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IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publica informe de sostenibilidad 2022 e introduce nuevos proyectos ambientales comunitarios Asesora Gisele Büendchen

Chaffhausen, 26 de julio de 2022 – IWC Schaffhausen publica hoy la cuarta edición de su Informe de sostenibilidad. El Informe presenta un prólogo de la ecologista y supermodelo Gisele Bündchen, la recién nombrada Asesora de Proyectos Ambientales y Comunitarios de IWC. Además de delinear el progreso del fabricante suizo de relojes de lujo hacia sus objetivos de sostenibilidad para 2022, el Informe analiza la ambiciosa hoja de ruta de la empresa para el futuro y su nuevo objetivo rector ‘Ingeniería más allá del tiempo’.

UN PROPÓSITO COMPARTIDO: COLABORACIÓN CON GISELE BÜNDCHEN 

IWC da la bienvenida a la ecologista y supermodelo Gisele Bündchen como la primera asesora de proyectos ambientales y comunitarios de la marca. Desde 2009, Gisele se ha desempeñado como Embajadora de Buena Voluntad del Programa Ambiental de las Naciones Unidas, comprometiéndose con causas que defienden la biodiversidad y la vida silvestre. Ha sido honrada por la Universidad de Harvard y UCLA por su compromiso de larga data con los problemas ambientales.

Cuando IWC llevó a cabo el análisis de materialidad para su último Informe, identificaron la Biodiversidad y las Comunidades como dos áreas cruciales para acelerar sus esfuerzos. Gisele aportará su experiencia con estas causas y su pasión por proteger el planeta a los proyectos de sostenibilidad de IWC. También apoyará al fabricante suizo de relojes de lujo identificando iniciativas en las que trabajar en el futuro.

Al comentar sobre la asociación con IWC, Gisele declaró: “Estoy emocionada de asociarme con IWC en nuestro propósito compartido de proteger nuestro planeta. Nuestros viajes de sustentabilidad comenzaron cuando nos dimos cuenta de que teníamos la responsabilidad de hacer más. Que podamos usar nuestras voces e influencia para tener un impacto positivo en el medio ambiente y la sociedad. Espero trabajar junto con IWC para ayudar a dejar un futuro mejor para las generaciones venideras”.

“Con Gisele tenemos a alguien que comparte nuestro propósito y determinación de impactar un cambio real en el medio ambiente y la sociedad. Nos sentimos honrados de tenerla a bordo mientras continuamos nuestro viaje de sostenibilidad. En IWC siempre nos hemos mantenido en los más altos estándares cuando se trata de desempeñar nuestro papel para preservar el mundo para las generaciones futuras. La experiencia, la dedicación y el alcance global de Gisele ayudarán a abrir nuevas posibilidades para que tengamos un impacto positivo en el medio ambiente y las comunidades de todo el mundo”.

Franziska Gsell, CMO de IWC Schaffhausen

PROGRESO EN LAS METAS DE SOSTENIBILIDAD DE IWC PARA 2022 

IWC comenzó su viaje de sostenibilidad hace más de una década y la precisión, la pasión y la persistencia que se dedican a su relojería ayudan a impulsar sus esfuerzos de sostenibilidad. Los relojes producidos por IWC son sostenibles por defecto, apreciados y transmitidos a la próxima generación. En 2020, la Compañía se fijó nueve metas para cumplir en 2022. A pesar de la pandemia, ha logrado muchas de sus metas y ha avanzado considerablemente en otras.

  • Logró la certificación de Cadena de Custodia (CoC) de RJC para componentes de relojes: un estándar voluntario que certifica que el oro y el platino utilizados en su cadena de suministro son rastreables y de origen responsable;
  • Cambió a comprar energía 100% renovable a nivel mundial;
  • Mantuvo una certificación ‘Great Place to Work®’;
  • Logró la certificación EQUAL-SALARY en Suiza;
  • Desarrolló y puso a prueba un plan para eventos sostenibles.
  • Desarrollé e implementé una estrategia de TI más sostenible, enfocándome en nuestro hardware.

IWC está en camino de lograr lo siguiente para fines de 2022:

  • Eliminar gradualmente la compra de productos forestales no certificados por el FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) (por ejemplo, papel, cartón, madera, muebles);
  • Duplicar las horas anuales de voluntariado corporativo de IWC en comparación con la referencia de 2020;
  • Duplicar el número de mujeres en puestos directivos en comparación con la línea de base de 2017.

En otros desarrollos clave desde 2020, IWC:

  • Lanzamiento de las correas TimberTex™ en 2021: fabricadas en Italia, estas correas utilizan un 80 % de fibras de origen vegetal, obtenidas de forma sostenible de bosques europeos;
  • Eliminados los plásticos de un solo uso en sus sedes y boutiques; y
  • Continuó asociándose con organizaciones de todo el mundo, como Laureus Sport for Good y Save the Children, para impulsar el cambio social.

“Seguimos avanzando en nuestro camino hacia la sostenibilidad, siempre preguntándonos qué más podemos hacer en materia de innovación de materiales, uso de energía e impacto social para ser aún más sostenibles. Entendemos profundamente nuestra responsabilidad de reducir nuestro impacto en el medio ambiente, de trabajar por una sociedad más equitativa y de demostrar que el lujo no tiene por qué significar exceso. Ni ser excesivo.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO de IWC Schaffhausen

PRESENTAMOS MIRATEX™, UNA ALTERNATIVA AVANZADA AL CUERO A BASE DE PLANTAS 

Tras la introducción de las correas TimberTex a base de papel en 2021, IWC se enorgullece de anunciar el lanzamiento de sus revolucionarias correas MiraTex™, una novedad en el mercado. Las correas MiraTex™ de IWC están fabricadas con MIRUM®, un material circular de base biológica y libre de plástico que cumple con los rigurosos estándares de durabilidad, flexibilidad y belleza estética de IWC.

Un acrónimo que combina milagro y textil, MiraTex™ fue diseñado en estrecha colaboración con Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), una empresa de innovación de materiales. Compuesto de plantas y minerales que incluyen caucho natural certificado FSC, rellenos que incluyen polvo de corcho y colorantes minerales, MIRUM® de NFW no contiene productos petroquímicos ni plástico. Al eliminar el proceso de curtido, MIRUM® requiere muchos menos recursos para producir que el cuero animal y sintético, lo que le da una huella de carbono baja. MIRUM® también es 100% reciclable y circular.

Para obtener más información sobre las correas MiraTex™ de IWC, consulte el documento informativo “MiraTex™: una innovación sostenible y circular”.

UN NUEVO PROPÓSITO: ‘INGENIERÍA MÁS ALLÁ DEL TIEMPO’ 

El Informe de sustentabilidad de IWC 2022 es parte de los esfuerzos continuos de la empresa para ser completamente transparente sobre el progreso hacia sus objetivos de sustentabilidad.

Consulte el Informe de sostenibilidad de IWC 2022 aquí:  https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

“La sustentabilidad impregna todo nuestro negocio, en todas las divisiones, en todos los niveles. Nos impulsa a pensar más inteligentemente, a innovar y aprovechar las oportunidades que genera ser una empresa más responsable. Este informe de sostenibilidad demuestra nuestro compromiso de ser transparentes y sostenibles. Sin disculpas y sin excepciones”,

Christoph Grainger-Herr, director ejecutivo de IWC Schaffhausen

Para aumentar aún más la transparencia e involucrar regularmente a las partes interesadas en su viaje, IWC ha anunciado una cadencia anual en lugar de bianual para el Informe. La edición de este año brinda una actualización sobre el viaje de sustentabilidad en curso de IWC, basado en un nuevo propósito, ‘Ingeniería más allá del tiempo’, respaldado por los pilares de Transparencia, Responsabilidad y Circularidad.

TRANSPARENCIA – Ingeniería más allá de la percepción 

Este pilar demuestra la creencia de IWC de que un diálogo abierto y honesto con todas las partes interesadas permite a la empresa ver dónde se encuentran, dónde pueden mejorar y qué objetivos deben establecer para continuar su camino. Esto está respaldado por su compromiso con los informes anuales, las asociaciones con empresas y asociaciones creíbles y la adhesión a estándares internacionales reconocidos.

CIRCULARIDAD – Ingeniería más allá de la precisión 

Este pilar muestra la longevidad de los relojes de IWC, que son atemporales en estilo y función y se transmiten de generación en generación. IWC mantiene todos y cada uno de los relojes fabricados en Schaffhausen mientras alguien disfrute usándolos. Esto se destaca por su compromiso con el servicio de por vida de sus relojes, incluso para piezas antiguas, el uso de acero y oro reciclados, y la reutilización de sus productos y empaques.

RESPONSABILIDAD – Ingeniería más allá de la sostenibilidad 

Este pilar refleja el hecho de que IWC crea un producto que es perpetuo por naturaleza. Fabricar sus relojes de la manera más responsable posible los inspira a superarse y perseguir objetivos aún más ambiciosos. Esto está respaldado por el compromiso de la empresa con el abastecimiento rastreable, la reducción de la huella de carbono y la inversión en proyectos de biodiversidad.

Finalmente, el Informe ahora es más ligero y atractivo, una desviación del documento anterior de 60 páginas a una revista fácil de leer. El Informe utiliza narraciones y un lenguaje claro y directo para invitar a los lectores al viaje de sustentabilidad de IWC. El Informe de Sostenibilidad de IWC se prepara con referencia a los Estándares de la Iniciativa de Informes Globales (GRI).*

Lea más sobre la visión, el propósito y las últimas actividades de IWC en el Informe de sostenibilidad 2022 aquí:  https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

GISELE BÜNDCHEN: UNA CARRERA DE CUIDADO 

A lo largo de su carrera de 27 años, Bündchen ha sido fotografiada por fotógrafos legendarios y ha desfilado en las pasarelas de las casas de moda más prestigiosas del mundo. Ha sido el rostro de innumerables campañas globales y apareció en las portadas de más de 1200 revistas de todo el mundo, incluidas TIME, Forbes y Rolling Stone, y las principales publicaciones de moda Vogue, V, W, ELLE y Harper’s Bazaar, entre muchas otras. .

Es autora del libro más vendido del New York Times, Lessons:  My Path to a Meaningful Life , en el que comparte historias personales y puntos de vista que la han ayudado a vivir una vida más consciente y alegre.

Gisele es conocida por su apasionado compromiso con la sostenibilidad y la conservación del medio ambiente. Con un alcance global único, Bündchen usa su influencia para llamar la atención sobre nuestro planeta y cómo la sociedad puede trabajar colectivamente para protegerlo. Se ha desempeñado como Embajadora de Buena Voluntad del Programa Ambiental de las Naciones Unidas desde 2009. Ha sido honrada por la Universidad de Harvard y UCLA por su compromiso de larga data con las causas ambientales y también recibió el Premio a la Mejor Celebridad Internacional Verde de los Green Awards.

El profesionalismo, la dedicación y la pasión de Bündchen la convierten en una formidable defensora de las causas ambientales y sociales.

*ACERCA DE LA INICIATIVA DE REPORTE GLOBAL 

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) proporciona el marco más utilizado en el mundo para la elaboración de informes de sostenibilidad. Ofrece un formato estructurado para compartir información de manera coherente y completa sobre cuestiones materiales, métricas de desempeño y la gestión de cuestiones relacionadas con la sostenibilidad.

COMITÉ DE SOSTENIBILIDAD DE IWC
De izquierda a derecha: Andreas Voll (COO), René Behr (CPO), Lorenz Baerlocher (CFO), Chris Grainger-Herr (CEO), Alexander Welte (Director Asociado de Cadena de Suministro), Riccardo Soliani Brivio (Director Asociado de Comunicaciones Corporativas), Carina Porot (Gerente de Sostenibilidad Global), Franziska Gsell (CMO), Marc Michel-Amadry (CCO), Christian Knoop (Director de Diseño)
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

chaffhausen, 26th July 2022 – IWC Schaffhausen today releases the fourth edition of its Sustainability Report. The Report features a foreword by environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, IWC’s newly appointed Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. As well as outlining the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s progress towards its 2022 sustainability targets, the Report looks ahead to the Company’s ambitious roadmap for the future and its new guiding purpose ‘Engineering beyond time’.

A SHARED PURPOSE: PARTNERING WITH GISELE BÜNDCHEN 

IWC welcomes environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen as the brand’s first ever Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. Since 2009, Gisele has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program, engaging with causes that advocate for biodiversity and wildlife. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longstanding commitment to environmental issues.

When IWC carried out the materiality analysis for their latest Report, they identified Biodiversity and Communities as two crucial areas to accelerate their efforts. Gisele will bring her experience with these causes and her passion for protecting the planet to IWC’s sustainability projects. She will also support the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer identifying initiatives to work on in the future.

Commenting on the partnership with IWC, Gisele stated: “I’m excited to partner with IWC on our shared purpose of protecting our planet. Our sustainability journeys both started with the realisation that we had a responsibility to do more. That we could use our voices and influence to make a positive impact on the environment and society. I look forward to working together with IWC to help leave a better future for generations to come.”

“With Gisele we have someone who shares our purpose and determination to impact real change on the environment and society. We are honoured to have her on board as we continue our sustainability journey. We at IWC have always held ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to playing our part to preserve the world for future generations. Gisele’s experience, dedication and global reach will help to open up new possibilities for us to positively impact the environment and communities around the world.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

PROGRESS ON IWC’S 2022 SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS 

IWC began their sustainability journey over a decade ago and the precision, passion and persistence that goes into their watchmaking helps drive their sustainability efforts. Watches produced by IWC are sustainable by default, cherished and handed down to the next generation. In 2020, the Company set nine targets to accomplish by 2022. Despite the pandemic, they have achieved many of their goals and made considerable strides in others.

  • Achieved RJC’s Chain of Custody (CoC)certification of watch components: a voluntary standard that certifies that the gold and platinum used in their supply chain are traceable and responsibly sourced;
  • Switched to purchasing 100% renewable energy globally;
  • Maintained a ‘Great Place to Work®’ certification;
  • Achieved EQUAL-SALARY certification in Switzerland;
  • Developed and piloted a blueprint for sustainable events.
  • Developed and implemented a more sustainable IT strategy, focusing on our hardware.

IWC are on track to achieve the following by the end of 2022:

  • Phase out the purchase of non-FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forestry products (e.g. paper, cardboard, wood, furniture);
  • Double IWC’s annual corporate volunteering hours compared to a 2020 baseline;
  • Double the number of women in managerial positions compared to a 2017 baseline.

In other key developments since 2020, IWC:

  • Launched TimberTex™ straps in 2021: produced in Italy, these straps use 80% plant-based fibres- sustainably sourced from European forests;
  • Eliminated single-use plastics at their headquarters and boutiques; and
  • Continued to partner with organisations around the world, such as Laureus Sport for Good and Save the Children, to drive societal change.

“We continue to move ahead in our sustainability journey, always questioning what more we can do in material innovation, energy use and societal impact to be even more sustainable. We keenly understand our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, to work towards a more equitable society and to show that luxury does not need to mean excess. Nor be excessive.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

INTRODUCING MIRATEX™,  A BREAKTHROUGH PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO LEATHER 

Following the introduction of paper-based TimberTex straps in 2021, IWC is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary MiraTex™ straps, a first for the market. IWC’s MiraTex™ straps are made with MIRUM®, a biobased, plastic-free, circular material that meets IWC’s rigorous standards of durability, flexibility and aesthetic beauty.

A portmanteau combining miracle and textile, MiraTex™ was engineered in close collaboration with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a material innovation company. Composed of plants and minerals including FSC certified natural rubber, fillers including cork powder and mineral colorants, NFW’s MIRUM® does not contain any petrochemicals or plastic. Eliminating the tanning process, MIRUM® is much less resource-intensive to produce than animal and synthetic leather, thereby giving it a low carbon footprint. MIRUM® is also 100% recyclable and circular.

For more information about IWC’s MiraTex™ straps, please consult the backgrounder “MiraTex™: a Sustainable and Circular Innovation”.

A NEW PURPOSE: ‘ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME ’ 

The IWC 2022 Sustainability Report is part of the Company’s continued efforts to being fully transparent about the progress towards their sustainability goals.

Consult the IWC 2022 Sustainability Report here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

“Sustainability permeates our entire business – at all divisions, at all levels. It drives us to think smarter, to innovate and to take advantage of the opportunities that being a more responsible company creates. This sustainability report demonstrates our commitment to being transparent and sustainable. Unapologetically and without exceptions,”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

To further increase transparency and regularly engage stakeholders in their journey, IWC has announced an annual rather than biannual cadence for the Report. This year’s edition provides an update on IWC’s ongoing sustainability journey, based on a new purpose, ‘Engineering beyond time’, upheld by the pillars of Transparency, Responsibility and Circularity.

TRANSPARENCY – Engineering beyond perception 

This pillar demonstrates IWC’s belief that an open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders enables the company to see where they stand, where they can improve and which goals they need to set to continue their journey. This is supported by their commitment to annual reporting, partnerships with credible companies and associations, and adhering to recognised international standards.

CIRCULARITY – Engineering beyond precision 

This pillar displays the longevity of IWC’s timepieces, which are timeless in style and function and are handed down through the generations. IWC maintains each and every watch made in Schaffhausen for as long as someone enjoys wearing it. This is underscored by their commitment to the lifetime servicing of their watches even for vintage pieces, use of recycled steel and gold, and re-usability of their products and packaging.

RESPONSIBILITY – Engineering beyond sustainability 

This pillar reflects the fact that IWC creates a product that is perpetual by nature. Manufacturing their watches as responsibly as possible inspires them to exceed and pursue even more ambitious goals. This is underpinned by the company’s commitment to traceable sourcing, carbon footprint reduction and investment in biodiversity projects.

Finally, the Report is now lighter and more engaging, a departure from the previous 60-page document to an easy-to-read magazine. The Report uses storytelling as well as clear and straightforward language to invite readers into IWC’s sustainability journey. IWC’s Sustainability Report is prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.*

Read more about IWC’s vision, purpose and latest activities in the Sustainability Report 2022 here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

GISELE BÜNDCHEN: A CAREER OF CARING 

Throughout the course of her 27-year career, Bündchen has been photographed by legendary photographers and walked the runways of the world’s most esteemed fashion houses. She has been the face of countless global campaigns and graced the covers of more than 1,200 magazines around the globe, including TIME, Forbes, and Rolling Stone, and top fashion publications Vogue, V, W, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar, among many others.

She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, in which she shares personal stories and insights that have helped her live a more conscious and joyful life.

Gisele is known for her passionate commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. With a uniquely global reach, Bündchen uses her influence to bring attention to our planet and how society can collectively work to protect it. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations nvironmental Program since 2009. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longtime commitment to environmental causes and also received the Best Green International Celebrity Award by the Green Awards.

Bündchen’s professionalism, dedication and passion make her a formidable advocate for environmental and social causes.

*ABOUT THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE 

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting.It offers a structured format to share information coherently and comprehensively about material issues, performance metrics and the management of sustainability-related issues.

IWC SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Left to right: Andreas Voll (COO), René Behr (CPO), Lorenz Baerlocher (CFO), Chris Grainger-Herr (CEO), Alexander Welte (Associate Director Supply Chain), Riccardo Soliani Brivio (Associate Director Corporate Communications), Carina Porot (Global Sustainability Manager), Franziska Gsell (CMO), Marc Michel-Amadry (CCO), Christian Knoop (Chief Design Officer)
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

chaffhausen, 26th July 2022 – IWC Schaffhausen today releases the fourth edition of its Sustainability Report. The Report features a foreword by environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, IWC’s newly appointed Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. As well as outlining the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s progress towards its 2022 sustainability targets, the Report looks ahead to the Company’s ambitious roadmap for the future and its new guiding purpose ‘Engineering beyond time’.

A SHARED PURPOSE: PARTNERING WITH GISELE BÜNDCHEN 

IWC welcomes environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen as the brand’s first ever Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. Since 2009, Gisele has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program, engaging with causes that advocate for biodiversity and wildlife. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longstanding commitment to environmental issues.

When IWC carried out the materiality analysis for their latest Report, they identified Biodiversity and Communities as two crucial areas to accelerate their efforts. Gisele will bring her experience with these causes and her passion for protecting the planet to IWC’s sustainability projects. She will also support the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer identifying initiatives to work on in the future.

Commenting on the partnership with IWC, Gisele stated: “I’m excited to partner with IWC on our shared purpose of protecting our planet. Our sustainability journeys both started with the realisation that we had a responsibility to do more. That we could use our voices and influence to make a positive impact on the environment and society. I look forward to working together with IWC to help leave a better future for generations to come.”

“With Gisele we have someone who shares our purpose and determination to impact real change on the environment and society. We are honoured to have her on board as we continue our sustainability journey. We at IWC have always held ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to playing our part to preserve the world for future generations. Gisele’s experience, dedication and global reach will help to open up new possibilities for us to positively impact the environment and communities around the world.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

PROGRESS ON IWC’S 2022 SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS 

IWC began their sustainability journey over a decade ago and the precision, passion and persistence that goes into their watchmaking helps drive their sustainability efforts. Watches produced by IWC are sustainable by default, cherished and handed down to the next generation. In 2020, the Company set nine targets to accomplish by 2022. Despite the pandemic, they have achieved many of their goals and made considerable strides in others.

  • Achieved RJC’s Chain of Custody (CoC)certification of watch components: a voluntary standard that certifies that the gold and platinum used in their supply chain are traceable and responsibly sourced;
  • Switched to purchasing 100% renewable energy globally;
  • Maintained a ‘Great Place to Work®’ certification;
  • Achieved EQUAL-SALARY certification in Switzerland;
  • Developed and piloted a blueprint for sustainable events.
  • Developed and implemented a more sustainable IT strategy, focusing on our hardware.

IWC are on track to achieve the following by the end of 2022:

  • Phase out the purchase of non-FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forestry products (e.g. paper, cardboard, wood, furniture);
  • Double IWC’s annual corporate volunteering hours compared to a 2020 baseline;
  • Double the number of women in managerial positions compared to a 2017 baseline.

In other key developments since 2020, IWC:

  • Launched TimberTex™ straps in 2021: produced in Italy, these straps use 80% plant-based fibres- sustainably sourced from European forests;
  • Eliminated single-use plastics at their headquarters and boutiques; and
  • Continued to partner with organisations around the world, such as Laureus Sport for Good and Save the Children, to drive societal change.

“We continue to move ahead in our sustainability journey, always questioning what more we can do in material innovation, energy use and societal impact to be even more sustainable. We keenly understand our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, to work towards a more equitable society and to show that luxury does not need to mean excess. Nor be excessive.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

INTRODUCING MIRATEX™,  A BREAKTHROUGH PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO LEATHER 

Following the introduction of paper-based TimberTex straps in 2021, IWC is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary MiraTex™ straps, a first for the market. IWC’s MiraTex™ straps are made with MIRUM®, a biobased, plastic-free, circular material that meets IWC’s rigorous standards of durability, flexibility and aesthetic beauty.

A portmanteau combining miracle and textile, MiraTex™ was engineered in close collaboration with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a material innovation company. Composed of plants and minerals including FSC certified natural rubber, fillers including cork powder and mineral colorants, NFW’s MIRUM® does not contain any petrochemicals or plastic. Eliminating the tanning process, MIRUM® is much less resource-intensive to produce than animal and synthetic leather, thereby giving it a low carbon footprint. MIRUM® is also 100% recyclable and circular.

For more information about IWC’s MiraTex™ straps, please consult the backgrounder “MiraTex™: a Sustainable and Circular Innovation”.

A NEW PURPOSE: ‘ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME ’ 

The IWC 2022 Sustainability Report is part of the Company’s continued efforts to being fully transparent about the progress towards their sustainability goals.

Consult the IWC 2022 Sustainability Report here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

“Sustainability permeates our entire business – at all divisions, at all levels. It drives us to think smarter, to innovate and to take advantage of the opportunities that being a more responsible company creates. This sustainability report demonstrates our commitment to being transparent and sustainable. Unapologetically and without exceptions,”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

To further increase transparency and regularly engage stakeholders in their journey, IWC has announced an annual rather than biannual cadence for the Report. This year’s edition provides an update on IWC’s ongoing sustainability journey, based on a new purpose, ‘Engineering beyond time’, upheld by the pillars of Transparency, Responsibility and Circularity.

TRANSPARENCY – Engineering beyond perception 

This pillar demonstrates IWC’s belief that an open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders enables the company to see where they stand, where they can improve and which goals they need to set to continue their journey. This is supported by their commitment to annual reporting, partnerships with credible companies and associations, and adhering to recognised international standards.

CIRCULARITY – Engineering beyond precision 

This pillar displays the longevity of IWC’s timepieces, which are timeless in style and function and are handed down through the generations. IWC maintains each and every watch made in Schaffhausen for as long as someone enjoys wearing it. This is underscored by their commitment to the lifetime servicing of their watches even for vintage pieces, use of recycled steel and gold, and re-usability of their products and packaging.

RESPONSIBILITY – Engineering beyond sustainability 

This pillar reflects the fact that IWC creates a product that is perpetual by nature. Manufacturing their watches as responsibly as possible inspires them to exceed and pursue even more ambitious goals. This is underpinned by the company’s commitment to traceable sourcing, carbon footprint reduction and investment in biodiversity projects.

Finally, the Report is now lighter and more engaging, a departure from the previous 60-page document to an easy-to-read magazine. The Report uses storytelling as well as clear and straightforward language to invite readers into IWC’s sustainability journey. IWC’s Sustainability Report is prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.*

Read more about IWC’s vision, purpose and latest activities in the Sustainability Report 2022 here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

GISELE BÜNDCHEN: A CAREER OF CARING 

Throughout the course of her 27-year career, Bündchen has been photographed by legendary photographers and walked the runways of the world’s most esteemed fashion houses. She has been the face of countless global campaigns and graced the covers of more than 1,200 magazines around the globe, including TIME, Forbes, and Rolling Stone, and top fashion publications Vogue, V, W, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar, among many others.

She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, in which she shares personal stories and insights that have helped her live a more conscious and joyful life.

Gisele is known for her passionate commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. With a uniquely global reach, Bündchen uses her influence to bring attention to our planet and how society can collectively work to protect it. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations nvironmental Program since 2009. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longtime commitment to environmental causes and also received the Best Green International Celebrity Award by the Green Awards.

Bündchen’s professionalism, dedication and passion make her a formidable advocate for environmental and social causes.

*ABOUT THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE 

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting.It offers a structured format to share information coherently and comprehensively about material issues, performance metrics and the management of sustainability-related issues.

IWC SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Left to right: Andreas Voll (COO), René Behr (CPO), Lorenz Baerlocher (CFO), Chris Grainger-Herr (CEO), Alexander Welte (Associate Director Supply Chain), Riccardo Soliani Brivio (Associate Director Corporate Communications), Carina Porot (Global Sustainability Manager), Franziska Gsell (CMO), Marc Michel-Amadry (CCO), Christian Knoop (Chief Design Officer)
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

chaffhausen, 26th July 2022 – IWC Schaffhausen today releases the fourth edition of its Sustainability Report. The Report features a foreword by environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, IWC’s newly appointed Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. As well as outlining the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s progress towards its 2022 sustainability targets, the Report looks ahead to the Company’s ambitious roadmap for the future and its new guiding purpose ‘Engineering beyond time’.

A SHARED PURPOSE: PARTNERING WITH GISELE BÜNDCHEN 

IWC welcomes environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen as the brand’s first ever Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. Since 2009, Gisele has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program, engaging with causes that advocate for biodiversity and wildlife. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longstanding commitment to environmental issues.

When IWC carried out the materiality analysis for their latest Report, they identified Biodiversity and Communities as two crucial areas to accelerate their efforts. Gisele will bring her experience with these causes and her passion for protecting the planet to IWC’s sustainability projects. She will also support the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer identifying initiatives to work on in the future.

Commenting on the partnership with IWC, Gisele stated: “I’m excited to partner with IWC on our shared purpose of protecting our planet. Our sustainability journeys both started with the realisation that we had a responsibility to do more. That we could use our voices and influence to make a positive impact on the environment and society. I look forward to working together with IWC to help leave a better future for generations to come.”

“With Gisele we have someone who shares our purpose and determination to impact real change on the environment and society. We are honoured to have her on board as we continue our sustainability journey. We at IWC have always held ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to playing our part to preserve the world for future generations. Gisele’s experience, dedication and global reach will help to open up new possibilities for us to positively impact the environment and communities around the world.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

PROGRESS ON IWC’S 2022 SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS 

IWC began their sustainability journey over a decade ago and the precision, passion and persistence that goes into their watchmaking helps drive their sustainability efforts. Watches produced by IWC are sustainable by default, cherished and handed down to the next generation. In 2020, the Company set nine targets to accomplish by 2022. Despite the pandemic, they have achieved many of their goals and made considerable strides in others.

  • Achieved RJC’s Chain of Custody (CoC)certification of watch components: a voluntary standard that certifies that the gold and platinum used in their supply chain are traceable and responsibly sourced;
  • Switched to purchasing 100% renewable energy globally;
  • Maintained a ‘Great Place to Work®’ certification;
  • Achieved EQUAL-SALARY certification in Switzerland;
  • Developed and piloted a blueprint for sustainable events.
  • Developed and implemented a more sustainable IT strategy, focusing on our hardware.

IWC are on track to achieve the following by the end of 2022:

  • Phase out the purchase of non-FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forestry products (e.g. paper, cardboard, wood, furniture);
  • Double IWC’s annual corporate volunteering hours compared to a 2020 baseline;
  • Double the number of women in managerial positions compared to a 2017 baseline.

In other key developments since 2020, IWC:

  • Launched TimberTex™ straps in 2021: produced in Italy, these straps use 80% plant-based fibres- sustainably sourced from European forests;
  • Eliminated single-use plastics at their headquarters and boutiques; and
  • Continued to partner with organisations around the world, such as Laureus Sport for Good and Save the Children, to drive societal change.

“We continue to move ahead in our sustainability journey, always questioning what more we can do in material innovation, energy use and societal impact to be even more sustainable. We keenly understand our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, to work towards a more equitable society and to show that luxury does not need to mean excess. Nor be excessive.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

INTRODUCING MIRATEX™,  A BREAKTHROUGH PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO LEATHER 

Following the introduction of paper-based TimberTex straps in 2021, IWC is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary MiraTex™ straps, a first for the market. IWC’s MiraTex™ straps are made with MIRUM®, a biobased, plastic-free, circular material that meets IWC’s rigorous standards of durability, flexibility and aesthetic beauty.

A portmanteau combining miracle and textile, MiraTex™ was engineered in close collaboration with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a material innovation company. Composed of plants and minerals including FSC certified natural rubber, fillers including cork powder and mineral colorants, NFW’s MIRUM® does not contain any petrochemicals or plastic. Eliminating the tanning process, MIRUM® is much less resource-intensive to produce than animal and synthetic leather, thereby giving it a low carbon footprint. MIRUM® is also 100% recyclable and circular.

For more information about IWC’s MiraTex™ straps, please consult the backgrounder “MiraTex™: a Sustainable and Circular Innovation”.

A NEW PURPOSE: ‘ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME ’ 

The IWC 2022 Sustainability Report is part of the Company’s continued efforts to being fully transparent about the progress towards their sustainability goals.

Consult the IWC 2022 Sustainability Report here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

“Sustainability permeates our entire business – at all divisions, at all levels. It drives us to think smarter, to innovate and to take advantage of the opportunities that being a more responsible company creates. This sustainability report demonstrates our commitment to being transparent and sustainable. Unapologetically and without exceptions,”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

To further increase transparency and regularly engage stakeholders in their journey, IWC has announced an annual rather than biannual cadence for the Report. This year’s edition provides an update on IWC’s ongoing sustainability journey, based on a new purpose, ‘Engineering beyond time’, upheld by the pillars of Transparency, Responsibility and Circularity.

TRANSPARENCY – Engineering beyond perception 

This pillar demonstrates IWC’s belief that an open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders enables the company to see where they stand, where they can improve and which goals they need to set to continue their journey. This is supported by their commitment to annual reporting, partnerships with credible companies and associations, and adhering to recognised international standards.

CIRCULARITY – Engineering beyond precision 

This pillar displays the longevity of IWC’s timepieces, which are timeless in style and function and are handed down through the generations. IWC maintains each and every watch made in Schaffhausen for as long as someone enjoys wearing it. This is underscored by their commitment to the lifetime servicing of their watches even for vintage pieces, use of recycled steel and gold, and re-usability of their products and packaging.

RESPONSIBILITY – Engineering beyond sustainability 

This pillar reflects the fact that IWC creates a product that is perpetual by nature. Manufacturing their watches as responsibly as possible inspires them to exceed and pursue even more ambitious goals. This is underpinned by the company’s commitment to traceable sourcing, carbon footprint reduction and investment in biodiversity projects.

Finally, the Report is now lighter and more engaging, a departure from the previous 60-page document to an easy-to-read magazine. The Report uses storytelling as well as clear and straightforward language to invite readers into IWC’s sustainability journey. IWC’s Sustainability Report is prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.*

Read more about IWC’s vision, purpose and latest activities in the Sustainability Report 2022 here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

GISELE BÜNDCHEN: A CAREER OF CARING 

Throughout the course of her 27-year career, Bündchen has been photographed by legendary photographers and walked the runways of the world’s most esteemed fashion houses. She has been the face of countless global campaigns and graced the covers of more than 1,200 magazines around the globe, including TIME, Forbes, and Rolling Stone, and top fashion publications Vogue, V, W, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar, among many others.

She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, in which she shares personal stories and insights that have helped her live a more conscious and joyful life.

Gisele is known for her passionate commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. With a uniquely global reach, Bündchen uses her influence to bring attention to our planet and how society can collectively work to protect it. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations nvironmental Program since 2009. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longtime commitment to environmental causes and also received the Best Green International Celebrity Award by the Green Awards.

Bündchen’s professionalism, dedication and passion make her a formidable advocate for environmental and social causes.

*ABOUT THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE 

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting.It offers a structured format to share information coherently and comprehensively about material issues, performance metrics and the management of sustainability-related issues.

IWC SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Left to right: Andreas Voll (COO), René Behr (CPO), Lorenz Baerlocher (CFO), Chris Grainger-Herr (CEO), Alexander Welte (Associate Director Supply Chain), Riccardo Soliani Brivio (Associate Director Corporate Communications), Carina Porot (Global Sustainability Manager), Franziska Gsell (CMO), Marc Michel-Amadry (CCO), Christian Knoop (Chief Design Officer)
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

chaffhausen, 26th July 2022 – IWC Schaffhausen today releases the fourth edition of its Sustainability Report. The Report features a foreword by environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, IWC’s newly appointed Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. As well as outlining the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s progress towards its 2022 sustainability targets, the Report looks ahead to the Company’s ambitious roadmap for the future and its new guiding purpose ‘Engineering beyond time’.

A SHARED PURPOSE: PARTNERING WITH GISELE BÜNDCHEN 

IWC welcomes environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen as the brand’s first ever Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. Since 2009, Gisele has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program, engaging with causes that advocate for biodiversity and wildlife. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longstanding commitment to environmental issues.

When IWC carried out the materiality analysis for their latest Report, they identified Biodiversity and Communities as two crucial areas to accelerate their efforts. Gisele will bring her experience with these causes and her passion for protecting the planet to IWC’s sustainability projects. She will also support the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer identifying initiatives to work on in the future.

Commenting on the partnership with IWC, Gisele stated: “I’m excited to partner with IWC on our shared purpose of protecting our planet. Our sustainability journeys both started with the realisation that we had a responsibility to do more. That we could use our voices and influence to make a positive impact on the environment and society. I look forward to working together with IWC to help leave a better future for generations to come.”

“With Gisele we have someone who shares our purpose and determination to impact real change on the environment and society. We are honoured to have her on board as we continue our sustainability journey. We at IWC have always held ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to playing our part to preserve the world for future generations. Gisele’s experience, dedication and global reach will help to open up new possibilities for us to positively impact the environment and communities around the world.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

PROGRESS ON IWC’S 2022 SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS 

IWC began their sustainability journey over a decade ago and the precision, passion and persistence that goes into their watchmaking helps drive their sustainability efforts. Watches produced by IWC are sustainable by default, cherished and handed down to the next generation. In 2020, the Company set nine targets to accomplish by 2022. Despite the pandemic, they have achieved many of their goals and made considerable strides in others.

  • Achieved RJC’s Chain of Custody (CoC)certification of watch components: a voluntary standard that certifies that the gold and platinum used in their supply chain are traceable and responsibly sourced;
  • Switched to purchasing 100% renewable energy globally;
  • Maintained a ‘Great Place to Work®’ certification;
  • Achieved EQUAL-SALARY certification in Switzerland;
  • Developed and piloted a blueprint for sustainable events.
  • Developed and implemented a more sustainable IT strategy, focusing on our hardware.

IWC are on track to achieve the following by the end of 2022:

  • Phase out the purchase of non-FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forestry products (e.g. paper, cardboard, wood, furniture);
  • Double IWC’s annual corporate volunteering hours compared to a 2020 baseline;
  • Double the number of women in managerial positions compared to a 2017 baseline.

In other key developments since 2020, IWC:

  • Launched TimberTex™ straps in 2021: produced in Italy, these straps use 80% plant-based fibres- sustainably sourced from European forests;
  • Eliminated single-use plastics at their headquarters and boutiques; and
  • Continued to partner with organisations around the world, such as Laureus Sport for Good and Save the Children, to drive societal change.

“We continue to move ahead in our sustainability journey, always questioning what more we can do in material innovation, energy use and societal impact to be even more sustainable. We keenly understand our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, to work towards a more equitable society and to show that luxury does not need to mean excess. Nor be excessive.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

INTRODUCING MIRATEX™,  A BREAKTHROUGH PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO LEATHER 

Following the introduction of paper-based TimberTex straps in 2021, IWC is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary MiraTex™ straps, a first for the market. IWC’s MiraTex™ straps are made with MIRUM®, a biobased, plastic-free, circular material that meets IWC’s rigorous standards of durability, flexibility and aesthetic beauty.

A portmanteau combining miracle and textile, MiraTex™ was engineered in close collaboration with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a material innovation company. Composed of plants and minerals including FSC certified natural rubber, fillers including cork powder and mineral colorants, NFW’s MIRUM® does not contain any petrochemicals or plastic. Eliminating the tanning process, MIRUM® is much less resource-intensive to produce than animal and synthetic leather, thereby giving it a low carbon footprint. MIRUM® is also 100% recyclable and circular.

For more information about IWC’s MiraTex™ straps, please consult the backgrounder “MiraTex™: a Sustainable and Circular Innovation”.

A NEW PURPOSE: ‘ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME ’ 

The IWC 2022 Sustainability Report is part of the Company’s continued efforts to being fully transparent about the progress towards their sustainability goals.

Consult the IWC 2022 Sustainability Report here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

“Sustainability permeates our entire business – at all divisions, at all levels. It drives us to think smarter, to innovate and to take advantage of the opportunities that being a more responsible company creates. This sustainability report demonstrates our commitment to being transparent and sustainable. Unapologetically and without exceptions,”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

To further increase transparency and regularly engage stakeholders in their journey, IWC has announced an annual rather than biannual cadence for the Report. This year’s edition provides an update on IWC’s ongoing sustainability journey, based on a new purpose, ‘Engineering beyond time’, upheld by the pillars of Transparency, Responsibility and Circularity.

TRANSPARENCY – Engineering beyond perception 

This pillar demonstrates IWC’s belief that an open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders enables the company to see where they stand, where they can improve and which goals they need to set to continue their journey. This is supported by their commitment to annual reporting, partnerships with credible companies and associations, and adhering to recognised international standards.

CIRCULARITY – Engineering beyond precision 

This pillar displays the longevity of IWC’s timepieces, which are timeless in style and function and are handed down through the generations. IWC maintains each and every watch made in Schaffhausen for as long as someone enjoys wearing it. This is underscored by their commitment to the lifetime servicing of their watches even for vintage pieces, use of recycled steel and gold, and re-usability of their products and packaging.

RESPONSIBILITY – Engineering beyond sustainability 

This pillar reflects the fact that IWC creates a product that is perpetual by nature. Manufacturing their watches as responsibly as possible inspires them to exceed and pursue even more ambitious goals. This is underpinned by the company’s commitment to traceable sourcing, carbon footprint reduction and investment in biodiversity projects.

Finally, the Report is now lighter and more engaging, a departure from the previous 60-page document to an easy-to-read magazine. The Report uses storytelling as well as clear and straightforward language to invite readers into IWC’s sustainability journey. IWC’s Sustainability Report is prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.*

Read more about IWC’s vision, purpose and latest activities in the Sustainability Report 2022 here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

GISELE BÜNDCHEN: A CAREER OF CARING 

Throughout the course of her 27-year career, Bündchen has been photographed by legendary photographers and walked the runways of the world’s most esteemed fashion houses. She has been the face of countless global campaigns and graced the covers of more than 1,200 magazines around the globe, including TIME, Forbes, and Rolling Stone, and top fashion publications Vogue, V, W, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar, among many others.

She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, in which she shares personal stories and insights that have helped her live a more conscious and joyful life.

Gisele is known for her passionate commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. With a uniquely global reach, Bündchen uses her influence to bring attention to our planet and how society can collectively work to protect it. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations nvironmental Program since 2009. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longtime commitment to environmental causes and also received the Best Green International Celebrity Award by the Green Awards.

Bündchen’s professionalism, dedication and passion make her a formidable advocate for environmental and social causes.

*ABOUT THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE 

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting.It offers a structured format to share information coherently and comprehensively about material issues, performance metrics and the management of sustainability-related issues.

IWC SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Left to right: Andreas Voll (COO), René Behr (CPO), Lorenz Baerlocher (CFO), Chris Grainger-Herr (CEO), Alexander Welte (Associate Director Supply Chain), Riccardo Soliani Brivio (Associate Director Corporate Communications), Carina Porot (Global Sustainability Manager), Franziska Gsell (CMO), Marc Michel-Amadry (CCO), Christian Knoop (Chief Design Officer)
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

chaffhausen, 26th July 2022 – IWC Schaffhausen today releases the fourth edition of its Sustainability Report. The Report features a foreword by environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, IWC’s newly appointed Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. As well as outlining the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s progress towards its 2022 sustainability targets, the Report looks ahead to the Company’s ambitious roadmap for the future and its new guiding purpose ‘Engineering beyond time’.

A SHARED PURPOSE: PARTNERING WITH GISELE BÜNDCHEN 

IWC welcomes environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen as the brand’s first ever Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. Since 2009, Gisele has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program, engaging with causes that advocate for biodiversity and wildlife. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longstanding commitment to environmental issues.

When IWC carried out the materiality analysis for their latest Report, they identified Biodiversity and Communities as two crucial areas to accelerate their efforts. Gisele will bring her experience with these causes and her passion for protecting the planet to IWC’s sustainability projects. She will also support the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer identifying initiatives to work on in the future.

Commenting on the partnership with IWC, Gisele stated: “I’m excited to partner with IWC on our shared purpose of protecting our planet. Our sustainability journeys both started with the realisation that we had a responsibility to do more. That we could use our voices and influence to make a positive impact on the environment and society. I look forward to working together with IWC to help leave a better future for generations to come.”

“With Gisele we have someone who shares our purpose and determination to impact real change on the environment and society. We are honoured to have her on board as we continue our sustainability journey. We at IWC have always held ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to playing our part to preserve the world for future generations. Gisele’s experience, dedication and global reach will help to open up new possibilities for us to positively impact the environment and communities around the world.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

PROGRESS ON IWC’S 2022 SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS 

IWC began their sustainability journey over a decade ago and the precision, passion and persistence that goes into their watchmaking helps drive their sustainability efforts. Watches produced by IWC are sustainable by default, cherished and handed down to the next generation. In 2020, the Company set nine targets to accomplish by 2022. Despite the pandemic, they have achieved many of their goals and made considerable strides in others.

  • Achieved RJC’s Chain of Custody (CoC)certification of watch components: a voluntary standard that certifies that the gold and platinum used in their supply chain are traceable and responsibly sourced;
  • Switched to purchasing 100% renewable energy globally;
  • Maintained a ‘Great Place to Work®’ certification;
  • Achieved EQUAL-SALARY certification in Switzerland;
  • Developed and piloted a blueprint for sustainable events.
  • Developed and implemented a more sustainable IT strategy, focusing on our hardware.

IWC are on track to achieve the following by the end of 2022:

  • Phase out the purchase of non-FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forestry products (e.g. paper, cardboard, wood, furniture);
  • Double IWC’s annual corporate volunteering hours compared to a 2020 baseline;
  • Double the number of women in managerial positions compared to a 2017 baseline.

In other key developments since 2020, IWC:

  • Launched TimberTex™ straps in 2021: produced in Italy, these straps use 80% plant-based fibres- sustainably sourced from European forests;
  • Eliminated single-use plastics at their headquarters and boutiques; and
  • Continued to partner with organisations around the world, such as Laureus Sport for Good and Save the Children, to drive societal change.

“We continue to move ahead in our sustainability journey, always questioning what more we can do in material innovation, energy use and societal impact to be even more sustainable. We keenly understand our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, to work towards a more equitable society and to show that luxury does not need to mean excess. Nor be excessive.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

INTRODUCING MIRATEX™,  A BREAKTHROUGH PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO LEATHER 

Following the introduction of paper-based TimberTex straps in 2021, IWC is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary MiraTex™ straps, a first for the market. IWC’s MiraTex™ straps are made with MIRUM®, a biobased, plastic-free, circular material that meets IWC’s rigorous standards of durability, flexibility and aesthetic beauty.

A portmanteau combining miracle and textile, MiraTex™ was engineered in close collaboration with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a material innovation company. Composed of plants and minerals including FSC certified natural rubber, fillers including cork powder and mineral colorants, NFW’s MIRUM® does not contain any petrochemicals or plastic. Eliminating the tanning process, MIRUM® is much less resource-intensive to produce than animal and synthetic leather, thereby giving it a low carbon footprint. MIRUM® is also 100% recyclable and circular.

For more information about IWC’s MiraTex™ straps, please consult the backgrounder “MiraTex™: a Sustainable and Circular Innovation”.

A NEW PURPOSE: ‘ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME ’ 

The IWC 2022 Sustainability Report is part of the Company’s continued efforts to being fully transparent about the progress towards their sustainability goals.

Consult the IWC 2022 Sustainability Report here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

“Sustainability permeates our entire business – at all divisions, at all levels. It drives us to think smarter, to innovate and to take advantage of the opportunities that being a more responsible company creates. This sustainability report demonstrates our commitment to being transparent and sustainable. Unapologetically and without exceptions,”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

To further increase transparency and regularly engage stakeholders in their journey, IWC has announced an annual rather than biannual cadence for the Report. This year’s edition provides an update on IWC’s ongoing sustainability journey, based on a new purpose, ‘Engineering beyond time’, upheld by the pillars of Transparency, Responsibility and Circularity.

TRANSPARENCY – Engineering beyond perception 

This pillar demonstrates IWC’s belief that an open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders enables the company to see where they stand, where they can improve and which goals they need to set to continue their journey. This is supported by their commitment to annual reporting, partnerships with credible companies and associations, and adhering to recognised international standards.

CIRCULARITY – Engineering beyond precision 

This pillar displays the longevity of IWC’s timepieces, which are timeless in style and function and are handed down through the generations. IWC maintains each and every watch made in Schaffhausen for as long as someone enjoys wearing it. This is underscored by their commitment to the lifetime servicing of their watches even for vintage pieces, use of recycled steel and gold, and re-usability of their products and packaging.

RESPONSIBILITY – Engineering beyond sustainability 

This pillar reflects the fact that IWC creates a product that is perpetual by nature. Manufacturing their watches as responsibly as possible inspires them to exceed and pursue even more ambitious goals. This is underpinned by the company’s commitment to traceable sourcing, carbon footprint reduction and investment in biodiversity projects.

Finally, the Report is now lighter and more engaging, a departure from the previous 60-page document to an easy-to-read magazine. The Report uses storytelling as well as clear and straightforward language to invite readers into IWC’s sustainability journey. IWC’s Sustainability Report is prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.*

Read more about IWC’s vision, purpose and latest activities in the Sustainability Report 2022 here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

GISELE BÜNDCHEN: A CAREER OF CARING 

Throughout the course of her 27-year career, Bündchen has been photographed by legendary photographers and walked the runways of the world’s most esteemed fashion houses. She has been the face of countless global campaigns and graced the covers of more than 1,200 magazines around the globe, including TIME, Forbes, and Rolling Stone, and top fashion publications Vogue, V, W, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar, among many others.

She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, in which she shares personal stories and insights that have helped her live a more conscious and joyful life.

Gisele is known for her passionate commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. With a uniquely global reach, Bündchen uses her influence to bring attention to our planet and how society can collectively work to protect it. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations nvironmental Program since 2009. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longtime commitment to environmental causes and also received the Best Green International Celebrity Award by the Green Awards.

Bündchen’s professionalism, dedication and passion make her a formidable advocate for environmental and social causes.

*ABOUT THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE 

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting.It offers a structured format to share information coherently and comprehensively about material issues, performance metrics and the management of sustainability-related issues.

IWC SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Left to right: Andreas Voll (COO), René Behr (CPO), Lorenz Baerlocher (CFO), Chris Grainger-Herr (CEO), Alexander Welte (Associate Director Supply Chain), Riccardo Soliani Brivio (Associate Director Corporate Communications), Carina Porot (Global Sustainability Manager), Franziska Gsell (CMO), Marc Michel-Amadry (CCO), Christian Knoop (Chief Design Officer)
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

chaffhausen, 26th July 2022 – IWC Schaffhausen today releases the fourth edition of its Sustainability Report. The Report features a foreword by environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, IWC’s newly appointed Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. As well as outlining the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s progress towards its 2022 sustainability targets, the Report looks ahead to the Company’s ambitious roadmap for the future and its new guiding purpose ‘Engineering beyond time’.

A SHARED PURPOSE: PARTNERING WITH GISELE BÜNDCHEN 

IWC welcomes environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen as the brand’s first ever Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. Since 2009, Gisele has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program, engaging with causes that advocate for biodiversity and wildlife. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longstanding commitment to environmental issues.

When IWC carried out the materiality analysis for their latest Report, they identified Biodiversity and Communities as two crucial areas to accelerate their efforts. Gisele will bring her experience with these causes and her passion for protecting the planet to IWC’s sustainability projects. She will also support the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer identifying initiatives to work on in the future.

Commenting on the partnership with IWC, Gisele stated: “I’m excited to partner with IWC on our shared purpose of protecting our planet. Our sustainability journeys both started with the realisation that we had a responsibility to do more. That we could use our voices and influence to make a positive impact on the environment and society. I look forward to working together with IWC to help leave a better future for generations to come.”

“With Gisele we have someone who shares our purpose and determination to impact real change on the environment and society. We are honoured to have her on board as we continue our sustainability journey. We at IWC have always held ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to playing our part to preserve the world for future generations. Gisele’s experience, dedication and global reach will help to open up new possibilities for us to positively impact the environment and communities around the world.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

PROGRESS ON IWC’S 2022 SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS 

IWC began their sustainability journey over a decade ago and the precision, passion and persistence that goes into their watchmaking helps drive their sustainability efforts. Watches produced by IWC are sustainable by default, cherished and handed down to the next generation. In 2020, the Company set nine targets to accomplish by 2022. Despite the pandemic, they have achieved many of their goals and made considerable strides in others.

  • Achieved RJC’s Chain of Custody (CoC)certification of watch components: a voluntary standard that certifies that the gold and platinum used in their supply chain are traceable and responsibly sourced;
  • Switched to purchasing 100% renewable energy globally;
  • Maintained a ‘Great Place to Work®’ certification;
  • Achieved EQUAL-SALARY certification in Switzerland;
  • Developed and piloted a blueprint for sustainable events.
  • Developed and implemented a more sustainable IT strategy, focusing on our hardware.

IWC are on track to achieve the following by the end of 2022:

  • Phase out the purchase of non-FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forestry products (e.g. paper, cardboard, wood, furniture);
  • Double IWC’s annual corporate volunteering hours compared to a 2020 baseline;
  • Double the number of women in managerial positions compared to a 2017 baseline.

In other key developments since 2020, IWC:

  • Launched TimberTex™ straps in 2021: produced in Italy, these straps use 80% plant-based fibres- sustainably sourced from European forests;
  • Eliminated single-use plastics at their headquarters and boutiques; and
  • Continued to partner with organisations around the world, such as Laureus Sport for Good and Save the Children, to drive societal change.

“We continue to move ahead in our sustainability journey, always questioning what more we can do in material innovation, energy use and societal impact to be even more sustainable. We keenly understand our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, to work towards a more equitable society and to show that luxury does not need to mean excess. Nor be excessive.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

INTRODUCING MIRATEX™,  A BREAKTHROUGH PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO LEATHER 

Following the introduction of paper-based TimberTex straps in 2021, IWC is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary MiraTex™ straps, a first for the market. IWC’s MiraTex™ straps are made with MIRUM®, a biobased, plastic-free, circular material that meets IWC’s rigorous standards of durability, flexibility and aesthetic beauty.

A portmanteau combining miracle and textile, MiraTex™ was engineered in close collaboration with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a material innovation company. Composed of plants and minerals including FSC certified natural rubber, fillers including cork powder and mineral colorants, NFW’s MIRUM® does not contain any petrochemicals or plastic. Eliminating the tanning process, MIRUM® is much less resource-intensive to produce than animal and synthetic leather, thereby giving it a low carbon footprint. MIRUM® is also 100% recyclable and circular.

For more information about IWC’s MiraTex™ straps, please consult the backgrounder “MiraTex™: a Sustainable and Circular Innovation”.

A NEW PURPOSE: ‘ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME ’ 

The IWC 2022 Sustainability Report is part of the Company’s continued efforts to being fully transparent about the progress towards their sustainability goals.

Consult the IWC 2022 Sustainability Report here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

“Sustainability permeates our entire business – at all divisions, at all levels. It drives us to think smarter, to innovate and to take advantage of the opportunities that being a more responsible company creates. This sustainability report demonstrates our commitment to being transparent and sustainable. Unapologetically and without exceptions,”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

To further increase transparency and regularly engage stakeholders in their journey, IWC has announced an annual rather than biannual cadence for the Report. This year’s edition provides an update on IWC’s ongoing sustainability journey, based on a new purpose, ‘Engineering beyond time’, upheld by the pillars of Transparency, Responsibility and Circularity.

TRANSPARENCY – Engineering beyond perception 

This pillar demonstrates IWC’s belief that an open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders enables the company to see where they stand, where they can improve and which goals they need to set to continue their journey. This is supported by their commitment to annual reporting, partnerships with credible companies and associations, and adhering to recognised international standards.

CIRCULARITY – Engineering beyond precision 

This pillar displays the longevity of IWC’s timepieces, which are timeless in style and function and are handed down through the generations. IWC maintains each and every watch made in Schaffhausen for as long as someone enjoys wearing it. This is underscored by their commitment to the lifetime servicing of their watches even for vintage pieces, use of recycled steel and gold, and re-usability of their products and packaging.

RESPONSIBILITY – Engineering beyond sustainability 

This pillar reflects the fact that IWC creates a product that is perpetual by nature. Manufacturing their watches as responsibly as possible inspires them to exceed and pursue even more ambitious goals. This is underpinned by the company’s commitment to traceable sourcing, carbon footprint reduction and investment in biodiversity projects.

Finally, the Report is now lighter and more engaging, a departure from the previous 60-page document to an easy-to-read magazine. The Report uses storytelling as well as clear and straightforward language to invite readers into IWC’s sustainability journey. IWC’s Sustainability Report is prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.*

Read more about IWC’s vision, purpose and latest activities in the Sustainability Report 2022 here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

GISELE BÜNDCHEN: A CAREER OF CARING 

Throughout the course of her 27-year career, Bündchen has been photographed by legendary photographers and walked the runways of the world’s most esteemed fashion houses. She has been the face of countless global campaigns and graced the covers of more than 1,200 magazines around the globe, including TIME, Forbes, and Rolling Stone, and top fashion publications Vogue, V, W, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar, among many others.

She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, in which she shares personal stories and insights that have helped her live a more conscious and joyful life.

Gisele is known for her passionate commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. With a uniquely global reach, Bündchen uses her influence to bring attention to our planet and how society can collectively work to protect it. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations nvironmental Program since 2009. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longtime commitment to environmental causes and also received the Best Green International Celebrity Award by the Green Awards.

Bündchen’s professionalism, dedication and passion make her a formidable advocate for environmental and social causes.

*ABOUT THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE 

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting.It offers a structured format to share information coherently and comprehensively about material issues, performance metrics and the management of sustainability-related issues.

IWC SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Left to right: Andreas Voll (COO), René Behr (CPO), Lorenz Baerlocher (CFO), Chris Grainger-Herr (CEO), Alexander Welte (Associate Director Supply Chain), Riccardo Soliani Brivio (Associate Director Corporate Communications), Carina Porot (Global Sustainability Manager), Franziska Gsell (CMO), Marc Michel-Amadry (CCO), Christian Knoop (Chief Design Officer)
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN publishes 2022 sustainability report and introduces new environmental community projects Advisor Gisele Büendchen

chaffhausen, 26th July 2022 – IWC Schaffhausen today releases the fourth edition of its Sustainability Report. The Report features a foreword by environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, IWC’s newly appointed Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. As well as outlining the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s progress towards its 2022 sustainability targets, the Report looks ahead to the Company’s ambitious roadmap for the future and its new guiding purpose ‘Engineering beyond time’.

A SHARED PURPOSE: PARTNERING WITH GISELE BÜNDCHEN 

IWC welcomes environmentalist and supermodel Gisele Bündchen as the brand’s first ever Environmental & Community Projects Advisor. Since 2009, Gisele has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Program, engaging with causes that advocate for biodiversity and wildlife. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longstanding commitment to environmental issues.

When IWC carried out the materiality analysis for their latest Report, they identified Biodiversity and Communities as two crucial areas to accelerate their efforts. Gisele will bring her experience with these causes and her passion for protecting the planet to IWC’s sustainability projects. She will also support the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer identifying initiatives to work on in the future.

Commenting on the partnership with IWC, Gisele stated: “I’m excited to partner with IWC on our shared purpose of protecting our planet. Our sustainability journeys both started with the realisation that we had a responsibility to do more. That we could use our voices and influence to make a positive impact on the environment and society. I look forward to working together with IWC to help leave a better future for generations to come.”

“With Gisele we have someone who shares our purpose and determination to impact real change on the environment and society. We are honoured to have her on board as we continue our sustainability journey. We at IWC have always held ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to playing our part to preserve the world for future generations. Gisele’s experience, dedication and global reach will help to open up new possibilities for us to positively impact the environment and communities around the world.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

PROGRESS ON IWC’S 2022 SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS 

IWC began their sustainability journey over a decade ago and the precision, passion and persistence that goes into their watchmaking helps drive their sustainability efforts. Watches produced by IWC are sustainable by default, cherished and handed down to the next generation. In 2020, the Company set nine targets to accomplish by 2022. Despite the pandemic, they have achieved many of their goals and made considerable strides in others.

  • Achieved RJC’s Chain of Custody (CoC)certification of watch components: a voluntary standard that certifies that the gold and platinum used in their supply chain are traceable and responsibly sourced;
  • Switched to purchasing 100% renewable energy globally;
  • Maintained a ‘Great Place to Work®’ certification;
  • Achieved EQUAL-SALARY certification in Switzerland;
  • Developed and piloted a blueprint for sustainable events.
  • Developed and implemented a more sustainable IT strategy, focusing on our hardware.

IWC are on track to achieve the following by the end of 2022:

  • Phase out the purchase of non-FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified forestry products (e.g. paper, cardboard, wood, furniture);
  • Double IWC’s annual corporate volunteering hours compared to a 2020 baseline;
  • Double the number of women in managerial positions compared to a 2017 baseline.

In other key developments since 2020, IWC:

  • Launched TimberTex™ straps in 2021: produced in Italy, these straps use 80% plant-based fibres- sustainably sourced from European forests;
  • Eliminated single-use plastics at their headquarters and boutiques; and
  • Continued to partner with organisations around the world, such as Laureus Sport for Good and Save the Children, to drive societal change.

“We continue to move ahead in our sustainability journey, always questioning what more we can do in material innovation, energy use and societal impact to be even more sustainable. We keenly understand our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, to work towards a more equitable society and to show that luxury does not need to mean excess. Nor be excessive.”

Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen

INTRODUCING MIRATEX™,  A BREAKTHROUGH PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO LEATHER 

Following the introduction of paper-based TimberTex straps in 2021, IWC is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary MiraTex™ straps, a first for the market. IWC’s MiraTex™ straps are made with MIRUM®, a biobased, plastic-free, circular material that meets IWC’s rigorous standards of durability, flexibility and aesthetic beauty.

A portmanteau combining miracle and textile, MiraTex™ was engineered in close collaboration with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a material innovation company. Composed of plants and minerals including FSC certified natural rubber, fillers including cork powder and mineral colorants, NFW’s MIRUM® does not contain any petrochemicals or plastic. Eliminating the tanning process, MIRUM® is much less resource-intensive to produce than animal and synthetic leather, thereby giving it a low carbon footprint. MIRUM® is also 100% recyclable and circular.

For more information about IWC’s MiraTex™ straps, please consult the backgrounder “MiraTex™: a Sustainable and Circular Innovation”.

A NEW PURPOSE: ‘ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME ’ 

The IWC 2022 Sustainability Report is part of the Company’s continued efforts to being fully transparent about the progress towards their sustainability goals.

Consult the IWC 2022 Sustainability Report here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

“Sustainability permeates our entire business – at all divisions, at all levels. It drives us to think smarter, to innovate and to take advantage of the opportunities that being a more responsible company creates. This sustainability report demonstrates our commitment to being transparent and sustainable. Unapologetically and without exceptions,”

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

To further increase transparency and regularly engage stakeholders in their journey, IWC has announced an annual rather than biannual cadence for the Report. This year’s edition provides an update on IWC’s ongoing sustainability journey, based on a new purpose, ‘Engineering beyond time’, upheld by the pillars of Transparency, Responsibility and Circularity.

TRANSPARENCY – Engineering beyond perception 

This pillar demonstrates IWC’s belief that an open and honest dialogue with all stakeholders enables the company to see where they stand, where they can improve and which goals they need to set to continue their journey. This is supported by their commitment to annual reporting, partnerships with credible companies and associations, and adhering to recognised international standards.

CIRCULARITY – Engineering beyond precision 

This pillar displays the longevity of IWC’s timepieces, which are timeless in style and function and are handed down through the generations. IWC maintains each and every watch made in Schaffhausen for as long as someone enjoys wearing it. This is underscored by their commitment to the lifetime servicing of their watches even for vintage pieces, use of recycled steel and gold, and re-usability of their products and packaging.

RESPONSIBILITY – Engineering beyond sustainability 

This pillar reflects the fact that IWC creates a product that is perpetual by nature. Manufacturing their watches as responsibly as possible inspires them to exceed and pursue even more ambitious goals. This is underpinned by the company’s commitment to traceable sourcing, carbon footprint reduction and investment in biodiversity projects.

Finally, the Report is now lighter and more engaging, a departure from the previous 60-page document to an easy-to-read magazine. The Report uses storytelling as well as clear and straightforward language to invite readers into IWC’s sustainability journey. IWC’s Sustainability Report is prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.*

Read more about IWC’s vision, purpose and latest activities in the Sustainability Report 2022 here: https://www.iwc.com/en/company/sustainability-at-iwc.html

GISELE BÜNDCHEN: A CAREER OF CARING 

Throughout the course of her 27-year career, Bündchen has been photographed by legendary photographers and walked the runways of the world’s most esteemed fashion houses. She has been the face of countless global campaigns and graced the covers of more than 1,200 magazines around the globe, including TIME, Forbes, and Rolling Stone, and top fashion publications Vogue, V, W, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar, among many others.

She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, in which she shares personal stories and insights that have helped her live a more conscious and joyful life.

Gisele is known for her passionate commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. With a uniquely global reach, Bündchen uses her influence to bring attention to our planet and how society can collectively work to protect it. She has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations nvironmental Program since 2009. She has been honoured by Harvard University and UCLA for her longtime commitment to environmental causes and also received the Best Green International Celebrity Award by the Green Awards.

Bündchen’s professionalism, dedication and passion make her a formidable advocate for environmental and social causes.

*ABOUT THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE 

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting.It offers a structured format to share information coherently and comprehensively about material issues, performance metrics and the management of sustainability-related issues.

IWC SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Left to right: Andreas Voll (COO), René Behr (CPO), Lorenz Baerlocher (CFO), Chris Grainger-Herr (CEO), Alexander Welte (Associate Director Supply Chain), Riccardo Soliani Brivio (Associate Director Corporate Communications), Carina Porot (Global Sustainability Manager), Franziska Gsell (CMO), Marc Michel-Amadry (CCO), Christian Knoop (Chief Design Officer)
POLK AUDIO INTRODUCES ‘REACT’ SOUND BAR WITH DOLBY & DTS VIRTUAL SURROUND SOUND AND ALEXA BUILT-IN

CARLSBAD, CALIF. (January 26, 2021)— Polk Audio today announced its latest smart sound bar, Polk React. Offering Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1 virtual surround sound and Alexa Built-in, React is a high performance sound bar that makes any TV sound incredible with the added benefit of the industry’s most robust Amazon Alexa integration in a sound bar. Designed by Polk Audio’s renowned loudspeaker engineering team in Baltimore, React can be used as a standalone sound bar, or be paired with Polk Audio SR2 wireless rear surround speakers and/or React Sub wireless subwoofer for a full 5.1 surround system. Polk React ($249), SR2 wireless rear surrounds ($199) and React Sub ($199) are currently available for purchase.

To deliver a detailed and expansive surround sound home theater experience without the need for dedicated rear speakers, Polk React is optimized to get the most out of Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1. However, if listeners want to upgrade to true surround sound and deeper bass without connecting a single wire to the sound bar, they can purchase the new Polk SR2 wireless surround speakers and/or Polk Audio React Sub .

POLK AUDIO INTRODUCES ‘REACT’ SOUND BAR WITH DOLBY & DTS VIRTUAL SURROUND SOUND AND ALEXA BUILT-IN

POLK AUDIO INTRODUCES ‘REACT’ SOUND BAR WITH DOLBY & DTS VIRTUAL SURROUND SOUND AND ALEXA BUILT-IN

Polk Audio leaned into its years-long relationship with Amazon to make React the most advanced Alexa-enabled sound bar available today. It supports Alexa’s Communication feature, which gives users the ability to sync their contacts in the Alexa app and use voice commands to communicate with eligible friends and family in the US, Canada, and Mexico from the sound bar at no cost. Additionally, React supports Alexa Multi-room Music, enabling listeners to pair multiple Alexa-enabled speakers with the sound bar for whole-home music. To hear commands clearly even at higher volumes, React boasts four far-field microphones and Amazon’s proprietary wake word detection and echo cancellation software to augment performance.

Polk React users can ask Alexa to execute simple sound bar tasks like adjusting volume and bass levels, and selecting listening modes. However, to expand voice control for the home theater, React also works with other Alexa devices like a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Blaster. Syncing a Fire TV Stick with React enables users to queue up and play movies or TV shows without touching a remote, while pairing React with a Fire TV Blaster enables voice control of TVs, cable boxes and other devices. Plus, automated over-the-air software updates ensure React stays up to date with new Alexa capabilities and sound bar features so users don’t have to lift a finger.

“Polk Audio was the first audio company to partner with Amazon and create an Alexa-controlled sound bar in 2018. While the fruit of that initial effort—the Polk Command Bar—was a big success, we learned a lot about how to enhance a sound bar for an even better voice-controlled home theater experience,” said Michael McCole, senior marketing manager for sound bars at Polk Audio. “Polk React is the realization of the learnings we gained from the Command Bar. We worked even more closely with Amazon to improve compatibility with other Alexa devices, create a simpler set up process, and make it more seamless to operate within the Alexa app. Also, since it’s a Polk Audio product, listeners can be assured it will always make their TV sound excellent. Great audio is all Polk does.”

React is easy to install and integrates with almost every flat panel TV display and its remote control for intuitive system operation and setup. Given its low-profile design, React does not block remote IR sensors and looks great on furniture or wall mounted.

Featuring Polk Audio’s proprietary Voice Adjust technology, listeners can precisely tweak voice levels and make dialogue crystal clear without needing to crank up the volume. One-button preset sound modes ensure movies (“Movie Mode”) and music (“Music Mode”) sound great, while a dedicated “Night Mode” prevents the sound from disturbing family or neighbors by reducing bass levels and enhancing Voice Adjust to deliver clearer dialogue. React also includes Bluetooth music streaming for when users want to get their groove on.

SR2 Wireless Surround Speakers

The Polk Audio SR2 wireless surround satellite speakers provide life-like home cinema surround sound performance to Polk React from a powerful internal amplifier and custom-tuned drivers. The SR2 speakers offer superb dispersion, providing the additional dimensionality that home theater enthusiasts crave. Because the speakers connect wirelessly to the React sound bar, there is no need to run speaker wires across the room. The Polk Audio SR2 surround speakers are compatible with the React sound bar as well as the Polk Magnifi 2 and future Magnifi and React series sound bars.

React Sub

The Polk React Sub wireless subwoofer delivers deep, impactful bass and is the ultimate enhancement for the React sound bar. The React Sub features a 7-inch, long-throw woofer mounted in an unassuming, finely tuned enclosure that blends into any home décor. The React subwoofer perfectly extends the bass response of the React sound bar, creating a high-performance entertainment system ideally suited for virtually any movie, music, or TV show.

The React Sub’s unique low-turbulence, flared port tube ensures tight, responsive bass performance with plenty of impact. Polk’s innovative Bass Adjust EQ feature automatically adjusts a React series sound bar’s settings to accommodate the React Sub’s additional bass output. Because React series sound bars are controllable using Amazon Alexa, users can turn up or down the React system’s bass level with their voice. Setup is effortless—simply plug the React subwoofer into a power outlet, push two buttons—setup is complete.

Pricing and Availability

The Polk Audio React sound bar ($249), SR2 wireless surround speakers ($199) and React Sub ($199) are currently available on the Polk Audio website, Amazon and other authorized resellers.

About Polk Audio

Polk (www.polkaudio.com) is an award-winning designer of high-performance audio products and the largest audio brand of Sound United. Founded in 1972, Polk is the market share leader in premium home theater speakers in North America, and is a leading manufacturer of sound bars, headphones, wireless speakers, mobile and marine speakers and amplifiers, and other high-performance audio products. For more information on Sound United and its brands, visit www.soundunited.com. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Sound United

Sound United was founded in 2012 with a simple mission – to bring joy to the world through sound. Today, we’re one of the world’s largest portfolio audio companies and home to several legendary audio brands—Bowers & Wilkins™, Denon®, Marantz®, Polk Audio, Classé, Definitive Technology, HEOS, and Boston Acoustics®. Each brand boasts its own philosophy and unique approach to bringing home entertainment to life.

With centuries of collective experience, Sound United oversees the design and manufacture of a diverse array of premium audio products, including loudspeakers, sound bars, AV receivers, wireless speakers, amplifiers, turntables, and headphones. We create distinct and memorable listening experiences for a wide range of consumers in more than 130 countries. For more information on Sound United and our mission, please visit www.soundunited.com.

To learn more about Sound United and its brands, visit www.soundunited.com.

Apple introduces AirPods Max, the magic of AirPods in a stunning over-ear design

AirPods Max feature incredible high-fidelity audio, Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, and spatial audio

AirPods Max bring the magic of AirPods to an all-new wireless over-ear design with high-fidelity audio, Active Noise Cancellation, spatial audio, and more.
Cupertino, California — Apple today announced AirPods Max, innovative wireless headphones that bring the magic of AirPods to an over-ear design with high-fidelity sound. AirPods Max combine a custom acoustic design, H1 chips, and advanced software to power computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio. AirPods Max come in five gorgeous colors, including space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink, and are available to order starting today, with availability beginning Tuesday, December 15.
“AirPods are the most popular headphones in the world, beloved for their effortless setup, incredible sound quality, and iconic design. With AirPods Max, we are bringing that magical AirPods experience to a stunning over-ear design with high-fidelity audio,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The custom acoustic design, combined with powerful H1 chips, and advanced software enable AirPods Max to use computational audio to wirelessly deliver the ultimate personal listening experience.”

Custom Acoustic Design

From the canopy to the ear cushions, every part of AirPods Max is carefully crafted to provide exceptional acoustic performance for each user. The breathable knit mesh canopy, spanning the headband, is made to distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure. The stainless steel headband frame provides strength, flexibility, and comfort for a wide variety of head shapes and sizes. Telescoping headband arms smoothly extend and stay in place to maintain the desired fit.
Each ear cup attaches to the headband through a revolutionary mechanism that balances and distributes ear cup pressure, and allows it to independently pivot and rotate to fit the unique contours of a user’s head. Each ear cushion uses acoustically engineered memory foam to create an effective seal — a critical factor in delivering immersive sound. The Digital Crown, inspired by Apple Watch, offers precise volume control and the ability to play or pause audio, skip tracks, answer or end phone calls, and activate Siri.

Breakthrough Listening Experience

AirPods Max feature a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic driver that provides rich, deep bass, accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean high-frequency extension so every note can be heard. A unique dual neodymium ring magnet motor allows AirPods Max to maintain total harmonic distortion of less than 1 percent across the entire audible range, even at maximum volume.1 Equipped with an Apple-designed H1 chip in each ear cup, a custom acoustic design, and advanced software, AirPods Max use computational audio to deliver the highest quality listening experience possible. Utilizing each of the chips’ 10 audio cores — capable of 9 billion operations per second — computational audio powers a breakthrough listening experience that includes Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio.
AirPods Max custom acoustic design features a 40-mm dynamic driver and a unique dual neodymium ring magnet motor.
  • Adaptive EQ: AirPods Max use Adaptive EQ to adjust the sound to the fit and seal of the ear cushions by measuring the sound signal delivered to a user and adjusting the low and mid-frequencies in real time — bringing rich audio that captures every detail.
  • Active Noise Cancellation: AirPods Max deliver immersive sound through Active Noise Cancellation so users can focus on what they are listening to. Each ear cup features three outward-facing microphones to detect environmental noise, while one microphone inside the ear cup monitors the sound reaching the listener’s ear. Using computational audio, noise cancellation continuously adapts to the headphone fit and movement in real time.
  • Transparency Mode: With AirPods Max, users can switch to Transparency mode to simultaneously listen to music while hearing the environment around them — ensuring everything, including a user’s own voice, sounds natural while audio plays perfectly. Switching between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode can be done with a single press using the noise control button.
  • Spatial Audio: AirPods Max use spatial audio with dynamic head tracking to place sounds virtually anywhere in a space — delivering an immersive, theaterlike experience for content recorded in 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos. Using the gyroscope and accelerometer in AirPods Max and iPhone or iPad, spatial audio tracks the motion of a user’s head as well as the device, compares the motion data, then remaps the sound field so it stays anchored to the device, even as the user’s head moves.

The Magic of AirPods

AirPods Max join the existing AirPods family in delivering unparalleled wireless audio, whether a customer is listening to music, making phone calls, enjoying TV shows and movies, playing games, or interacting with Siri. The magical setup experience customers love with today’s AirPods and AirPods Pro extends to AirPods Max with one-tap setup, followed by automatic pairing with all the devices signed in to a user’s iCloud account, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
AirPods Max automatically detect when they are on a user’s head using the optical and position sensors. Once in place, AirPods Max play audio and can pause once removed or when the user simply lifts one ear cup. With AirPods Max, voice calls and Siri commands are crisp and clear due to beam-forming microphones that block out ambient noise and focus on the user’s voice.
AirPods Max feature the magical one-tap setup experience that customers love with AirPods.

Battery and Performance

AirPods Max feature great battery life with up to 20 hours of high-fidelity audio, talk time, or movie playback with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled.2
AirPods Max come with a soft, slim Smart Case that puts AirPods Max in an ultralow power state that helps to preserve battery charge when not in use.
When stored in the soft, slim Smart Case, AirPods Max enter an ultralow power state that preserves charge.

Additional Features

  • Automatic switching allows users to seamlessly move sound between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. When playing music on Mac, users can easily take a call on iPhone and AirPods Max will automatically switch over.
  • Audio Sharing makes it possible to easily share an audio stream between two sets of AirPods on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV 4K. Simply bring AirPods Max near the device and connect with a single tap.3
  • Siri capabilities include the ability to play music, make phone calls, control the volume, get directions, and more. Siri can also read incoming messages as they arrive with Announce Messages with Siri.
Pricing and Availability
  • AirPods Max are available to order starting today for $549 (US) from apple.com and in the Apple Store app in the US and more than 25 other countries and regions. AirPods Max will begin shipping on Tuesday, December 15.
  • AirPods Max require Apple devices running iOS 14.3 or later, iPadOS 14.3 or later, macOS Big Sur 11.1 or later, watchOS 7.2 or later, or tvOS 14.3 or later.
  • AirPods start at $159 (US) and AirPods Pro are available for $249 (US).
  • Customers can add personal engraving to AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, and AirPods for free on apple.com and in the Apple Store app.
  • Customers are able to find the same great shopping and support services at apple.com/shop, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple Store locations. Customers can get shopping help from Apple Specialists, choose monthly financing options, get special carrier offers for iPhone, trade in eligible devices, and get Support services and no-contact delivery or Apple Store pickup options. Customers are encouraged to check apple.com/retail for more information on the health and safety measures in place, and the services available, at their local store.
  • Pickup options include in-store, curbside, or Express storefront, and vary by store. Same-day delivery may also be available. Customers can check apple.com/retail for services available at their local store.
  • With Apple Card, customers in the US get 3 percent Daily Cash back when they buy directly from Apple and have the option to choose Apple Card Monthly Installments so they can pay over time, interest-free.