04.08.08 ~ Wyler Geneve Presents the World's First Carbon-Neutral Watch

Posted by Basel Press Release

Building on the success of its shock-absorbing case launched in chronograph and tourbillon versions at last year's Baselworld Show, for 2008 Wyler Genève presents a new GMT model that is the first watch in the world to be certified CarbonNeutral®.

The new Wyler Genève GMT watch uses the brand's unique anti-shock case design in which the movement is sealed in a titanium container held in place by a carbon-fibre resin frame fixed between two metal plates. The four polished titanium screws holding this construction in place are mounted on springs, allowing the movement holder to move up and down within the frame and therefore absorb shocks. A patented crown protector, which is attached directly to the carbon-fibre frame and must be opened on both sides, offers additional protection for the watch's time-setting mechanism.

The Wyler Genève GMT is powered by the industry-standard ETA caliber 2893-2, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and has a 42-hour power reserve. It displays the time with hour, minute and sweep seconds hands. An additional hand with a luminous arrowhead tip mounted on the central axis makes one full revolution every 24 hours and can therefore be used to read a second time zone, or indeed Universal Time (UT) or GMT off the inner 24-hour scale on the dial – hence the name of the watch.

A choice of 18-carat red gold or stainless steel in combination with classic and modern dials offers two distinct looks for the new Wyler Genève GMT: The luxury of gold is accentuated by classic black or blue dials with red-gold hour markers; the stainless-steel models offer a sportier look with dials in black with rhodium hour markers and a choice of white or orange SuperLuminova for the luminous dots on the 5-minute markings, the 24-hour scale and the GMT hand, or an eggshell-colored dial with ruthenium hour markers. A final touch of luxury is provided by the individually applied letters of the Wyler name at 12 o'clock on the dial.

The dial is divided into three concentric zones, with an applied outer minute track, a middle zone housing the baguette hour markers and an inner zone displaying the 24-hour scale. A sectorial date window in appliqué at 6 o'clock shows part of the previous and next dates to avoid any confusion. The facetted hour and minute hands are skeletonised and have SuperLuminova inserts for better low-light visibility. All models are initially available with a natural black rubber strap (with blue alligator leather also available for the 18-carat gold model with blue dial) featuring the signature Wyler Genève pattern and a matching buckle in 18-carat red gold or stainless steel. Other strap varieties and a new fold over clasp will become available as the models are rolled out into stores. Like all Wyler Genève timepieces, the GMT model has a two-year international warranty and the inner movement case is water-resistant to 50 meters.

What really sets this new model apart from the crowd is the fact that it is the first-ever watch to be certified CarbonNeutral® by the Carbon Neutral Company. This was a logical progression for Wyler Genève, which has already rendered all operations from its Geneva headquarters CarbonNeutral® and held its first CarbonNeutral®l event (the launch of the Wyler-Zagato watch). The certification means that all elements and
stages involved in the production of the watch have been analyzed and their carbon emissions calculated. This includes all energy used, all waste generated and all transportation required to bring the watches to the company's headquarters. The resulting emissions are then offset through projects managed by the CarbonNeutral Company.

Wyler Genève is aware that carbon offsets alone are not a viable long-term solution to global warming, but believes that the assessment and quantification of emissions is a first step on the path to reduce emissions. The brand hopes its activities in this field will encourage its competitors to consider their own impact on the environment.

Carbon offsets are just one element in Wyler Genève's continuous drive to reduce its environmental impact. For Baselworld 2008 the company has produced its press kits on a USB stick that will automatically update with the latest news from the company whenever it is inserted into a computer with Internet access. This project eradicates any need for printed press kits and therefore reduces Wyler Genève's burden on the
environment.

I am thrilled to see that Wyler is conscientious of global warming, and that IWC isn't alone in its attempt to improve their emissions.

More watch companies should endeavor to make a collaborative effort on this front.

Posted by Paula Stein

That is a serious watch..

Posted by Michael