SEA TILES


95% of native European oyster beds have been destroyed. Essex Native Oyster Restoration project works with Richard Haward’s family oyster business to replenish the Colchester native oyster stocks. Sea Tiles uses waste shells from Richard Harwards’ restaurants to help promote and support the regeneration of native oyster beds. The shells are ground down, combined with agar and coloured with sustainably sourced kelp to create a material propersition for the luxury watch market.

The project investigates how user interactions can help influence societal change, altering how market value is calculated, accounting for the invisible economy. This is achieved by actively engaging the consumer with the rewilding project, through the development of an app and crypto currency or credits. The future value of the watch will have direct correlation with the progress of regeneration.

Interlinking the Riviera watch with rewilding charities attaches a positive story within a time of change, that can be gifted or passed down, growing its own narrative for the next generation.

Find out more about the restoration of native oyster beds:
https://essexnativeoyster.com/