Recent Swatch info (Last updated: 16-MAR-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:
• Club Swatch 2019.  As shown on the official Swatch Club China website, the new Club Swatch for 2019 is called What's Yo Face (SUOZ303, 75 EURO) and it is packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  The watch has been designed by Chinese artist and illustrator Ton Mak (creator of the Flabjacks collection).  She has previously lived and worked as a resident artist at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel. More information about the Club watch (translated from Chinese).  It is expected that a special limited version of the new Club watch called You, You, And You will be launched at several events in March, similar to the last years.  Update:  The first Club events have been announced:  07-MAR: Lucerne International Launch (w/ Switzerland); 10-MAR: Eindhoven, Netherlands/BENELUX; 12-MAR: Paris; 15-MAR: Frankfurt; 16-MAR: Milano; 30-MAR: Montreal (Canada);  APR:  2 launch events in the USA.  Update 2: The special limited version of the new Club watch is a New Gent You, You, And You (SUOZ300S).  The watch is limited and numbered to 819 pcs.  It is packaged in a nice special packaging.  Here is a picture of the watch in the opened packaging.  The difference to the regular Club Swatch is a metallic brushed dial (instead of a normal printed dial) and the upper part of the strap:  It is orange instead of white.  Additionally, the loop is transparent instead of white.  The watch was unveiled during an international Club Event in Luzern, Switzerland.  About 60 watches with a special "SWISS" loop were sold to event participants (130 CHF).  Here is an overview of the goodies that the event participants received in Luzern.  Here is a detailed report with many pictures from the international launch event.  You can also browse some impressions from the event in my Instagram story.  In seven other countries, special country loops will be available during the launch events (not all launch events will have a special country loop).  Update 3: Here is a small report with a few pictures from the Frankfurt launch event (BTW, this is report #150 on my little webpage).  And here are the photos from Milano (by Fabrizio Mazzucco).
  
• What's Yo Face photo shooting Milano.  On 14-MAR, a Swatch Club photo shooting took place at the Leica Gallery, Milano.  According to this report in GQ Italia, portraits of 15 Swatch Club members were produced and you can see these photos until 16-MAR (day of the Milano limited club watch launch event).  Thanks to Wildon Aguila for the information and photos.
  
• Tokyo 2020 Olympic specials.  The first three Swatch special watches for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have just been released in Japan (500 days to go!):  1. Gent Miraiido (GZ329);   2. Gent Medaru Burgundy (GZ331);  3. New Gent Medaru Navy (SUOZ306).  I assume that these watches are not limited. Thanks to R.J.Valdez for the photo.
• Swatch-Drivein-Store.  Next to the new Swatch HQ in Biel, Swatch plans to open the first Swatch-Drivein-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...
• New Swatch HQ / Swatch Museum in Biel.  About six years after the winner of the architectural competition (Shigaru Ban from Japan) for the new Swatch HQ in Biel had been announced, the spectacular wooden building has finally been opened to the public for the Swatch Flymagic press conference.  Berner Zeitung has a lot of photos and a nice report.  The official opening will be in about three months as there is some final work to do.  Originally, it was planned to open the building in 2015.  Update:  According to this report (many nice photos!), a Swatch Museum (yay!) will also be part of the new building! Update 2:   During the press conference for the publication of the Swatch Annual Report 2018, Swatch Creative Director Carlo Giordanetti announced that the Swatch Museum will be called Planet Swatch and it will be located in the second floor of the new Cité Du Temps next to the new Swatch HQ in Biel (see also p.14 of the Swatch Annual Report 2018).
• The very early days of Swatch.  A fantastic documentation (in [Swiss]German) about the formation of SMH (later Swatch Group) and the crisis of the Swiss watch industry in the late 70s / early 80s can now be watched here (scroll down for the whole 50 minutes).  Highly recommended with eg. a lot of takes from Hayek's office in the 80s / 90s.  I can watch it in Germany so I assume that it is not region restricted...  And here is a very controversial scientific report (in English) by Isabelle Schluep Campo and Philipp Aerni ("When corporatism leads to corporate governance failure - The case of the Swiss watch industry").
• 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!  Thanks to Fabrizio Mazzucco and Edward Chung for the information.
• Swatch Patent expired.  One of the original Swatch patents from 1982 ("Wrist watch with a strap hinged to the case") recently expired on 11-MAR-2019.  Maybe everyone can now produce a similar shaped watch?  I doubt it.  Besides the well known Swatch inventor Elmar Mock, the patent also lists Alphonse Bron as inventor.
• New Spring / Summer 2019 Collection online.  The new Swatch collection Transformation Time (part of the Swatch Spring / Summer 2019 Swatch collection) is now available in the Swatch online shop as a pre-release.  The watches will be available in the local Swatch stores starting 10-JAN.  The new 2019 Club watch will also be available on that date.  Update:  The Good Life has more information about the new collection (in French) including a few pictures of watches which will be launched later in March (Listen To Me collection) and April (Energy Boost collection).  The report also mentions a SISTEM51 with a 3D dial and finally the launch of the Pigcasso Art Special (designed by the world’s only painting pig!) in February.  The watches were presented just before the Paris Fashion Week (15 to 20-JAN).  Update:  On 21-FEB, the next part (Listen To Me) of the Spring / Summer 2019 Swatch collection was launched online in an early pre-release.  Lots of great watches!  I am sure that Blue Sweet (SUOB159) will be a huge success... (Pinkapippa (GE267) too :-)  Another great New Gent watch is Orange Pusher (SUOW167) which has been designed by Lebanese graffiti artist Jad El Khoury.  The Gent Image Of Graffiti (GB317) has been designed by the art group MOSES & TAPS™ from Berlin.  Two watches have been designed by urban artists from Biel (Switzerland):  The New Gent City Walls (SUOB163) is designed by Mista 83 and the Gent Night Club (GB318) is designed by Seyo.  The two New Gent watches Cnosso (SUOB161) and Meiro (SUOW164) are designed by former Swatch Art Peace Hotel resident artist Jean-Charles Kien (he was a resident in 2016).  See also the trace (BWL1) that he left at the hotel.  According to the Chinese writings, these two watches are designed to commemorate the hotel. Thanks to Edward Chung for the information.
• Seoul Destination Special.   A new Destination Special (#52) is available in Seoul, South Korea, since 25-JAN:  Saranghae Seoul (GZ325).  ("I love Seoul").  The design of the watch strap is inspired by the subway map of Seoul.  Thanks to Leo Lee and to Sophia Chang for the information and pictures.
• Swatch Rocket Air 2019.  One of the most important events on the Freeride Mountain Bike (FMB) World Tour,  Swatch Rocket Air celebrates its 10th anniversary this year on 3 and 4-MAY at the Eishalle Grabengut in Thun, Switzerland.  More information here in this report (in German).
• 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!
• SwatchXYou next level.  According to this Instagram post by Swatch UK, #SwatchXYou (the personalized Swatch) will be going to the "next level" very soon.  Maybe some real customization? (= design your own Swatch)  Update:  Almost and it is truly fantastic:  You can pick a design and make your own Swatch here.  You can hover a virtual Swatch over your favourite pattern (currently six different ones are available), drop it where you like and customize your design with two different transparent watch heads (black or grey mechanics).  Your customized design is printed on the watch strap and on the back of the watch (you can also add up to 15 letters for a name etc. there).  Here is an example and here is another one.  You can do this online (3 working days + delivery) or immediately in selected Swatch stores (eg. Zurich airport [be sure to check out all pics]).  Lots of space for individualization.  Update:  Here are some photos of my SwatchXYou "next level" Swatch (HSUOK137).  It is packaged in a red paper sleeve.  The watch and the strap look fantastic and the printing is much better than expected, it really looks robust.  Be sure to check out all 10 photos in order to admire all details of this amazing technology!    Update 2:  SwatchXYou "next level" is finally available in the USA in FEB-2019.  For a limited time, a special artist canvas by NYC artist Edward Granger is available exclusively in the USA.
• GLAM Event in Milano.  On 21-FEB (during the Milano Fashion Week), Swatch held a GLAM event at the Swatch store Via Montenapoleone.  Wildon Aguila has sent me a few photos from the event.  No Swatch special, just a great party!
• Swatch Club website updated.  club.swatch.com has been updated with the design of the current Club watch What Yo Face (SUOZ303).
• Coperion special.  Coperion is an industry leader in compounding and extrusion, feeding and weighing, bulk material handling and service.  They have issued a special Irony Chrono Coperion (YCS113E).  It is an Irony Chrono Classylicious (YCS113C) from 2017 with a new strap with the Coperion logo on the loop.
• Cartoon Network special.  Cartoon Network has issued a nice special Gent Swatch Cartoon Network (GW704C).  It is an Gent Off The Grill (GW704) from 2014 with a very nice new strap with the Cartoon Network logo on the loop around the strap.
• RIP Alessandro Mendini.  Italian architect and designer Alessandro Mendini has passed away aged 87.  He also has designed many Swatch watches and other Swatch related items (including the colourful Swatch shop architecture of the mid 90s).  Here are a few pictures of the meet & greet session on 12-APR-2016 in Milano for the release of Spot The Dot (SUOZ213).
• SwatchXNico special.  It seems as if Swatch will launch a new ProTeam special SwatchXNico (with Freeski ProTeam member Nico Vuignier) on 09-FEB at the Swatch Store in Crans Montana.  Update:  The press section on the Swatch website has more information about the special:  The new ProTeam special SwatchXNico is the first of nine new Proteam Specials which will be released from FEB-2019 through the end of 2021.  The specials will be based on the SwatchXYou platform.  For the first special, Nico Vuignier has collaborated with the Chilean artist Gabriel Ebensperger.  Together, they created the new SwatchXYou design C'est bien Nils!  This design can be used to create your own unique Swatch special (as with other SwatchXYou designs). I love this idea!  Update:  The new SwatchXYou design C'est bien Nils! will be available online starting 11-FEB.  It has a black background.  During the launch event on 09-FEB in Crans Montana with Nico and Gabriel, a special variant of the SwatchXYou design with a white background was offered to the Event participants, only available in a special packaging during this event (239 pcs, not numbered).  Nico also signed autograph cards and a unique Maxi Swatch created by Gabriel Ebensperger was raffled among event participants.  A few goodies (socks and pins) were also given away.  A special page on the Swatch website has more details about the creation process for this watch.  Update:  Photos of the actual watches:  regular black version / limited white version (only available in Crans Montana on 09-FEB).   Thanks to Ines Brem for the info and photos and to Fabien Perissinotto for the photo.  Some photos by @swatchclub.
  

• 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, ...

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