The creation process of Guardian
Together with circularity and sustainability experts, a lifecycle research and development project was conducted. The study started by a ‘cradle-to-gate’ environmental screening of a watch to detect the stages of the lifecycle and components of the product that exert the most environmental damage.
Guardian is designed to the essential, where every individual element has a distinct role to play. Thus, materials and design alternatives were studied specifically for each component in order to determine the most sustainable material and design choices.
Together with circularity and sustainability experts, a lifecycle research and development project was conducted. The study started by a ‘cradle-to-gate’ environmental screening of a watch to detect the stages of the lifecycle and components of the product that exert the most environmental damage.
Guardian is designed to the essential, where every individual element has a distinct role to play. Thus, materials and design alternatives were studied specifically for each component in order to determine the most sustainable material and design choices.
CHOICE OF MATERIALS
The results of the environmental screening showed that the material extraction stage has a more significant impact both in terms of energy consumption and CO2 footprint than the manufacturing phase. The parts of the product with a bigger contribution, and therefore the ones studied, are: the case body and case back, the dial, the strap and the glass. A study of
alternative materials for each of these critical components of Guardian was conducted in order to select the most sustainable option. The alternatives were assessed according to a number of evaluation criteria aimed to measure the life expectancy and environmental impact.
Choice of design components
In addition to the selection of materials, design decisions for each component are essential for the achievement of a watch that meets the specifications and lives up to Nordgreen’s vision and mission.
