DAN & MÉZ is the sustainable handmade watch made from pineapple leaves.
It’s official, we are in the thick of the rise of vegan leather! First shoes, now watches. DAN & MÉZ is a vegan, ethical and sustainable watch label based in Graz Austria. The buzz about this label came to life as a result of the innovative use of pineapple leaves. Yes, you read that right, pineapple leaves! Each DAN & MÉZ watch is made using Pinatex, a leather based on recycled pineapple leaves.
Start-up DAN & MÉZ launched just a few years ago in 2017 with a mission to to change the whole leather industry and establish new standards. With watches that have quickly gained ‘coolness’ status among social media influencers the likes of Gaz Oakley, Bianca Taylor, Torre Washington and more DAN & MÉZ has literally started a movement.
For starters, DAN & MÉZ watches are made from 100% vegan leather. They are currently using Pinatex, a leather based on recycled pineapple leaves. So besides benefiting animals and the planet, the use of Pinatex also supports people. Thanks to DAN & MÉZ a local community in the Philippines now has an extra income source by processing the leaves.
Additionally, DAN & MÉZ haven’t cut any corners when it comes to packaging. To avoid the use of plastic, watches are packaged in boxes made from cardboard and get shipped in climate neutral paper packages.
Then, to ensure employee protections DAN & MÉZ have their watches manufactured by partner Malchert in Quedlinburg, Germany. Germany is one of the countries with the highest standards and conditions for employees.
Now just because DAN & MÉZ has so heavily focused on ethics and sustainability they in no way compromised quality. You are immediately struck by the classic, sophisticated, timeless style of a DAN & MÉZ watch. Every DAN & MÉZ watch runs with a Swiss movement and is made from stainless steel, thus giving it a chic, post modern vibe.
First Impressions
So the first word that comes to mind as to my first impression of the DAN & MÉZ watch is durability! I tend to be hard on accessories, particularly watches, so this is something that I value. Not that I doubted it, but I wasn’t sure what to expect from pineapple leaves. I was awestruck at how the pineapple leaf fibers had the look and feel of real leather.
Next, I was particularly drawn to the 1st Season Rosé Gold. I was instantly wooed by the classic, androgynous style of it. The soft white band is trendy yet au naturel. The face is styled and sized to perfection. The sleekness of the Rosé Gold anatomy bedazzles.
Yet, what I liked most about the DAN & MÉZ watch was it’s minimalist vibes. As a minimalist I can truly appreciate that I can literally rock this watch with most any outfit. Overall, I am confident that this watch is destined to outlive all of my previous watches.
So if you’re looking for some fashion forward, ethical bling than a DAN & MÉZ watch is perfect for you. Even if you simply want to style yourself in an accessory with a classic, timeless look you’ll easily appreciate a DAN & MÉZ watch. Heck you may just crave the ‘feels good’ effect of supporting a label that chose to make a stylish accessory over burning and wasting a bunch of pineapple leaves. This is zero-waste at its best.
What do you think about the DAN & MÉZ sustainable handmade watch made from pineapple leaves? Is it something that you would consider?
