This startup makes affordable watches out of recycled ocean plastic, but you'd never know it from how they look

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• Every TRIWA Ocean Plastic watch features both a solid case and fabric band made entirely out of ocean plastic, 8 million metric tons of which is dumped into the sea annually.
• The Time for Oceans watches are lightweight, affordable, and can be worn with casual or business casual clothing.
• These watches are only the latest TRIWA timepieces with a cause; the company earlier began offering watches made from Humanium Metal, a material created by melting down illegal firearms.

A good watch is never merely a timepiece but is also a reliable conversation piece. I've drawn several compliments about the understated but handsome gray TRIWA watch often on my wrist these days, and I'm always thrilled when the compliment giver seems genuinely interested in hearing about the watch.

Because with a backstory like this, the watch is worth the time.

Like every piece in the Time for Oceans collection, before it was on my wrist keeping the time, my TRIWA Ocean Plastic watch was just a bunch of trash floating out there in the open water.

Mostly, anyway – the precision Japanese movement has some metal in it, and the face is protected by mineral glass, but we'll forgive them for it, considering that the solid case and comfortable fabric band were once shopping bags, discarded toys, six-pack rings, and all the other garbage polluting our seas.

The TRIWA story

Founded in 2007, the TRIWA name is an amalgamation of the words Transforming the Industry of Watches. The company set out to offer watches that were simple, stylish, and affordable despite their high quality.

I can't say whether or not this Swedish brand has changed the watch world, but I can say that its work has done plenty to improve the world at large. A few years back, the company launched its Time for Peace line of watches which featured chronometers made primarily using Humanium Metal, which is metal produced by melting down seized illegal firearms. Now it has a new collection aimed at using recycled ocean plastic.

To make an Ocean Plastic watch TRIWA sources their "ocean material" from #tide, a Swiss company (the irony of this from a landlocked nation is not lost) that produces useable plastic pellets sourced entirely from ocean plastics. The resulting timepieces are surprisingly durable, handsome, and priced well.

What the Time for Oceans watches are like to wear

TRIWA Ocean Plastic watch looks perfect on your wrist with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, a button-down with a rolled-up sleeve, or as you hike, bike, or surf. Safe down to 10 ATM, or 100 meters below sea level, you can wear this watch while swimming or diving, and of course, rain and sweat are no issue. The watches are available in four colors, ranging from simple black to bright coral orange.

The ocean-plastic case is on the smaller side, measuring about 38 millimeters across, but the fabric band (made from ocean plastic as well, of course) is broad and has a ruggedly casual look. It features enough closely-spaced holes for the watch to work for just about any adult wrist.

On the face, the three, six, and nine are shown in prominent numerals, with marks for the other hours and minutes around the bezel. The hands are each a different color and are kept on track by a Japanese Citizen Miyota movement, and the back of the dial has a subtle textured pattern that, on inspection, you'll realize is reminiscent of gentle ocean waves.

Oh, and these watches sell for all of $129, hardly a steep price for a good watch backed by a good cause.

Cons to consider

All that goodness notwithstanding, these watches are not going to cut it with any more formal attire, so if you're looking for a watch for work in your more traditional office near the same price point, maybe try something like Filippo Loreti (though, note that shipping times are long for this company since their watches are made to order). And if you want a fancier dive watch at a slightly higher price point, go with Martnero.

Also, I wish these watches were available in more than one case size, but that may well be fixed down the line, as this collection is still new in town.

The bottom line

TRIWA Ocean Plastic watches are comfortable, good looking, reliable, and manufactured primarily out of recycled plastic using a process powered by solar energy, all of which is awesome. They are well worth their modest price tag.

Even if one doesn't become your new go-to, but is instead your surf/hike/bike/run wristwatch, you will still have made a good buy of a respectable product.

Read the original article on Insider