First, some real talk — there’s no shortage of watch brands out there. You could wear a different watch every day for a month and never wear the same brand twice. So why does Votch stand out in this crowded space? Because Votch is different.
triple bottom line
It’s easy to keep every dollar you make, or at least to want to. Cash flow certainly helps any business grow, but Votch is committed to spreading the love. So every season they support a new charity by donating 10% of their profits.
Our values are simple, and that is to continually do the best we can do. We are always striving as a company to do better and to create a product that inflicts no harm to animals and as little to the environment as possible.
— Laura, Votch Founder
That’s an awesome business philosophy; one that reminds of a concept I love and think more companies should focus on — triple bottom line. Votch is a business and it needs to make money, but profits are only one measure of success. When you measure your performance socially and environmentally, you get a true understanding of the success of a business. Taking a stand against animal cruelty, supporting fair wages and working conditions, and committing to minimizing their environmental impact, all while staying profitable and providing a high quality product. Votch sets the bar high for other businesses.
- Reason #1: Votch gives back and sets a positive example for other businesses.
We all have a favourite band
Yeah, that was a pun. And to be honest, I don’t actually have a favourite band band, but favourite watch band? You bet I do. You might think that a ‘vegan watch’ would have a metal or canvas band, but you’d be wrong. Votch uses faux leather, and it’s badass… I would know, I’m wearing one! And if you really want to get fancay, Piñatex was made for you. Spoiler Alert: It’s PINEAPPLE LEATHER! What’s cooler than that?!
Piñatex, an innovative and sustainable fabric created from pineapple leaf fibres [… It’s] a by-product from the pineapple harvest and provides additional income for the farmers growing [them]. No extra land, pesticides or fertilisers are used in the production of Piñatex, meaning our straps are not only good for animals, but for this beautiful planet we call home too.
— Votch
Let’s be honest. If you saw how leather was made, you wouldn’t want to own it. Every year, more than 1 billion animals are killed for leather (You think that number is high? The number of animals killed for food tops 10 billion annually). As if that weren’t bad enough, the leather industry exploits people too. Most leather comes from India and China, where regulation, transparency, and oversight of the industry are lacking. Tannery workers, including children, work knee-deep in toxic chemicals, using crude tools, constantly putting their lives at risk.
Given the option, why would anyone support that? The good news is, you do have options! Votch is committed to fair wages and working conditions. They work with a factory that pays fairly. One where employees are given opportunity for promotion. Proof that you can do good for animals and people, too.
- Reason #2: Votch doesn’t sacrifice quality or style to make a cruelty-free and eco-friendly watch.
Your Dollars make a Difference
When you shop, it’s important that your your buying habits back up your beliefs. A watch is piece you keep for years. When you do buy one, your choice should reflect your ideals for the world. In a world where it feels easier to get the time from your phone, rather than your wrist, the watch you choose says a lot about what you believe. It’s more than a functional piece; it’s a work of art. It should bring you joy. Supporting an entirely vegan business, from its founder to its products, is absolutely something that makes Vic and I very happy.
Collectively, we give so much thought to the product we put in our hands. It has to be vegan, fair trade, eco-friendly, etc. We give ourselves so many conditions. But next time you shop, consider where your money ends up after a product is in your hands. Do the values of the person who now has your money line up with your own? It’s not up to you how that money is spent next, but if you could exchange it with someone who’d spend it with the same ethical consideration as you, wouldn’t you? That’s what happens when you support vegan businesses. It’s what happens when you choose Votch.
- Reason #3: Supporting vegan businesses, like Votch, strengthens our community and lets other creators know that there’s a market for vegan brands.
Shop Votch
Watches make great gifts… for others AND for yourself, so be sure to practice a little self-love too! 😉 Choose from the New Collection, the Classic Collection (and the Petite), and of course, the Piñatex Collection. Order yours here.
I wear the Black and White Face with Slate Grey Strap from the New Collection. Vic wears the Tan & Gold from the Classic Collection. Follow Votch on Instagram and share your watch photos with the tag #VOTCHWATCH so they can see them!
Votch sent us each a watch to review and the news is good — we LOVE them. I had two other watches on my dresser already and I haven’t touched either since. Our Votch watches are light, well-made, and so versatile. I can wear Vic’s and she can wear mine. We really couldn’t be happier with them. Thank you Laura & Votch!
