Tom Ford Genderless Timepiece N.004 Series in Ocean Plastic Waste and Recycled Stainless Steel

Tom Ford Ocean Plastic Timepiece 002

American designer Tom Ford launched his first high-end wristwatch crafted entirely from recycled ocean plastic in 2020.

The Swiss-made watch, called the Tom Ford Ocean Plastic Timepiece N.002, tackles the world’s plastic waste problem of 8 million tons of plastic garbage pouring into the world’s oceans each year.

Tom Ford N. 004 Series

For Fall 2022, Tom Ford added a new eco-conscious design to his timepiece collection with the 004 series, a slender new model with universal appeal to men and women.

The Swiss-made watch is housed in a 27mm x 48.5mm case in either black and white. It, and its braided strap, are made from 100 percent recycled plastic reclaimed from the ocean.

The watch’s glossy dial makes a sophisticated and elegant fashion statement with contrasting diamond-cut painted hands A sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating tops the watch, and a stainless steel caseback, coated in PVD that matches the case color, secures the quartz movement. The stainless-steel crown—also plated in a matching color—features an ocean plastic inlay.

Tom Ford brand says 32 bottles worth of plastic waste is used to create the watch, and that it contains no virgin plastics or non-ocean bound plastics.

The Tom Ford Timepieces N.004 series got a second update in late Septenber with a sportier N.004 collection alternative with a recycled stainless-steel case and the same recycled plastic, braided strap.

Models Anine Van Velzen, Fatou Samb and Mouhameth N'diaye are styled by Jos van Heel in images by Ferry van der Nat./ Hair by Danine Zwets

Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize

Tom Ford has exhibited a consistent concern about plastic pollution since diving into the problem of ocean waste. In 2021, AOC wrote: Tom Ford and 52HZ Launch a $1.2 Million Prize for Biodegradable Poly Bag Replacement

An update about the Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize has been issued. At the time it was the only global competition focused on creating scalable and biodegradable alternatives to thin-film plastic.

In March 2022, Tom Ford and Lonely Whale announced the eight finalists who are now going through a year-long material testing phase to ensure their materials are biologically degradable as promised, with the goal of being market-ready by 2025.

One of the eight finalists will be announced in Spring 2023 with a grand prize of $1.2 million going to the winner.