Aeterna Horologe Unveils 50th Anniversary Limited Edition With Carbon-Neutral Packaging
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – November 25, 2025 – Swiss heritage watchmaker Villeneuve & Fils today unveiled its 150th Anniversary Limited Edition, a 500-piece collection featuring a proprietary carbon-neutral packaging system that eliminates 92 percent of petroleum-based plastics from traditional luxury watch boxes, representing a breakthrough in sustainable haute horlogerie.
The commemorative timepiece houses the manually-wound Caliber VF2025, a 28-jewel movement with 72-hour power reserve visible through a sapphire caseback. Each 40mm case is crafted from recycled gold refined through the Swiss Better Gold Association, while the dial incorporates Plastic Bank-verified ocean-bound plastic converted into a composite material. The limited series is priced at €18,500 and will be available through authorized retailers beginning December 2025.
The packaging innovation addresses one of luxury watchmaking’s most significant environmental blind spots. According to a recent EUROPA STAR industry analysis, traditional presentation boxes annually generate approximately 500 tonnes of plastic waste across major Swiss manufacturers, with petroleum-based components comprising up to 92 percent of packaging weight . Villeneuve & Fils’ new system reduces packaging-related carbon emissions by 60 percent through a flat-packed design using 85 percent upcycled PET from ocean-bound plastic bottles and molded cellulose from FSC-certified sources. The cradle-to-cradle certified solution enables full recyclability through partner facilities in Geneva and Hong Kong.
Life-cycle assessment data verified by ClimatePartner indicates each packaging unit generates 4.2kg CO2e during production and transportation, offset through reforestation credits certified by the Gold Standard Foundation. This achieves carbon neutrality while maintaining structural integrity for timepieces valued up to €50,000. The packaging exceeds ISO 14021 environmental labeling standards and carries BREEAM In-Use certification for logistics facilities handling distribution.
“Since our founding in 1875, Villeneuve & Fils has balanced horological innovation with environmental stewardship,” said Antoine Villeneuve, Luxury Watchmaker Releases Anniversary Limited Edition With Carbon-Neutral Packaging Chief Executive Officer and fifth-generation family member. “This anniversary collection demonstrates that heritage craftsmanship and planetary responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Our clients demand both exceptional timepieces and transparent sustainability practices—this packaging delivers both.”
Market research reveals 73 percent of luxury consumers under 45 prioritize environmental credentials when purchasing timepieces above €10,000, according to Bain & Company’s 2025 Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study. The response has prompted industry-wide shifts: Breitling’s rPET packaging reduced shipping volumes by 60 percent, while Rolex’s new presentation boxes cut 500 tonnes of annual plastic usage . Panerai’s recent packaging iterations utilize 72 percent recycled materials, weighing 53 percent less than previous versions .
The 150th Anniversary Limited Edition represents Villeneuve & Fils’ third carbon-neutral product line since achieving Scope 1 and 2 neutrality in 2024. The company’s Sustainability Report, audited by PwC, details a 41 percent reduction in supply chain emissions through renewable energy adoption at its La Chaux-de-Fonds manufacture and direct-air-capture partnerships for residual emissions. All 500 pieces feature individually-numbered casebacks with blockchain-verified origin documentation through the Aura Blockchain Consortium.
ABOUT VILLENEUVE & FILS
Founded in 1875 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Villeneuve & Fils manufactures approximately 8,000 timepieces annually across three collections. The family-owned house holds Poinçon de Genève certification for select models and became the eighth Swiss watchmaker to achieve B Corp certification in 2024. The company’s sustainability framework aligns with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) pathways for 1.5°C emissions reduction.
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G42
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