November 19th, 2020 – TOM FORD TIMEPIECES is pleased to announce the launch of the Tom Ford Ocean Plastic Timepiece; the very first luxury timepiece made from 100% ocean plastic. In the commitment to ocean health, to coincide with this launch, TOM FORD has partnered with 52HZ on The Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize. The Prize aims to accelerate meaningful innovation around a replacement for thin-film plastic and steer the global community toward a historic turning point in the fight against plastic pollution.

Every year an estimated 11 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean. Every Tom Ford Ocean Plastic Timepiece purchased permanently removes the equivalent of 35 bottles of plastic waste from the ocean, with all packaging being recyclable. This Swiss-made watch was developed and produced in partnership with suppliers who are equally committed to finding solutions to the world’s plastic problem. The timepiece is made of 100% ocean plastic collected from oceans, coastlines and uncontrolled landfills. The material used contains no virgin plastics or non-ocean bound plastics and is traceable to the collection source. Transportation of the ocean plastic granules is carbon neutral and the compounding in Switzerland is powered by solar energy.

“In my opinion, ethical luxury is THE greatest luxury of all,” Ford says. “The Tom Ford customer is sophisticated with a heightened awareness of the issues facing our planet and the responsibility we have to protect it. Sustainability is a key issue in our lives right now. In particular, the amount of ocean plastic that we are generating is perhaps taking the greatest toll on our environment of all. For every 1000 Ocean Plastic Timepieces we produce and sell, we permanently remove and prevent 490 pounds of plastic waste from entering the ocean. It is incredibly appealing to know that you are not only wearing a high-quality product, but by simply owning the product you are also taking direct action to improve the planet.”

Committed to ocean health and sustainability, Tom Ford and 52HZ together are confronting the plastic pollution crisis by inspiring innovative, creative solutions globally. The Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize will activate and incentivize the global community to create a new material that serves the same purpose as existing thin-film plastic without poisoning the ocean.

With a purse total of $1 million to be awarded as determined by a panel of industry-leading judges, the winning submissions will be vetted and stress-tested to ensure they not only have positive impact on the environment, but that they are also scalable and market-ready by 2025. The Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize will create broad awareness of the issues associated with the use of thin- film plastics and will educate consumers in an effort to ensure the quick and widespread adoption of the newly developed products. The submission guidelines and prize rules will be outlined on a dedicated website at www.plasticprize.org. Submissions will be accepted as of the end of January 2021.

“Building on five years of success at Lonely Whale pioneering disruptive change in the conversation about plastics and the ocean, we’re thrilled to launch 52HZ, an advisory service designed to share what we’ve learned with individuals and brands seeking to do the same,” said Dr. Dune Ives, CEO of Lonely Whale. “Collaboration accelerates innovation, and we are so proud to partner with Tom Ford in 52HZ’s inaugural venture: the Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize. He is an icon certainly, but now also a leader in the fight for the future of our planet. His Ocean Plastic timepiece and the launch of the Prize is a technological feat and proof positive that the fashion industry can be an ally, with plenty to contribute to the environmental movement.”

For more information, go to:  www.plasticprize.org or follow @TomFord @LonelyWhale and #TFOceanPlastic #UnwrapTheFuture on Instagram.