Recent Swatch info (Last updated: 01-DEC-2023)

• WANTED! Mimmo Paladino (#021/100). I am asking for your help:  The Mimmo Paladino Swatch (#021/100) has been stolen on its way from the UK to Germany.  Apparently, the package was opened during transport (with TNT Express) and the watch (incl. the metal box) was taken out of the parcel.  If this watch shows up somewhere or is being offered for sale:  Please inform me so that I can forward the info.....
• 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:
• KISS x Swatch SwatchXYou special.  To celebrate the KISS final show in New York City, a special SwatchXYou KISS (canvas) is now available (until 04-JAN) in the Swatch Online store.  On 30-NOV, KISS stopped at the Swatch New York Times Square store and met with fans.
• No more "Mission To Moonshine Gold"?  Swatch has posted a photo of a suitcase with eleven Mission To Moonshine Gold watches (one is still missing, for 27-DEC I guess).  Does this indicate the end of the Mission To Moonshine Gold series at the end of the year? Will the suitcase be available for purchase?
• Zodiac SwatchXYou specials. On 30-NOV, Swatch has released 12 different Zodiac SwatchXYou watches: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.  Examples:  pic1 / pic2.
• MoonSwatch with ostrich leather straps.  Swatch Japan is hinting on Instagram (12-OCT) at upcoming MoonSwatch variations (screenshot: Venus, Jupiter) with leather straps (ostrich? example [no Swatch]).  All eleven colors?  Release date?  Update:  It seems that some MoonSwatch watches with ostrich leather straps have quietly(!) been sold in NOV-2023, in selected Swatch stores:  Price is 350 CHF (instead of 250 CHF), example:  Mission To Mars Ostrich Strap (SO33R100C).  Photos of the watches can be found in the fashion magazine Elle Japan.
• Animation and Swatch.  Federico Barengo, Carlo Giordanetti (CEO of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel), Dario Moccia will talk about Animation in the Swatch store Piazza Gae Aulenti in Milano (Italy) on 29-NOV (6 to 8 pm).  You can register here for the event.
  
• Vanity Fair Italia SwatchXYou.  To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Vanity Fair Italy, Swatch and Vanity Fair Italia collaborate with four renowned artists to create four SwatchXYou specials, inspired by the values that have influenced Vanity Fair's editorial choices over the last twenty years: Diversity and Inclusion, Innovation and Change , Responsibility and Female Empowerment:  1. Responsability (canvas, by Flora Rabitti);  2. Empowerment (canvas, by Eileen Akbaraly);  3. Inclusion (canvas, by Artsi Ifrach);  4. Innovation2 (canvas, by Antoni Tudisco).  These four SwatchXYou specials are available in the Swatch Italy Online store.
• Mission To Moonshine Gold November BEAVER Full Moon.  The MoonSwatch Mission To Moonshine Gold will be sold on 27-NOV worldwide in 83 cities (92 stores) as announced by Swatch on Instagram.  The November version of Mission To Moonshine Gold refers to the Beaver Moon: Full Moon in November 2023.  The golden seconds hand looks as if a beaver has eaten some parts of the lower, thicker part of the hand:  Mission To Moonshine Gold (NOV-2023) (SO33M102-111, certificate).  The tip of the seconds hand features a little beaver that glows in the dark.
• Swatch store Hannover.  A new Swatch store has opened its doors in Hannover (Germany), Georgstraße 18.  It will also sell the next MoonSwatch Mission To Moonshine Gold on 27-NOV.
  Thanks to Joachim Meyer for the photos.
• Matthias Lauda MoonSwatch.  Matthias Lauda (son of legendary Austrian Formula One driver Niki Lauda) wears a Mission To Mercury MoonSwatch on Servus TV Austria (Formula One race Las Vegas).
• Simpsons Collection.  On 02-NOV, Swatch has released the first watch of the Simpsons Collection, right in time for National Donut Day:  A Donut-inspired Bio-sourced New Gent Second Of Sweetness (SO29Z134, 105 EURO).  In many countries, the watch is also available as SwatchPAY! (SO29Z129-5300, 115 EURO), both are packaged in a nice paper box.  On 16-NOV, two more Simpsons Swatch watches have been released (with an Xmas theme):   1. New Gent Wondrous Winter Wonderland (SUOZ361, special box, 105 EURO);  2.  Bio-sourced Gent Tidings Of Joy (SO28Z126, special box, 95 EURO).
• Mission To Moonshine Gold October LOLLIPOP Full Moon.  The MoonSwatch Mission To Moonshine Gold will be sold on 28/29-OCT in 80 cities (89 Swatch stores) worldwide as announced by Swatch on Instagram.  The October version of Mission To Moonshine Gold does not refer to a special moon in the moon calendar as in previous releases.  This time, the watch has a golden lollipop seconds hand featuring a secret "Ω X S" signature on the lollipop that glows in the dark. The lollipop hand is a tribute to the OMEGA Speedmaster CK 2998-3 FAP from 1961.  Mission To Moonshine Gold (OCT-2023) (SO33M102-110, certificate). 
• C-Monsta Beach Party 1995.  André Wieners sent me a few photos from the Swatch C-Monsta Beach Party 1995 in Germany.
• New Swatch Club website.  The website of Swatch Club has been renovated.  Nice fresh look with many memories from Swatch Club events in the last years...  By the way:  If you want to go further back in time, check out my long list of Swatch Club events in the past (almost 200 events, big and small, since the mid 90s!).
• Dia De Los Muertos specials.  A Dia De Los Muertos SwatchXYou special is now available in the Swatch Online Store:  Dia De Los Muertos (canvas).  The design is also available as prefabricated SwatchXYou:  All Bones And Flowers (SUOK144-058, 91 UKP).
• ESA SwatchXYou specials.  The European Space Agency (ESA) and Swatch have unveiled a collection of celestial-inspired designs that transcend the boundaries of space and time.  The six cosmic landscapes are now available as SwatchXYou:  1. Cosmic Cliffs Carina (canvas; NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula);  2. Globular Cluster (canvas; Liller 1);  3. Pillars Of Creation (canvas; Pillars of Creation);  4. Proto Star (canvas; Protostar L1527);  5. The Lagoon Nebula (canvas; Lagoon Nebula);  6. Veil Nebula (canvas; Veil Nebula).  Each ESA SwatchXYou special has a special ESA loop around the strap and each customized watch from this SwatchXYou collection will come with a postcard of the space telescope image used in the unique design..  ESA has some more information about the "stellar partnership" between ESA and Swatch.  The ESA SwatchXYou designs will be available from 04-OCT to 17-DEC, the launch coinciding with the start of World Space Week, an international celebration of how space science and technology helps to improve the everyday lives of people all around the world.
• Sir Roger Moore's Swatch watches.  Two Swatch specials previously owned by Sir Roger Moore (1927 - 2017) have been auctioned at Bonhams for an incredible price:  1. The second James Bond leather suitcase from 2002:  A collection of twenty 007 wristwatches with presentation case dedicated to Sir Roger Moore.  Sold for £76,600 inc. premium.  This suitcase is special as it is not part of the limited and numbered edition of 280 suitcases but it is a suitcase dedicated to Roger Moore, outside of the regular edition.  2. Swatch Irony Scuba 200 Special The Spy Who Loved Me (YDS4014AG) from 2002 with a personal dedication "Love Béatrice And Jean-Jacques" (can you identify?), otherwise nothing special about the watch.  Sold for £8,320 inc. premium!
• Lots Of Dots inspired armchair by Mendini.  An armchair called Poltrona di Proust by Alessandro Mendini designed in 1978 was auctioned at Bonhams on 03-OCT.  The design of this armchair obviously inspired the design of the Lots Of Dots Club Swatch (GZ121) from 1992.  Thanks to Carlos Zanotelli for the information.
  
• Mission To Moonshine Gold September HARVEST Full Moon.  The MoonSwatch Mission To Moonshine Gold (SO33M102) was sold on 29-SEP in 75 cities (85 Swatch stores) worldwide as announced by Swatch on Instagram.  The September version of Mission To Moonshine Gold refers to the Harvest Moon: Full Moon in September 2023 (the second hands were produced during the August Full Moon).  The golden seconds hand features a barley grain pattern and a secret signature that glows in the dark:  Mission To Moonshine Gold (SEP-2023) (SO33M102-109, closeup, special certificate).  Thanks to Thomas Chan for the photos.
  
• Château De Versailles SwatchXYou.  To celebrate 400 years of the magnificent Château de Versailles, Swatch has added three special SwatchXYou designs that capture its elegance and opulence to the Swatch Online store:  1. Architecture Versailles (canvas);  2. Characters Versailles (canvas);  3. Gardens Versailles (canvas).  Thanks to Joachim Meyer for the information.
• Hands-On with the Blancpain X Swatch. blancpainblog.com has an excellent and very detailed report Hands-On with the Blancpain X Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms (with lots of photos).  The watch case of the Blancpain X Swatch has the same shape as the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 1 (ref. 5010A 1130 NABA, limited edition released in JAN-2023, 210 pcs in total).  Some more info about this Blancpain watch can be found here.
• Ed Sheeran wears a Blancpain X Swatch.  Two days after the launch of Blancpain X Swatch (=on 11-SEP), musician Ed Sheeran has been spotted wearing a blue Blancpain X Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean.  Carlos Zanotelli even found a short video of Ed with his blue Swatch.  I assume that Ed did not have to queue last Saturday to get his Atlantic Ocean Swatch.
• Blancpain X Swatch on 09-SEP.  Swatch is teasing us again with newspaper full page ads around the world (video).  The ad indicates a new (scuba diving?) product ??? X Swatch to be released on 09-SEP.  Any guesses about the second ??? X Swatch collaboration?  I think that scuba.dou on Instagram has already solved the puzzle....  Update:  On Sunday (03-SEP), Swatch has published satellite photos of five oceans around the world (Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Antarctic Ocean):  Blancpain X Swatch will be launched on 09-SEP.  5 oceans:  I assume that we can expect five different Blancpain X Swatch watches.  Since Monday (04-SEP), a special orange Blancpain X Swatch suitcase (closed) is being shown in the shop windows of Swatch stores around the world.  So far, the script of the MoonSwatch launch is being followed.  This means that we can expect detailed reports with photos of the new Blancpain X Swatch collection by Hodinkee, Fratello Watches, ... on Thursday (07-SEP).  Update 2:   On 07-SEP, the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection was unveiled, it is "non-limited".  It consists of five mechanical watches with SISTEM51 movement:   1. Arctic Ocean (SO35N100);  2. Pacific Ocean (SO35P100);  3. Atlantic Ocean (SO35A100);  4. Indian Ocean (SO35I100); 5. Antarctic Ocean (SO35S100).  Price is $400 US / 390 EURO.  The backside of the watches is very nice:  The SISTEM51 movement is visible thanks to a transparent display back featuring an illustration of one of the five magnificent, colorful nudibranchs found in each of the five oceans.  Swatch went a bit crazy regarding the production codes this time:  N=North, P=Pacific, A=Atlantic, I=Indian, S=South; not indicating the colors as usual.  Also:  Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean should have ....400, not ....100 as these three watches have a date window.  Find more details about the watches on Hodinkee.  On 09-SEP, sales started around the world in selected Swatch stores (with long queues as expected but better prepared this time).  It is estimated that about 20 watches were available for each model in each store, so about 100 in total per store.  In a nice unboxing video, you can discover the nice packaging with a colorful zipper (color is matching each watch).
• Giorgio Armani wears Swatch.  During a recent visit to the Venice Film Festival, fashion designer Giorgio Armani received a Golden Lion in Murano glass from Luigi Brugnaro, the Mayor of Venice.  Giorgia Armani is wearing a Skin Irony 42 Skinnavy (SS07S102).
• Collecting Swatch watches.  A light Sunday reading:  Squeaky colorful Swatch watches with collector value (in German).  Not sure about the last bit....
• Irony Diaphane Automatic Chronometer from 2009.  In 2009, Swatch has manufactured one of the most rare Swatch specials totally unknown so far:  For the Concours International de Chronométrie 2009 (in May) in Le Locle (Switzerland), a special Irony Diaphane Automatic Chronometer Concours International de Chronométrie 2009 (face of the watch, back of the watch) was manufactured, probably only a handful of pcs.  This Swatch Chronometer did not win the contest, here is a list of all partipants.  It seems that in later years (2011, 2013, 2015, 2019), Swatch did not participate at the contest.
• Mission To Neptune Moonshine Gold August Blue Moon.  The MoonSwatch Mission To Moonshine Gold will be sold on 30-AUG in 86 cities (99 Swatch stores) worldwide as announced by Swatch on Instagram.  Swatch has created a real surprise for the Blue Moon on 30-AUG.  This time, the MoonSwatch with the golden hands is based on the highly sought after Mission To Neptune:  Mission To Neptune Gold (30-AUG-2023) (SO33N101-108, closeup, certificate, special black/golden packaging).  Good luck in buying one of these...  Hodinkee has a small report about the unexpected Moonshine twist...  Update:  The hype is still alive:  Long queues around the world...  Estimated number of watches sold:  Torino 70 pcs, Biel 100 pcs, Toronto only 25 pcs.  Many people in the queue were not able to purchase a watch in several cities ("sold out!"), here is a report from Switzerland.
• Controversial report about Nick Hayek.  Inside Paradeplatz (a Swiss online magazine with lots of "insider" reports from Zurich) publishes a very controversial report (in German; "Missed every trend") about Nick Hayek Jr. (CEO of Swatch Group), initiated by the recent acquisition of Bucherer (watch retail stores) by Rolex.  Swatch Group already has a deep vertical integration with lots of brand exclusive stores around the world.  And we all know that maximum fast growth and an inflated share price is surely not "top of mind" of Nick Hayek but a stable business with secure jobs for the employees.
• Swatch Nines Green Hill Bikepark MTB special / event.  From 18 to 19-AUG, the Swatch Nines Beyond The Hill MTB Festival took place in Schmallenberg (Sauerland), Germany, with about 40 of the best MTB and Skateboard riders in the world participating.  There is a special webpage on the Swatch website about the event as well.  A special SwatchPAY! Swatch Nines MTB 2023 (SVIB105F-5300) was given to riders, journalists and about 25 Swatch Club members who were invited to Schmallenberg from 18 to 20-AUG.  The watch is limited to 130 pcs and here is an overview of the goodies that were distributed to club members.  Here is a report with a few photos / videos from the event, it was a great weekend.
• Swatch Swiss Canton Flags available.  The Swatch Swiss Cantons from 2002 (designed for Swiss Expo 2002), also to be found on the nice special Gent D’Schwizer (GZ286, more info) from 2013 are now available for purchase as "real flags" from Switzerland (1m x 1m or up to 2m x 2m).
• Thai politician Thaksin Shinawatra wears a MoonSwatch.  Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who recently returned to Thailand from 15 years in self-exile, has been sentenced to eight years in prison by Thailand’s Supreme Court.  He was wearing a Patek Philippe grand complication while departing from Singapore.  However, upon arriving in Bangkok, he was seen sporting a MoonSwatch Mission To Mars.  Thanks to Carlos Zanotelli for the info.
• Ernst Thomke 1988 interview.  I just found a very interesting and long report/interview with "Dr. Swatch" Ernst Thomke ("Swatch" project lead at ETA) from APR-1988.  Be sure to check it out.  It is in German, hopefully Google Translate will do the job.  If you can send me an English translation:  I would be very happy.
• Nick Hayek speaks out against intolerance.  Malaysian Home Ministry Raids 11 Swatch Stores is the disturbing headline in several online news magazines around the world.  The Malaysian government has confiscated Swatch watches designed with a rainbow (possibly from Swatch's Pride Collection).  Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek speaks out against this act of intolerance:  Swatch's Pride Collection watches are not a political statement.  "This is nothing political. We wonder how the Enforcement and Control Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs will confiscate the many beautiful natural rainbows that show up thousand of times a year in the sky of Malaysia."  Update:  Swatch sues Malaysia for seizure of Pride watches.  The purpose of this legal case is probably not only the amount of 64,795 ringgit ($14,250.05 US) for the watches alone...  Update 2: "Swatch Pride watches banned, owning one can lead to 3 years' jail" (10-AUG).  What a shame, unacceptable...    Thanks to Carlos Zanotelli and to Janson for the information.
• French Riviera Destination special.  A new Swatch Destination special is available since 03-AUG:  New Gent Bioceramic Le Chant Des Cigales (SO29Z131, 95 EURO) is Destination special #82 and it can be bought on the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur), try one of the stores in Nizza, Nizza Airport, Cannes, Antibes.  Thanks to Bruno Mahier for the photos.
• New Swatch Amsterdam store.  A new Swatch boutique (no longer a store?) has opened its doors in Amsterdam (P.C. Hoofstraat).  Check out the report on Fratello for photos.  Thanks to Jan Molenaar for the info.
  
• Swatch What If? collection.  What if the first Swatch had been square? As an unusual (and a bit late) celebration for the 40th anniversary of Swatch, Swatch has unveiled a brand new playful product line of Square watches during the traditional Gold & Pioneer Swatch Club event in Laax (Switzerland) on 27-JUL.  The What If? collection consists of four Bioceramic Swatch watches and it is introduced with an superb "alternate reality" video.  Don't miss it!  Check out also the "story behind the collection" on the Swatch website, explaining how a prototype from 1981 (photo taken at Blum collection auction in 2011, photo album) was released almost unchanged as a real Swatch 42 years later... The sale of the new collection will start on 01-AUG (Swiss National Day), priced at 105 EURO per watch.  There are a lot of interesting details in this new product line:  edge to edge glass, a very special "playful" battery cover that refers to the original 1983 collection, Bioceramic material with a design that refers to (a different) 80s Swatch, ... The four watches (33mm x 33 mm) in the collection are:  1. What If ... Green? (SO34G700, more details);  2. What If ... Gray? (SO34M700, more details);  3. What If ... Black? (SO34B700, more details);  4. What If ... Beige? (SO34T700, more details).  Update: The attachment of the strap at the case of the square watch case is not the typical Swatch design anymore as the old Square watches had a lot of problems in that area (many broken cases, unlike the Gent Swatch watches which almost never break).  The Hodinkee report shows a What If ... Black? stamped "not for sale" on the back!

• 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:
• Kiki Picasso (poster piece)
• Kiki Picasso poster (original only)
• Mimmo Paladino Oigol Oro
• Helmut Newton Fingernails
• Prototypes, variants, hybrids, test models
• 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, especially US and "Personaldienst" blister
• Folders, brochures, documentation, advertisement material 1982-86.
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Andreas Wiethoff - contact me via email