ID Genève Introduces The Circular SDG Timepiece At Climate Week New York
Since 2020, ID Genève has produced watches with a more sustainable and equitable future in mind. The brand’s 100% Swiss-made timepieces feature innovative components, such as self-healing carbon fiber, reprocessed stainless steel, and leather-alternative straps. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, ID Genève launches the Circular SDG tribute watch during Climate Week in New York City with support from business partner and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio.
This is our first time writing about an ID Genève watch. If you’re into sustainable watchmaking, you might already know the brand. Co-founders Nicolas Freudiger, Cédric Mulhauser, and Singal Depéry see their watches as symbols of purpose-driven luxury. They feel producers of luxury items should play an important role in the global sustainability agenda. That’s why they got on board with the United Nations’ 17 ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objectives are designed to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. They cover areas such as health, education, equality, climate action, and responsible economic growth, providing a shared blueprint for sustainable progress worldwide. Now, let’s take a look at how ID Genève contributes to all this.
The ID Genève Circular SDG
The Sustainable Development Goals limited-edition timepiece isn’t an entirely new watch. It’s based on the watch within the brand’s Circular C collection. That “C” stands for carbon, but not just any kind of carbon. A company called CompPair developed the carbon fiber in the bezel and the bumpers on the sides of the case. It features so-called HealTech, meaning that if it’s heated to between 100 and 150 degrees Celsius, imperfections will self-heal. This advanced material also helps to make repairing trains and spacecrafts less costly and more sustainable.
The rest of the 41mm case is made of 100% recycled stainless steel, which features a bio-based black PVD coating. Just like the case bumpers, the dial is also carbon fiber. The hour and minute track consists of blocks of recycled Super-LumiNova in some of the colors of the SDG colors. Covering the dial is a flat crystal made of 70% recycled sapphire and featuring an antireflective coating. At 3 o’clock, there is a cutout for the date, which I hope won’t heal itself.
Repurposed ETA movements
With the push-pull crown at 3 o’clock, one can operate the automatic ETA 2824 movement inside. The calibers in these watches were refurbished and sourced from unsold stocks. The team deliberately chose such a well-known and robust movement. It’s easily reparable by any watchmaker worldwide, and spare parts are readily available. It runs at a frequency of 28,800vph, features 25 jewels, and holds a power reserve of 38 hours.
You can see the movement through the case back’s sapphire display. However, a large part of that crystal is covered by the 17 colors representing the SDGs. The case back also tells you that the watch is water resistant to 50 meters and that production is limited to 17 pieces, again referring to the number of SDGs. The ID Genève Circular SDG comes with a strap from NFW, a company that specializes in plastic-free materials. The watch’s strap is Mirum, a material made from natural rubber, plant oils, and waxes. Buyers can also opt for a stainless steel PVD-coated bracelet.
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Apart from Cedric Bellon, I don’t know many other watch brands that care this much about sustainability. Still, it’s impressive that a watch brand as young as ID Genève can connect with a global initiative like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The many recycled and innovative components on the watch make it a great showcase of what’s possible in terms of sustainability as a luxury watchmaker.
The ID Genève Sustainable Development Goals limited-edition timepiece launches today during Climate Week New York. It costs US$10,500 (excluding taxes), and you can only buy one of the 17 pieces if you show a proven commitment to one or more of the 17 goals. Ten percent of the sales go to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals initiative.
In the comments below, please let us know what you think of the new ID Genève watch and how you feel about sustainability in relation to luxury watches.
