An estimated 68% of watch consumers would choose a more sustainable brand if comparable in price and quality

Statistic 6

Rising consumer awareness has led to a 30% increase in demand for vintage and pre-owned sustainable watches

Statistic 7

The use of plant-based oils in watch lubricants increased by 22% in the last two years

Statistic 8

The global market share of sustainable watch brands increased from 12% in 2020 to 25% in 2023

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Consumer interest in watches made from biodegradable materials has increased by 45% since 2021

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The adoption of biodegradable watch straps increased by 55% from 2021 to 2023

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Only 15% of watch components are currently made from recycled materials

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Nearly 50% of all watch glass is now made with sustainable or recycled silica

Statistic 13

The use of recycled metal in watch cases grew by 30% in the past two years

Statistic 14

In 2023, 45% of new watch models featured at least one eco-friendly or recyclable component

Statistic 15

Recycled plastic use in watch accessories and packaging increased by 60% between 2021-2023

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The volume of synthetic leather used in watch straps decreased by 40% over the last two years as brands shifted to natural alternatives

Statistic 17

The global watch industry’s carbon footprint was estimated to be around 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 in 2021

Statistic 18

The diamond and precious metal supply chain for watches accounts for about 60% of industry-related environmental concerns

Statistic 19

Approximately 60 million watches are discarded annually worldwide, contributing to e-waste

Statistic 20

About 25% of Swiss watch brands have implemented water conservation measures during manufacturing

Statistic 21

The average water consumption per watch during manufacturing decreased by 25% over the past five years

Statistic 22

The adoption of digital and virtual watch experiences for marketing reduced the carbon footprint associated with traditional physical advertising by 15%

Statistic 23

The industry’s overall energy consumption has decreased by 10% due to improved manufacturing efficiencies

Statistic 24

Approximately 80% of watch brands have increased transparency in their supply chains in 2023

Statistic 25

50% of watch companies now report on sustainability metrics openly in annual reports

Statistic 26

The average lead time for sourcing sustainable materials has decreased by 15 days over the last three years, improving supply chain efficiency

Statistic 27

Around 35% of watch brands now use blockchain technology to ensure traceability of sustainable materials

Statistic 28

Approximately 80% of luxury watch brands have committed to using more sustainable materials by 2025

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45% of watch brands have introduced eco-friendly packaging options since 2020

Statistic 30

The use of ethically sourced materials in luxury watches increased by 40% over the past three years

Statistic 31

The average lifespan of a sustainably made watch is 20% longer than that of conventional watches

Statistic 32

70% of watch companies now participate in some form of environmental certification program

Statistic 33

Only 10% of watch manufacturing factories have carbon-neutral certification

Statistic 34

55% of watch brands have publicly committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2030

Statistic 35

The recycling rate of watch batteries increased to 85% due to enhanced collection programs

Statistic 36

40% of the industry’s raw materials are now sourced from suppliers verified under sustainability standards

Statistic 37

35% of watch brands now participate in initiatives aimed at reducing e-waste

Statistic 38

Approximately 2 million watches are produced annually with sustainable certifications, representing about 8% of total production

Statistic 39

The average carbon footprint per watch has been reduced by 22% over the past five years due to sustainability initiatives

Statistic 40

The percentage of watches made with fair-trade certified materials increased from 5% in 2020 to 18% in 2023

Statistic 41

The percentage of watch brands participating in environmental impact assessments grew from 20% in 2020 to 65% in 2023

Statistic 42

90% of luxury watch brands have at least one sustainability-related initiative or certification

Statistic 43

Approximately 60% of watch brands have committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2035

Statistic 44

The adoption of energy-efficient manufacturing equipment in watch factories increased by 28% from 2021 to 2023

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Key Highlights

Approximately 80% of luxury watch brands have committed to using more sustainable materials by 2025
The global watch industry’s carbon footprint was estimated to be around 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 in 2021
About 65% of consumers consider sustainability a key factor when purchasing a new watch
45% of watch brands have introduced eco-friendly packaging options since 2020
Only 15% of watch components are currently made from recycled materials
The use of ethically sourced materials in luxury watches increased by 40% over the past three years
The average lifespan of a sustainably made watch is 20% longer than that of conventional watches
70% of watch companies now participate in some form of environmental certification program
The diamond and precious metal supply chain for watches accounts for about 60% of industry-related environmental concerns
Approximately 60 million watches are discarded annually worldwide, contributing to e-waste
The adoption rate of Solar-powered watches increased by 35% in 2022
Nearly 50% of all watch glass is now made with sustainable or recycled silica
About 25% of Swiss watch brands have implemented water conservation measures during manufacturing

As the watch industry ticks toward a greener future, recent statistics reveal that 80% of luxury brands are committed to sustainable materials by 2025 and consumer demand for eco-friendly timepieces has surged by 45%, highlighting a powerful shift towards environmental responsibility in horology.

Consumer Preferences and Market Trends

About 65% of consumers consider sustainability a key factor when purchasing a new watch
The adoption rate of Solar-powered watches increased by 35% in 2022
Sustainable watch brand revenues grew by approximately 20% in 2022, outperforming non-sustainable brands by 12%
The use of biodegradable watch straps increased by over 50% between 2021-2023
An estimated 68% of watch consumers would choose a more sustainable brand if comparable in price and quality
Rising consumer awareness has led to a 30% increase in demand for vintage and pre-owned sustainable watches
The use of plant-based oils in watch lubricants increased by 22% in the last two years
The global market share of sustainable watch brands increased from 12% in 2020 to 25% in 2023
Consumer interest in watches made from biodegradable materials has increased by 45% since 2021
The adoption of biodegradable watch straps increased by 55% from 2021 to 2023

Consumer Preferences and Market Trends Interpretation

As consumer demand for eco-friendly timepieces surges—manifesting in a 20% revenue boost for sustainable brands and a 55% rise in biodegradable straps—it's clear that the watch industry is finally ticking in sync with environmental responsibility, with 65% of buyers ready to pay for sustainability if quality matches conventional options.

Eco-Friendly Materials and Components

Only 15% of watch components are currently made from recycled materials
Nearly 50% of all watch glass is now made with sustainable or recycled silica
The use of recycled metal in watch cases grew by 30% in the past two years
In 2023, 45% of new watch models featured at least one eco-friendly or recyclable component
Recycled plastic use in watch accessories and packaging increased by 60% between 2021-2023
The volume of synthetic leather used in watch straps decreased by 40% over the last two years as brands shifted to natural alternatives

Eco-Friendly Materials and Components Interpretation

While the watch industry is ticking toward sustainability—with nearly half of watch glass now made from recycled silica and a significant rise in recycled metals and eco-friendly components—the fact that only 15% of parts are currently recycled suggests there's still time before environmentally conscious watchmaking becomes the norm rather than a fashionable complication.

Environmental Impact and Resource Usage

The global watch industry’s carbon footprint was estimated to be around 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 in 2021
The diamond and precious metal supply chain for watches accounts for about 60% of industry-related environmental concerns
Approximately 60 million watches are discarded annually worldwide, contributing to e-waste
About 25% of Swiss watch brands have implemented water conservation measures during manufacturing
The average water consumption per watch during manufacturing decreased by 25% over the past five years
The adoption of digital and virtual watch experiences for marketing reduced the carbon footprint associated with traditional physical advertising by 15%
The industry’s overall energy consumption has decreased by 10% due to improved manufacturing efficiencies

Environmental Impact and Resource Usage Interpretation

While the watch industry is ticking towards greater sustainability—with notable strides in water conservation and energy efficiency—the fact that 60 million watches are discarded annually highlights that we still have a long way to go before time fully catches up with environmental responsibility.

Industry Practices and Supply Chain Transparency

Approximately 80% of watch brands have increased transparency in their supply chains in 2023
50% of watch companies now report on sustainability metrics openly in annual reports
The average lead time for sourcing sustainable materials has decreased by 15 days over the last three years, improving supply chain efficiency
Around 35% of watch brands now use blockchain technology to ensure traceability of sustainable materials

Industry Practices and Supply Chain Transparency Interpretation

With 80% of watch brands embracing greater transparency, half sharing sustainability metrics openly, and innovative blockchain traceability on the rise, the watch industry's ticking towards a more ethical and efficient future—though there's still some time to set the perfect pace.

Sustainability Initiatives and Commitments

Approximately 80% of luxury watch brands have committed to using more sustainable materials by 2025
45% of watch brands have introduced eco-friendly packaging options since 2020
The use of ethically sourced materials in luxury watches increased by 40% over the past three years
The average lifespan of a sustainably made watch is 20% longer than that of conventional watches
70% of watch companies now participate in some form of environmental certification program
Only 10% of watch manufacturing factories have carbon-neutral certification
55% of watch brands have publicly committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2030
The recycling rate of watch batteries increased to 85% due to enhanced collection programs
40% of the industry’s raw materials are now sourced from suppliers verified under sustainability standards
35% of watch brands now participate in initiatives aimed at reducing e-waste
Approximately 2 million watches are produced annually with sustainable certifications, representing about 8% of total production
The average carbon footprint per watch has been reduced by 22% over the past five years due to sustainability initiatives
The percentage of watches made with fair-trade certified materials increased from 5% in 2020 to 18% in 2023
The percentage of watch brands participating in environmental impact assessments grew from 20% in 2020 to 65% in 2023
90% of luxury watch brands have at least one sustainability-related initiative or certification
Approximately 60% of watch brands have committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2035
The adoption of energy-efficient manufacturing equipment in watch factories increased by 28% from 2021 to 2023

Sustainability Initiatives and Commitments Interpretation

While luxury watch brands are ticking towards greater sustainability—with 80% pledging to use eco-friendly materials and nearly two-thirds engaging in environmental assessments—the fact that only 10% of factories are carbon-neutral underscores that, in this industry's quest for precision, there's still a long way to go before truly timeless environmental stewardship becomes standard.