Sprout Eco Friendly Watches (Product Review)

Recently the folks over at Sprout, sent us a couple of Eco friendly watches to review for our readers.  These are really durable watches that not only have style, but are lightweight and are a good option to bring with you on the trail. Given that many of readers want products that are Eco friendly, Sprout watches are bonus because they also have style!

About Sprout: Sprout is a company that, after more than 50 years of producing great selling timepieces, set out to create a line of high-quality, affordable eco-forward watches. From the start, Sprout made the conscious decision to be materialistic in a most unusual way. From corn resin, conflict-free diamonds, bamboo and cork in our watches to recycled content in our packaging, we focused on materials that are easy on the planet. Our strength lies in our long-standing passion for the traditional art of watch-making combined with an eye for design and an entrepreneurial, free-thinking spirit. The way we see it, it's all about choices-the ones we make in our day-to-day operations and the ones we give consumers by offering an alternative to the status-quo.

ECO-Facts

Eco-Friendliness: The small size Sprout watch is 80% eco-friendly (by weight) The large size Sprout watch is 86% eco-friendly (by weight)

Compliance: All Sprout watches are in compliance with the CPSIA and are lead and phthalate free. The corn resin we use is in full compliance with the American ASTM D6400 as well as the European EN13432 standards for compostable material.

Brian's Review:  Sprout sent to me one mans watch to review (ST/3800BKRD). The watch had a durable feel to it while still being lighter than normal watches I usually wear. The watch is incredibly detailed.  It has standard watch hands but also has a separate dial for the day of the week, date, and one for a 24 hour time. The watch says it is resistant down to 165 feet. However, that is something we didn't not test out. The back of the watch is made out of black bamboo and is pretty neat as you can see the texture of the bamboo which adds to the great look of the watch. It would be nice if some of the smaller dials had larger fonts in order to better see the specific date and day of the week, but in reality that can be a complaint about many watches. Bottom-line, this is a stylish lightweight watch that fits with the hiking lifestyle because it is eco friendly.

Ashley's Review: Sprout sent Ashley one womans watch to review (ST/3800BKYL) and here is her review: CUTEST WATCH EVER! Not only is it completely green, but it has style. I received the black and white watch from SPROUT. It looks like a Marc Jacobs style resin watch with its chunky band and sporty face. I love big watches. Although I have small wrists, the watch is not clunky, it doesn't shift once sized, and it opens and closes easily. It's water resistant, so I wear it even if I'm washing my hands. I love the weight of the watch. It's extremely light. The contrast between the black and white makes this watch look awesome with any type of outfit. I have also tested out the watch on a walk. The band is easy to wipe off if it gets sweaty or dirty. I get lots of compliments on this watch. The brand name is really cool and it's definitely something outdoor lovers would love! Fashion forward for the active lifestyle!

To find a store where you can purchase Sprout Watches Click Here. Additionally, the watches can be purchased at Sprout's Website.

Materials Sprout Watches are Made From

Corn Resin: The shelf life of corn resin is similar to synthetic plastics. It will not break down during regular wear and use. In a compost environment, corn resin is 99% biodegradable to carbon dioxide and water within 365 days. Since its made from corn, it comes from a renewable resource. Conventional plastics use an estimated 200,000 barrels of oil a day in the United States alone but because corn resin is bio-based, it therefore uses no oil resources in production

Diamonds: Our diamonds are all certified and conflict free

Mother of Pearl: Our Mother of Pearl watches are all declared through the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife in the U.S. and will never be from forbidden or endangered species

Organic Cotton: The majority of cotton is grown with toxic chemicals. Conventional cotton requires the use of enormous amounts of pesticides - 25% of all insecticides and 10% of all pesticides which have a huge environmental impact. It is one of the most environmentally damaging crops to grow, as about 84 million pounds of pesticides are sprayed on US cotton crops alone in one year. Some of these chemicals are considered to be the most toxic chemicals in the world. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment and is grown without the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

Tyvek: Tyvek® is a high-density fiber which is strong, water and tear resistant and is recyclable. Tyvek® can also be safely incinerated and if recycling or incineration are not options, Tyvek® can be safely landfilled. Given the nature of this material, Tyvek® is supple and develops a leather-like look over time.

Bamboo: Bamboo is considered eco-friendly based on its properties as 1) a natural (nonsynthetic) fiber, 2) a quick-growth plant (it's in the grass family) that sequesters greenhouse gases, and 3) a renewable plant that can grow back after its three to five year harvesting period. It largely doesn't need chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers to grow.

Mineral Crystal: Most lenses in the medium price range of watches are made from plexiglass, a type of synthetic plastic. Sprout lenses are made from Mineral crystal which is a type of glass made from sand. It can technically be recycled.

Mercury Free Battery: Mercury is actually a neurotoxin, which is harmful to both animals and humans. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury over a long period may cause negative health effects including damage to the brain, kidney, lungs and a developing baby. Sprout watches use only Mercury Free batteries.

Recycled Fibers: Sprout packaging is made from at least 80% post consumer fibers. It is both recycled and recyclable.

Fish Skins: We find inspiration for our eco-friendly materials in all areas of nature - corn fields, bamboo forests - and in the case of our exotic fish skins, the big blue sea. Fish skins are an eco-friendly alternative to animal leather because ocean leather manufacturers use the by-product of the skin from fish farmers who are catching non-endangered species for human consumption. Think about how much Salmon is eaten worldwide. That's a lot of skins that would otherwise be discarded and wasted! Fish skin is praised as being one of the strongest leathers on earth, as well as having an uncanny elasticity. The skins are pliable, durable, beautifully textured and amazingly luxurious and because of the uniqueness of the patterns, no two skins are exactly alike. At Sprout, we love the idea of turning trash into something exotic and beautiful!