Stay tuned to Swatch

This page does not contain any fancy pictures but I hope to provide some substantial information for collectors. If you want to see some pictures of interesting swatches then go to my virtual swatch museum. Although I am probably a bit biased, it is highly recommended , especially the section about special packagings.

news from 2010 are below:

More Philippines University specials. Four more Philippines universities / colleges will release their own Swatch specials soon (after the already released Ateneo, De La Salle et St. Scholastica's College): 1. Immaculata Conception Academy (Gent, a Maxi version also exists!), 2. Assumption College (GE129, a Gent, comes in a nice paper sleeve), 3. University of Philippines (Gent), 4. University of Santos Tomas (five watches: Gent, Irony Petite Seconde [comes in a nice box], Diaphane Automatic, Irony Medium(?), and another Irony Medium(?)). The University of Santos Tomas Gent comes in a nice paper box. And a Maxi version of the University of Santos Tomas Gent is also available. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
2010 Youth Olympics Specials. For the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore (14 to 26-AUG), two special gent Swatch watches are available for sale: Power Position (GZ223, limited to 1500 pcs, in a nice paper sleeve) and Climb the Top (GZ224, limited to 1200 pcs, no paper sleeve). Each watch costs S$82 (~$59 US). Update: 100 pieces of each of the two specials were distributed with a nice numbered (xxx/100) certificate. And apparently, a third Swatch special had been released in conjunction with the Young Olympic games. It is a Genetic Code (GZ164) Swatch with a special strap and it comes in a nice paper sleeve. No idea about the limitation or how this was distributed but it seems to be much more rare than the other two specials. Thanks to grizzly for the information and to Alain Choisy for the update.
Two older company specials. 1. Skandia access (SUMK200C), no further information available. 2. 60 Years Volkswagen Beetle (SVCK4000F, a Diaphane Chrono Firestorm (SVCK4000) from 2002 with a new special strap embossed with the VW beetle). This special was released in 2009, probably in Switzerland (as it has texts in German, French and Italian), and it comes in a nice black paper box. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
Two new Colour Code swatches. Two new Colour Code gent watches will be available soon, both are brownish in colour: 1. Sand Storm (GC111, we already had a Chrono with the same name!) 2. Sand Hill (GC112). It is also rumoured that a Colour Code collection of lady watches will be available in the summer...
Upcoming Skin and Irony Big watches. Sophia Chang has a picture of several upcoming Irony Big watches (already known, see Swatch webpage) and several similar Skin watches (SFK360 to SFK365), probably to be released in January.
De La Salle University Centennial Collection. The De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2011. To commemorate this event, a collection called De La Salle University Centennial Swatch Collection consisting of four Swatch watches will be released by the university in OCT-2010. The watches are sold only through the university and local Swatch stores. It consists of: 1. De La Salle Centennial Chrono (Irony Chrono Earth Surface (YCS479, 2006) with a new strap, numbered edition, 10,000 Php or ~$220 US), 2. 2401 (Gent Oseille (GK426, 2001) with a new strap, 3,500 Php or ~$77 US), 3. St. La Salle (Gent Loomi Commonplace (GG903, 2005) with a new strap, 3,500 Php or ~$77 US), 4. Animo! (X-Large Still Neutral (SUDF100, 2002) with a new strap and a free black laptop bag, 5,000 Php or ~$110 US). A very nice collection! Update: Here is a picture of the actual set of four Swatch watches. Thanks to Squiggly for the hint and to Pedro Mota for the picture.
Portuguese "Amiguinha" special. Remember the Portuguese only Swatch dog special Amiguinho (GZ193, "friend") from 2008? Now, a 'female' version of this special called Amiguinha (very strange ref.no. 9PTGZ193) is available in Portugal. The watch has the same dial as Amiguinho but with a orange colour code swatch strap. Thanks to Pedro Mota for the information and pictures.
Solar special. An older special Solar (SRM103?) has surfaced. It is the Solar Sunscratch (SRM103) with a special Solar strap. It looks like a watch that was issued when the first Solar swatch watches were launched. Does anyone know anything about this watch? Year? Country? Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Amplifon special. For the 60th anniversary of the company, the italian hearing care company Amplifon has released a special Swatch Amplifon 60th anniversary (GR150C). It is a Colour Code gent Cream Jam (GR150) with a new special strap. The watch comes packaged in a very nice special box (closed box front). The inside of the box has a special text about the history and the mission of the company. Limitation and distribution is unknown, I assume that every employee of the company received this watch.
Club Portugal Xmas dinner. On 11-DEC, Swatch The Club Portugal hosted a Xmas dinner. During the event, five (only!) pieces of the Portuguese only special Caçula (GZ213) in a new special packaging were sold. The sleeve is autographed by the famous Portuguese soccer players Figo, Pauleta, Sá Pinto and Domingos! On the back of the sleeve, a strange number (1143) can be found. Thanks to Pedro Mota for the information and pictures.
Swatch Finder. Finally, Swatch has put online a directory of all Swatch watches ever produced, it is called Swatch Finder. Of course the database has some interesting entries / errors: It lists some very rare prototypes that are usually not considered as part of the 1983 collection: LM101 (EX LR101), LN101 (EX LR101), LB101 (EX LR101), LW101 (EX LR101), GZ009 (?!? Division de Campagne?!?), GB102 (usually considered as prototype!). Kiki Picasso has the ref.code GZ008 and the two Velvet Underground gent specials (GZ999B, GZ999W) are missing completely! The Time Tranny (GZ163) special shows the withdrawn variant and not the second "regular" edition! Can you spot more errors? But of course, this is a super idea, very handy, and long, long overdue! Thanks a lot!
Nagra Access special. The Swiss Nagra Kudelski Group has released a special Nagra access (a Comin' Thru (SKK105, 1997) access with a special strap). The Kudelski Group is a world leader in digital security and convergent media solutions for the delivery of digital and interactive content.
Three Seven Eight Nine new IOC specials. Nine nice rare IOC specials have been discovered: 1. The Irony Chrono Retrograde Sand Structure (YRS401, 2007) has been released as an IOC (International Olympic Committee) version with extra olympic rings on the dial (YRZ400) in a limited edition of 200 pcs. 2. The Lady Strawberry Jam (LK243, 2004) has also been released as an IOC version with extra olympic rings on the dial (LZ108). Update: 3. The Jelly In Jelly Completion (SUJM700, 2006) has also been released as an IOC version with extra olympic rings on the dial (SUJZ700). Update 2: 4. The Lady Triple Tour (LK264, 2006) has also been released as an IOC version with extra olympic rings on the dial (LZ107). 5. The Skin Panna Montata (SFK199, 2004) has also been released as an IOC version with extra olympic rings on the dial (SFZ114). 6. The Irony Chrono Windfall (YCS410, 2000) has also been released as an IOC version with extra olympic rings on the dial (YCZ401G). 7. The Gent Brandname (GE162, 2005) has also been released as an IOC version with extra olympic rings on the dial (GZ214). 8. The Irony Medium Silver Creature (YLS708, 2008) has been released with an Olympia logo engravure on the strap. Update 3: Yet another IOC gent special using the 2004 gent Blue Choco (GM415) has been found, it was released in 2009 or 2010 as it has "(c) Swatch AG 2008" on the dial and the production code is 933 (=mid august 2009). Thanks to Alain Choisy and Roberto Quadrini for the information and pictures and to Squiggly and Joachim Meyer for the information.
Swatch UK Xmas event. On 13-DEC, the Swatch Club UK held its traditional Xmas event. No special was released but apparently, it was a lot of fun as usual...
Two older specials. 1. XVIII. Commonwealth Games (SDK112F, a Scuba Golden Island (SDK112) from 1993 with a special strap) in Melbourne, Australia, released in 2006. 2. A special skin N-TV (SUYK100CC) released by the German news TV station N-TV, date of release and limitation is unknown. It is a Skin Chrono Flatzone (SUYK100) from 2001 with a new strap. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
Swatch and Popstars. On 9-DEC, the 9th season of the German "pop star casting" show Popstars (ugh) ended with the final selection of the band members of the new band Lavive. Swatch was prominently visible during the finals as a sponsor. The first single of Lavive is called No Time For Sleeping and the New Gent watches are even featured in the video for the single (eg. at about 0:08; I have not endured yet to see the whole video :-/
2010 Club Xmas special. During the Swatch Snow Mobile 2010 Xmas Club event, the (approx. 60) participating club members received a nice special packaging (SZS04) of the two regular watches from the 2010 Seasons collection (New Gent Winter Moon (SUOZ101), Gent Winter Sun (GZ233)). The special packaging is limited and numbered to 200 pcs. You can find some impressions from the event at www.always-surprising.com, www.swatch.stawi.de and www.secondwatch.it.
Tokyo artist event. On 20-NOV-2010, a Swatch artist event with Takashi Koshii took place at the N. G. Hayek Center in Tokyo, Japan. Here is a small report with many pictures from the event.
Swatch The Club Snow Mobile 2010 special. The Swatch Snow Mobile 2010 event takes place from 3 to 5-DEC in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria as in the last years. This time, snow will be no problem! A Swatch The Club event will also take place, you can find all the details here. A special Swatch Snow Mobile 2010 (SUKB400F; Chrono Plastic Mister Twin with a special strap) will also be available for journalists, VIPs, club members, ... The watch comes in a special sleeve as you can see on www.swatch.stawi.de.
Anne-Flore Marxer Swatches. Swatch has released the new sporty & assertively colourful Anne-Flore Swatch Collection consisting of six watches (five gents, one access) designed by Swiss Snowboarder Anne-Flore Marxer. All watches have a black dial and a black strap; the case and the hands have a strong color. A phantastic collection consisting of: AFM Powder Turn (GG211), AFM Laugh Time (GR156), AFM Dance Time (GP135), AFM Cliff Drop (GS141), AFM Charge Time (GO108), AFM Pow Slash (SKB111, access, comes in a paper sleeve). Update: In Portugal, the all watches are now available with a special sleeve. For each watch sold with this sleeve, Swatch will give 6 EUR to help the swatch home for refugee children in Lisbon. Thanks to Pedro Mota for the information and picture and thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Haute Couture collection. Swatch will release a pair of two special watches called Haute Couture collection. The two new Swatch watches feature bracelets custom-designed by Jakob Schlaepfer, the famous Swiss manufacturer of luxurious and innovative fabrics for Haute Couture. The watches come in a nice special wooden box, limited and numbered to 777 pcs. The first watch is a men's watch from a brand new product line called Irony Big, it is called Our present for him (YTB401S). The second watch is designed for a lady and it is an Irony Medium called Our present for her (YLB400S). The set (ref.no YZS08 for the set) costs about $500 US / 480 CHF / $3500 HKD / 350(?) EUR. Thanks to Henk Seligmann for the information and picture.
Swatch Young Illustrators Award Club event / special. A Swatch The Club event at the Swatch Young Illustrators Award was held on 5 to 6-NOV in Berlin. About 65 Club members participated at the event and had the chance to meet last year's winner Takashi Koshii. They also went to the I llustrator's Night where the launch premiere of the his special Swatch took place as well as the announcements of the winners of the 2010 award. Two special watches were distributed at the event: 1. The artist special Electricity Man (SUOZ102S) designed by Takashi Koshii, limited and numbered to only 777 pcs. The New Gent watch comes in a very nice special packaging. This watch is now on sale worldwide but you have to be very quick to get one! 2. Each guest (journalists, artists, VIPs, club members) at the Illustrator's Night received a New Gent (any of the 10 available) Young Illustrators Award 2010 with a special loop around the strap (no special ref.code). Approx. 200 pcs were distributed. And finally, here is an overview picture of some of the stuff that the club members received during the event... Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures! Some pictures by Swatch.
Seasons collection / Xmas special. The Xmas/Seasons collection 2010 consists of three watches: 1. The Xmas special 2010 is a gent called Snow Dance (GZ232S, limited to 7777 pcs). It comes in a nice special packaging (ice skating theme). The watch carries a small snow globe, similar to Magic Spell. It will be sold in Germany starting 15-NOV. 2. A New Gent Winter Moon (SUOZ101). 3. A Gent Winter Sun (GZ233). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
Gaumont 5th Element special. There are lots and lots of different watches (GK260, SKZ104, SKZ105, SKZ111) and packagings (German special pack, Austria special pack, Swiss movie premiere pack, the legendary Cannes pyramide). I just found a Gaumont 5th Element gent watch (GK260D) which has an extra loop around the strap. Especially interesting: The sticker on the back of the box is numbered xxxx/1350. I think that this is quite rare. Does anyone know when/why this was distributed?
TTR Art Rules special. In APR-2010, Swatch held a design contest for the Swatch TTR Trophy called Art Rules. This trophy is given out at the end of the competitive season to the male and female Swatch TTR World Snowboard Champion. A very special Chrono Plastic TTR Art Rules Competition (SUKW100) was also distributed. This time, it is a unique Swatch and not just another rebanded regular watch! No idea about limitation or distribution... Update: Meanwhile, the official Swatch webpage also has some information about this watch. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Uma Wang special. Uma Wang is a chinese fashion designer from Shanhai. Recently, she was sponsored by Swatch to create a collection of airy, chic spring/summer clothes that match the Swiss watch brand's New Gent collection. According to this news article, she will soon design a limited-edition watch for Swatch to be launched globally.
Lady Colour Code Swatches? It is rumoured that the extremely successful Colour Code watches will be released as Lady watches in January. A very obvious idea :-)
Huot special. The french company Socca has released a special access swatch Huot (SUMK101X) for its drinking water transport technology Huot.
Iveco special. The truck manufacturer Iveco has released a special Swatch All Blacks (SVDK1011C) in 2009. It is the Irony Diaphane Automatic Eyes Through (SVDK1011) with a special imprint on the strap. Iveco is the official sponsor of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Colourful Irony THE Chrono watches. At the beginning of NOV, Swatch will release five new colourful (and black) Irony THE Chrono watches: Green In Dark (YOB100), Purple In Dark (YOB102), Blue In Dark (YOB103), Peach In Dark (YOB104), Mint In Dark (YOB105). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
True Colors competition. Swatch watches were big in fashion during the 80s (those were the days!). With the New Gent collection, Swatch is reviving this fashion trend with the True Colours competition. There are also many nice editorials in a few different magazines, including the Interview magazine. Check it out, great and funny pictures! Thanks to Martin Maguss and Brian Pier for the hint.
Bern New Gent launch special. On 30-SEP, Swatch Swiss invited the press and Swiss Gold- and Pioneermembers for an Cocktail Dînatoire at the famous Bierhübeli in Bern. Christine Tanner reports from the event: "Swatch presented the New Gent Collection with models and the Swatch Pro Team members Cody Townsend and Anne-Flore Marxer. Swatch President Mrs. Arlette Emch gave a welcome speech to the invitees and then the watches were presented on a fashion walk. Nice food and drinks were served before and after the show. Finally a limited Swatch New Gent Special is sold to the public (given to the press). The New Gent Black Rebel (SUOB702) in a nice grey sleeve with the imprint NEW GENT BERN 30.9.2010. The special is limited to 200 pcs, not numbered." Here is a picture report by Christine Tanner from the event.

New product line New Gent. Very soon (probably October), Swatch will release a new product line called New Gent. This watch is the almost the same as the famous Gent from 1983, the only difference is an increased diameter (from 34 mm to 41 mm). Hence, the dial and the hands are also increased. The strap has nine holes instead of eight. Otherwise, the Gent and the New Gent are identical: Same clockwork, same battery (Renata 390), ... The first New Gent collection will consist of ten watches, including a black, a white, a green, a red, a grey, and a blue watch. Judging from the pictures, it is clear that the watch is targeted towards men ("serious / business" design). Looks much better than the (apparently not so successful) X-Large Swatch to me! Please note that the mechanics of the New Gent are really the same as of the gent: The position of the date window is not at the edge (gent) but slightly more to the inside (3-4mm)! However, the very first New Gent Swatch has already been released (but only for Gold & Pioneer club members!): The strictly limited Gold & Pioneer 2010 special called Salmagell (SUOZ100S, 250 pcs, numbered). More details about this watch in the info bit about the Gold & Pioneer Event 2010. Here is a comparison picture between a New Gent and a Gent watch and here is a picture of the back of a New Gent watch. Update: On 16-SEP, the New Gent collection was launched in Milano, Italy during a Live Swatch Shooting and a VIP and press event. Swatch president Arlette-Elsa Emch was also there to present the new watches. Here is a small picture report by Miriam Mapelli from the event. No special launch packaging! Update2: On 6-OCT, the New Gent collection was launched in New York at Gansevoort Park Avenue. Many VIPs such as Billy The Artist, Chris Brown, Nikki Reed (Twilight saga), and Arlette Emch were present at the launch event. The New Gent collection is now available at the 10 Corso Como store in Milano. The ten watches in the first New Gent collection are (I guess that the colours are clear if you look at the names :-):

Name	Ref.Code
Black Rebel	SUOB702
Brown Rebel	SUOC700
Olive Rebel	SUOG700
Petrol Rebel	SUOG701
Warm Rebel (grey)	SUOM702
Blue Rebel	SUON700
Red Rebel	SUOR701
Burgundy Rebel	SUOR702
Purple Rebel	SUOV702
White Rebel	SUOW701

Via Della Spiga Boutique to close soon. It has been rumoured for quite a while but now it seems to be true, unfortunately :-( The Via Della Spiga Boutique in Milano, Italy will close its doors on 2-OCT. This is quite a big loss for Swatch collectors although the number of new Spiga/Vendôme Swatches has been low in the last years. Thanks filippogatti for the information.
Swatch Swapping. If you are on Facebook (I'm not :-) and if you are interested in swapping Swatch watches, you can try a new group created by Paulo. Another way to exchange Swatch watches: Swatch-Clopedia forum.
Philippine St. Scholastica’s College Swatch. On 10-SEP, the St. Scholastica’s College Swatch special (SUDN100I) was launched in Manila, Philippines. It is a X-Large Blue Wing (SUDN100, 2001) with a special strap. The watch is limited to 500 pcs and it comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve, here is another picture by Alain Choisy. According to this blog entry, this special was initiated by the St. Scholastica's College High School Batch from 1986, for the silver jubilee of the class. Thanks to r1chard for the hint.
Klagenfurt VIP Beachvolleyball special. A special Klagenfurt VIP 2010 access special (SUMK200E) has been released for the FIVB Grand Slam Klagenfurt, Austria which took place from 27-JUL to 1-AUG. It looks like the SUMK101 access but the seconds hand is orange instead of white! Thanks to Jörg van Dyk for the information and to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Milano Vogue special. For the second edition of the Vogue Fashion's Night Out in Milan on 9-SEP, a special packaging (closeup of sleeve) containing any Colour Code swatch (regular watch, no special loop) has been released in a limited edition of 300 pcs, not numbered (probably 100 for each Swatch store in Milano). Thanks to Jacky Beauverd for the information and to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Swatch bourse in northern Italy. The 13th Swatch bourse related to the World Museum (near Milano, Italy) took place on 5-SEP (sunday). Attention: This time, the bourse took place in Melzo, a nice town near Monza, in the Roof Garden restaurant (owned by Swatch collector Miriam Mapelli). Roberto tells me that it is a very nice place with a "beauty center" area, so accompanying persons have a good alternative for spending the day :-) A special artist packaging (containing a Colour Code gent and a special plate) was released as well (very limited, only 37 pcs). This time, it is designed by Fiorenzo Barindelli himself. The back of the packaging has a few current infos about Fiorenzo. Update: In the meantime, the World Museum has been closed due to disagreements with the new major of Cesano Maderno. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
Gold & Pioneer event 2010. The traditional Swatch The Club Gold & Pioneer Event 2010 took place in Saas-Fee, Switzerland from 1 to 4-SEP. Originally, it was planned that the event was connected to launch of the New Gent swatch but this product launch has been delayed / pushed back. About 150 collectors from all around the world participated at the event. As in the last years, a special and unique swatch was given to the collectors: This time, it is the first ever New Gent watch Salmagell (SUOZ100S). It comes packaged in a white 'Bijoux like' packaging with a golden number xxx/250 on the bottom. This white plastic packaging is contained in a golden paper box. The watch is limited to 250 pcs and it is numbered on the back of the watch, on the packaging and on the sticker on the outer packaging. It has a loop with golden imprint gold & pioneer around the strap. Production code is "033", so it was made in mid August 2010! At a fabulous visit of the ETA Swatch production, collectors also received a very nice special glass with the details of the visit and a unique lab coat with the ETA logo. Here is an overview picture of all the goodies distributed at the event. And to top it all: The new Gold Members were able to build their own watch. Read all the glory details on the Swatch-Clopedia forum! Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures! Thanks to Robert for some pictures.
Beachvolley Event in Den Haag. A nice report about the FIVB Beachvolley event in Den Haag, Netherlands on 28-AUG can be found at www.always-surprising.com.
Two new Diaphane One Lux specials. Swatch will release two extremely expensive Diaphane One Lux specials in NOV: 1. Full Turn White (SVAZ103S, limited and numbered to 100 pcs). This watch is designed for the woman with sophisticated and selective tastes and features a white gold bezel set with two baguette diamond indexes at hours 3, 6, 9 and 12 and single baguette diamonds at all other hours (0.41 carats in all), a white gold rehaut and a white, genuine lizard leather strap. Price is EUR 15,500. 2. Full Turn Night (SVAZ104S, limited and numbered to 200 pcs). This watch is designed for men and features a glossy black ceramic bezel, solid black plastic case and a genuine alligator leather strap. Price is 11,500 EUR. More details can be found in the advertisement material on the Swatch-Clopedia forum. The most expensive Swatch watches ever! Thanks to Henk Seligman for the information.
The "Holy Grail" of Swatches. One of the most complete Swatch collections resides in Spain. This blog entry has some more info about this collection and a few very interesting pictures! Thanks to Squiggly for the information.
Blum collection movies. A few years ago, I was lucky to see the (in)famous Blum Swatch collection in person in Thun, Switzerland. The collection comprised many ultrarare prototypes, variants, and of course all regular Swatch watches from the 80s and 90s. It was probably the best Swatch collection on the planet at the high times of the Swatch craze in the early 90s. Meanwhile, the collection has been split up and sold (it is rumoured that Swatch has bought part of the collection). Recently, five videos (15 mins total) from 1994 have appeared on youtube showing the collection on display in Belmon sur Lausanne. A must see for any serious Swatch collector! A nice little booklet La Phénomène Swatch also exists, if you see it on ebay, you should buy it as it contains many nice pictures :-) Thanks to Hans for the hint.
Taiwan Chinese Valentine's Day special 2010. Swatch Taiwan will release a nice Chinese Valentine's Day special, in collaboration with the locally famous illustrator Jimmy: The Lady swatch Lady Maona (LK308G) will be packaged in a nice book with many nice illustrations. The special will be limited to 2000 pcs, numbered xxxx/2000 on the back. More pictures and information about the special by Sophia Chang on the Swatch Clopedia forum.
Blue Balls 2010 special. From 23 to 31-JUL, the Blue Ball 10 music festival takes place in Luzern, Switzerland. The festival is sponsored by Swatch and features artists such as Melanie Fiona, James Morrison, Aura Dione and many more. Christine Tanner reports: "On 24-JUL, Swatch Swiss Market invited Swiss Members to a Swatch Blue Balls event. Around 30 members went to Luzern. We met at the KKL and The Mystery Vintage band was there for a warm up. It was told, that we will get a numbered and unique artist watch. 3 MTV Playground artists finally painted a nice painting and the painting was the surface for 100 watch boxes. In a lucky draw every member was choosing one of the 100 watches. The packages are all numbered 101 - 200 on the back and inside we found one of the current shiny collection watches numbered GB247E, GJ128E and so on. The watches are also fitted with a nice Blue Balls strap with special loop in the colour of the watch. Watches 001 - 100 are going to the Blue Balls Festival and the artists. After the lucky draw, we had a guided backstage tour in the KKL building and dinner on the KKL terrace - Apero, Drinks, excellent warm food and dessert. We also got tickets for the concert with Newton Faulkner, Morcheeba with Skye. Thanks to Stéphane Dousse and Swiss market for this amazing day!" Thanks to Christine Tanner for the pictures and to Jacky Beauverd for a picture.
FIVB staff 2010 special. As in the last years, a FIVB staff 2010 (SKB106C) special has been released for the staff people of the different 2010 Swatch FIVB BeachVolley World Tour events. The watch on the picture is from the Gstaad Grand Slam (beginning of July). The sticker reads: "Swatch AG thanks you for your cooperation at the Swatch FIVB World Tour 2010". The watch is the almost unreleased Fire Guard (SKB106, Access) from 2008 (not released) / 2010 (very limited release), fitted with a new strap.
Brasilia anniversary special. At the end of April, Swatch has launched a special swatch called Traces Of An Architect (GZ227) with a big party at the National Museum in Brasilia. The watch has been issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, and as a tribute to the renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer who was the chief architect of most public buildings in Brasilia. The watch is limited to 1500 pcs and it will be sold worldwide. Update: The watch comes in a nice paper sleeve. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the update and picture.
Free4Style special. From 2 to 4-JUL, the 18th edition of the Swatch Free4Style 2010 event took place in Estavayer-le-lac (Switzerland). Lots of spectacular activities including FMX (Freestyle Motocross), Jetski, Wakeboard, ... A club event was also planned but cancelled due to the death of Nicolas Hayek. A special Chrono Plastic Free4Style 2010 (SUIO400C, Flash Run with an extra loop around the strap) was released for the event, it is limited to 200 pcs. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and picture.
Swatch The Club X-Fighters Club Event. A very short Swatch The Club Event will take place during the Red Bull X-Fighters Grand Final, Las Ventas, Madrid. I was there two years ago, and it is truly spectacular!
Nicolas G. Hayek 1928 - 2010. On 28-JUN, Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman and Delegate of the Board of Directors of The Swatch Group Ltd. unexpectedly passed away during work at his beloved Swatch Group. Sad news for Swatch collectors: Without him, there would be no Swatch watch as we know it today, and probably, this website would not exist... A tribute page to Nicolas Hayek can be found at www.always-surprising.com, if you want to contribute, please look here for details. A public commemorative ceremony took place on 3-JUL in Berne, Switzerland: More than 1000 guests participated at the ceremoney, including his son Nick Hayek, his daughter Nayla Hayek (who has been appointed as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Swatchgroup in the meantime), Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier, Jacques Rogge (president of the International Olympic Committee [IOC]), Doris Leuthard (President of the Swiss Confederation), actor George Clooney (Omega brand ambassador), Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann. During the ceremony, videos from different projects (Zermatt 1992, Smart car, Atlanta Olympics 1996, ...) were shown. Update: Meanwhile, all remaining Hayek Branded Watch (SUPZ100) specials have been withdrawn from sale (at least in Switzerland but probably in other countries as well), so this watch will definitely become collectible! Update2: Here is a very interesting newspaper report (in German) about the early days (early 80s) of the Swatchgroup. Thanks to Christine Tanner for the information and to Alain Choisy for the update.
Fachhandellogo variants. If you collect 1983 Swatch watches, you probably know about the Fachhandellogo watches: 13 models of the 1983 Swatch gent watches were sold in Switzerland with the Fachhandellogo on the face, 2000 pieces each, and only in specialized Jeweller shops. All Fachhandellogo Swatches are very rare nowadays (especially in mint condition). If you look closely, there are variants of the Fachhandellogo Swatches: All(?) 13 watches are available with big or small Fachhandellogo on the face. I think that both variants are equally rare although I have seen more small logos with certain models and more big logos with other models. If you have additional information about this, please send me an email. I just found another variant of a GB100 Fachhandellogo Swatch: Now the difference is in the position of the logo. The variant has a (slightly) elevated logo. Have you seen this variant before?
Nicolas Hayek: Time Bandit. The Wallstreet Journal has a great article about Nicolas G. Hayek (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Swatch Group). The article also includes a recent interview. Thanks to Dan Levinson and Brian Pier for the hint.

Basel Jewelry Fair specials. Each year in April, the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show takes place in Basel, Switzerland. Since many years, Swatch releases one or two special watches for the Baselworld. Usually, it is an older watch with a special loop around the strap. Alain Choisy has sent me the following pictures:

Year	ref.no.	based on
1999	SFN100C	Skin Monoblue (SFN100, 1997)
2000	GK301C	Gent Swatch (GK301, 1999)
2001	GK279C	Gent Unchain Me (GK279, 1998)
2001	GK315C	Gent Sternfinsternis (GK315, 2000)
2003	GB198C	Gent Wrong Margin (GB198, 2000)
2003	GM139?	Gent Conform (GM139, 1996)
2004	GN908C	Gent Krake (GN908, 1999)
2005	GB185C	Gent Tiempo De Reir (GB185, 1998)
2006	GK227C	Gent Define (GK227, 1996)
2006	GK228C	Gent Consider (GK228, 1996)
2008	SUYR100D	Skin Chrono Red Illusion (SUYR100, 2001)
2009	SUDK102D	X-Large Squeezed Pumpkins (SUDK102, 2002)
2010	SUDK101I	X-Large Citrus Spritz (SUDK101, 2002)

Can you add some information about the missing years?

Swatch & Art Collection / London launch event. On 6-MAY, Swatch has launched a new artist collection called Swatch & Art in London with a big event for journalists and collectors. The collection consists of the following five watches by four artists:

Carrie Munden (aka as Cassette Playa): Playa Look (GZ215, the new club watch, great packaging [an eyeball])
Ivan Navarro: You Stop You Die (GZ225, comes in a silver paper sleeve). Also available in a phantastic LED lit numbered limited edition packaging of 777 pcs: GZ225S. The limited edition was quickly sold out but a few pieces are now available again in the German online Swatch store.
Manish Arora: Charmingly Beautiful (GE217). Should have been part of the original Manish Arora collection but was cancelled at last minute for various reasons.
Enki Bilal: 1. Too Many Memories (GZ217, not limited, comes in a black paper sleeve). 2. Into Each Other (GZ218S, numbered xxxx/6998, comes in a white paper sleeve).

Playa Look

event packaging

GZ215-1

violet inscription "Limited Edition Pack Of 200 Pieces"

report

A few pictures by Swatch. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the update.

Nicholas G.Hayek Center 3rd Anniversary special. The Nicholas G. Hayek center in Tokyo celebrated its third anniversary on 24-MAY. Similar to the last years, two special watches have been released: N.G. Hayek center 3rd Anniversary Red (GR154D) and N.G. Hayek center 3rd Anniversary White (GW151D). Both watches are a Colour Code watch with a special loop around the strap and they also come packaged in a special white paper sleeve. Each special is limited to 250 pcs, numbered xxx/250 on the back of the packaging. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
"Mystery Vintage" specials. On 5-JUN, the Sneakerness exhibition/fair took place at the Güterbahnhof in Zürich. The Sneakerness exhibition is all about buying / selling / trading / designing sneakers. Swatch also had a (totally 80s) booth at the exhibition. At the booth, ten (slightly) different Mystery Vintage specials were sold. Details of the sale had been announced on Facebook. Each special contains three older Pop in a pink paper box or three older Scubas in a yellow paper box. Five different boxes of Pop Swatches were available with the ref.no. PZS01, PZS02, ... , PZS05, and five different sets of Scuba Swatches were available with the ref.no. SDZS01, SDZS02, ... , SDZS05. Here are the watches contained in the different sets: Pop / Scuba. Of each ref.no., only 15 pcs were made, so we have 150 boxes in total (75 yellow / 75 pink). Complicated, eh? Here is a small report with a few pictures from the Sneakerness / Mystery Vintage event...
Swatch Girls Pro 2010 special. From 14 to 16-MAY, a Swatch The Club event took place during the Swatch Girls Pro 2010 Surf Championship in the European capital of Surf, Hossegor, France. Only four club members participated at the event (the smallest international event ever? :-) Many different special swatches (all Colour Code swatches in a special paper sleeve with a special loop) were distributed to the participants (club members, journalists, VIPs, ...). Here are two examples: Girls Pro 2010 Pink (GP128?) and Girls Pro 2010 Purple (GV121D). Here is a picture of the full event package. Does this picture from the event show a unique maxi watch? Here is a small report about the event. Thanks to Christian Brem for the information and pictures.
Geneva Airport special. About 10 years ago, the Geneva Airport has released a special Irony swatch: YGS103C (an Irony Big Ocean Storm (YGS103) from 1995), with a special strap and a pin affixed to the strap. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Lisbon Tintin store opening special. On 3-DEC-2009, the first Tintin store has opened its doors in Lisbon, Portugal. To commemorate the event, a special packaging of Les aventures de Tintin (GM165), limited to 56 pieces, was released. It is an acrylic display composed by the watch and one of the 56 original Tintin magazines from the 1st year. Very few pieces are still available directly from the store, price is 195 EUR.
Colour Code "Vogue" specials. At the end of FEB-2010, a launch party for the Italian Fashion website Vogue.It was held in Milano, Italy, during the Milano fashion week. Each guest received a Colour Code Swatch (three different colours were available) with a special Vogue.It loop around the strap. 300 pcs were distributed. Three colours were available: Vogue.It Purple (GV121C), Vogue.It Bright Green (GG204C), and Vogue.It Yellow (GJ128C). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
Roland Garros 2010 specials. Two special Swatch watches have been released in France for the Roland Garros French Open Tennis tournament (Paris, 18-MAY to 6-JUN): 1. Game Shot (GZ222, Gent), 2. Game Set (YCZ402, Irony Chrono). Both watches are packaged in a nice paper sleeve. This is the fourth series of Roland Garros specials. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
"deepblue" special. Recently, the communication agency deepblue networks AG has released a special gent deepblue (GN716D). It is a gent Time In Blue (GN716) from 2004 with a special strap. Limitation and distribution ways are unknown.
Swatch TV. Swatch has a nice website www.swatch.tv where you can watch a lot of Swatch promo videos, interview videos, ... from the area of sports, art, and fashion. Well worth a visit! Thanks to always-surprising.com for the hint.
Nespresso 2008 special. In 2008, a special Irony Chrono Nespresso (YCS4020C) was released for the ITN Technical Convention in Geneva, Switzerland. It is an Irony Chrono Raceway (YCS4020) from 2002 with a new special strap. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and picture.
FIVB 2010 special. The (one of?) FIVB 2010 special swatch is a Chrono Plastic called Sand Diver (SUKM400). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and picture.
Swatch Art Peace Hotel. On 19-NOV-2007, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Swatch Art Peace Hotel was held in Shanghai, China. In early 2007, the Swatch Group had bought the ancient South Building Peace Hotel. The Swatch Art Peace hotel is expected to open to the public in 2009, prior to the Shanghai EXPO in 2010. In addition to a Swatch Art Boutique, other points of sale for the Swatch Group’s more prestigious brands including Breguet, Blancpain and Omega will occupy the ground floor. Update 2009: Since 8-JUL-2009, an exhibition called The Swatch Art Peace Hotel is shown at the Cité du Temps in Geneva, Switzerland. It introduces the restoration and unique operational concept at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai. More information in the official press release. Update APR-2010: A new website www.swatch-art-peace-hotel.com is now online with a lot of details, photos, ... about the hotel which is expected to open in AUG-2010. Check it out, it is well worth a visit.
GFL 2007 special. Recently, an access special GFL 2007 (SHB103LD) has surfaced. It is a Scuba Access Boarder-X (SHB103) with a new strap. It was distributed during Golden Flight Level 2007 (International Winter-Championships of Air Traffic Control personnel) in Oberstdorf, Germany. Limitation is unknown.
"Time For Success" special. Another access special called Time For Success (SUMM101I) has surfaced in Germany. It is a Jelly In Jelly Access Hit-It (SUMM101, FIVB 2007) with a new strap. No further information available so far.
Closure of Vendôme and Spiga store? Swatch-Guru Rob (Squiggly) writes on the Swatch-Clopedia forum that there is a rumour that the special Swatch Vendôme store in Paris and the Via della Spiga store in Milano may be closed soon. In the last two years, only very few new models have been released. This closure would be a pity as there were many nice Swatches released through both stores...
Singapore Mother's Day special. The mother's day special 2010 is an Irony Medium called Heartfelt (YLG165). It comes packaged with a special packaging: A light blue shopping bag. A very nice additional special gift is/was available in Singapore to the first 20 customers who bought this watch: A 17" plush(!) rose in a glass vase engraved with the Swatch logo. Thanks to Auyong for the information and pictures.
Artist Info about Find The Code swatch. You probably know the gent Swatch Find The Code (GK720) from 1997. It was designed by US designer Chip Kidd. What you have probably not known so far is the following info about the watch by the artist himself. I have always been a little puzzled by this watch, it probably should have come in a special packaging which was not realized... Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information.
Verbier Xtreme special. From 18 to 21-MAR, the traditional Verbier Xtreme contest was held in (you guessed it) Verbier, Switzerland. Swatch The Club had invited club members for a brunch with Swatch ProTeam members Xavier de la Rue, Kaj Zackrisson, and others. About 15 club members participated at the event. They received a Freeride World Tour 2010 and they were also able to buy the new Chrono Plastic collection with a special black loop "Nissan Xtreme Verbier 10 Swatch" around the strap. Update: Three Chrono Plastic were available with the special black loop: Mister Pure (SUIW402C), Hot Chili (SUIR400C), Green Master (SUIG400C). Thanks to Christian Brem for the information and pictures and to Alain Choisy for the pictures in the update.
Freeride World Tour 2010 special For the Freeride World Tour 2010, a special Chrono Plastic Freeride World Tour 2010 (SUKB400E, a Chrono Plastic Mister Twin (SUKB400) with a nice special strap) has been released. Limitation is unknown. The watch comes packaged in a nice special paper sleeve. Thanks to Christian Brem for the picture.
Three unreleased prototype Swatch watches. Recently, three so far unreleased Swatch prototype watches have surfaced on the market in strictly limited numbers (100 pcs? 800 pcs? many rumours are floating around). These three Swatches were planned for the 2008 Fall/Winter collection but at the last minute, Swatch decided to withdraw them from sale. The watches are: 1. Shape Season (SUMN100, Jelly In Jelly Access), 2. Fire Guard (SKB106, Access), 3. Bump Brown (YGS124, Irony Big).
Istanbul Swatch. Istanbul is an European Capital of Culture for 2010. A special Istanbul Swatch called Istanbul34 (SUJZ401) will be released in march. The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve. Istanbul is the only city in the world that connects two continents. Therefore the left strap of the watch displays the European continent whereas the right one depicts Asia. The Bosphorus Bridge that connects two continents appears on the dial. Thanks to Squiggly for the information and to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Austria "Come Together 2010" event / special. Each year, Swatch The Club Austria hosts a Come Together event in Vienna for its club members. This year, the Come Together event took place on 1-MAR. As in the last years, a special Swatch Come Together Vienna 10 (SUMK101?) was released. It is a transparent Jelly In Jelly access with a special strap, limited to 85 pcs. A few pieces of this special are still available directly via Swatch The Club Austria.
Vancouver 2010 Paralympics special. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics will take place from 12 to 21-MAR. Here is a picture of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics volunteer special (SUDK103F). The watch is an X-Large Ocean Ripple (SUDK103) from 2002 with a special strap.
Vancouver 2010 Olympics IOC special. Here is a picture of a Vancouver 2010 Olympics IOC(?) special that recently surfaced. It is the Skin Evensun (SFB136) from 2008 with additional olympic rings on the dial. I assume that the watch is quite rare!
Vancouver 2010 Olympics volunteer special. Here is a picture of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics volunteer special (SUDK103E) and here is a closeup of the face. The watch is an X-Large Ocean Ripple (SUDK103) from 2002 with a special strap. Don't pay too much for this, all the recent olympic volunteer specials are/were easy to find on ebay after a few weeks...
Roland Garros 2010 specials. Two special Swatch watches will be released in France (only, probably) for the Roland Garros French Open Tennis tournament (Paris, 23-MAY to 6-JUN): A gent and a chrono. The chrono carries the inscription "Roland Garros" at the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock position. No further information about name, ref.no., or packaging so far. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
Cory Aquino special. A limited Cory Aquino (former president of the Philippines) Swatch special will be released on 24-JAN at the Ayala Museum in Manila. Cory Aquino ("People Power President") would have celebrated her 77th birthday on 25-JAN but she died in 2009. The Cory Aquino Swatch Limited Edition has been designed by Jaime Zobel comes in a unique package limited to 801 pcs: A book on Aquino titled “A Woman Dressed in Sunshine” containing a touching introduction by Teddyboy Locsin and photos of Aquino through historic and personal moments and two Swatch watches (some preview pictures are here on the swatch-clopedia forum). Jaime Zobel is also the designer of the Philippines Centennial Swatch (GK268) from 1998, also available in a nice bamboo packaging. In fact, one of the two Swatch watches in the packaging is the Philippines Centennial Swatch with a new strap (ref.no. GK268C), the other one is an X-Large Citrus Spritz (SUDK101 from 2002) with a new strap (ref.no. SUDK101F). The special is numbered xxx/801 on a golden sticker on one of the plastic cases inside of the book. Update: Meanwhile, the watches have been launched officially. It seems that the limited edition is already sold out. A giant Cory Aquino Swatch that stands 24 feet high against a large metal casing is on display at the museum. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information.

Colour Code Swatch watches / Swatch Guards are back! In the spring, Swatch will release 20 different Colour Code Swatch watches (pink, blue, light blue, green, ...). Arlette-Elsa Emch (head of Swatch) was wearing three Colour Code Swatches at the recent Swatch The Club Xmas event in NYC. Two different special packagings for these watches will be available as well, one of them features seven(!) different Swatch Guards! The Swatch Guards were extremely popular in the 80s, so it is great to see these again. If you buy two different Color Code Swatches, you will receive the special packaging with seven different Swatch Guards. If you want to buy the special packaging with the seven Swatch Guards but without the watches, it costs $40 US. The second packaging was especially designed for the combination of one Colour Code Swatch with one Love Explosion Bijoux. If you buy these two together, you can get the second packaging. So far only one picture on a taiwanese website. Update: Amazon.de has all the pictures. There are 20(!) Colour Code Swatches in total: 10 with a solid dial / shiny, 10 with a white dial / matt. The watches are (very 80s inspired as the artist swatches!):

Colour	Shiny (solid dial)	Matt (white dial)
Black	Black Suit (GB247)	Basic Setup (GB245)
Coffee Brown		Choco-Latte (GC106)
Dark Green		Forest Path (GG207)
Bright Green	Lemongrass (GG204)
Petrol		Forest Fuel (GG206)
Navy Blue	Up-Wind (GN230)	Frozen Breeze (GN231)
Turquoise	Rise Up (GS 138)
Yellow	Lemon Time (GJ128)
Orange	Fresh Papaya (GO105)	Desert Day (GO106)
Red	Cherry-Berry (GR154)	Cream Jam (GR150)
Purple	Callicarpa (GV121)	Purple-And-White (GV122)
Pink	Dragon Fruit (GP128)
Cream		Ecrubelle (GM170)
Grey		Fog Cloud (GM169)
White	Just White (GW151)

Portuguese Charity special. Similar to last years, a special gent Swatch called Caçula (GZ213) was released in NOV-2009 in Portugal. The watch comes in a very nice colorful box. It is only available in Portugal and parts of the profits are given to charity (contribution to the construction of the first Home Center for refugee children of the Portuguese Council for Refugees). Update: Now, the watch is available with an additional sleeve around the packaging, just in time for Valentines Day. On the red sleeve, you can read “Amor Sem Fronteiras” (“Love Without Frontiers”). Thanks to Marco Soares for the information and pictures and to Pedro Mota for the information.
Artist Specials 2010. A new Swatch artist collection consisting of five watches will be released later this year. Four watches are designed by UK Set Designer / Illustrator Gary Card: Straight Drops (GB242), Set Square (GB243), Multi-Bi (GR151), Radio Button (GR153). The fifth watch is a 24 hour Swatch called Fluo (GZ216), designed by UK fashion designer Carri Munden. So far only one picture on a taiwanese website. Update: Amazon.de has all the pictures. I think that the collection is superb, inspired by the 80s swatches! Thanks to Jörg van Dyk for the information.
Valentine Special 2010. The Valentine special 2010 is a gent called Love Seconds (GB246). It comes packaged in a nice box. Update: It has been designed by Matthew Langille, his fourth Swatch design so far (after the CreArt artist Swatches Snuggle Bunch (GS136); Floating Away (GS137); Germaholic (GW149)). Thanks to Marco Soares for the information and pictures.
Berlin special. A special Time In Berlin swatch is now available at Swatch stores in Berlin. The watch is limited to 1000 pcs, it is a Jelly In Jelly Living Swiss (SUJM704) from 2008 with a new strap. Here is a flyer for the Berlin special and here is information on the official Swatch webpage. It is rumoured that a special packaging of this watch (less than 75 pcs) may be available later but no details are known so far.
Swatch TTR 2010 special. As in the last years, Swatch is sponsoring the TTR World Snowboard Tour. A special Swatch Chrono Plastic TTR World Snowboard Tour 2010 (SUKB400D; Chrono Plastic Mister Twin with a special strap) is available, it comes in a nice paper sleeve. Limitation is unknown. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.