More than just a meat- and dairy-free diet: For many, veganism is both a philosophy and a lifestyle. It involves the avoidance of animal products not only in food, but also in goods such as clothing and accessories. And interest in veganism and vegan products is growing. Here we take a closer look at vegan watch strap options, vegan materials, the term ‘vegan leather’ and the driving force and intentions of watch strap manufacturers.
What are Vegan Watch Straps?
To be considered vegan, the watch band must be made from animal-free materials and produced in a cruelty-free manner, meaning that no animal life or creature has been harmed or lost in the production of the watch band.
What is Vegan Leather?
Traditionally, leather is made from animal skin. The term vegan leather refers to a range of materials that are used to imitate the haptics (look and feel) of traditional leather. These materials include well-known traditional polymers (e.g. embossed PVC) as well as some new, more bio-based options.
Vegan Watch Strap Materials
Common materials used for vegan watch straps are:
- Pineapple Fibers
- Corn Fibers
- Cork
- Hemp
- Cotton
- Silk
- Rubber
- Silicone
- Perlon (Nylon)
- Wood
- Stainless Steel
- Kurabo (cotton fabrics from Japanese company Kurabo)
- Cordura (synthetic fiber-based fabrics)
- Pinatex (pineapple fibers)
- Lorica (blend of polyurethane and polyamide)
- AppleSkin (apple fibers)
- Alcantara (blend of polyurethane and polyester)
- Enviroleather (thermoplastic elastomer formula)
How Green is the Vegan Watch Strap Market?
Some people just want to make sure that the strap they buy is vegan and not made from animal skin. Others may only want to buy watch straps from companies that are 100% vegan. And there are probably many levels in between. This is reflected in the vegan watch band market. Some companies are starting up with a mission to offer cruelty-free products, including vegan watch straps. On the other hand, established brands and companies are trying to meet consumer demand for sustainability by introducing straps made from innovative vegan plant-based bio-materials.
Vegan Watch Straps Brands
Creating a zero-waste future is the mission of Pela, makers of the world’s first compostable watch band (note: there is a difference between biodegradable and compostable). Made from compostable Flaxstic material, a blend of bio-polymer and Canadian prairie flaxseed, the straps are free of lead, cadmium, BPA and phthalates. And the straps are easy to change: a patent-pending quick-release fastener makes it easy to change the strap (no tools required). The stylish watch bands are available in a wide range of colours and are compatible with popular watches such as Apple Watch (Series 1/2/3/4/5/6/SE/7), Fitbit Sense and Versa 3.
German company Bionti also focuses on sustainability and offers straps in various organic categories, including vegan straps. All straps are chromium and heavy metal free. By the way, almost all traditional leather products are tanned or treated with toxic substances. The chromium used in tanneries can be harmful to the environment and toxic to humans. Bionti straps are also free of DMF (Dimethylformamide). DMF is classified as a harmful chemical if it comes into direct contact with the skin. The vegan straps are available for Apple Watch Series 1-7 and SE.
Votch is a vegan leather watch brand founded by Laura Stageman in 2016 after intensive self-education on animal welfare, including facts about the leather industry. The driving force behind her company was the belief that no living creature should suffer. The company uses a number of different strap materials such as blends of TPE, polyester with cotton or blends of cotton woven microfiber with PU. Straps are also available in a variety of fabrics such as Pinatex™, a by-product of the pineapple industry, AppleSkin™, a by-product of the apple juice industry, and Enviroleather™. The straps are free of PVC (and therefore free of plasticizers), heavy metals, flame retardants, and have no added antimicrobial chemicals. They are also manufactured with low VOC emissions and contain recycled and renewable content. The company offers standard 16mm, 18mm and 20mm watch bands, as well as bands specifically designed for the Apple Watch.
Preserving a Siberian handicraft was the main motivation for Anastasiya Koshcheeva to start her own business in 2018. Moya Birch Bark offers a wide range of items made from Siberian birch bark, including vegan watch straps. Birch bark is harvested once a year from living trees in the taiga. The tree itself remains healthy and the bark regenerates over time. Because of the unique properties of birch bark, the straps are just as durable as traditional watch bands, and are even water and dirt repellent and easy to clean. The bands are available for a variety of Apple Watches.
Starting in 2021, luxury brand IWC Schaffhausen will offer its vegan TimberTex watch band, a paper-based material made from 80% natural plant fibers. The straps are manufactured and dyed (plant-based dyes) using traditional papermaking techniques and only cellulose from certified trees (Forest Stewardship Council). The straps meet all of IWC’s stringent testing criteria, including strength and durability (e.g. water resistance). TimberTex straps are currently available for the following models Portuguese Chronograph, Portuguese Automatic 40, Portofino Automatic and Portofino Chronograph.
Another company, Italian family business ColaReb now also offers vegan straps that are made from a special cellulose fiber paper (patented in Italy). The cellulose for the straps comes from certified trees and the straps are recyclable. The lining is made from apple peel.
New York-based Hodinkee recently launched the world’s first vegan and fully biodegradable watch band. The strap is made from the fibers of pineapple leaves. After the pineapple harvest, the leaves are collected, the fibers extracted, sun-dried and purified. The finished material is also known as PALF (Pineapple Leaf Fiber). The watch band is completely waterproof and meets international ISO standards for weather resistance. The strap colors are made exclusively from organic textile grade pigments.