Our values are simple, and that is to continually do the best we can do.
We also believe that all of our Votch straps are strong, breathable, soft, and flexible.
However, as much as we strive to research animal-friendly and environmentally sustainable materials, we want to make sure you cherish and love your Votch as much as we do, and we would love to see your cruelty-free accessories last a long time, too! Is there anything more sustainable than that?
So here is our guide on how to look after your Votch watch, so we can prove it will last just as much as a leather watch, and so you can flaunt your wrist with some cool cruelty-free fashion for longer!
- Why no leather?
We think that animals are our friends and that they do not need to suffer for fashion! This is a topic that we talked about in one of our previous blog posts: 5 Reasons Why We Love By Blanch.
From a welfare perspective, we are a cruelty-free company so we create watches that produce no harm to animals but also for humans. Toxic chemicals are commonly used in the leather tanning industry, which are having significant impacts on workers’ health and our beautiful planet.
As a general rule, none of our watches contain PVC, plasticisers, phthalates, PFC, flame retardants, anti-microbial chemicals, bromine, and heavy metals. All of our watches pass CAL 01350, they have low VOC emission, and they all include recycled and renewable content.
All our watches comply with /pages/our-materials, too.
- Benefits of Faux Leather
Faux leather offers a number of advantages compared to real leather. Here are the reasons why you should invest in a Votch watch whether you are looking for a cruelty-free watch or not:
Durability – Faux leather is very durable and we promise our Votch watches will last a long time. They can withstand scratches and scrapes that would mar genuine leather.
Realistic Quality – Our faux leather has been modified and improved with variations in grain, colour and textures to reflect a visual appearance with a realistic leather quality.
Consistent Appearance – We can ensure that all of the pieces we offer will provide an uniform look as all of them come from the same stock across the ranges.
- Faux Leather Straps
For our Classic Collection, we are using a cotton woven microfiber with polyurethane (PU).
PU is traditionally made by coating a backing fabric such as cotton, polyester or shredded leather with a flexible polymer and then treating it to look like animal hide. However because we are an animal-friendly company, we accepted the challenge and don’t use any animal-derived ingredients in the production of our watches!
This fabric provides the most realistic imitation of leather as it is soft and supple. It is also more breathable than PVC and it allows adjusting to body temperature more quickly, too. PU is known to be a greener alternative to PVC in both production and after-care. It does not require the same chemical plasticisers and it does not create dioxins.
The latest material we are using for our New Collection is a blend of TPE, polyester and cotton. TPE is a mix of polymers (usually plastic and rubber), which contain thermic and elastic properties. They offer a longer life and excellent colourability.
How to look after faux leather:
Our straps stretch and perform well in low temperatures. However, PUs do not perform well when exposed to heat and humidity and have a tendency to flake and become brittle. Faux leather materials can usually be wiped clean with a rag and warm water. Unlike genuine leather, our straps do not retain moisture, so our straps are relatively rather low-maintenance.
- Piñatex Straps
Here at Votch we are passionate about researching and finding innovative materials for our watches, and last year we launched our very first Piñatex range. This material is a by-product from the pineapple harvest, and it’s a natural, sustainable and vegan alternative to leather. Pretty amazing!
Because it’s a by-product of the pineapple industry, no additional land, water, pesticides or fertilisers get used to create it. So it has a very low environmental impact compared to other textile crops. Also, it generates additional income for famers, so pretty cool!
This material is mainly produced in the Philippines and is actually very versatile. It has been used to produce shoes and bags amongst many others, but we are certain that it will become mainstream in a few year’s time.
How to look after Piñatex:
Because it’s made from natural fibres, Piñatex must be really well looked after. To keep your Piñatex watch in top condition, it is recommended to wax the product before use and thereafter on a regular basis by using a natural wax. Use sparingly but regularly. After application, leave it in a warm place for 24 hours and rub It gently with a soft cloth. You can also use Liquidproof ProtectorTM, a natural, non-toxic coating that will make the product stain and water repellent Any stains can be cleaned using a damp soft cloth or sponge. Do not use heaters or similar hot items as Piñatex might dry out.
And you? Let us know which material you would like to see next!
If you have any more queries about your Votch watch, please email info@votch.co.uk
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