Wood Types used in Wood Watch Making
Wooden watches showcase the beauty and versatility of natural timber. Each species brings its own distinct aesthetic and character — and the choice of wood is one of the most important things that shapes how a watch looks, feels, and ages over time.
Below we explore the woods used across our range, including where they come from, how they behave on the wrist, and how they're sourced.
Rosewood
With its rich, reddish-brown colour and striking grain patterns, rosewood is visually stunning and naturally durable. Its dense composition ensures long-lasting strength, while its luxurious appearance makes it a popular choice for premium rosewood watch designs.
Origin: Tropical regions including India, Brazil, and Madagascar.
Character: Dense, rich grain that deepens in colour over time with regular wear. Highly durable and resistant to surface marking.
Sourcing: Responsibly sourced or reclaimed rosewood, reducing the need for virgin timber.
Zebrawood
Known for its bold, alternating light and dark brown stripes, zebrawood has an exotic, immediately recognisable look. It's moderately durable — more porous than denser hardwoods, which is why it works particularly well in steel-reinforced construction where the metal core provides structural support.
Origin: West Africa, where it thrives in tropical climates.
Character: Bold, graphic grain with strong visual impact. Each piece has a distinct striped pattern.
Sourcing: Often reclaimed from furniture or other products, supporting responsible use of a striking natural material.
Walnut
Walnut is renowned for its deep, rich brown colour and fine, straight grain. Highly durable and naturally dense, it develops a beautiful patina over time — making it an excellent choice for watches built to be worn for the long haul.
Origin: North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, in temperate regions.
Character: Warm, chocolatey tones that deepen with age. Smooth texture and consistent grain make it one of the most versatile watchmaking timbers.
Sourcing: Often reclaimed from furniture or sourced as a byproduct of other industries, making use of material that might otherwise go to waste.
Olive Wood
Olive wood stands out for its swirling grain and golden-brown colour, often accented with darker veins running through it. A hard, durable timber with a warmth and character that's distinctly Mediterranean.
Origin: The Mediterranean region, where olive trees are cultivated for both their wood and their fruit.
Character: Highly variable, swirling grain — no two pieces look alike. Warm golden tones that complement a range of skin tones and styles.
Sourcing: Often harvested from trees that no longer produce fruit, making practical use of timber that would otherwise go unused.
Louro Preto
Louro Preto is a dark, dense wood with a smooth texture and a rich, dark brown to near-black colour. Known for its strength and resilience, it offers both beauty and durability — an excellent choice for watches built for lasting strength.
Origin: South America, particularly Brazil.
Character: Dark, smooth, and weighty in appearance — one of the more dramatic timber choices in the range. Holds its finish exceptionally well over time.
Sourcing: Reclaimed from furniture or construction, repurposed rather than sourced as virgin timber.
Ebony
Ebony is famous for its deep, near-black hue — one of the most elegant choices in watchmaking. Its density ensures durability and a premium feel without sacrificing beauty. Our ebony models carry that characteristic weight and sophistication.
Origin: Tropical regions in Africa and Asia.
Character: Dense, almost pore-free surface that resists scratching and moisture better than most timbers. Ages with remarkable consistency.
Sourcing: Salvaged from offcuts or reclaimed sources, reducing impact on natural forests.
White Ebony
A white ebony wood watch is characterised by its light, creamy colour with dark, contrasting streaks — a striking natural contrast that makes it an immediately distinctive choice. Smooth texture, relatively durable, and elegant in a way that stands apart from most other timber options.
Origin: Southeast Asia and Madagascar.
Character: Rare and visually striking. The light ground with darker streaks creates a natural contrast that's particularly well suited to women's watch designs.
Sourcing: Responsibly sourced, with reclaimed white ebony used wherever possible given its relative rarity.
Red Ebony
Red ebony offers rich, reddish tones and a smooth, glossy finish. Dense and durable, it brings a luxurious warmth to watch designs — as seen in our Sunset women's wood watch.
Origin: Southeast Asia and Africa.
Character: Warm reddish-brown tones with a naturally glossy finish that deepens with wear. One of the more feminine timber choices in the range.
Sourcing: Like other ebony varieties, sourced from reclaimed or responsibly managed material.
Black Ebony
Black ebony is one of the densest woods used in watchmaking — known for its striking, near-jet-black appearance and exceptional durability. Its sophisticated dark hue and dense texture give it a timeless, refined appeal that suits formal and everyday wear equally well.
Origin: Tropical regions, particularly Africa and India.
Character: The darkest and densest timber in the range. Virtually pore-free, with outstanding resistance to surface wear. Holds its finish exceptionally over decades of wear.
Sourcing: Responsibly sourced through sustainable forestry initiatives, including salvaged offcuts and reclaimed material.
Each timber used in our watches brings its own natural story — its own origin, character, and the way it changes with years of wear. For more on how these materials come together in the watchmaking process, our guide to designing and creating our wooden watches covers the full picture.
Not sure which grain speaks to you? Our guide to discovering the wood watch grain that fits your personality will help you find the pattern that suits your style best.