news from 2011 are below:

• Johnson&Johnson company special.  For the 125th anniversary of the medical company Johnson&Johnson in 2011, a special Jelly In Jelly Johnson&Johnson has been released.  It is the Jelly In Jelly Ruby Touch (SUJK701) from 2007 with a print on the strap and two special loops around the strap.  Limitation and distribution is unknown so far.  The watch comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve. Thanks to Dino Wierz for the information and picture.
  
• Blum collection auction / Xmas club event.  Swatch auctioned the famous Blum Swatch collection during an auction in Hong Kong on 24-NOV.  Therefore, the traditional Swatch The Club xmas event took place in Shanghai and Hong Kong (21 to 25-NOV) so that club members were able to participate live at the auction.  Before the auction, the collection was shown on a "world tour" in New York (17 to 22-SEP), London (18 to 25-OCT), and Shanghai (5 to 10-NOV).  Swatch has published some additional interesting info about the collection and the auction (have a look especially at the sentences in italic!):  "Swatch is proud to announce the upcoming sale at auction of an extraordinary collection of Swatch watches.  One of the most complete collections its kind, this fascinating of assembly of more than 4,350 items includes a large number of prototypes, hybrids and production variants never offered for sale to the public. Many of the prototypes date from the exciting development period immediately prior to commercial release of the first Swatch watches in the early 1980s, and are thus extremely rare.  The Blum Collection sale, to be handled by art auction house Phillipps de Pury, will be held in Hong Kong in late November of this year. The Blum collection will be sold as a single lot. A separate auction to be held immediately preceding the main auction will offer seven individual lots owned by Swatch, including works of art by Alessandro Mendini, Peter Fonda and Paolo Pininfarina made using various kinds of sports equipment: a sailboard, a baseball glove, cap and bat, and a discus."  Update:  Now you can check out the complete collection in full glory and all details (each watch!) on the official Swatch webpage!  Only the navigation is a little difficult...  Update2:  Here is a small report (with nice pics!) from the London stop of the "world tour".   Here is a nice article about the auction...  Update3: The catalogue (more than 300 pages!) is now available for download and you can also browse it online!  (the printed catalogue is now sold out :-( )  The auction was expected to fetch between US$3.5 and 6.3 million!  Update after the auction:  The Xmas event and the auction in Hong Kong were wonderful.  The Blum collection (lot #8) was sold for more than $6,600,000 US to a buyer from China, exceeding all expectations.  Here are two videos from the Hong Kong auction:  video1 / video2.  And here are pictures of all 291 watches shown at the preview of the auction in Hong Kong!  Two other lots went to Swatch The Club members:  Lot #5 (Special Edition Phillips de Pury & Company watch, #008/100) went to a Dutch collector for $4,160 US and lot #7 (My Swatch, a new Swatch watch produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces after the design ideas of the auction winner) went to an European consortium of Swatch collectors ($35,200 US).   Here are the complete results of the auction.  About 80 people participated at the Xmas event in Asia.  They received a Shanghai / Hong Kong Xmas Event 2011 special packaging (SZS06, back of the box), limited and numbered (also on the back of the watches) to 200 pcs, with two special loops each ("Shanghai 2011 / Hong Kong 2011") around the strap.  The two watches in the box are part of the current Seasons collection:  1. Shimmer Ray (GZ250, Gent); 2. Golden Rebel (SUOZ119, New Gent).  Here is an overview picture of all the stuff that event participants received...  Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures and even some shaky videos!    Thanks to Wolfgang Seiler for the information and to Brian Pier and Sophia Chang for the update.
• Swatch The Club Snow Mobile 2011 special.  The Swatch Snow Mobile 2011 event took place from 08 to 11-DEC in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria as in the last years.  Four different special Swatch Snow Mobile 2011 (New Gent with special loop around the strap and in a nice paper sleeve) were released.  Three of the four ref.codes are:  SUOG703D, SUOS701E, SUOS702D.  You can find pictures, videos, and impressions from the event at www.swatch.stawi.de.  Thanks to Jacky Beauverd for the pictures.
• Habitat For Humanity special.  A special Habitat For Humanity Swatch (a Winter Moon (SUOZ101) New Gent with two special loops around the strap) has just been released on the Philippines in a limited edition of 2000 pcs.  Proceeds from the sale of the Habitat Watch by Swatch will be used at Youth Build 2012. On May 12, 2012, Habitat for Humanity Philippines will gather 2,000 volunteers to build 200 homes in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City.  More information about the charity organization here.
  
• EMA awards special.  The MTV European Music Awards (EMA) took place on 06-NOV in Belfast.  A special MTV European Music Awards 2011 Swatch was distributed to people working at the event.  It is a New Gent White Rebel (SUOW701) with a special loop around the strap and a nice paper sleeve.  Here is a picture of the complete pack including a T-shirt and a press map.
  
• Swatch TTR Art Rules special.  The Swatch TTR Art Rules 2011 special called Recognize Me (SUOZ136) is now available, it comes packaged in a black paper sleeve.  It has been designed by Chi Fong Leong from the UK.  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
• Xmas special 2011.  The Xmas special 2011 is called Lucky Snow (GZ259S) and it is limited to 7777 pcs, numbered.  It looks a bit like an asian version of Magic Spell, it also features a little snow dome above the dial.  The watch comes packaged in a very nice dark red box., Sophia Chang has added some info about the packaging in the Swatch-Clopedia forum.  Thanks to Marco Soares for the pictures.
  
• Phillips de Pury & Company special.  One interesting watch that will be sold during the Blum collection auction in Hong Kong on 24-NOV is lot #5:  The Phillips de Pury & Company special, an New Gent watch with a special seconds hand.  Only 100 pcs have been produced by Swatch and #008 will be auctioned in HK.  I was hoping that every collector participating at the club event would receive one of these but as the estimate is set to $2000 to $3300 US, I strongly doubt it...
  
• Robert & Durrer exhibition.  From 28-AUG to 23-OCT-2011, a great Swatch related exhibition took place at the Gewerbemuseum Winterthur in Switzerland:  The Swiss designers Jean Robert & Käti Robert-Durrer presented their design work from the last 30 years.  Unbeknownst to many Swatch collectors (even for us hardcore collectors :-) is the fact that Jean Robert and Käti Robert-Durrer were responsible for the product appearance and the design of the Swatch collections during the years 1983 to 1989.  Here is a detailed report about the finissage event of the great exhibition!  Check it out, you will see some stuff that you've probably never seen before!
  
• Julien Pacaud artist special.  The winner of the Swatch Young Illustrators Award 2010, Julien Pacaud from France, has designed a Swatch artist watch which is now available:  A New Gent called Vanishing Time (SUOZ130S).  It is a limited edition of 777 pcs, numbered, available only to Swatch Club members.  The watch comes packaged similar as last years Illustrative winner special Electricity Man in a nice paper box:  front / front opened / back.  Thanks to Bernard Tey for the pictures.
  
• Jean-Michel Othoniel artist specials.  On 1-OCT, Swatch has released two new Skin artist specials by french artist Jean-Michel Othoniel (working eg. with Murano glass):  1. Be Black (SFZ116, comes in a paper sleeve, not limited);  2. Over The Rainbow (SFZ115S, comes in a special packaging, limited 777 pcs, numbered).  Over The Rainbow is extremely nice but also not cheap:  around 215 EUR / $290 US.  The special was launched on 29-SEP in Venice at the Biennale.
  
• Compagnie 7273 artist specials.  On 1-OCT, Swatch has released three new gent artist specials by Compagnie 7273 (Laurence Yadi & Nicolas Cantillon, French contemporary choreographer and dancers) as part of the Swatch & Art collection:  1. Climax (GZ254, comes in a paper sleeve, not limited);  2. Nil (GZ255, comes in a paper sleeve, not limited);  3. Romance-s (GZ256S, comes in a special packaging, limited 777 pcs, numbered).
  
• New product line Swatch Touch.  Now the cat is out of the bag:  Swatch plans to introduce a new product line called Swatch Touch.  Yes, there have been Touch watches by Swatch before, but this time it is a digital watch with a touch surface (a bit like the iPhone etc., sweeping and sliding).  The Gold & Pioneer 2011 special that we have received at the end of August during the Gold & Pioneer 2011 event is the first Touch available to the public.  A previous name for the Touch watches was "E-Swatch" but this name seems to have been dropped. The first collection will consist of six watches in total:  1. Touch Black (SURB100);  2. Touch White (SURW100);  3. Touch Purple (SURV100);  4. Touch Blue (SURS100);  5. Touch Pink (SURP100);  6. Touch Camouflage (SURB105).  The touch screen gives access to six digital functions: two time zones, date, chrono, alarm, timer and beep. Users can ?sweep? through the functions as they would on an iPhone, using taps or sideways scrolls, no pushbuttons!  It will be available in the shops at the end of october, price will be $150 US / 110 EUR / 100 UKP.
  
• Rock'n'Wall Club event.  A Swatch The Club event called Rock'n'Wall took place on 23-SEP in Fribourg, Switzerland.  More details about the event here.  The event package included:  A limited Swatch watch Rock'n'Wall (SUOB702C, a New Gent Black Rebel (SUOB702) with a special sleeve and a special loop around the strap), a VIP dinner reception, a limited event T-shirt designed by Lowrider and an autograph session.  Christine Tanner sent a few pictures and the following report:  "Fri-son is a well known venue for concerts in the French part of Switzerland, in Fribourg. The building was repainted by 4 street art artists from Switzerland and France: Giom (Guillaume Dénervaud, Freiburg, CH), Michel fr (Michel Cotting,Freiburg, CH), Serge Nidegger (Lowrider, Freiburg, CH) et HNT (Honet, F): 4 Urbanartists, 700m2, 7 days and 7 nights.  Around 50 Swatch members attended the event and got a nice Rock n'wall Swatch, with special sleeve and loop SUOB702C, a T-Shirt and 4 artprints from the artists. We had a nice welcome drink and after the speech of all the officials from Fribourg City and the Canton of Fribourg we had a VIP Apéro with artists, neighbours and friends of Fri-son. From 20.00 on there was a party with PROP DYLAN (SE), BLAKE WORRELL (US) and ZHI MC (DE).  Look also on: http://rocknwall.fri-son.ch/  Swatch also presented 4 nice Maxi Swatch."  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information..
  
• Gold & Pioneer event 2011.  The traditional Swatch The Club Gold & Pioneer Event 2011 took place in Bern and Biel, Switzerland from 25 to 28-AUG-2011.  About 130 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.  It is a limited edition of 200 pcs, numbered, and the first watch of a completely new product line to be launched later this year.  Unfortunately, I cannot give any more details right now, so a "teaser picture" has to be enough for now.  The final assembly of the watch was done by the collectors themselves so we now own a "hand made" Swatch.  During a very interesting visit of the ETA Swatch production in Grenchen (including the dial production, the irony case production and the plastic case production), collectors also received a very nice special dial affixed on a very nice sheet remembering the visit.  Only 150 dials were produced.  Here is an overview picture of all the goodies distributed at the event.  Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures!  Update:  This is the Gold & Pioneer 2011 special!  First Swatch Touch watch given to the public.
  
• Vogue Fashion Night Kidrobot special / Jeremyville signing.  On 8-SEP, the Vogue Fashion's Night Out event was held in Milano and many shops held special events during that day.  In the Swatch store in Via Montenapoleone, a special sleeve for the Kidrobot Swatches was available and Kidrobot artist Jeremyville was present to sign his watches and painted live.    Jeremyville has also painted a Maxi Swatch face for Alain.  Swatch has published a nice video from the signing event, you can see Alain's maxi at about 1:49.  Update:  Stefano Moschetti has sent me a few additional pictures from the event, here is his report...  Thanks to Miriam Mapelli and Alain Choisy for the pictures.
• Artyou Basel club event.  On 08-SEP-2011, the urban art exhibition Artyou was opened in Basel, Switzerland.  Swatch is presenting sponsor and invited the swiss club members for a pre-opening event.  On the same day, the Swatch x Kidrobot collection was officially launched in Switzerland, so one of the artists (Tilt from France) was also there for an autograph session (as part of the eleven launch events worldwide).  Here is a picture of the package that the club members received and here is a picture of a signed watch, a signed dunny and a signed box.  Here is a detailed report about the event with many pictures!  Here is a video about the event, made by Swatch.
  
• Munich city special.  Another city special is available since the end of 2010 from Germany.  The Time in MUC Jelly In Jelly (SUJB700C) is available in the Swatch Megastore in Munich.  It is a Jelly In Jelly Regisseur (SUJB700) with a special strap. It comes packaged in a special paper sleeve, it is limited to 1000 pcs and the design is (surprise!) related to the famous Oktoberfest.  Update:  Here is a picture of a prototype version of the strap, also with a different watch head!
• Swatch & La Biennale Di Venezia.  Swatch is a partner for the Biennale Di Venezia.  The 54th International Art Exhibition (4-JUN to 27-NOV-2011) sees artists from around the world contributing to the exhibition theme ILLUMInazioni - ILLUMInations.  Swatch has created a special webpage about the Biennale Di Venezia. An iPad App called Swatch & Art with lots of nice pictures of all the artist watches is now avilable.  Read more in the press release.  Swatch also has a booth in the Giardini venue at the 54th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia. The booth features a selection of Swatch watches created with artists over the past 25 years allowing visitors to experience the brand and retrace the story of Swatch & Art.  Update: A special gent Biennale Arte 2011 (GB247F, a Colour Code Gent Black Suit (GB247) with a nice new special strap) is now available.  The watch comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve (back).  A second special Biennale di Venezia (SUOB702F, a New Gent Black Rebel (SUOB702) with a nice new special strap) also exists.  Both watches were distributed to employees working at the Biennale, they have to wear the watch during the exhibition until the end of november...    Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
• Kidrobot Swatch watches.  According to this blog, a new line of ten artist watches in a collaboration of Swatch and Kidrobot will be launched in January August/September.  This collaboration will feature some of the favorite Kidrobot artists like Gary Baseman, Tara McPherson, Tilt, Joe Ledbetter, Jeremyville, SSUR, MADL and Frank Kozik. Each Swatch x Kidrobot artist watch also comes with a matching Dunny.  It is not sure if each watch + Dunny will be limited or not (probably priced at $75 US).  A numbered limited collectors set (GZS48, limited to 300 pieces) containing the entire collection of Kidrobot x Swatch watches, the companion Dunnys and a white, mustached 20" Dunny designed by Frank Kozik will also be available.  Sounds like a great idea!  Here is a picture of the Tara McPherson watch + Dunny and here is a picture of the Tilt watch + Dunny.  The price will be around 1200 EUR!  Here is a photo of the close box of the limited collectors set.  Update:  On 15-JUL, the collection has been officially announced by Swatch.  It consists of:  1. Ski Instructor (GJ130, Frank Kozik); 2. Shout Out (GP133, Mad); 3. Midnight Magi (GB249, Gary Baseman); 4. The So Far Away (GB252, Jeremyville); 5. The Eyes Are Watching (GP132, Tara McPherson); 6. Tic Tic Boom (GB251, SSUR© ); 7. Love Song (GE232, Tilt), 8. Bengali (GB250, Joe Ledbetter).  The collection will be on sale starting 18-AUG in China and 1-SEP in the rest of the world.  It is rumoured that the upcoming club watch will also be a Kidrobot Swatch...  Update 2:  A ninth Kidrobot Swatch is only available exclusively in Kidrobot stores and kidrobot.com:  Dunny Deluxe (GW159, Tristan Eaton).  The white watch comes in a white paper sleeve but not with a dunny. And the tenth Kidrobot Swatch is the new club watch Tennis Pro (GZS49) in a nice special packaging with a yellow 8" dunny.  Update 3:  Here is a little info about the eight artists...  Thanks to Dimedusa for the hint and to Melissa Starr and to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
  
• 80s Swatch designer exhibition.  Swiss designers Jean Robert and Käti Robert-Durrer are probably unknown to most Swatch collectors.  They have designed many favourite 80s Swatches such as Nautilus, Pago Pago, Nicholson, Tonga, ...  An exbitition (open until 23-OCT) at the Gewerbemuseum Winterthur (Switzerland) currently shows their Swatch designs (360 watches are on display at the exhibition!).  Should be really interesting for the hardcore Swatch collectors!
  
• St. Leon Superboarder event.  Swatch is sponsor of the St. Leon sucht den Superboarder fun event on 3-SEP in St. Leon, Germany.  A small Swatch shop will be available, too...
  
• Swatch warehouse flooding.  The warehouse of Swatch in the USA, located in New Jersey, was flooded because of Hurricane Irene.  No details about the severity of the damage yet.
• The return of Maxi swatch watches!  Yes, the rumours are true.  Five new Colour Code Maxi Swatches will be available soon (can be ordered through the local Swatch stores):  1. Lemon Time (GJ128, yellow); 2. Cherry-Berry (GR154, red); 3. Dragon Fruit (GP128, pink);  4. Rise Up (GS 138, turquoise); 5. Lemongrass (GG204, bright green).  Price will be 125 EUR.  These Maxi Swatches were first seen in the Philippines in SEP-2010 (more colours, though!).
  
• Swatch x Kidrobot launch events.  To celebrate the launch of the Kidrobot Swatch watches, Swatch is hosting events in 11 countries around the globe, featuring Kidrobot artists: Frank Kozik, MAD, Tara McPherson, Jeremyville and Joe Ledbetter.  A Swatch The Club event will take place during the Basel launch on 8-SEP.  Here is a report from the event in Tokyo (20-AUG).
  
• Club watch 2011/12.  The new club watch for 2011/12 is a Kidrobot watch!  It is called Tennis Pro (GZS49) and it comes in a nice special packaging with a yellow 8" dunny (the normal Kidrobot Swatch watches come with a 3" dunny).  It was already sold on 18-AUG during a Kidrobot presale event in Tokyo.  The watch is designed by Frank Kozik (the watch looks similar to Ski Instructor (GJ130)). Thanks to Marco Soares for the picture.
  
• Four new IOC specials.  Four new IOC specials have surfaced recently, they were distributed in South Africa, probably during 123rd IOC session in Durban (2 to 10-JUL). Each special is limited to 500 pcs, not numbered.  Two specials were given to the IOC members:  1. Blue Suit Olympia Logo (YGZ702); 2. Brown Suit Olympia Logo (YGZ703).  The other two specials were given to the local volunteers:   3. Brown Rebel Olympia Logo (SUOZ700); 4. Blue Rebel Olympia Logo (SUOZ701).
  
• Mexico Bicentenary special.  In 2010, Mexico has celebrated the bicentennial of its Independence movement.  Recently, a special Mexico Bicentenary packaging has surfaced.  It contains three Lifting (GK912) Loomi watches with different color straps (green, white, red; the colours of the national flag of Mexico).  Here is a picture of the closed packaging.  No idea about limitation or how it was distributed.  Update:  The three watches are:  1. Bicentenary Of Mexico Green (GK912C);  2. Bicentenary Of Mexico White (GK912D);  3. Bicentenary Of Mexico Red (GK912E).  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
  
• More of the same.  Swatch plans to release some more strap variations of the successful Colour Code watches:  This time, the straps have dots and some squares...   Not too creative...  Update:  The five watches are:  1. Black Suit Dots (GB247K); 2. Berry Dots (GR154K); 3. Up-Wind Vichy (GN230J);  4. Callicarpa Vichy (GV121J); 5. Dragon Fruit Vichy (GP128J). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
  
• ABSWATCHLUTELY.  Five Italian Swatch collectors (Armando, Fillipo, Fiorenzo, Miriam, Roberto) have released a manifest called ABSWATCHLUTELY.  Read it!  Now!  Amonst many other things, they plan to organize a Swatch bourse (swapping, trading, exchanging,...) in Melzo near Milano on 19-JUN.  Later, a website and a "virual cafe" will be launched.  Update:  The bourse will take place!  Here is the flyer!  If you want to participate, please email Miriam [address is on the flyer] for further info. Update 2:  The bourse was successful (8 tables, 30-40 visitors) and here is a local newspaper report from the bourse.  Here are a few pictures from the bourse!   Thanks to Roberto Quadrini for the information.
  
• Free4Style special.  From 1 to 3-JUL-2011, the Free4Style 2011 event took place in Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland.  Four different sports could be admired:  FMX (Freestyle Motocross),Wakeboard, Jet Ski, Skate.  For more information and pictures, see this report on 20min.ch. A special Swatch Free4Style 2011 (SUOO700D,  a New Gent Pumpkin Rebel (SUOO700) with an additional loop around the strap) was released to commemorate this event.  Swiss Swatch The Club members were also invited; here is an overview of the stuff that collectors received...  Thanks to Roberto Tintori for the information and pictures.
• FIVB 2011 special.  A Chrono Plastic FIVB Swatch World Tour 2011 (SUIW413) has been released.  It comes in a paper sleeve.  Thanks to Jacky Beauverd for the picture.
  
• Hossegor club event.  From 3 to 5-JUN, a Swatch The Club event took place in Seignosse Hossegor (France) during The Swatch Girls Pro France Championship.  About 24 club members participated at the event, and everyone received an event special:  A colourful New Gent with a special loop around the strap in a very nice paper sleeve.  Here is an overview picture of the different versions (a version based on Cobalt Rebel (SUON701) also exists) and here is a picture of all the stuff that the collectors received.  The girl on the sleeve is Swatch Pro Team Surfer Coco Ho and this is her autograph :-)  Really bad news for us collectors:  Antonio is leaving Swatch The Club after five years :-((  We'll miss him!  He got a nice farewell present...   More great pictures from the event at Antonios facebook page.  Update:  Here are a few pictures from the event, taken by Pedro Mota.  Here is a nice German blog entry about the event, with many nice pictures.  Thanks to Pedro Mota for the information and pictures and to Jacky Beauverd for the picture.
  
• No more Swatch collections.  Don't fear, there will be more Swatch watches in the future.  But the concept of "spring / summer" and "fall / winter" collections (which was used since 1983) is now a thing of the past.  Instead, 10 to 20 new watches will be released at the beginning of each month.  This allows Swatch to speed up the launch of new models and to react faster on trends... No more thicker Swatch catalogues :-(  Smaller flyers will be used instead.  A "Core Collection" (refreshed / partly exchanged every 6 months) will be used to sell popular models for a longer time.  So it will be more complicated for collectors to track each and every model (the Swatch Finder has a few errors and is not totally complete).
  
• Five new Colour Code swatches.  Five new Colour Code gent watches are available now ("metalized collection" as the watches have a metallic look):  1. Flaky Brown (GC109), 2. Flaky Blue (GM171), 3. Flaky Grey (GM175), 4. Flaky Smoke (GM176), 5. Flaky Pink (GP136). Thanks to Bill Dankulich and watchpapst for the information.
• Swatch at Friday Weyer fashion show.  On 8-JUL, the Frida Weyer Fashion Show Spring/Summer 2012 will be presented during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Berlin.  Swatch is sponsoring this event and Swatch The Club Germany is giving away 2x2 VIP tickets for the show.
  
• Swatch at Berlin Underground Catwalk.  Swatch is co-sponsoring a train at the Berlin Underground Catwalk on 6-JUL.  Swatch The Club Germany has 2x2 tickets for the train to give away (including aftershow party!).
  
• Rankin artist set.  The British portrait and fashion photographer John Rankin has designed eight Swatch artist watches which will be released soon.  Five of these watches will be released in a special box set (GZS46, closed / back), limited and numbered (to 777), price is 216 EUR in Germany.  You can find pictures and further info on Sophia Chang's Swatch blog.  The design of the watches is based on the so-called Eyescapes photos by John Rankin from 2007.  The five limited watches in the box set are:  1. Violetscape (GZ229S), 2. Rainbowscape (GZ230S), 3. Yellowscape (GZ231S), 4. Greyscape (GZ235S),  5. Bluescape (GZ236S)  The three unlimited watches are:  6. Brownscape (GZ237), 7. Aquascape (GZ238), 8. Greenscape (GZ239).   Update:  On 8-JUN, a launch party with invited UK Fashion Media and bloggers took place at the London studio of Rankin.  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
  
• Striped Collection.  Swatch plans to release a Striped Collection.  Five Colour Code Gent Swatch watches will be available with new, striped bands.  The watches are:  1. Striped Callipara (GV121I), 2. Striped Dragon Fruit (GP128I), 3. Striped Rise-Up (GS138I), 4. Striped Up-Wind (GN230I, not to be confused with The Away Project de Colette (GN230F), the stripes on the strap are inversed!), 5. Striped Berry (GR154I).  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
  
• Swatch production video.  Swatch has published a nice video called The Art of Swatch Production.  You get a great impression from the Swatch factory.  I was fortunate enough to visit the Swatch factory during the Gold & Pioneer Event in Saas-Fee in 2010, unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside the factory.
  
• FIVB staff 2011 special.  As in the last years, a FIVB staff 2011 (SUJK122D) special has been released for the staff people of the different 2011 Swatch FIVB BeachVolley World Tour events.  The watch is the Jelly In Jelly Hawaiian (SUJK122) from 2007, fitted with a new strap.
  
• MTV Playground artist specials.  On 1-JUN, Swatch will release two watches designed by the two winners of the Swatch MTV Playground 2010:  1. Transition (GZ248) by the polish photographer Mónika Jelinska.  The watch comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  2. I'm Not A Child of the night (GZ249) by Ryan Grees, graphic designer from the Philippines, currently living in Germany.  The watch comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  Thanks to Marco Soares for the information and pictures.
  
• Hiroyuki Matsuura artist set.  On 1-JUN, Swatch plans to release an artist set designed by Japanese artist Hiroyuki Matsuura.  It contains six New Gent watches featuring Manga/comic artwork.  The watches will be available in a special box set, limited and numbered to 777 pcs.  The watches will also be availably individually, unlimited, not numbered.  You can find pictures and further info on Sophia Chang's Swatch blog.  Update:  A Mexican press release (google translation) lists all the watches in detail and also shows a great ad for the watches:  1. Transmission (SUOZ109), 2. Strawberry Switchblade (SUOZ110), 3. Crowha (SUOZ111), 4. Windy Bunny (SUOZ112), 5. Ducky Brigade (SUOZ113), 6. Use Your Ears (SUOZ114).  And on his official blog, Hiroyuki Matsuura shows all the watches and the packaging in great detail.  It also lists the japanese price for the box set and the normal watches (7870 / 57750 Yen).  This probably means that the box set will cost around 370 to 400 EUR in Europe (Update:  400 EUR in Germany).  Japan will only get 20 special boxes.  Thanks to Marco Soares and Roberto Tintori for the information and pictures.
  
• New Full Blooded watches.  Ten (10!) new Full Blooded Irony Diaphane Chronos are now available, two of them feature a skull on the dial!  Five watches are targeted towards men (no little stones at the hour position, colored case).  And finally three new colours (burgundy, mint, navy).  The watches are:  1. Full Blooded White Skull (SVCW4000AG), 2. Full Blooded Black Skull (SVCF4001AG), 3. Full Blooded Smoky Blue (SVCN4004AG), 4. Full Blooded Mint (SVCK4056AG), 5. Full Blooded Navy (SVCK4055AG), 6. Full Blooded Burgundy (SVCK4054AG), 7. Full Blooded Smoky Sand (SVCG4000AG), 8. Full Blooded Smoky Black (SVCF4000AG), 9. Full Blooded Smoky Brown (SVCC4000AG), 10. Full Blooded Smoky Grey (SVCM4007AG).  Thanks to watchpapst for the information.
  
• (S)watch in a Can.  A special packaging (S)watch in a Can was released in Portugal on 21-MAY in Lisbon, Portugal.   The special packaging (released in conjunction with the project  Travessa da Ermida) is limited to 250 pcs and it contains two Swatch watches with new straps designed by Vivóeusébio.  It is not an official Swatch special, price is 150 EUR. You can find all the details about the when, where, why on this page (in Portuguese / English Google translation).  If you are interested in acquiring this special or if you need more information, you can contact Pedro Mota.  Update:  Here is a picture of the special packaging and here is a picture of the watches in the opened box.  And here are a few pictures from the event in Lisbon.  Can you spot the content of the blue egg?
• "Swatch & Art" in Luxemburg.  An exhibition called Swatch Art will be shown in Luxemburg from 24-MAY to 5-AUG.  Many Swatch watches from artists such as Keith Haring, Sam Francis, Mimmo Paladino, ... will be shown.  The watches are part of the collection of Luxemburg collector Paul Dunkel who owns one of the biggest collections (more than 6000 watches).  Thanks to Squiggly for the information.
• Atlanta Medalist protos.  Here are two prototypes for the Atlanta Medalist watches:  1. Gold Medalist proto (GZ150TP), 2. Silver Medalist proto (GZ150UP).  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the pictures.
  
• New Swatch watches in May.  A lot of new Swatch watches have been released on 1-MAY:  Five new Colour Codes Gent:  1. Shiny Glaze (GM178), 2. Shiny Slate Gray (GM179), 3. Shiny Marron (GR158), 4. Shiny Moccasin (GT104), 5. Shiny Plum (GV124).   Five new Irony Chronos (Black Series, "Reptile" strap):  1. Reptil Green (YCB4014AG), 2. Reptile Violet (YCB4015AG), 3. Reptile Blue (YCB4016AG), 4. Reptile Orange (YCB4017AG), 5. Reptile Light Blue (YCB4018AG).  Four new Irony Nabab (part of the "Animal Collection"):  1. Coloric Scales (YNS117), 2. Salmon Grey (YNS120), 3. Salmon Gold (YNS121), 4. Salmon Violet (YNS122).  Thanks to Alain Choisy and to watchpapst for the information.
  
• Portuguese Mother's Day special.  In Portugal, a nice special sleeve for the gent Origin Of Love (GZ242) has been released for mother's day.  If you are interested in purchasing this special, you can contact Pedro Mota.  Thanks to Marco Soares for the picture.
  
• Colour Code Maxi Swatches.  Alain Choisy has found two pictures showing Colour Code Maxi Swatch watches on display in the Philippines:  photo 1 / photo 2.  Very nice, too bad that Swatch has stopped selling Maxi Swatches to the general public...  Anyone found these Maxi Swatches elsewhere?
  
• Swiss Solidarity specials.  In 2010, Swatch has released three special Swatch watches for Swiss Solidarity (a Swiss foundation that raises funds for humanitarian relief projects):  1. Swiss Solidarity 1 (SRJ100D, a Swatch Solar Lots Of Suns (SRJ100, 1995) with a new strap and two special loops), 2. Swiss Solidarity 2 (SRJ100E, a Swatch Solar Lots Of Suns (SRJ100, 1995) with a new strap and two special loops), 3. Swiss Solidarity 3 (SRM100D, a Swatch Solar Sign Of Times (SRM100, 1995) with a new strap and two special loops).  No further information about the distribution or limitation so far.  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
  
• Swatch Mini Basel special.  In 2007, Swatch has released a special Swatch called Mini Basel 2007 (GM151C, a gent Antiquite (GM151, 2000) with a special new strap).  The watch comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  If I have googled it right, Mini Basel 2007 was a smaller watch and jewelry exhibition in Dubai. Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
  
• Swatch watch dress.  On 1-APR, the Palms Casino in Las Vegas held a party with one model wearing a dress made entirely of Swatch?s new animal-inspired Zebra watches. The dress was made of over 100 watches!  More details here.  Update:  Swatch now has also a nice promotion together with the Palms Casino (inclusing a free Swatch watch!).
  
• Swatch on NYC subway / Vienna tram.  Full train Swatch advertising on the NYC subway (New Gent):  photo1 / photo2.  Update:  ... and on the Vienna tram (OCT-2010):  photo1 / photo2. Thanks to Gregor Petko for the update.
  
• Paris "The Away Project" special.  A new Swatch special The Away Project (GN230F) is now available at Colette in Paris during an exhibition called The Away Project (28-MAR to 9-APR).  It is a Colour Code Gent Up-Wind (GN230) with a special strap.  The special is limited to 200 pcs (not numbered) and it comes packaged in a blue/white-striped paper sleeve with a Colette imprint on the side of the packaging.  Thanks to orb for the information.
• Zebra Day.  On 1-APR, Swatch celebrated Zebra Day in many international cities (London, Madrid, Zurich, Munich, Milano, Vienna, New York, Singapore, Sydney, ...) around the world.  The idea was to hold a flash mob with many "zebras" during the day.  You can find some impressions on zebraday.com (Milano) and facebook.  Brian happened to be in New York (on the steps of the New York Public Library) and he sent me the following exclusive pictures:  photo1 / photo2 / photo3.
  
• Third version of the Mystery Vintage specials. In JUN-2010, Swatch has released the Mystery Vintage special packagings in Switzerland (at the Sneakerness event in Zurich and at the Blue Balls Festival in Luzern).  It was available in a yellow box with older Scuba watches and in a pink box with older POP watches.  Now, a third version of the special packaging has surfaced in the USA.  The paper box is blue/turquoise and it contains three older gent watches.
  
• Uniqa specials.  The Austrian insurance company Uniqa has released two different special Chrono Plastic swatches (available as gift in exchange for 'points' for contracts etc.):  1. Uniqa Black (SUIB400O, a Mister Chrono (SUIB400) with a special strap), 2. Uniqa White (probably Round Of Hump (SUIK404) with a special strap).  The watch comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve (front / back).  Limitation is unknown.
  
• Swatch Store Munich Reopening Party.  The Swatch Store Munich (Marienplatz 26) will be reopened with a party (snacks, drinks, and music) on 31-MAR (8pm).  You will also get a sneak preview at the Zebra Day which will take place on 1-APR in Munich as well (only German city).
• More colourful Irony Big Models.  Swatch plans to release five more 'colourful' Irony Big (old style) models:  1. Purple Drops (YGB4002), 2. Green Drops (YGB4003), 3. Yellow Drops (YGB4004), 4. Pink Drops (YGB4005), 5. Blue Drops (YGB4006).  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and pictures.
  
• Swatch comes to 666 Fifth Ave.  Swatch plans to open a new store in NYC at 666 5th ave., size is about 2000 sq ft.  Sounds like a huge opportunity!
  
• Roland Garros 2011 special.  It seems that in 2011, only one special Swatch watch (instead of the usual two) will be released in France for the Roland Garros French Open Tennis tournament (Paris, 17-MAY to 5-JUN):  Pureness White (GZ257, Gent).  This is the fifth year of Roland Garros specials.  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture.
• Markus Linnenbrink artist collection.  According to this chinese blog, Swatch will release two special New Gent watches designed by the German artist Markus Linnenbrink:  1. WE?REALLGONNADIE(FORRON) (SUOZ115), 2. TIMEISNEVERTIMEENOUGH (SUOZ118).  These watches are not limited.  Additionally, a limited edition special Markus Linnenbrink Set (SUOZS05) containing the two watches is available in a limited edition of 777 pcs, box and watches (SUOZ116S, SUOZ117S) are numbered xxx/777. The Markus Linnenbrink collection is the third of three collections called Art, Fashion & Sport.
  
• Terje Haakonsen sport collection.  According to this Turkish blog, Swatch will release two special New Gent watches designed by the Norwegian snow boarder and Swatch Pro Team member Terje Haakonsen:  1. North Signs (SUOZ116),  2. Rune Stone (SUOZ117).  These watches are not limited.  Additionally, a limited edition special Terje Haakonsen Set (SUOZS04) containing the two watches is available in a limited edition of 777 pcs, box and watches (SUOZ116S, SUOZ117S) are numbered xxx/777.  The Terje Haakonsen collection is the second of three collections called Art, Fashion & Sport.
  
• Jeremy Scott fashion collection.  The long rumoured Jeremy Scott x Swatch fashion collection has finally been launched.  It consists of three New Gent watches:  1. Winged Swatch (SUOZ103), 2. Lightning Flash (SUOZ104), 3. Opulence (SUOZ105).  These watches are not limited.  Additionally, a limited edition special Jeremy Scott Set (SUOZS02) containing all three watches is available in a limited edition of 777 pcs, box and watches (SUOZ103S, SUOZ104S, SUOZ105S) are numbered xxx/777.  Here is a picture of Jeremy Scott in front of the NYC Times Square Swatch store.  The Jeremy Scott x Swatch artist collection is the first of three collections called Art, Fashion & Sport.
  
• Vogue Talents Corner special.  From 24 to 27-FEB, an fashion designers exhibition called The Vogue Talents Corner is on display at Palazzo Morando, in Milan, Italy.  It features creations of 14 young designers.  Swatch is sponsoring that exhibition and is presenting the new Lady Collection of watches and bracelets.  VIPs (eg. Giorgio Armani, Donatella Versace, Dolce e Gabbana, ...) and journalists at the opening of the shows received a watch from the Lady Collection with a special Vogue.it loop around the strap.  Here is a picture of all 10 Lady Collection watches with the special loop.  Filippo Gatti has many more pictures and information from the event in his blog.  Thanks to Roberto Tintori for the hint.
  
• Nescafé Champs Leysin special.  For the 20th anniversary of the Nescafé Champs Leysin TTR snowboard event which took place from 8 to 13-FEB in Leysin, Switzerland, a special Swatch Champs Leysin 2011 (SUKW?) has been released.  It is the nice Swatch Snow Kiss (SUKW100) with a special loop around the strap and it also comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  It is rumoured that the watch is limited to 150 pcs.   Thanks to Jacky Beauverd for the information and pictures.
  
• Chinese Year of the Rabbit special.  2011 is the year of the rabbit.  On 7-JAN-2011, Swatch will release an Asia only(!) special designed by Jimmy called Rabbit Story (GZ247). Update:  Here is a google translated taiwanese news article with some bunny pictures from a launch event.  And here is the Taiwanese advertising for the watch.  Update 2: The box with the watch also contains a nice small flyer.     Thanks to Pedro Mota, Alain Choisy, and Sophia Chang for the information and pictures.
  
• Colourful New Gent watches.  Swatch websites from Poland and Turkey list five colourful New Gent models, just in time for the summer:  SUON701 (dark blue), SUOO700 (orange), SUOP700 (pink), SUOL700 (turquoise), SUOG702 (lime green).
  
• Freeride World Tour 2011 special.  For the Freeride World Tour 2011, a special Swatch Freeride World Tour 2011 (SUKB400J, Chrono Plastic Mister Twin with a special strap) has been distributed to journalists and VIPs, eg. at the 2nd stop in St. Moritz, Switzerland on 30-JAN.  The watch comes packaged in a papersleeve.  Thanks to Jacky Beauverd for the information and pictures.
  
• Valentine Special 2011.  The Valentine special 2011 is a set of two gent watches called The Way To Love (GZS47, limited to 777 pcs, numbered [105 EUR / 91 UKP]).  The two gent watches are called:  1. Blessing of Love (GZ240, blue, for him) and 2. Belief of Love (GZ241).  These two watches plus a third gent called Origin of Love (GZ242) form the so-called Love Collection.   The two Valentine special watches are also available individually and unlimited, without the special packaging.  You can see some actual pictures of the limited packaging on Sophia Chang's blog.  Thanks to Sophia Chang for the pictures and to Marco Soares and Eric Bressoud for the update and picture.
  
• Lady Colour Code swatches.  A new collection of ten Lady Colour Code Swatch watches called The Lady Collection is already on sale in Italy (and probably soon elsewhere as well).  The colours are not as strong as the Gent Colour Codes and the strap (made of silicon) is quite long:  You can turn the strap around your arm at least two times....  The models are:  Limetta (LJ106C), Honey Melon (LO103C), Cool Breeze (LW134C), Delight Dream (LP128C), Arctic Sea (LL114C), Miss Cassis (LR122C), Green Trace (LG122C), Wide View (LM136C), Soft Sky (LS111C), Berry Sorbet (LV114C).  Thanks to Stefano Moschetti for the information.  Pictures:  e-swatch.pl.
  
• Bühler company special.  On 15-MAR-2010 (date is imprinted on the guarantee), the Swiss company Bühler celebrated its 150th birthday.  To mark this occasion, a special Swatch Bühler (GM415E) was distributed in a limited edition of 150 pcs.  It is a Gent Swatch Blue Choco (GM415, 2004) with a special embossed leather strap.  The plastic packaging of the watch comes with a special "Thank You" paper inlay.  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information and picture.
  
• New product line New Irony Big.  In February, Swatch will release a new product line called New Irony Big (yes, there were lots of other "Irony Big" watches before but the new product line has a differently shaped case).  The five new models in the New Irony Big collection present a bold new look and a big, 43mm diameter case. The New Irony Big retains the signature Irony look and feel with an impressive, smoothly contoured stainless steel case and a bold, elegant dial equipped with a novel seconds hand. All five models feature leather straps with double loops and stainless steel buckles.  The  following five watches are part of the first New Irony Big collection (in addition to the already released Our present for him (YTB401S) which was part of the limited Haute Couture collection):  1. In A Classic Mode (YTS400), 2. In A Joyful Mode (YTS401), 3. In A Vibrant Mode (YTS402), 4. In A Stately Mode (YTB400), 5. In A Warm Mode (YTG400).   Price is approx. 100-110 EUR.  Thanks to e-swatch.pl for the hint.