Wooden watches have a few things going for them: they are light-weight most of them are half the weight of a watch with a metal band, they are hypo-allergenic so a good choice for those with metal allergies and these timber timepieces can also look better with age due to the patina of the wood being conditioned by the oils from the skin.
Koa is a beautiful and precious Hawaiian wood. It adorns the walls and floors of the 'Iolani Palace in Hawaii. It is the source of all things that are beautiful about Hawai'i and its culture from outrigger canoes and the spawning of surfboards and ukuleles, to the most exquisite carvings and furniture.
How is Koa sourced?
Koa wood is a precious and rare wood only found in the islands of Hawaii. It is considered sacred and was once reserved for use by the Hawaiian Monarchy. Today, Koa is highly regarded for its fluttering grain patterns and rich hues. Martin & MacArthur has been making fine Koa furniture longer than anyone else in the history of Hawaii. Now, the Company also features innovative koa watches made from its private stock.
Martin & MacArthur sources its koa from Big Island plantation owners dedicated to maintaining this incredibly important wood species for generations to enjoy. No other company has longer standing partnerships with koa plantation owners. Each of these plantation owners commits to only harvesting previously fallen koa trees. They never cut down any live koa trees growing on their property. Unlike Martin & MacArthur, other companies use koa from live trees cut down for harvest.
Why is Koa so popular?
Koa wood shows a wide spectrum of colors from dark chocolate and a rich, buttery toffee hue. Koa only grown in the Hawaiian islands. No place else. Any wood grown outside Hawaii cannot by genuine koa. The State of Hawaii warns buyers to beware of hucksters who claim that "their koa" is grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, or Tahiti. These claims are false. Let the buyer beware. It is the perfect material to showcase the island's beauty and unique culture.
Koa is the perfect material to showcase Hawaii's natural beauty. The wood is durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Like all woods, koa should not be immersed in water or left in direct sunlight indefinitely. Absolutely all woods will lighten with extended exposure to direct sunlight
For centuries, koa has been made into a wide range of items. Early Hawaiian used koa to create canoes, surfboards and bowls for serving food. Throughout the history of Hawaii, koa has been used to make furniture, cabinets, musical instruments (especially guitars and ukuleles), bowls, and other specialty wooden objects. Only recently, as koa been used to make personal accessories like watches, rings, jewelry and handbags. Martin & MacArthur has been at the forefront of product innovations with koa.
Koa watches are a great gift idea for someone who loves the islands and loves the beauty of this rare and exotic wood!
Kos watches are environmentally friendly compared to metal watches as they do not contain any chemicals or synthetic materials. Koa is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as environmentally friendly.
Koa watches look fantastic with a range of different outfits and can be worn with casual, formal or sportswear. The range of colors and grain patterns is amazing.