There’s a hot trend at the minute and we’re loving it. You may have seen them on Instagram already with many celebrities and influencers endorsing these watches. Whilst last year was all about the smart watch, this year the trend has changed and rather than wearing the latest tech, people, this year, have decided to opt for a more natural and dare I say it more environmentally friendly purchase. I am, of course, talking about bamboo watches.
These subtle and understated watches are being worn by the likes of Mariel Hemmingway, Black Eyed Peas, Natalie Portman, Chinese actress Li Bingbing to name but a few. So just why has this trend taken off, and why should you consider buying a bamboo or wooden watch? The saying goes the more moving parts and components you have, the increased chances of something breaking. This is certainly true of modern watches. These days watches have become so complex and comprised of many components that if you’re not careful with them you may end up with an expensive repair bill.
When you think about how much the likes of Rolex, Gucci, Tag Heuer and Breitling watches retail for, and how much you’d have to save to be able to afford them it’s a no brainer to look at alternatives. Sure, the quality is often there for these well-known brand watches, but some of them require so much configuration and can be thrown out of sync by fluctuations in temperature and are susceptible to damage more easily. Bamboo watches, on the other hand, are not affected by extreme changes in temperature. So, if you wear the watch in the Sauna and then go outside, the watch will continue to work.
Say goodbye to nasty reactions from watches
Bamboo watches are hypoallergic which means that they won’t give you a bad reaction on your skin. Often with stainless steel watches, sometimes the band can irritate the skin and in extreme cases cause extreme reddening. Wooden watches, such as bamboo, do not irritate the skin as they are made from a hypoallergic material. This means you can wear your watch whilst exercising and doing daily activities without worrying about the effect it might have on your skin.
Durability
As mentioned previously, modern mechanic and electronic watches have a greater potential of going wrong with many components/moving parts. This can be a major inconvenience if you have to send off your expensive watch to a specialist to get fixed. Not to mention the added associated cost with doing this. Bamboo watches are extremely robust and durable. Often comprised of very few components they can run for many years without any problems.
A more sustainable product
There has definitely been a big shift in the last few years when it comes to consumerism and the impact its having on the environment. The use of plastics in packaging is often highlighted, but what about electronic watches which use plastics and the packaging? Often, we don’t consider the environmental impact this new shiny object has, and what will happen when it stops working? It often just gets disregarded. Bamboo watches, however, are a more sustainable product. For one, the watch will last longer and secondly the materials used are as natural as can be.
As we’ve laid out, wooden watches such as bamboo, are a better choice for many reasons. They are not just a fad that is here today and gone tomorrow. They are durable, environmentally friendly and a hypoallergic option. For many, electronic and prestige brands such as Rolex carry a hefty price tag and with so many components the chances of something going wrong are higher. Bamboo watches, on the other hand, are affordable and certainly more reliable. If you’re looking for a bamboo watch under $50, we’d recommend Shaka Surf’s Smoked – Modern vintage bamboo watch with leather strap. You’ll save nearly 40% on this watch with their Spring Sale.