D Genève unveils the next chapter of the Circular S Collection at the launch of Switzerland’s first solar furnace. The “S” in Circular S stands for Solar: the world’s first watch collection crafted from reprocessed stainless steel melted using concentrated sunlight, resulting in a carbon footprint 165 times smaller than standard steel.

The first experimental solar melting took place in Mont-Louis, France in 2022. Today, the technology reaches a new milestone: the industrial-scale solar furnace now operational in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

ID Genève is unveiling a new edition within the Circular S line: the “Eclipse”, made from the batches of solar-melted steel in Mont-Louis. Academy Award-winning actor and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio, a supporter and investor in the brand, visited the solar furnace in La Chaux-de-Fonds to witness the material breakthrough firsthand — a moment that underscores the company’s mission to redefine luxury through eco-innovation.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicolas Freudiger at the inauguration of the solar furnace in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The solar furnace, operated by Panatere, is among Europe’s most advanced solar-powered research and manufacturing facilities. By concentrating sunlight to temperatures above 1,500°C, it enables the melting and regeneration of metals and composites without fossil fuels. ID Genève’s partnership with Panatere is a core pillar of its strategy to decarbonize fine watchmaking and establish full traceability in material sourcing.

The new Circular S by ID Genève

“As an investor of ID Genève, I’m proud to see the company pioneering new solutions. Harnessing the power of the sun to craft materials is a tangible example of how innovation can accelerate climate action.” said Leonardo DiCaprio, Environmental Advocate & Investor at ID Genève.

“Solar reprocessed steel, mycelium, seaweed, and hemp represent the new narrative of luxury. A solar furnace perfectly embodies this shift — low volume, high quality, and complete traceability.” said Nicolas Freudiger, Co-founder & Chief Executive of ID Genève.

The initiative builds on ID Genève’s earlier achievements, including its regenerative carbon cases developed with Swiss HealTech innovator CompPair, and its collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).