Stay tuned to Swatch - Archive 2009

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 2009 are below:

Swatch The Club Snow Mobile 2009 special. The Swatch Snow Mobile 2009 event did NOT take place from 4 to 6-DEC in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria as in the last years. It was cancelled a few days before the event due to missing snow. A Swatch The Club event was also cancelled, you can find all the details here. Update: Of course, a special Swatch Snow Mobile 2009 (SUKB400C; Chrono Plastic Mister Twin with a special strap) was prepared (but released only in very limited numbers at some swatch stores in Austria). It comes in a special paper sleeve. Limitation is unknown. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
2nd Club'Art collection. The second Club'Art Swatch collection will be launched soon. Again, it consists of three watches, numbered and limited to 1111 pcs each. Swatch USA has sent out an email to its VIP customers with a picture of the watches. The watches are: Bold Cat (GZ207S) by Christian Montenegro from Argentinia (last years Illustrative competition winner), 60 + 1 (GZ208S) by David Benedek from Germany, and Soundless Dance (GZ210S) by Tanja Székessy from Germany. Again, the watches come packaged in a nice box as you can see in this example here. Update: The rumours are true: After being sold out for a while, two of the three watches have now been reissued as part of the regular Swatch Spring / Summer 2010 collection, ie. no special packaging and not numbered: Bold Cat 2 (GE231), Soundless Dance 2 (GW156). A new version of 60 + 1 ("60 + 1_2" [funny name!], GW155) will be released later in the spring. To be honest, I don't think that this is a great idea and some collectors might be a little unhappy about it... Thanks to Jörg van Dyk for the information.
Taiwan Van Gogh art specials. From 11-DEC-2009 to 28-MAR-2010, a special Van Gogh art exhibition is held at the National Museum of History in Taipei. As Swatch is sponsoring the exhibition, three special Swatch watches (older models with new straps) have been released to commemorate the exhibition. Each one of the three specials is limited to 500 pcs (not numbered). The watches come in a nice paper sleeve with an extra information leaflet. The three watches are: 1. Irises (Saint Velours from 1995, GK203F), 2. The Starry Night (Fleurs d'Artifice from 2003, GN209F), 3. Terrace of a cafe at night (Blackliner from 1995, GB161D). Thanks to Sophia Chang and to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
Chrono Automatic / Berlin launch special. The long awaited Chrono Automatic product line was launched on 24-SEP in Geneva, Switzerland. Price was originally 295 UKP / 380 EUR according to this interview with Arlette-Elsa Emch, head of Swatch, but at the last minute, Swatch decided to reduce the price by almost 100 EUR. It is 385/400 Swiss Francs or approx. 295 EUR now! This dutch website has all the details about the Chrono Automatic. Five watches have been released: Right Track (SVGB400), Blunge (SVGK400G), Silver Class (SVGK401G), Simply Pure (SVGK402), Sign in the Sky (SVGK403). A great collection! The watches come packaged in a nice plastic box, here is a picture of the watch in the opened box. The launch took place during a reception in the Senso Bar. Arlette-Elsa Emch was accompanied by five nice men wearing the watches. Until 15-OCT, the watches are exclusively sold in Geneva. Update: To commemorate the freestyle.berlin, sponsored by Swatch and taking place from 9 to 11-OCT in Berlin, a very limited launch special (SVGB400D) has been released in a numbered limited edition of 77 pcs. The watch comes packaged in a special paper box with the number "xx - 77" and more interesting: The watch itself is different from the regular watch Right Track (SVGB400): On the back of the watch, the event logo and the number of the watch is printed inside of the glass! More pictures of this great and unique special can be found here. Update2: Right in time for xmas, the new Chrono Automatic is featured on one and a half page in the Zeit magazine, part of the biggest weekly newspaper in Germany: DIE ZEIT. Update3: Another (different) freestyle.Berlin special with the ref.code SVGB400C also exists, no further info available. Thanks to ORB for the information, to Christine Tanner for the information and pictures and to Alain Choisy for the update. Other pictures by Swatch.
Older "Natuzzi" special. In 1996, a special gent Swatch Natuzzi (GN155C, a gent Dark Blue (GN155) with a special strap) has been released. Pasquale Natuzzi is a furniture designer from Italy. Some of the watches are delivered in an envelope signed by Pasquale Natuzzi. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
Bernie Madoff's Swatch watches auctioned. A Swatch watch (a Jelly In Jelly Icy Area (SUJK106)), previously owned by the former Chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange and fraudster Bernie Madoff, has been auctioned for $250 US in Santa Ana, US on 29-DEC in order to raise money for the victims of Bernie. More Swatch watches were available at the auction.
Chinese New Year special. The Chinese New Year special is called The Blessing Sign (GR152) and it comes packaged with a nice little tiger (2010 is the year of the tiger). Thanks to Marco Soares for the information and pictures.
Portuguese Maxi specials. The production of Maxi swatches has been stopped in general by Swatch. However, two recent Portuguese specials are officially available as Maxi Swatches in a very limited edition, in Portugal only: Caçula (MGZ213), 120 pcs from 2009 (closeup of face) and Amiguinho (MGZ193), 150 pcs from 2008 (closeup of face). Thanks to www.watch-boavista.com for the information and pictures.
Swatch The Club New York Xmas event / special. From 18 to 21-DEC, the traditional Swatch The Club Xmas event took place in New York City. About 120 collectors from all over the world participated at the event. To commemorate the event, a unique (unavailable elsewhere!) Chrono Plastic Swatch called Jingle Shine (SUIZ402S) was released in a numbered limited edition of 170 pcs. The watch comes packaged in a nice golden bowl inside a black paper box with imprint "Swatch '09 Xmas Special Limited Edition". The bezel has the letters "Swatch Xmas 09". The watch (with a plastic fliplock strap) is numbered on the back of the watch, on the sticker, and on the golden bowl. Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures!
Remembering Tom Rolnicki. The Swatch community lost an avid collector on 20-DEC when Tom Rolnicki lost his battle with cancer. Tom was one of the most enthusiastic and early collectors of Swatch in the USA. Tom started a collectors club in Minneapolis, Minnesota that was arguably the largest collectors club in the USA. Tom lectured on Swatch topics in the USA and Europe at various events. He was an original Gold member of the official Swatch club and remained a Pioneer member. Along with James Cordaro, Tom authored Swatch Watch Europe, a 100 page collector's guide to 18 'Swatch filled' cities in Europe. In November 2005, Tom cut the ribbon at the opening of the Swatch store at the Mall of America near Minneapolis. Tom's Swatch friends remember his vast knowledge of Swatch history, his sense of humor, and his generosity. When Tom learned of new collectors in the USA, he sometimes sent large boxes of Swatch items he had collected over the years as a welcome gift. Tom will also be remembered for his need to touch a nun's habit for luck whenever and wherever he saw a nun (often in train stations in Europe). Tom was a good friend of Swatch and he will be missed. Thanks to Brian Pier for the (sad) information.
New York City special. A special packaging containing the three New York special swatches (Empire State (GK309, 1998), Sign Of The Times (GZ409, 2004), Lines In The Sky (GZ209)) has been released in the USA shortly before Xmas (just in time for the Swatch The Club Xmas event in New York!). The box is limited to 300 pcs, not numbered, retail price is $205 US.
Fourth Hawaii special / US destination specials. A fourth Hawaii special Swatch called Ke Kai (GN911C, Hawaiian for The Ocean) will be released at the end of october. The name of watch "Ke Kai" will be printed on the loop, so it will be slightly different from the original first picture. The first Hawaii special is Tropical Delight (GN188) from 2000. The second one was released later after Tropical Delight sold out. Ref. no is GK383C, so it is the gent My Next Holidays (GK383) with the strap of Tropical Delight and a special loop with the imprint "Hawaii" (Tropical Delight has a loop with the imprint "aloha"). And if you count the Hawaii Destination special (GK209HI, 1998) also as Hawaii special, the upcoming special will be the fourth Hawaii special. More regional watches (old watches with new city specific straps) are planned: Miami (GK388D), Los Angeles (GK388E), Las Vegas (GK203F, we've seen that strap before!), Chicago (GF112C), New York (special imprint on the face?). The New York watch is called Lines In The Sky (GZ209). Update: Meanwhile, the six US destination watches are available in the USA. A special packaging containing the six watches has been released as well shortly before Xmas. The box is limited to 200 pcs, not numbered. The embossed imprint on the box reads: "DECEMBER 2009 / LIMITED RELEASE". Thanks to always-surprising.com for the information and picture and to Alain Choisy for the additional information.
Swiss Tourism Access special. A special Jelly In Jelly Access called Schweiz Tourismus (SUMK104C) has been distributed to Swiss Tourism employees. The watch is a Jelly In Jelly Schneespur (SUMK104) with a special strap. The loop reads "Schweiz - Ganz Natürlich" (Switzerland - Totally Natural). It is rumoured that the limitation is 700 pcs. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and picture.
Spiga / Vendôme Xmas special. A Spiga / Vendôme Xmas special called Season Of Wonders (YSS245GPU, Irony Lady Lady) is now available. It comes packaged in a beautiful special packaging, a cube made out of shiny transparent synthetic resin with engravings, printing and crystals. The special is not numbered but it is rumoured that it is limited to only 200 pcs. Here is a picture of the actual watch in the opened cube. The special costs 175 EURO / 280 CHF. Thanks to Jörg van Dyk and to Rodolphe Foucart for the information and pictures.
UK Xmas event. On 5-DEC, the traditional Swatch The Club UK Xmas event took place at the All Stars Bowlingcenter in London. No special watch was released but you can read a report about the event on www.always-surprising.com.
Geneva special. A new special gent swatch called Le Jet d'Eau (GZ219) has been released in Switzerland. The watch comes with a special sleeve and it shows the symbols and the colours of the city of Geneva. Thanks to Jacky Beauverd for the information and to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Australian Football League specials. In 2008, Swatch has produced a huge series of special Swatches for the Australian Football League (AFL). For each of the sixteen teams, two special Swatches were released (as usual, older watches with new special straps): A gent Genetic Code (GZ164) and an Irony Big Rosso Tenebra (YGS440). Each watch comes packaged in a nice special paper sleeve. Limitation is unknown. Information about these watches can be found in this catalogue ("NEW!! Kids Swatch Watches $49.99 Also available in adult styles") and here is an ad in an online AFL magazine (page 17). Besides the 32 Swatch watches, 16 additional Flik Flak specials were produced as well. The 32 Swatch specials are as follows: Western Bulldogs (GZ164I, YGS440I), West Coast Eagles (GZ164J, YGS440J), Sydney Swans (GZ164K, YCS164K), St Kilda Saints (GZ164N, YGS440N), Richmond Tigers (GZ164O, YGS440O), Port Adelaide (GZ164Q, YGS440Q), Melbourne Demons (GZ164R, YGS440R), Hawtorn Hawks (GZ164T, YGS440T), Geelong Cats (GZ164V, YGS440V), Fremantle (GZ164W, YGS440W), Essendon Bombers (GZ164X, YGS440X), Collingwood Magpies (GZ164Y, YGS440Y), Carlton Blues (GZ164Z, YGS440Z), Brisbane Lions (GZ164CC, YGS440CC), Adelaide Crows (GZ164CD, YGS440CD), North Melbourne (GZ164CE, YGS440CE). Update: You can currently buy the watches online at ebay or at Goodscore. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
Unknown specials. There are at least five "strap variant" specials of the Jelly In Jelly Fluid Word (SUJK104K) in existance. One of them is the Frankfurt Skyline special (SUJK104K). The other four have not surfaced so far: Volks Bank (SUJK104E, Austria); Almaderos (SUJK104F, Spain); L'Oreal (SUJK104J, Czechoslovakia); KLM Airlines (SUJK104V, The Netherlands). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information.
Adecco special. The temporary employment agency Adecco has issued a special Jelly In Jelly Swatch Adecco (SUJK121I). The watch is the Feel My Love Jelly In Jelly (SUJK121) from 2007, fitted with a new strap. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Ice Hockey World Championship 2009 special. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship 2009 took place from 24-APR to 10-MAY-2009 in Switzerland. Recently a special Chrono Swatch has surfaced. It is the Irony Chrono Nowadays Three (YCB4002AG) with a special strap. The watch comes packaged in a special paper sleeve. Limitation and distribution is unknown. Update: Actually, there are three different Ice Hockey Swatch specials with the ref.codes: YCB4002AGC, YCB4002AGD, YCB4002AGE. The special Chrono Swatch is one of there but more details are not known yet... Thanks to Alain Choisy for the update and for the picture.
Re-launch Swatch flagship store New York. On 12-NOV, the Swatch flagship store in Times Square, New York City, reopened its doors. Kelly Osborne was present to celebrate the reopening. Here is a nice video report from the party at the store.
New Vendôme/Spiga watches. Two new watches will be (are?) available soon at the Via Della Spiga Store in Milano and the Place Vendôme Store in Paris: 1. Plume de Mer (SFK338PU, Skin) and 2. Spirit of Deepness (YOB400PU, Irony THE Chrono). Thanks to Henk Seligmann for the information and pictures.
Early Swatch leaflets and blister packagings. I have added pictures of two interesting early Swatch leaflets (Belgium and UK) and two early blister packagings to my page of old Swatch ads. Check out this interesting pieces of Swatch history!
Portuguese Charity special. Similar to last years, a special gent Swatch called Caçula (GZ213) will soon be released in Portugal. The watch comes in a very nice colorful box. It will only be available in Portugal and parts of the profits will be given to charity (contribution to the construction of the first Home Center for refugee children of the Portuguese Council for Refugees). Thanks to Marco Soares for the information and picture and to Pedro Mota for the information.
FIVB Klagenfurt 2009 VIP special. From 27-JUL to 1-AUG-2009, the Swatch FIVB Beachvolley World Tour had the annual stop in Klagenfurt, Austria for the Grand Slam Tournament. A Klagenfurt 2009 VIP special (SUMK104D) was released, it is a Jelly In Jelly Schneespur (SUMK104) with a nice new strap.
Austria "Come Together 2009" 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 16-SEP. As in the last years, a special Swatch Come 2gether Vienna 09 (SAZ106C) was released, it is an automatic Edwin Moses (SAZ106) with a special strap. Limitation is unknown. The ref.no SAZ106C for the Come 2gether Vienna 09 must be a mistake as this ref.no was previously used for the FIVB staff 2007 special! Is this the first time that such an error has occurred? Uh, oh.....
Frankfurt Store Opening special. A new Swatch Store has opened its doors in Frankfurt, Germany, in the heart of the city: Neue Kräme 25-27. It is the first Swatch store in Germany featuring the new Ice Dunes concept. To commemorate the opening, a special version of the Jelly In Jelly Fluid Word (SUJK104K) featuring the Frankfurt skyline on the strap has been released in a limited edition of 300 pcs, packaged in a special sleeve. On 30-OCT at 6pm, a party organized by Swatch The Club Germany took place at the store. During the party, a very very nice special packaging of the Frankfurt watch was sold in a limited edition of only 54 pcs (taken from the 300 Frankfurt watches). The packaging looks like an ice cube, it is made of relatively heavy plastic. Here is a little report about the opening party with a few pictures!
Xmas special 2009. The Xmas special 2009 is a gent Swatch called Star Edition (GZ199S). It comes packaged in a nice big special packaging (note the size of the packaging in the lower right by comparing to the actual gent swatch on the picture!) and it is limited to 10000 pcs, numbered. You can see the rest of the Xmas collection 2009 here.
Berlin Club'Art special. On 17-OCT, the second Club'Art Swatch The Club event took place in Berlin. About 30 club members from Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Italy, UK, Portugal, ...) participated at the event. The programme of the event included a visit to the highly successful Illustrative 2009, a meet & greet with the three Club'Art swatch designers, and more. The event participants received a special box (limited to 111 pcs) containing the three Club'Art specials. The watches in the box have an extra loop with the Illustrative event logo around the strap. Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures!
freestyle.berlin special. Besides the Chrono Automatic event special (see below), another special will be released in a limited edition of 230 pcs: for the freestyle.berlin, sponsored by Swatch and taking place from 9 to 11-OCT in Berlin: The nice new Chrono Plastic Boom The Lyrics (SUIB101) will come with an extra loop around the strap and in a metal box with printed event logo of freestyle.berlin. You can follow the event live on the internet!
New Vendôme/Spiga watches. A new catalogue of the Milano Spiga special Swatch collection has been distributed via email. It contains six new watches for the fall/winter collection 2009/10: Éclair De Génie (SFK337APU/BPU, Skin), Through The Time (YGS461PU, Irony Big), Live Your Dreams (YSS243GPU, Irony Lady Lady), Cercle Toujours (SVDK1018PU, Irony Diaphane Automatic), Fulmineo (YCB401GPU, Irony Chrono), Harmoniosa (YSS227HAPU/HBPU, Irony Lady Lady).
Production error of artist special. Alain Choisy has found a Morning Glow artist special (GZ205S, Billy The Artist) with a funny production error. Can you spot it?
Bobst Group special. In march 2008, the Swiss company Bobst Group has given a special Irony Chrono to its employees for the record company earnings in 2007. The watch is the Torino 2006 Olympic Irony Chrono Ring's Stream (YCS108GC) with a special engravure at the clasp on the strap. The watch comes packaged with a small note about the watch. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
New Swatch The Club merchandise. Several new products are now available at the merchandise section of the Swatch The Club website. Great T-shirts, caps, etc. with nice GREMS and Urban Art designs. Check it out!
Spanish FOX special. The Spanish TV channel FOX has released a nice special swatch FOX Series (SUJK102F, Jelly In Jelly Instantaneous Fresh (SUJK102) with a new strap), limited to 1000 pcs (numbered xxxx/1000 on the packaging). The watch comes packaged with a leaflet about the TV series such as Dr.House, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, ...
FIVB staff 2009 special. As in the last years, a FIVB staff 2009 (SUJK121J) special has been released for the staff people of the different 2009 Swatch FIVB BeachVolley World Tour events. The watch is the Feel My Love Jelly In Jelly (SUJK121) from 2007, fitted with a new strap. Thanks Alain Choisy for the picture.
CreArt by Swatch event and artist collection. On 30-JUN, Swatch held a huge event at the San Marco Square in Venice, Italy. At the event, the new artist collection called CreArt by Swatch was launched with a huge open air music and art performance by Billy The Artist and The Young Gods from Switzerland. You can watch a video from the performance and a video from the press conference (with Nicolas G. Hayek) online! Here is the official press release from the event and here is some information about/by the advertising agency that produced a few videos for the collection. The collection consists of the following twelve watches (10 gents and 2 Jelly In Jelly):

Billy The Artist: Afterdark (GZ204); Morning Glow (GZ205S, limited and numbered xxxxx/11111 on the back and on the special paper sleeve)
Matthew Langille: Snuggle Bunch (GS136); Floating Away (GS137); Germaholic (GW149)
Ted Scapa: Pink Ride (GZ200); Big Ride (GZ201); Winner Ride (GZ202S, limited and numbered xxx/999(!!) on the special paper sleeve and on the back of the watch; the most limited Swatch of recent times?); ThreeSixty Ride (SUMZ100)
GREMS (already launched in march/april): Moving Beat (GB239); Show Your Moves (GW146); Street Club (SUJZ111), the current club watch)

Germaholic

Update:

Vogue UK

Stavanger FIVB special. For the Swatch FIVB Beach Volley World Championships 2009 in Stavanger, Norway (25-JUN to 5-JUL), a special version of the new FIVB Plastic Chrono special Seed One (SUIB404) has been released: Stavanger FIVB World Championships 2009 (SUIB404C) comes with a special paper sleeve and a special loop around the strap. Limitation is unknown. Thanks to Kati Kylä-Kause for the information and pictures.
Beijing Paralympics / Olympics Volunteer Specials. For the Paralympic Games in Beijing in september 2008, a special gent swatch (GE213) has been released. It is a newly designed watch (as can be seen from the ref.no.). Almost the same watch, with an additional logo on the dial and a different strap, was distributed for the Olympic Games in Bejing. The ref.no. is GE212. Alain Choisy informs me that GE212 is the Beijing Olympics Volunteer special and that GE213 is the Beijing Paralympics Volunteer special. See also this chinese webpage. Update: Another Beijing Olympic special has surfaced: It is a Jelly In Jelly with the ref.no. SUJZ110. Does anyone have more information about this watch? When / Where / Why was it distributed? Thanks to Kati Kylä-Kause for the picture.
Older Skin special. An older Skin special with the ref.no SFZ103E (the 'Z' indicates a special) was discovered recently. It comes in a generic Skin plastic box and it is the completely black version of the Skin Monoblue (SFN100) from 1997. The (c) year on the dial of SFZ103E is 1998, so this was probably distributed in 1999 or later. Does anyone have more information about SFZ103E? It is the same watch as the La Caixa Skin special from 1999 but with a different generic black strap.
Gold & Pioneer event 2009. The traditional Swatch The Club Gold & Pioneer Event 2009 took place in Venice, Italy from 28-JUN to 1-JUL. The event was connected to the CreArt by Swatch artist collection launch event on 30-JUN on San Marco Square in Venice. About 135 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 a black gent Golden Groove (GZ206) in a black plastic packaging with gold imprint. On the back of the strap, the watch has an imprint "Gold & Pioneer Event 2009". Production code is "922", so it was made in the last week of May, 2009! The swatch is limited to only 200 pcs, numbered xxx/200 on the packaging. Each watch and packaging is unique as little gold splatters were 'splashed' on the watch and packaging. Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures!
Phillipine Swatch special. On 14-JUN, the Ateneo de Manila University and the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus celebrated their sesquicentennial or 150th anniversary. A limited-edition Ateneo Watch by Swatch was designed by Ateneo senior student Jason Nallas to commemorate this anniversary. It is the gent Sternfinsternis (GK315) from 2000, rebanded with a very nice new strap and packaged in a paper sleeve. The watch is exclusively available at the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations, Alingal Hall in Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights and in all Swatch stores in the Philippines.
Coldwater Classic Scotland 2009 special. For the international surf contest Coldwater Classic Scotland which took place on 29-APR to 06-MAY-2009 in Thurso (North Coast of Scotland), a special swatch O'Neill Coldwater Classic Scotland by Swatch (SUIW400D, the Chrono Plastic Flying Provocacy with a new strap) has been given to journalists and VIPs in a limited edition of 500 pcs, not numbered. The plastic box has a special sticker on the upper part of the box.
Musée de la Réforme special. To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the French theologian and pastor John Calvin, the Swiss Musée international de la Réforme in Geneva has released a special gent swatch Musée de la Réforme (GE197C, the gent Reflexion Time from 2008 with a new strap). The watch comes with a silver (not black [due to scanner]) paper with the signature reproduction of John Calvin. The watch is limited to 500 pcs, not numbered. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and picture.
Therme Geinberg specials. The Austrian hotel Therme Geinberg has issued two special access swatch watches which can be used at the hotel to pay for drinks, the thermae etc.: 1. Therme Geinberg Orange (SUMK101U). Note that the words "Therme Geinberg" have been imprinted on the strap of the Jelly In Jelly Instantaneous Fresh (SUJK102). 2. Therme Geinberg Blue (SUMK101V). Note that this is a more unique strap as the words "Therme Geinberg" have been imprinted differently. The word "Blue" has been removed from the strap of the Jelly In Jelly Fluid Word (SUJK104). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
Ringier 175th anniversary special. For the 175th anniversary of the Swiss media company Ringier, a special swatch (SUJK700D, the Jelly In Jelly Inwards from 2006 with a new strap), packaged in a nice paper sleeve has been released.
Nicholas G.Hayek Center 2nd Anniversary special. The Nicholas G. Hayek center in Tokyo celebrated its second anniversary on 24-MAY. To commemorate the anniversary, a Nicholas G. Hayek center 2nd anniversary special swatch (closeup, GW137C, a strap variation of the 2003 gent Numbers Everywhere) was released on that day in a limited edition of 450 pcs, with a numbered sleeve (back of sleeve). The japanese website of the Swatch Group has more information about the Nicholas G. Hayek center. Thanks to Yuji Tada for the information and pictures.
Milano artist event. On 6-JUN 26-SEP (event was postponed on short notice), a special artist event will be held in Milan, Italy at the Swatch Store in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, with GREMS as a special guest. No further infos so far. I assume that the special maxi swatches first displayed in Paris at the Club watch launch will be shown there as well. Thanks to Andrea M. Faggioli for the information.
Manish Arora collection. On 8-APR, the long rumoured Manish Arora collection of Swatch watches has been presented at the Via Della Spiga store in Milano, Italy. The collection constists of six watches in total: 1. Huge In All (YNG102, Irony Nabab, 130 EUR, paper sleeve, closeup of paper sleeve), 2. Giant Shimmer (YOG101G, Irony The Chrono, 265 EUR, packaging, closeup of watch), 3. Dancing Hands (SUPP101, Puzzle Motion, paper sleeve), 4. Over Charm (SFM110G, Skin), 5. From Within (YUG101G, Irony Lady Square, 195 EUR, paper sleeve, picture of watch in box), 6. Timespective (GE216, Gent, 75 EUR, paper sleeve, closeup of paper sleeve, closeup of watch). All the watches come packaged in a nice special packaging and a special shopping bag is also available. Manish Arora is an Indian fashion designer. The best collection in recent times, very very impressive! The collaboration Manish Arora <-> Swatch dates back to 2007 as noted on his website: "2007: He collaborates with SWATCH for a limited edition of watches." Here is a small interview with Manish Arora about the design process of the Swatch watches. Update: As last watch from the collection, the Skin From Within is finally available. It has the best packaging of the six watches: closed box / opened box 1 / opened box 2. Thanks to Roberto Tintori, Alain Choisy and to Pierangelo Taiocchi for the information and pictures.
1000 Watches. Some Boston architects fear the wristwatch is going the way of the pocket watch as people rely more on high-tech devices to tell time. To mark this shift ? and to give dear, old time pieces a dignified place to retire ? they created the Thousand Watch Project. The goal is to create a 1000 watch commemorative collection of old, discarded wrist watches. Each watch will receive an epitaph written by the owner and can be visited in the online gallery. Maybe you want to donate your old Swatch watch? A Jelly Fish gent (well used) is already online at pos. #2. I have spotted four Swatch watches and (two Flik Flak) among the 512 watches so far. Can you find more?
Swatch MTV Playground. Swatch and MTV have launched a new global art and design initiative called Swatch MTV Playground. The online showcase aims to inspire young people to get involved with art in a variety of forms and create a community of design students across 2D and 3D animation, illustration, graphic art, fashion, motion design, film and music.
German Hamburger Hafengeburtstag Club event / specials. A Swatch The Club event organized by the German club took place in Hamburg, Germany on 9 to 10-MAY during the Hafengeburtstag (Swatch rocks the Hamburg Harbour Party). Club members slept on a sailing boat. Two special packagings were available in Hamburg on the weekend: 1. A 820. Hafengeburtstag Hamburg Club Event Special, a special packaging of the gent swatch Sailing (GW147), limited and numbered to 100 pcs, was available only to participating club members. The watch has two additional special loops BE Swatch and Hamburg 09 around the strap. 2. A second special packaging 820. Hafengeburtstag Hamburg Special was available to the general public. It is limited to 147 pcs, not numbered and it features again the gent swatch Sailing (GW147), this time in a red paper sleeve and with only one red loop around the strap: 820.HH. You can check out a report and pictures from the club event at www.swatch.stawi.de and www.always-surprising.com. Thanks to www.swatch.stawi.de for the picture.
12th Swatch bourse at the world museum. The 12th Swatch Bourse took place at the World Museum (near Milano, Italy) on 3-MAY. A special packaging containing the gent swatch Playful Pins (GW145, 2008), limited to 57 pcs, numbered was released to commemorate the event. The packaging has been designed by the Italian artist Sergio Dangelo, price is 150 EUR. Here is a group pictures of collectors participating at the bourse, including Rob (Squiggly) from the Netherlands. Thanks to Roberto Quadrini for the information and pictures.
New Vendôme swatches. A few new watches are available at the exclusive Vendôme Store in Paris and the Via Della Spiga Store in Milano: 1. Cercle Toujours (SVDK1018PU, Irony Diaphane Automatic, 160 EUR, special engraved glass and a perforated dial); 2. Fulmineo (YCB401GPU, Irony Chrono, 215 EUR); 3. Glint-Bridge (YUS116GPU, Irony Square Lady, 1290 EUR, 62 real white diamonds: big: 0.03 ct, small: 0.004 ct). Furthermore, new leather straps and pins are available for the Play your style Irony Lady Lady model (YSS228PU).
Club Special 2009 / launch parties. The Club Special 2009 is a Jelly In Jelly called Street Club (SUJZ111) and it is designed by the Urban Artist and HipHop musician GREMS. The watch comes packaged in a nice special box with a little toy. It was released on 2-APR during a Swatch The Club event in Paris with a street art exhibit and exclusive DJ party. Here is the poster for the event and you could also register for the launch party at a special website www.swatch-streetclub.com. For the 41 Club members who participated at the launch event in Paris, a special version of the packaging of the new club watch was made (ref.no SUJZ111-1): The packaging is violet instead of the normal black box, and it is limited and numbered to 200 pcs. Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures! GREMS is also the designer of two gents from the Spring/Summer collection 2009: 1. Moving Beat (GB239) and 2. Show Your Moves (GW146). Swatch The Club UK also held a launch party in London for the new club watch on 3-APR, only for UK club members. Update: I just found a very interesting webpage showing the preparation and painting of the maxi swatches shown at the Lazy Dog gallery.
Roland Garros specials. Two special Swatch watches have been released in France for the Roland Garros French Open Tennis tournament (Paris, 24-MAY to 7-JUN): 1. White Crosscourt (GZ194, Gent), 2. Black Lob (YCZ4000, Irony Chrono). Both watches are packaged in a nice paper sleeve. This is the third series of Roland Garros specials. Previously issued: In 2007: 1. Rève d'Ivoire (SFK294, Skin), 2. Jeux d'Elite (SUJK129, Jelly In Jelly). In 2006: 1. Tennis Chic (SFK270, Skin), 2. Roland Garros (GE179, Gent). For the first time, the current specials are not packaged in a tennis ball.
Fourth Verbier access special. For the fourth time, the swiss town of Verbier has released a special swatch for skiing. This time, it is a Chrono Plastic (with Snowpass) Verbier 4 (Fire Engine with a special strap, SUKI100D). The watch is packaged in a special paper sleeve. Previously, the following Verbier specials were available: 1. In 2002: Access Verbier Experience (SKK103OAC). The watch is packaged in a special sleeve. 2. In 2004: Access Verbier 2 (SKK118D). The watch is packaged in a special sleeve. Also available as Maxi Swatch. 3. In 2007: A Jelly In Jelly access called Snow Sphere (SUMK101N).
New Vendôme swatches. Swatch has released five new Spiga / Vendôme Swatches. Apparently, these watches will be in a higher price segment, with more precious materials and crystals or diamonds. The new watches are:

Carinhosa (YSG125APU/BPU, Irony Lady Lady, 290 EURO).
The watch is in in red gold colour with a big flowery ornament and crystals around the watch.
Waving Crystals (SFF115 GPU, Skin, 215 EURO).
The watch is in black colour with crystals on the watch and on the bracelet, a typical lady's watch.
Dapper Moves (SVDK1017PU, Irony Diaphane Automatic, 600 EURO).
The watch has a black leather bracelet, on the inside of the case 12 diamonds totalling 0.01 carat, and a see-through top and bottom. The watch comes packaged in a very nice box similar to the boxes of the Diaphane One Turning Gold... Very nice!
Luar (YJS700GPU, Irony Real Moon Phase [a new product line? With month, day and moon function!], 430 EURO).
The watch has a steel bracelet, the dial is classically engraved.
Lujoso Tiempo (SFK318GPU, Skin, 1950 EURO).
The watch has a small lady-like bracelet but a large steel ornament around the watch partly studded with diamonds, dial with diamonds, in all 211 diamonds totalling 0.1 carat.

Big Mountain Pro 2009 special. As in the last year, Swatch is sponsor of the Big Mountain Pro 2009 event, taking place from 3 to 10-FEB in the alps. A special swatch Big Mountain Pro 2009 (SUKI100E, a Chrono Plastic Fire Engine with a new strap) has just been released. It comes packaged in a paper sleeve. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and picture.
Collectomania 2009 Event. The third Collectomania Club Event took place in St. Gallen, Switzerland on 21 to 22-FEB-2009. About 60 club members participated at the event. A special packaging containing the 1994(!) gent Knox (GB157E, with new strap) was released during the event in a limited edition of 150 pcs. Participating collectors received a second paper sleeve for the watch. You can read a report with many pictures on www.always-surprising.com and www.swatch.stawi.net.
Remodeling / Reopening Party Berlin Instant Store. The Swatch Instant Store in Berlin (Münzstrasse 18) will be remodeled next week by Berlin artists Jacques & Brigitte and the Swatch Instant Team and it will reopen with a big party on 14-FEB at 7pm, including a DJ and catering. The Berlin breakdance group Flying Steps (videos) will be featured as "special act" during the party. Update: Here is a look into the new store and here is an impression from the breakdance show. www.always-surprising.com has more pictures from the reopening party.
Swatch TTR 2009 special. As in the last years, Swatch is sponsoring the TTR World Snowboard Tour. A special Swatch Chrono Plastic TTR World Snowboard Tour 2009 (SUKR100C, Reddish Black with a special strap) is available, it comes in a nice paper sleeve. Limitation is unknown. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
Torino 2006 special. A very special Irony Chrono Torino 2006 (YCZ100GC), released for the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, has surfaced recently. The watch is not numbered and the limitation is unknown but it is probably quite low. It was distributed in Italy during the games to VIPs and journalists. It is not an IOC watch as it does not feature the olympic rings. It was probably made for the italian organizers. You can see that it is a unique watch as it has a very special orange dial unavailable on any other watch. Is there another Irony Chrono with the same dial (but in different colors)? I can't find it... Update: Alain Choisy tells me that two slightly different versions of this chrono exist. Version 1 has "torino 2006" engraved on both sides on the strap near the dial. Version 2 has "torino 2006" and the olympic rings engraved on the strap. Mysterious...
Swatch in TV spot. A brand new TV spot for the Fiat 500 features a Jelly Fish Swatch amongst many others "everyday masterpieces" :-)