TRIWA, an acronym for Transforming the Industry of Watches, offers more than precision and status through creativity, collaborations, and quality design. It was founded in 2007 by four friends with a mutual passion to change attitudes in the watch industry.

Now they have just launched a watch called TRIWA x Humanium Metal starting at $229 on the crowdfunding site, Kickstarter. It is a unique collaboration between the Swedish watch brand and IM Swedish Development Partner to create a new line of watches that are made from deconstructed illegal firearms. The guns are taken from conflict torn societies, melted into bars, then refined and molded into the stylish TRIWA x Humanium Metal watches.

Armed violence is a global epidemic with over 500 million illegal firearms in existence across the world, particularly affecting developing countries. Accounting for at least one person shot and killed every minute, the need to stamp out violence related to guns is imperative. Time can change that. TRIWA have created a watch with a purpose of more than just status and style, but an accessory that could contribute to a more peaceful world. With the goal of transforming the industry at the core of TRIWA, together with IM and the revolutionary material that is Humanium Metal, TRIWA will be taking this transformation to the next level.

Crafted out of something that was once a destructive force, the metal is shaped to form something useful; a stylish, statement timepiece with a wider purpose. The very purchase of Humanium Metal makes a difference. A portion of sales-generated funds circles back into the society where the firearms were originally collected, helping to fight the spread of gun crime to rebuild those societies, while offering support to victims of armed violence. Though only a small step in this direction, the symbolic value of the TRIWA x Humanium Metal watch leaves an emphatic message.

The Collection

Featuring premium scratch-resistant glass, the watch is molded into one single unit with a contrasting metal treatment of brushed and polished surfaces for a standout wrist piece. The collection has a distinct character filled with symbolic references with respect to the cause, such as the stamped Humanium logo that is punched on the case and the embossed indexes on the dial. The watch is available in two sizes (39mm and 34mm) with two different dial styles: a dark grey vertically brushed dial and a vertically brushed steel dial. The case is contrasted by the fiery red second hand, date display, and crown center. Powered by a Japanese Citizen Miyota movement, each watch is 10 ATM water-resistant and exclusively engraved on the backplate with the number in which it was produced. The TRIWA x Humanium watch is finished with either a Swedish, Tärnsjö organically tanned leather strap in black, brown, or tan color or a military green canvas strap made from recycled PET bottles. All TRIWA x Humanium Metal watches come in an exclusively made box with an imprinted TRIWA x Humanium Metal logo and certificate of authenticity. Stay tuned to the Kickstarter campaign for a new automatic addition to the collection.

The Metal

The Humanium Metal Initiative by IM Swedish Development Partner is supported by local governments and authorities, as well as some of the most renowned international experts and peace advocates such as the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Hans Blix. With each gun destroyed, the negative impact on society is diminished, defining Humanium as the most valuable metal. The more products created using Humanium generates more funds for destruction programs and generates support for victims of gun-related violence.

“Every gun melted and turned into Humanium Metal is one gun less on the streets.”-Ann Svensén, Secretary General of IM.

“The watch industry is so focused on status and precious metals. With this most precious metal of them all we hope to add new values to the industry and make our contribution for a more peaceful world.”-Ludvig Scheja, co-founder of TRIWA.

About IM

IM Swedish Development Partner (IM) was founded in 1938 and is now operating in thirteen countries worldwide. Humanium Metal by IM was initiated in response to the global epidemic of illegal firearms and armed violence undermining sustainable and democratic development. The Humanium Metal initiative is part of IM Swedish Development Partner’s strategy to help fulfill United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. IM has a long history of working in countries where gun violence is undermining development and has spent over two years establishing a supply chain for Humanium Metal that meets industry standards, as well as developing close ties with governments and local NGOs in countries affected by armed violence. To combat the spread of illegal weapons, as well as finding new ways to deliver financial support for victims, IM sought a new way to address the issue. The first weapons destruction program was held in November 2016 in El Salvador. Working closely with the Salvadoran authorities, IM produced 1 ton of Humanium Metal. The latest weapon destruction dedicated to Humanium Metal took place in November 2017, melting 1,825 illegal firearms, with a new destruction program is underway in Guatemala. By backing the TRIWA x Humanium Metal watch, you can help fund more destruction programs and help the world become a more peaceful place. triwa.com

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