Recent Swatch info (Last updated:  18-AUG-2019)

• WANTED! Perfect Timing Swatch (#332/700). I am asking for your help. The following bad incident has happened to a friend of mine without internet access: The Perfect Timing Swatch (#332/700) has been stolen on its way from the USA to Germany. Apparently, the package was opened during transport and the watch (including the plexi glass tube) was taken out of the parcel. The outer white cardboard tube was still in the parcel and can be seen here. If this watch shows up somewhere or is being offered for sale (remember that it will come without the white paper tube), I would be VERY happy if you could inform me about the seller. This watch has been STOLEN!  Back to the regular news service:
• Swatch at La Biennale / artist special.  Swatch is (still) a main partner of the 58th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia which will open its doors on 11-MAY.  It is the 5th anniversary of the collaboration.  Some new artist collaborations with Swatch will be revealed on 09-MAY.  One new artist special is designed by the 90 year old UK artist Joe Tilson:  The New Gent The Joe Tilson Venetian Watch (SUOZ312S, 135 EURO), limited to 2019 pcs, with a special imprint on the back of the strap. The watch is packaged in a nice special packaging (closed box).  The Swatch website has more information.  Also available is a new La Biennale special:  A Gent Interesting Times (GS147C).  The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve and also has the words "May You Live In Interesting Times..." on the back of the strap (and on the front of the paper sleeve).  This exclusive Biennale Watch can only be found at the Biennale Bookshops, the Venice Swatch Stores and at other selected stores in Italy.  Update:  It seems that invited bloggers received another special Swatch:  A New Gent Colorbrush (SUOS106) from 2017 with a special colorful Biennale strap, similar to the generally available Gent Interesting Times (GS147C).  Maybe this is the Biennale volunteers special?!?  Update 2:  The original artwork for The Joe Tilson Venetian Watch is now on display at the new official Swatch museum Planet Swatch in Biel, Switzerland.  One of the many reasons to visit the museum!   Thanks to Sascha for the hint.
• Ahol Sniffs Glue SwatchXYou artist special.  According to this instagram story photo (unique artist maxi!), a new SwatchXYou artist special by US artist Ahol Sniffs Glue will be released on 15-AUG.  Here is a sneak peek of the artwork entitled Miamisnake ("Miami Limited Edition").  Ahol Sniffs Glue X Swatch   Here is a short video showing the actual watch.  Update:  It seems that two Ahol Sniffs Glue designs will be available.  One of these two will be available for a very limited time only (until 16-AUG).  Here is a behind the scenes video. Update 2: Miami Limited Edition (canvas) is now available at the US Online Store.  In my opinion, the best SwatchXYou so far.  I cannot see the second design (Reptilian Relapse) in the store.  "Sold out" already?  Update 3:  Reptilian Relapse is not yet sold out, try this (hidden?) link.  But you have to be quick, it will be gone soon.
• SwatchXYou Festival Edition.  Two SwatchXYou specials related to music festivals are now available in the German Swatch Online Store:  1. Hamburg (MS Dockville, 16 to 18-AUG; canvas of Hamburg Festival SwatchXYou) and 2. Berlin (probably Lollapalooza, 07 to 08-SEP; canvas of Berlin Festival SwatchXYou).
• Edinburgh Destination special.  A new Destination New Gent special Auld Reekie (SUON130C, 66 GBP, Destination Special #60) is now available exclusively at the Princess street store in Edinburgh, Scotland.  It is a New Gent Striure (SUON130) with a special strap.
• Gold Member Contest 2019.  The Swatch Club Gold Member Contest 2019 is now open until 18-AUG.  This year, the theme is "Irony", so you have to take one to three photos with your favorite Swatch Irony watches (SKIN Irony is also fine).  Good luck and I hope that a gallery of all the entries will be online soon.  The winner(s) will be invited to the Holiday Club Event 2019.  Update:  You can check out the Contributors Galleries, some entries are really superb.
• Swatch in Red Bulletin.  The Red Bulletin is an international magazine that features breathtaking stories from the world of Red Bull and its playgrounds.  One of these breathtaking stories in the current magazine is a whole page dedicated to Swatch collecting (facts and numbers about Swatch)!  Thanks to Christine Tanner for the information.
  
• Gold & Pioneer Event 2019 / Special.  The traditional Gold & Pioneer Event took place in Berne, Switzerland in the  ***** Schweizerhof hotel from 31-MAY to 02-JUN.  104 Club members from 16 different countries participated at the event.  Among many other activities, we visited the new Swatch HQ in Biel, designed by Shigaru Ban from Japan.  To commemorate the event and the visit to the Swatch HQ, a New Gent special Happy Nessie (SUOZ310S) was released in a limited and numbered edition of 200 pcs.  The packaging of the special (opened box) and the details on the watch face are inspired by the wooden design of the building.  Some real wood used for the construction of the Swatch HQ is contained in the loop of the watch!  The number of the special can be found on the packaging, on the back of the watch and on the sticker.  The packaging and the second loop also has the inscription "G&P 2019".  A fantastic idea overall with a lots of thoughts that went into the design of this years G&P special (it shares some ideas with the new Shareholder special 2019 Bi-Üs).  Update:  Better late than never:  Here is a detailed report with many photos from the event.
• Singapore Destination Special. A new Destination Special (#53) has been launched in Singapore on 01-MAR:  A New Gent Singapor Tale (SUOZ296, S$125 (~82 EURO)).  The watch is limited to 2500 pcs and it has been designed by Singaporean artist Tan Zi Xi (also known as MessyMsxi).  Here is some more information about the watch.  On 11-MAR, a special launch event took place at 48 Niven Rd in Singapore.  During the launch event, a unique Singapore Tale Maxi was (partially) painted live by Tan Zi Xi!  The event participants received a special gift box with nice special Swatch cups.  Fantastic!  Update:  The second batch of  Singapor Tale has an additional paper insert with more information about the art on the watch. Thanks to Fabrizio Mazzucco and Edward Chung for the information.
• Vienna Major FIVB special.  For the FIVB Vienna Major (29-JUL to 04-AUG), a special New Gent Swatch X Major Series Vienna 2019 (SUON709D) has been released.  The watch is available in Austria and it is packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  The watch is also available in the Austria online store.
• Official Swatch Patrol.  Not wearing 2 Swatches?  Dirty Swatch band?  Scratched Swatch crystal?  Attn!  Watch out for the Official Swatch Patrol!  (from the 80s I guess)  Thanks to Fred McFarland for the photo.
• Singapore Bicentennial special.  The Singapore Bicentennial in 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in Singapore.  To commemorate this event, a special Singapore Bicentennial Swatch is available: It is a Singapore Tale Destination special with an extra "200" loop around the strap.
• New Fall / Winter 2019/20 Collection online.  The new Swatch Fall / Winter 2019/20 collection can now be found online.  It has the following themes:  1. Bau Swatch (already available online);  2. I Love Your Folk;  3. Knightliness.  Especially interesting for Swatch collectors:  Two old favourites will be rereleased as New Gent:  1. Sir Swatch (SUOB169);  2. Nine To Six (SUOB171).
• New Swatch store in Cologne.  A new Swatch store has opened its doors in Cologne, Schildergasse 8-12 (previously located at Hohe Straße 105-107).  Great store design with graffiti artworks by local artists Goodlack Art: John Iven und Ron Voigt.  No Swatch Club opening event, no store opening special.
• Swiss Destination specials available online.  To celebrate Swiss National Day on 01-AUG, several Swiss Destination specials are available online in the Swiss Online Store for a short time only until 05-AUG.  Update:  The Swiss Destination specials are now available worldwide in the Swatch online store (for a limited time).
• Vans US Open of Surf special.    From 26-JUL to 04-AUG, the Vans US Open of Surfing presented by Swatch will take place in Huntington Beach, California.  A special New Gent event Swatch Sexy Thing (SUOW100F) will be released, similar to last year.  The artwork on the watch strap has been created by Jen Rim.   Swatch Club members from the USA are invited for a guided painting session with Swatch Proteam member, professional skateboarder and artist, Nora Vasconcellos on 28-JUL.  Update:  Sexy Thing is now available in the US online store.  It seems as if it is packaged in a nice paper sleeve. Thanks to Daniel Levinson for the information.
• Locarno Film Festival 2019 special.  A special New Gent Swatch Locarno72 (SUOB715H) for the 72th Locarno Film Festival 2019 (07 to 17-AUG) is now on sale in Switzerland, also in the Swiss online store.  It is a New Gent Backup Black (SUOB715) with a special strap. Update:  The special packaged in a yellow paper sleeve.
• Swatch X Vans Park Series.  A new Swatch special Swatch X Vans Park Series will be available during the Shanghai stop of the Vans Park Series skateboarding event on 18-MAY at the Old Shipyard in Shanghai.  Swatch Club China will host a Club event as well.  Update:  Here is a picture of the actual watch (SUOB708C) in the special paper sleeve.
  
• Swiss National Day SwatchXYou.  Switzerland celebrates Swiss National Day on 01-AUG, so Swatch has released a dedicated SwatchXYou Swiss National Day.  Here is a picture of the very nice background. I assume that the watch will be available for a short time only.
• Moon Landing SwatchXYou.  Swatch celebrates the 50th Anniversary of The Moon Landing on 21-JUL with a dedicated SwatchXYou Moon Landing.  Here is a picture of the very nice background.  Be quick, only 256 pcs will be made, so the watch will be available for a very short time only (until 22-JUL).
• Firenze Destination special.  For a short period of time, Swatch Italy showed the picture of a new Destination special for Firenze (Florence, Destination Special #60) in an Instagram posting (the picture has now been removed).  According to rumours, it be sold starting mid September.
• ITS Time for Coffee special.  ITS Time for Coffee started out at ITS 2018 (International Talent Support) when Swatch and Illy Coffee spontaneously collaborated on a special project:  They invited Fashion Designer Tolu Coker for a 3-month residency at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai to work on a special Swatch and an Illy artist coffee cup.  The result was now unveiled at ITS 2019 in Trieste, Italy:  A New Gent Swatch special ITS Time 4 Coffee and a special Illy artist coffee cup.
• Action O'Clock special.  A special New Gent Swatch Action O'Clock (SUOB715F) is now available in the Swiss online store.  It is a New Gent Backup Black (SUOB715) with a special strap and an Alaïa loop around the strap.  Swatch is a partner of Chalet Alaïa in Crans-Montana, the recently (beginning of 2019) opened first-class action sports center (indoor and outdoor),
• End Of Apprenticeship special.  In July, 171 participants finished their apprenticeship at one of the Swatch Group companies such as Blancpain, Breguet, ETA, Glashütte Original, Longines, Omega, Rado, Renata, Swatch, ...  It looks as if each participant received a very nice Make It Real Swatch special, including a New Gent Swatch Gesso (SUOW153).
• SwatchXYou JoAnouk Proteam special.  On 24-JUN, the second SwatchXYou Proteam special Side Out! has been unveiled at Swatch HQ in Biel during a press conference with Swatch Proteam members Anouk Vergé-Dépré and Joana Heidrich (Beach Volleyball) and Swatch Creative Director Carlo Giordanetti.  You can order the special in the Swatch Online Store.  Again, the background for the watch has been designed in a collaboration with the Chilean artist Gabriel Ebensperger.   The official Swatch website has more information about the second Proteam special.  At the Beach Volleyball Major Gstaad (and only there, 09 to 14-JUL), the watch will be available in a nice special packaging.  Update:  Here is an actual photo of the special packaging, only available in Gstaad.  Additionally, a second version of the watch is only available in Gstaad (with pink background and references to Gstaad and the 20th anniversary of the tournament on the background, limited to 239 pcs).  Christine Tanner sent a small report:  Swatch Switzerland had invited 20 G&P members to the Gstaad tournament on Saturday.  They could buy the limited version of the special during a signing session with Swatch Proteam members Anouk Vergé-Dépré and Joana Heidrich.  Afterwards, the club members got a "behind the scenes" tour and they could visit the media center with 70 journalists.  During the day, the G&P members watched the games from the VIP area.  Thanks to Fabien Perissinotto and to Christine Tanner for the photos.
• HR Giger Maxi auctioned.  On 10-MAY, a unique Maxiwatch by Swiss artist HR Giger has been auctioned for 32,000 CHF.   The Maxiwatch is one of six unique pieces made in 1991, based on a Swatch Maxi watch.  The Maxi watch was painted using airbrush technique, additionally, a new holograph dial was inserted.  This Maxiwatch was displayed in 1991 at Art Basel. Thanks to Christine Tanner for the hint.
  
• Rome Destination special.  A new Destination New Gent special Colosseo (SUOZ308, 80 EURO, Destination Special #57) is available in the city of Rome (Italy) since the beginning of June, also at the airport in Rome.  Update:  A second Rome Destination Gent special Vacanze Romane (GZ333, 70 EURO) has been released at the beginning of July, Destination Special #58.    Thanks to Thomas Chan for the photo and to Joachim Meyer for the update.
• Toronto Destination special.  A new Destination New Gent special 6IX6 (SUOB702CO, $110 CAD, Destination Special #59) is available in the city of Toronto (Canada) since 12-JUL.  It is a New Gent Black Rebel (SUOB702) with a special strap.  Thanks to Thomas Chan for the photos.
• One new IOC special.  has surfaced:  Irony Petite Seconde Dropping Seconds Olympia Logo (YPZ400). 
• L.E.P. special.  For the Fête nationale (Bastille Day, national day of France), Swatch has released a special New Gent Swatch called L.E.P. (Liberté, Égalité, Ponctualité; Freedom, Equality, Punctuality; SUOZ316, 80 EURO).  The watch is issued in a collaboration with the Louvre museum in Paris and it is packaged in a nice paper sleeve.   The design of the watch and the paper sleeve is taken from the famous painting Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix.  The watch is not limited and not numbered.  The watch was launched during an event on 08-JUL in Paris at the Swatch Carrousel du Louvre.  You can buy the watch in the French Swatch Online store (and probably worldwide soon).  Update:  On Bastille Day (14-JUL), Swatch has placed a one page ad in the newspaper Le Parisien.
• Pyeongchang Olympics 2018 IOC specials.  Alain Choisy has published a photo of a very nice Pyeongchang Olympics 2018 IOC special:  Sistem Earth IOC (YIZ401).  The watch is a SISTEM51 Irony Sistem Earth (YIS400) with olympic rings on the dial and a special engraving on the side of the watch case: "IOC LIMITED EDITION PYEONGCHANG 2018".  Very hard to find...  Update:  A second Pyeongchang Olympics 2018 IOC special is the Sistem Arlequin IOC (SUTZ403).  The watch is a SISTEM51 Sistem Arlequin (SUTW402) with olympic rings on the dial and a special imprint on the back of the watch case: "IOC LIMITED EDITION PYEONGCHANG 2018".  Also very hard to find.  The recent IOC specials seem to be much more limited compared to previous years (maybe until 2017).
• ANOC special.  The Association of The Olympic Committees (ANOC) has issued a special Swatch:  ANOC (SUOB715C).  It is a New Gent Backup Black (SUOB715) from 2014 with a special strap, packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  Thanks to Fabrizio for the photo.
  
• Gstaad Jubilee book special.  The Beach Volleyball Major Gstaad takes place from 09 to 14-JUL.  The beach volleyball tournament in Gstaad is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer and to mark the occasion a special book has been published.  Stunning pictures illustrating 20 years of action-packed history may spring a few surprises but that's not all, there is a Swatch watch included in the book cover.  The Swatch is a New Gent Swiss Around The Clock (SUOR106) with a special loop around the strap, ref.no. SUOR106C.  You can order the book here.  The book is limited to 500 pcs and it costs 99 CHF.  Here is a newspaper report about the book.
• Glam collection expanded.  Four new watches have been added to the Swatch Glam collection:  1. Gent Enlace Moi (GE264PZ, $120 US:  $95 US for the watch head with ten different straps at $25 US each);  2. Irony Lady Mon Foulard (YSS326PZ, $205 US: $160 US for the watch head with two different foulards at $45 US each);  3. Skin Folle De Plume (SVOW105PZ, $200 US:  $160 US for the watch head with five different feathers at $40 US each);  4. Lady Pampilles (LR133PZ, $95 US).  The watches can already be found in selected Swatch stores.
• Rebel Again collection.  Several colourful New Gent Rebel Swatch watches are now available again in the Swatch online store as part of the Rebel Again collection.  Some of these (originally released in 2011) were hard to find before.
• New Fall / Winter 2019/20 Collection online.  The new Swatch collection Bau Swatch (part of the Swatch Fall / Winter 2019/20 Swatch collection) is now available in the Swatch online shop as a pre-release. One personal favourite is the New Gent Swatchid (SUOR115).
• 4th Of July SwatchXYou.  To commemorate Independence Day (4th Of July) in the US,  Swatch is now selling a special SwatchXYou 4th Of July but only 07-JUL.  Here is a picture of the nice background.  It seems that this SwatchXYou is only available in the US online store.
• Love Your Pride SwatchXYou.  The official Swatch website has now a special Time To Be Proud webpage obviously addressing the LGBT pride movement.  A special SwatchXYou Love Your Pride is now available but only until 08-JUL.  Here is a picture of the Love Your Pride background.
• Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games special.  The Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympics will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland from 10 to 19-JAN-2020.  A special New Gent Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games (SUOW131E) was now available at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (100 pcs were sold).  The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve. (backside of sleeve).  It is a New Gent White Glove (SUOW131) from 2016 with a special strap (the strap also carries a small cowbell).
  
• Swatch Drive-thru Store.  Next to the new Swatch HQ in Biel, Swatch plans to open the first Swatch Drive-thru Store in the world in the near future (corner Nicolas G. Hayek-Street / Jakob Stämpfli-Street).  In this pavilion, you can buy your Swatch watches from the current collection without leaving your car.  Source:  Swatch Annual Report 2018, p.14.  Here are a few pictures from the store, just be sure to click through all of the pictures...  Update: The Drive-thru Store is now open to the general public.  It sells the watches in a paper box usually used for Hamburgers.  Great concept!  Price for the watches is 55, 65, 70 CHF, depending on the style.  Update 2:  The Drive-thru Store has three exclusive food-related SwatchXYou designs only available at this place in Biel.
  
• SwatchXBape specials.  Swatch has posted some teaser pictures about a SwatchXBape special which will be released in the next days.  A Bathing Ape (ア・ベイジング・エイプ A Beijingu Eipu) (or BAPE) is a popular Japanese clothing and lifestyle brand.  The Swiss Building Designer and basketball player André Paca from Biel has published a photo of the SwatchXBape special (a Big Bold Swatch, closeup) on Instagram.  Looks nice and it will probably be very much sought after.  Update:  The watch comes in a nice packaging as you can see in this unboxing video.  The pre-release takes place on 01-JUN in Japan (already shown under a cloth in Tokyo), with a global release following on 15-JUN.  In fact, a whole SwatchXBape collection will be released:  Six different watches, not only one watch.  The collection has a "city" theme with watches for Paris, Tokyo, London, New York, World and Swiss.  Update 2:  The complete BAPE collection consisting of six watches has been unveiled in Japan:  1. BAPE The World (SO27Z700, 19993 pcs, not numbered);  2. BAPE London (SO27Z701S, 1993 pcs, numbered);  3. BAPE New York (SO27Z702S, 1993 pcs, numbered);  4. BAPE Paris (SO27Z703S, 1993 pcs, numbered);  5. BAPE Bern (SO27Z704S, 983 pcs, numbered);  6. BAPE Tokyo (SO27Z705S, 1993 pcs, numbered).  Price for each watch is ￥18,360 (~151 EURO) in Japan.  All BAPE watches are contained in a nice special box (closed box) with a number plaque for the five city watches.  For the hardcore collectors, a super limited BAPE x Swatch Complete Set (SO27ZS01, closed box) will be issued in a numbered and limited edition of only 83 pcs.  Price for the Complete Set is ￥124,200 (~1026 EURO) in Japan or TWD 31500 (~910 EURO) in Taiwan.  Good luck in locating one...  Update 3:  Several bloggers / influencers were invited for a fantastic launch event on 01-JUN, here is a great video report.  Update 4: Swatch held many small launch sales events in Swatch stores all around the world on 15-JUN.  It seems that the five limited city specials were only available in a few countries (Switzerland, UK [London], France [Paris], USA, ...).  Here are a few photos from the launch in Frankfurt, Germany.    Update 5: All five city editions are now sold out in Tokyo.
• Salzburg Destination special.  A new Destination Gent special Mozart Melodies (GZ332, Destination Special #56, 70 EURO) is available in the city of Salzburg (Austria) since the end of May.  Thanks to Wolfgang Seiler for the information.
  
• "Planet Swatch" museum in Biel.  The new official Swatch museum called Planet Swatch has now opened its doors at the new Cité Du Temps next to the new Swatch HQ in Biel (Nicolas G. Hayek Strasse 2) on 01-JUN.  A huge floor is dedicated to the Museum, lots of exhibition space showing about 70% of all Swatch watch ever produced.  The exhibition also features prototypes, early Swatch watches from 1983, Art Specials, Special Packagings, Club watches, Switzerland, Maxi watches, ...  The exhibition also has many interactive displays.  The entrance is free in June until 11-AUG and it is a "must visit" for every serious Swatch collector, highly recommended!  Starting in AUG, the entrance fee for both museums will be 10 CHF (but you get an entrance voucher when buying a Swatch at the Drive Through Kiosk nearby).  More photos from the museum will follow soon in my G&P 2019 Event report.
• "Available In Colour" Club Set.  During the annual G&P Club event in Bern, a special Available In Colour Swatch Club Set (GZS72) was available to participating Gold & Pioneer Club members.  The set contains two watches, sealed on the frontside and on the backside of a pasteboard:  1. the well known Gent Not Available In Colour (GW165) and 2. a totally unreleased Gent watch Now Available In Colour with a blue tinted glass.  The set is limited to 81 pcs only, unnumbered.  So the Gent watch Now Available In Colour (GZ326)exists in 81 pcs only.
• Second Milano Destination special.  A new (second) Milano Destination Gent special Quadrilatero (GZ330, Destination Special #55) is available only at the Swatch Store Via Monte Napoleone in Milano, Italy since the end of May.  There is a rumour that it was "sold only for a fashion event" but I can't really believe that.  The first Milano Destination special was the New Gent Tutta Mia La Citta (SUOZ228), issued in JUL-2016.    Thanks to Bruno Mahier for the information and photos.
• Swatch Flymagic.  On 14-FEB, Swatch has unveiled a completely new product line during a press conference with Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek, Swatch Creative Director Carlo Giordanetti, and Swatch's VP and COO Gonzalo de Cevallos at the new Swatch HQ (finally finished!) in Biel:  Swatch Flymagic.  It is a new collection of (currently) three mechanical watches featuring anti-magnetic Nivachron hairsprings.  The watch is based on the SISTEM51 movement plus 15 additional components, so it could be called a SISTEM66 :-)  It is constructed totally different by reversing the caliber:  the new balance spring, finely finished modules and skeletonized gear train all can be seen on the face of the watch – easily visible through the transparent rotor of the automatic movement. There’s another Swatch first here, too – the seconds hand runs backwards!  Three watches will be available initially on 30-APR in a limited edition of 500 pcs (per watch), $1500 US watch:  two watches in stainless steel (YHS100S and YHS101S) and one in stainless steel with a red gold PVD coating (YHG100S).  Each watch comes in a special box with a rubber strap and two calf leather straps (closed box).  The watch is numbered xxx/500 on ring in the center (front).  Hodinkee has more technical information and photos.  The back of the watch does not look typically Swatch.  The watch is also thicker compared to other Swatch watches (diameter is 45 mm).  Totally different but a really exciting construction...  Here is a great promotional video by Swatch, filmed in the new Swatch HQ in Biel.  Swiss newspaper NZZ has a nice report about the Swatch Flymagic.  Update:  Fratello Watches has a wonderful report with lots of great Swatch Flymagic photos, check it out!  Update 2: Sales of the Flymagic watches will start with a launch event on 15-MAY in Geneva (Switzerland) and on 23-MAY at several special local events (Berlin, Amsterdam, San Francisco [29-MAY], Milano [30-MAY], ...).  If you want to buy the special in Geneva, you have to pick up a reservation ticket at a local Swiss Swatch store starting 08-MAY.  Quite complicated (but it is a very special watch).  You can only buy the watch in person at one of the events.  The price for the watch is also quite different in the individual countries:  Germany 1500 EURO, Switzerland 1500 CHF (~1315 EURO), Australia $2000 AUD (~1252 EURO), Singapore SGD $2100 (~1376 EURO), Malaysia RM6200 (~1333 EURO), Hong Kong $12000 HKD (~1364 EURO), Taiwan TWD$47000 (~1353 EURO), UK £1200 UKP (~1374 EURO), USA $1500 US (+tax), and China CNY11500 (~1492 EURO).  Geneva now has a Pop-up store where the Flymagic watches are on display, Amsterdam as well.  300 Flymagic specials (out of the 1500) will be sold in Beijing, China in a special Popup store at 北 京 SKP.  25 pieces are available in Russia.  75 pieces are available in the USA.  3 x 50 = 150 pcs in Switzerland, 3 x 30 = 90 pcs in Italy.  60 pcs were available in July in Thailand.  Here is a photo of a disassembled Flymagic.  Update 3:  Here is a small report with a few pictures from the Berlin Flymagic "Sales Experience-Event".   Thanks to Alexandre Brunner for the photos.
• Shareholder special 2019.  On 23-MAY, the annual shareholder assembly of Swatch Group took place in Grenchen at the Swiss Velodrome.  Each one of the 3192 participants will receive a special New Gent Swatch Bi-Üs (SUOZ314), packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  This year, the watch was not handed out at the general assembly.  Instead, it will be shipped to the participants within the next 1-2 weeks.
• New Big Bold product line.  Swatch is teasing on Instagram and Twitter about a new product line called Big Bold.  This watch has a diameter of 47mm and a unique shape of the watch case:  "These Swatch are characterized by a flat glass, which gives a modern and elegant appearance and makes it highlight the dial, a crown at 2 o'clock and a dial printed in 3D that gives it more character and a perfect fit to the wrist."  The first collection consists of six watches which were shown first during the Sneakerness London event on 18 and 19-MAY.  Some Big Bold models were also already spotted "in the wild".  There is also a rumour about a "city themed" special edition...   Update:  Here is a "real world" video of the Big Bold Swatch.  It is definitely a different watch...   Retail price is 5500 PHP (~93 EURO).  It seems that the watches will be officially released on 24-MAY.
• SwatchXLouvre.  On 21-MAY, Swatch has opened a SwatchXYou Popup store in the Louvre in Paris.  The shop has been opened to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the famous Pyramide Du Louvre (designed by Leoh Ming Pei).  Until 17-JUN, you can create four special SwatchXLouvre SwatchXYou watches in this Popup store:  The first design is a unique tricolor motif with a mirror illustration of the Parisian monument in the center of the Napoleon courtyard.  The other three designs are famous paintings which are on display at the Louvre:  1. Les Saisons, Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1573);  2. Galerie de vues de la Rome Antique, Giovanni Paolo Panini (1757);  3. Le Sacre de Napoléon, Jacques-Louis David (1807).  The watches are printed live on the spot in the Popup store. The four special designs are also available at the Swatch France Online Store ("Louvre Limited Edition").  A spectacular collaboration!  More details on the swatchandart Instagram story preserved here.
• Tiritas special.  The Spanish healthcare company Tiritas celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004.  A special Swatch Tiritas (GK426C) was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary ("Unidos a ti" - United To You).  The watch is a Gent Oseille (GK426) from 2001 with a special strap featuring the company logo and the main product of the company:  plaster.  Limitation and distribution is unknown.   Thanks to Pedro Coelho for the information and photos.
  
• World Bee Day SwatchXYou.  On 20-MAY, World Bee Day is celebrated.  To commemorate this special day,  Swatch sells a special SwatchXYou World Bee Day but only for three days until 23-MAY.  Here is a picture of the very nice background, with lots of cute bees...
• Tel Aviv Destination special.  A New Gent Tel Aviv - Nonstop (SUOZ309, Destination Special #54) is now available, just in time for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) on 18-MAY.  The watch is limited to 999 pcs and it is inspired by the symbols and characteristics of Tel Aviv, such as the Azrieli Towers, Sharona, Reading, Bauhaus and more.  The watch costs NIS 349 (~86 EURO) and it is available in Swatch’s four stores in Israel, packaged in the usual paper sleeve.   Thanks to Toty Booms for the hint and to Marjan Looy for the photo.
  
• Veggie Set in Charity Auction.  You can bid on a Vegetable Set formerly owned by German Fashion designer Iris von Arnim.  All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Charity (Doctors Without Borders).  The silent auction is promoted by the important German Online Magazine Spiegel, so I hope that the watches will fetch a lot of money.
• Zurich Sneakerness specials.  At the Zurich Sneakerness event (04 and 05-MAY),  eight Swatch watches from the current collection were available with a special Sneakerness loop.  The loop was available in one size only, so the loop was very "loose" for the Gent Swatch watches.  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
  
• Swatch Rocket Air 2019 special.  One of the most important events on the Freeride Mountain Bike (FMB) World Tour,  Swatch Rocket Air celebrated its 10th anniversary this year on 3 and 4-MAY at the Eishalle Grabengut in Thun, Switzerland.  A special limited Swatch 10 Years Rocket Air (SUOB160C) with two special loops around the strap was sold at the event.  It is a New Gent Swatch Out (SUOB160) from the current collection with two special loops, packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  Christine Tanner sent me a few impressions from the event:  "Around 20 Swatch Club members were invited for a nice lunch at the Rocket Air event.  They watched the crazy jumps by the best raiders in the world.  Godziek Dawid from Poland finally won the FMB Gold event.  Lucas Huppert from Switzerland was ranked at 8th position. Sam Pilgrim from Swatch Proteam had a short signing session in the afternoon, he was classified 13th.  A nice Swatch bicycle leg band was given to the guests. A lot of Rocket Air souvenirs was also sold on a special booth. Thanks to Swatch Marché Suisse, Alain, Daniel Vanessa and Vicky for the freezing crazy event."
• Brexit Swatch.  A special SwatchXYou Brexit is now available in the Swatch UK Online store.  Here is the complete design sheet.  Very funny!
• Lindor special.  In JUN-2018, the Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli has issued a special New Gent Lindor (SUOR705Q) for Lindt employees in Canada.  It is a New Gent Backup Red (SUOR705) from 2014 with a special strap and a special Lindor loop around the strap.
  
• Irony Chrono Automatic design studies.  Alain Choisy has found a nice webpage by the Swiss Blade industrial design studio who were involved in the design of the Irony Chrono Automatic and the Irony Retrograde watches.
• New Hackett specials.  There are rumours that several new Hackett Swatch watches will be released at the end of April, including one limited watch.  Update:  Swatch Taiwan has unveiled the limited SISTEM 51 on Instagram (screenshot) and Facebook:  Thames (SUTZ405S) is limited to 1983 pcs, numbered (5500 TWD / 155 EURO).  Release date was 25-APR.  The watch has an inscription on the back: "born in 1983 xxxx/1983", similar to the first Hackett special Muffin.  The watch is packaged in a nice blue box, also similar to the red box of the first Hackett special Muffin.  The two unlimited new Hackett Swatch watches are Irony SISTEM51 models:  1.  Jermyn. (YIZ404);  2. Classic Lines (YIZ405).  A launch event took place on 25-APR in one of the best restaurants in Madrid, Spain:  Restaurante Horcher.
• Irony Maxi.  A very special Swatch Art project by an US metal artist will be unveiled at the Swatch Club Event in Los Angeles on 19-APR. Care to guess what it is?  pic1 / pic2 / pic3.  Update:  It is an "Irony" Maxi.  Amazing!  Here is a video of the Maxi.  It weighs 17 US pounds.
  
• What's the time?  This Skin swatch has a funny production error on the dial...  I think that I remember the same watch with a missing '8' from many years ago...

• Older swatch news. Click here to read older swatch news with more pictures and info. Check it out if you haven't!
• I am currently looking for:

• PunkXJob MAXI (MSUOZ280S) by Studio Job
• 1983 swatches mint only:  GG400, GT402, GB100 FHL, GG400 FHL, GN100 FHL, GN400 FHL
• "blister" plastic boxes for 1982/1983 swatches.
• original plastic boxes for Keith Haring (with correct price sticker) for:   Modele Avec Personnages (GZ100)
• all Fachhandellogo Swatches (on the face, not on the strap), mint or even worn out.
• Folders, brochures, documentation, advertisement material up to 1986.
• Prototypes, variants, hybrids, test models.
• and:  Kiki Picasso (poster piece) and Mimmo Paladino, ...

You are visitor no.  since 15-OCT-1997. Counter stopped on 20-MAY-2018.

Usually, the number of visitors to this page is between 200 and 300 per day (a little less on weekends :-)  But sometimes, there are peaks in the traffic!  My page is also visited by Swatch employees.

Disclaimer: I am not a member of Swatch Group or Swatch, nor am I related to them in anyway, nor am I an official Swatch Dealer! I'm just a happy pioneer member of SWATCH THE CLUB. Swatch and Swatch The Club are registered Trademarks of SWATCH AG SWITZERLAND. This site is in no way, shape or form affiliated with, related to or in association with the Swatchgroup.

It is a collector site for collectors run by a collector.