At LIBERUM®, we recognized the environmental impact of traditional watchmaking. In particular, the production of stainless steel cases involves several critical factors:
- High energy consumption, as the metals are melted at temperatures above 1500°C.
- High CO₂ emissions, with approximately 6–7 kg of CO₂ emitted for every kg of stainless steel produced.
- Impact of mining, required to obtain materials such as iron, chromium, and nickel, which can cause landscape alteration, loss of natural habitats, and the production of mining waste.
These considerations led to a fundamental question: is it possible to make watches more sustainably? This is how LIBERUM RE-XHAUST was born, a new project based on a different approach to production.
The concept is based on several key principles:
- Circular design, to reduce the use of new raw materials
- Creative recycling (upcycling) of existing materials
- Collaboration with suppliers who, in the most energy-intensive processes such as melting processes, use energy from renewable sources
- Maintaining technical performance and aesthetic quality without compromise
Unlike the previous project, the development did not start with the watch's design, but with the material and its origin. After months of research and experimentation, the team identified a solution in the reuse of high-performance industrial steels from other sectors.
This was possible thanks to the collaboration with Termignoni, a historic Italian company founded in 1969 and leader in the design and production of high-performance exhaust systems for racing and road motorcycles, with a long presence in MotoGP and Superbike (SBK) competitions.
The idea is to transform technical steel used in exhaust systems, designed to withstand high temperatures, pressure and extreme vibrations, into a new material intended for the construction of watch cases.
TheRE-XHAUST collection therefore represents more than just a product launch: it is a declaration of intent towards responsible production, durable design and materials with a real history. The goal is to create watches that don't just follow trends, but are designed to last and accompany the wearer, becoming part of their identity.
The watch is MADE IN ITALY, assembled and produced in Italy with a case machined from solid using CNC technology. The project will be launched soon and promises to introduce a new way of thinking about materials in watchmaking, combining Italian engineering, sustainable innovation, and a passion for mechanics.
