Types of Wood Used in Making Sustainable Wooden Watches

Nowadays, there is a growing trend of people wearing wooden watches. Unlike metal and plastic watches, wearing a wooden watch is more eco-friendly since it is made of a more sustainable material. Besides, many watchmakers nowadays use recycled wood to craft wooden watches.

Common Wood Types Used in Crafting Wooden Watches

Canada is home to a variety of wood species. Wood industries use softwood derived from coniferous trees to produce wood products, from lumber to wood chips. They also utilize hardwood from deciduous trees like birch, maple, and oak. Many watchmakers create Canadian wooden watches out of these available resources. Below is a list of the common types of wood that can be used to craft a wooden timepiece:

1. Cherry Wood - The Black Cherry is one of Canada's fruit-bearing trees. Its fruit is known for its bitter taste. The Black Cherry is grown in a few locations in Canada due to sensitivity to rain and spring frosts. It can be seen in the abundant forests of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Southern Quebec. Watchmakers use the wood that comes from the Black Cherry tree because of its durability. It also has a variety of beautiful colours, from a light golden/pink to a dark reddish-brown tone. Straight grain and smooth texture also characterize the Black Cherry wood.

2.  Maple Wood - There are many species of maple in the world, and ten of these are native to Canada. These include black, bigleaf, Douglas, Manitoba, mountain, red, silver, striped, sugar, and vine. The wood that comes from Maple trees ages gracefully, making it one of the most preferred woods by watchmakers. Maple Wood has a unique colour and is characterized by a smooth grain. Its creamy tone is ideal for any outfit, from casual to formal. If you are looking for a durable watch, then try to find a timepiece made Maple of Wood. The Hard Maple and Sugar Maple are considered as the sturdiest species.

3. Oak Wood - Oak can be seen in many countries, including Canada. The species native to this country grow locally in Ontario and eastward areas. However, Garry Oak can only be found in British Columbia while the Bur Oak is available in the far west of Manitoba. The Oak trees are characterized by short trunks having a broad crown. Watches made of Oak Wood are also durable and have unique colours.

4. Walnut Wood - Walnut grows in temperate and tropical regions of Canada. Fifteen known species of walnut can be seen in this country. However, Bitternut and Black Walnut are the two species native to Canada, can only be found in the East. Most woodworkers admire the Black Walnut for its tight grain and colour. People who have sensitive skin can opt for a wooden timepiece made of Black Walnut. It is because it can be polished to a smooth finish, making it gentle to touch. It is available in several tones including creamy white, pale blonde, yellow-gray, dark brown, gray and purple. Compared to other types of wood that darken its colour as they age, Walnut Wood lightens as time passes by.

Other Woods Used in Creating Wooden Watches

Besides the common wood types mentioned above, below are the other kinds of wood that can be used to create quality wooden timepieces:

1. Cumuru Wood - This wood is found in the northern part of South America and other parts of Central America. It has a variety of colours ranging from reddish-brown to golden tan. Cumuru Wood is used in many wood products because of its high resistance to any weather conditions and excessive moisture. A lot of woodworkers love its cinnamon or vanilla scent. Besides, it is also durable like other wood types.

2. Sandalwood - Several manufacturers use Sandalwood in crafting a wooden timepiece although its species are native to Australia, China, Indonesia, India, and the Philippines. Like Teak Wood, it is also a prized material since its heartwood and roots contain ‘sandal oil.' This oil can be used for cosmetics, incense, medicines, perfumes, and soaps. On the other hand, the bark of Sandalwood contains tannin, which is used for dyeing. In terms of the wood and other parts, they can be used in a variety of wood products including wood watch. With a wide range of dark colours, from dark brown to dark gray, many watchmakers prefer to use it. Besides the unique tones, Sandalwood is also known for its strength and durability. 

3. Teak Wood - Teak Wood grows to over 130 feet tall. It is native to Burma, Indonesia, India, South and Southeast Asia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The Teak Wood has a golden or medium brown colour that darkens over time. Many watchmakers admire it because of its durability. The high oil content of Teak Wood makes it water-resistant. Unlike other wood types, it doesn't crack or turn black when in contact with metals. Although it is recognized as a prized material, many woodworkers use Teak Wood because of its high decay resistance.

4. Zebrawood - Zebrawood is imported from central Africa. It grows specifically in the Cameroon Republic, Congo, and Gabon. Although it is easy to harvest, some watchmakers find it quite challenging to craft it. It is because Zebrawood has wavy grains, producing both hard and soft-grained materials. Its heartwood has a pale golden yellow tone which is loved by watchmakers. The Zebrawood also has distinctive dark brown or black stripes that look like the African Zebra.

There are many reasons to love wooden timepiece. Besides durability and sustainability, opting for this type of watch can make you even more eco-friendly. When choosing a wood watch, it is essential to know the different woods used in crafting it. It is because each wood has unique features and colours which you can use as a basis of preference.