Why we chose it: Eco-friendly materials, timeless design, progressive company

What are the main watch brands in the outdoor industry doing to reduce the environmental impact of the products they make? Not that much, it seems. OK, Garmin have their solar powered watch and they’ve also taken some admirable steps with their packaging, but apart from that, it’s a section of the industry that doesn’t really seem to be making much effort.

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That’s why we were drawn to this watch by Danish brand, Skagen. It might not be a watch made specifically for outdoor pursuits, but it’s one that the outdoorsy watch brands could learn from.

All of the watches in Skagen’s Aaren Naturals collection are made using natural and pro-planet materials, including mulberry bark, wood veneer (that’s the one pictured), cork and even apple leather – that’s right, a watch made out of apples.

“All watches in the collection are made using natural and pro-planet materials.”

What’s more, the stainless steel they use for the casing is 50% recycled, the packaging is FSC certified meaning it meets criteria for responsible forest stewardship and when leather is used, at least 90% of the time it comes from Leather Working Group approved tanneries (it’s a shame they haven’t managed 100% though…). All of the Aaren Naturals watches are water resistant to 5 metres – enough to withstand a wild day in the mountains then.