After a week of covering all the latest watchmaking news at Watches and Wonders Geneva, it is surprising that sustainability has not been a major focus. Despite the pressing challenges facing our planet, sustainability was barely mentioned by brands at the fair. For example, Zenith introduced a new watch with a recycled fishing net fabric strap, but this alone is not enough to address the sustainability issue.
Brands like IWC, Panerai, and Cartier are known for their sustainability efforts, but their presence at the fair was limited. IWC decided to eliminate its annual sustainability report and include it in the parent group's larger ESG initiative. Panerai showcased its recycled materials, but did not introduce any new watches in this area. While Cartier did not unveil any new sustainable timepieces, the brand remains active in promoting sustainability and other initiatives under the Richemont group.
