The stainless Steel Value Chain
WORLD’S FIRST 100% RECYCLED STAINLESS STEEL
4 min read
After meeting with watch case manufacturers, steel manufacturers and recyclers to collect precious testimonials, we are now ready to share some of our findings with you:
The steel industry is rather opaque.
No one could give us the percentage of recycled materials used in the manufacturing process.
Traceability is impossible: where does the steel waste come from, what are the sources of supply?
Incidentally, it should be noted that the few foundries established in Switzerland closed down. And this despite the fact that Switzerland is one of the biggest consumers in Europe, 120,000 tons of stainless steel per year!
Why do we use stainless steel in watchmaking?
When the surface of the metal is in contact with the air, the chromium oxidizes and forms a very thin invisible layer that prevents deep corrosion and thus protects your watch.
316L stainless steel family - grade 4441
Each steel composition has its own recipe and therefore its own quality.
For example, 316L is used for surgical instruments, because the recipe contains molybdenum that, among other things, prevents allergies.
The 4441 is the Rolls Royce of this category. Its recipe makes it very homogeneous and, when polished, it remains beautiful over time!
Recycled Stainless Steel
Producing primary steel means extracting many metals from ores which is extremely polluting.
At ID Genève, we are proud to introduce:
The WORLD’s first WATCH WITH A 100% Recycled stainless STEEl CASE
This “4441 marking” symbolizes the value we put behind the recycling work.
Made out of local watchmaking & medical waste
Collected and melted within a 200 km radius
Our watchcase supplier (Panatere SA) has set up a regional collection network in Jura for watchmaking and medical steel waste. Such steel waste is systematically "flashed" to check that it contains only 4441 quality steel. The challenge is to preserve the qualities of the steel during the recycling process. The exact recipe has been studied for many years.
The entire process, from collecting to melting, is completed within a 200 km radius. In each batch, the recycling rate varies slightly. The batch from which our first watches will be made is at 100% recycled.
We ensure you always know the exact composition and origin of the case of your watch.