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Skagen’s Aaren Ocean watches are made with recycled plastics pulled from the sea

By Tushar Mehta October 25, 2021

It is nearly impossible to have not seen the 2015 viral video of a team of marine biologists pulling a plastic straw from a turtle’s nose. The video, with nearly 85 million views on YouTube, is only one of the many heartbreaking images and videos that depict the unsettling state of plastic waste in the oceans. Every year, more than 11 million tons of plastic waste end up in oceans, and the figure could nearly triple by 2040. With a mission to offset some of this waste — and hopefully, create some awareness — Danish watchmaker Skagen has announced new Aaren Ocean watches made with 100% recycled ocean-bound plastics.

The wristband, case, and dial of Skagen’s Aaren Ocean watch are made of fiber-reinforced recycled plastics that would otherwise end up in the ocean. The “sustainable” watch comes with a 41mm analog dial featuring a wavelike texture.

Skagen ocean recycled plastics watches in blue white and black colors. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are five colors to choose from — gray, black, moss green, dark blue, and white. The white one is a special limited-edition model designed in collaboration with Danish fashion influencer Emilie Lilja.

The Skagen Aaren Ocean watch goes on sale starting today, October 25, for a price of $165. The offering is in line with other eco-friendly options from the brand’s Aaren collection. Previously launched timepieces in the series have featured materials such as recycled steel and aluminum for the casing, and leather alternatives such as cork, apple, and mulberry bark for the dial as well as the strap. Skagen’s pro-planet initiative also includes packaging made with recycled paper. The company aims to transform its entire collection to be eco-friendly by 2025.

A few other tech brands are also participating in efforts to reduce ocean-brand plastic waste by upcycling or recycling it. Some of the recent tech products include Microsoft’s Ocean Plastic Mouse, the 2020 HP Pavilion laptops, and a “flexible” processor crafted by researchers from ARM and PragmatIC.

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Tushar has a passion for consumer tech and likes to tinker with smartphones, laptops, wearables, smart home devices, and…

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The Oura Ring Horizon resting on a green succulent plant.

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Is the Oura Ring waterproof?
Technically, the Oura Ring is not waterproof. Instead, it's water-resistant up to 330 feet (100 meters). This is the case for most modern gadgets. You'll often find water resistance protection on products, which is good, but it's not exactly the same as being waterproof. But what does that really mean? We explain below.
Can you go swimming with the Oura Ring?
The Oura Ring has a certain level of protection that allows you to wear it while swimming, showering, and snorkeling. However, wearing the Oura Ring during scuba diving or when there is a risk of extended water submersion or extreme pressure is not advisable. Oura recommends avoiding wearing the ring in such scenarios to ensure its longevity and proper functioning.

Oura further explains: "The Oura Ring operating temperature ranges from [-10 to 52 degrees Celsius and 14 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit]. You can safely wear your ring in the shower, hot tubs, saunas, ice baths, and cryotherapy tanks. However, extended exposure to extreme temperatures (below 0°C/32°F or above 35°C/95°F) may lead to battery damage."
How does this compare to other smart rings?
Of Oura's chief competitors, only the Ultrahuman Ring Air provides similar water resistance. By contrast, the Amovan Smart Ring only provides water resistance up to 50 meters. The Oura Ring offers the same level of protection as the Apple Watch Ultra, making it an excellent alternative to smartwatches. However, it surpasses the Apple Watch Series 2 or later and the Google Pixel Watch 2, which can only resist water up to 50 meters.