Hi, how’s everyone doing? We hope your 2026 is off to a great start.
It’s already been an incredibly busy year for the Worn & Wound team and the watch industry as a whole. Between new releases on the blog, hosting the Dallas Windup Watch Fair, and all the new releases dropping in our shop, we’ve hit the ground running. Like many of you, we are currently gearing up for an exciting Watches & Wonders, and with a packed calendar of events and some big projects in the works, the rest of the year is shaping up to be one of our most active yet.
However, alongside the excitement of the watch community, the first part of this year has also been a period of significant turmoil globally. In the professional world, there is often a desire to “avoid politics” and stay focused strictly on business. But when our news feeds are filled with instability, uncertainty, and, sadly, tragedy, the conversation shifts. Over the past several months, our team has found itself caught in these discussions.
In times like these, we find ourselves relying more than ever on the strength of our community. We’ve realized that as Worn & Wound grows, we have both a responsibility and a desire to be a genuine source for good. While we began as a place to celebrate the technical and the aesthetic, we have grown into a global community, and we believe that community should stand for more than just the products we collect.
So, the Worn & Wound team has gotten together and solidified how we want to actualize our citizenship, and we’re excited to share the results of those conversations with you. We want to make our values known, for the sake of transparency and to ensure that our community remains a safe, inclusive space for everyone. We want those who share these values to feel safe to express them, and we want to help shape a broader conversation about dignity and justice within our industry.
Our Values
Our commitment to this community and the world at large is guided by a core set of brand values that prioritize human dignity, the platforming of diverse voices, and the protection of individual expression. These values serve as the filter for every decision we make, from the stories we tell to the partners we choose.
1. The Inherent Dignity of the Individual – We believe that every person—regardless of their background, identity, or status—deserves safety, respect, and the full protection of their human rights. We do not view our platform as an escape from the world, but as a space within it where these rights must be upheld and championed.
2. Amplifying a Multitude of Voices – Enthusiasm is at its best when it is inclusive. We are committed to platforming a diverse range of perspectives, ensuring that the watch community reflects the breadth of the world around us. We believe that by making space for underrepresented voices, we enrich the experience for everyone.
3. The Sanctity of Freedom of Expression – We value the power of the individual voice. We believe in fostering an environment where ideas can be shared openly and where our team and community members feel empowered to speak their truths. We protect the right of the individuals within our organization to engage in advocacy and express their personal convictions.
4. Responsibility Through Action – Values are only as strong as the actions they inspire. We believe that as a company with a global reach, we have a responsibility to be a proactive corporate citizen. This means using our resources—financial, editorial, and social—to support justice and equity wherever we have the power to do so.
Putting Values to Work
As we move forward, Worn & Wound is dedicated to turning our internal reflections into a tangible roadmap for our brand. We recognize that values only hold weight when they are supported by action and accountability. While our core business of sharing our passion for horology remains unchanged, we are formalizing how we show up as a member of the global community. Below are the initial steps we are taking to uphold our values and ensure our platform contributes to a more equitable future.
Leadership through Engagement: We believe in the power of the “company we keep,” but we also believe in the power of our influence. When we encounter actions from partners that conflict with our values, our first step is dialogue and advocacy, not a quiet exit. We want to use our seat at the table to project the standards we expect, encouraging our peers to join us in building a more equitable society.
Proactive Citizenship & Giving: We want to be better corporate citizens, building on the success of past initiatives like the Ride to Conquer Cancer, where our community helped us raise over $51,000 CAD last year. We are also continuing our commitment to local efforts, such as our food pantry drives and showroom donations.
Worn & Wound is making an immediate $5,000 donation shared between the Minnesota Freedom Fund and the ACLU of Minnesota in response to the tragic and avoidable events that took place earlier this year.
Platforming Good: Our reach is one of our most valuable resources, and we intend to use it more intentionally. We are launching a recurring series on the blog to highlight non-profits and community leaders, giving them the space to reach our audience with their vital work. We will also use our platform to highlight peer organizations and brands doing good through their work and philanthropy. By celebrating those who are getting it right, we hope to normalize a higher standard of corporate citizenship across the entire watch industry.
Freedom of Individual Expression: Worn & Wound is made up of individuals with diverse perspectives and deep convictions. We believe that our employees should not have to leave their values at the door when they come to work. We encourage and support our team members’ rights to express their personal values and engage in advocacy through their own personal channels. While Worn & Wound speaks with a collective voice on this blog, we celebrate the individual voices of the people who make this company what it is.
Moving Forward
This is not a one-time statement; it is a commitment to being a more engaged member of our community, now and in the future. And we’d love to hear from you. How can we be a stronger force for good in our community? What organizations do you think are doing an exceptional job and are worth platforming? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
Thank you for being part of this community.
Blake Malin
2026-04-02 20:00:00