CORK
Cork is a renewable natural material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. It is known for its lightness and ecological properties.
As a renewable resource that is collected without damaging the trees, cork stands out as one of the most sustainable materials available. Its natural resistance to water makes it ideal for applications exposed to moisture. However, cork is softer than many other materials, making it prone to wear and damage over time.
The use of cork as a material in watchmaking is now anecdotal. Historically, it was used for the production of various seals, offering varying levels of water resistance (e.g., in diving watches or marine chronometer cases). Since the 1980s, cork has sporadically appeared in straps, dials, and bezel inserts. Additionally, cork is frequently used in watch packaging, providing a sustainable option for cases or presentation boxes.
In artisanal watchmaking, cork is employed as a support material for components during finishing operations, such as polishing or the satin finish.