In what is possibly a first in haute horlogerie, Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen introduces a strap made from paper-based material
Called Timbertex, the material of the strap is composed of 80 per cent natural plant fibres sourced from Forest Stewardship Council-certified trees grown in sustainably and responsibly managed European forests. The strap is manufactured in Italy using traditional paper-making technique and coloured with plant-based dyes. It is padded with recycled microfibre and held together by recycled thread. The result is a strap that is actually soft and supple, not to mention luxurious in appearance. More importantly, it is also durable and has been tested to ensure its resistance in water.
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This is an extension of not only IWC's long-standing tradition in innovation but also its commitment to reducing social and environmental impact of its products.
"Throughout our 153-year history, IWC has led the way in product design, material invention and manufacturing methods. Naturally, we wanted to apply this same pioneering spirit to finding further high quality alternatives for our clients who don't wear animal leather," says Franziska Gsell, IWC's CMO & sustainability committee chair.
The strap is currently available for the Portugieser Chronograph, Portugieser Automatic 40, Portofino Automatic and Portofino Chronograph, in a choice of blue, brown and black.
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