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news from 2018 are below:

• Veggie sketches.  A few hand-drawn sketches for the famous Vegetable art specials (by Alfred Hofkunst) were auctioned in Zurich on 14-DEC.  The auction also included the three watches, a T-shirt, and the press map.  Rare!  Final result was 1300 CHF (plus 20,0% auction fee).
• X Factor Italy special.  Swatch is a sponsor / partner of the TV show X Factor Italia.  A dedicated website www.xfactorswatchthis.it exists, featuring the New Gent XX-Rated Black (SUOB402) and XX-Rated Red (SUOR400).  On 09-DEC, the "Presentatori X Factor Daily" Benji & Fede played a small concert at the Swatch Store Milano Gae Aulenti.  A special XX-Rated Black / X Factor, IT (SUOB402D) was released in a limited edition of only 100 pcs, only available at the Swatch Store Milano Gae Aulenti. The watch has the Benji & Fede logo on a special loop around the strap.  Update:  During the X Factor Italia TV show, a special (probably unique) Swatch Maxi was shown on TV (in the background).    Thanks to Alain Choisy for the photo.
  
• 2018 Holiday Event / Special.  The 2018 Swatch Club Holiday Event will took place on the first weekend of December (30-NOV to 02-DEC) in the city of Athens, Greece. The 110 participants at the event received a very special New Gent SwatchXYou Lucky Mushrooms Universe (SUOZ292S), the watch is limited and numbered to 200 pcs on the sticker, on the special packaging, and on the back of the watch.  Here is a picture of the opened special packaging.  In addition to the special strap of the watch, each club member received two random straps from previous collections.  So the content of (almost) every packaging is different!  Great idea!  The packaging also contains two special loops:  "Holiday / 2018" on the front and "swatch / club" on the back.  The watch has a very nice face, superb!  Here is a detailed report with many photos about the club event.
  
• Destination Montreal special.  A new Destination special for Montreal (Canada) was launched on 07-DEC:  A New Gent L'Esprit De Montréal (SUON705N) $110 CAD).   It is a New Gent Backup Blue (SUON705) from 2014 with a special strap.  This is Destination Special #51.   Thanks to Thomas Chan and Elvin Rawlins for the information.
• Dutch GFP special.  Hans van Buuren has found one of the nicest B2B specials ever:  GFP is a Dutch loyalty discount programs company. In 2018 the company existed 7,777 days and for this occasion a special New Gent Swatch was distributed:  GFP 7,777 days (SUOB707D) is limited to 77 pcs and it is packaged in a super nice paper sleeve designed by Dutch artist Dadara.  The watch is a New Gent Blue Resolution (SUOB707) from 2013 with a special strap (top / bottom).  Apparently, Swatch Pioneer member Gennie Freen was involved in the production of the special...
• Destination Greece special.  A new Destination special for Greece is now available:  A Gent It's All Greek To Me (GW408C).   It is a Gent Pink Line (GW408) from 2017 with a special strap.  The special is available with seven different loops:  Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Mykonos, Kos, and Thessaloniki.  The watch costs 70 EURO plus 2,80 EURO for the loop.  Each loop is only available in the respective town / island. This is Destination Special #50.  A special loop for Santorini is also available in 2019.
• Xmas special(s) 2018.  According to this website, the Xmas special 2018 is a New Gent Shinebright (SUOZ287S, 110 EURO).  It seems to limited and numbered to 5005 pcs and it is available in a nice winter themed special packaging.  Update:  The launch date for the Xmas special is 29-NOV.  Additionally, a SwatchXYou Xmas special set is available.  It is limited and numbered to 1111 pcs:  Swatch X You Seasons Set (GZS71).  Price is 18360 JPY (approx. 142 EURO).  The watch heads in the Swatch X You Seasons Set (GZS71) are identical to the watch heads in the Swatch X You Seasons special set (GZS69) from 2017.  The straps and the sleeve are different however.  Update 2:  The Xmas special Shinebright is now available in the Swatch online store.  Shortly after the online availability, the Nordic Swatch online stores (Denmark and Finland and ...) had an interesting pricing error.  This error is fixed now. Update 3: The Swatch X You Seasons Set (GZS71) is now available in the Swatch US online store.
• Second SwatchXHodinkee special.  Swatch Club has launched a teaser about a new SwatchXHodinkee special, with more information on 26-NOV.  Another SISTEM51?  The first SwatchXHodinkee special Hodinkee Vintage 84 (SUTZ402) was released in 2017 and it was a huge success.  Update: Yes, the second SwatchXHodinkee special is again a SISTEM51: the Swatch SISTEM51 Blue Edition for HODINKEE (SUTZ404) is now available for $150 US in the US Swatch online store and in the Hodinkee shop.  It is the very first SISTEM51 that doesn't have the distinctive red dots on the dial.  Additionally, a limited number of watches will be available in-store at the Swatch Times Square flagship boutique in New York City from 29-NOV.  The watch is not a numbered edition, but quantities are limited.  The production run of the first SwatchXHodinkee special was 3500 pcs.
• New Swatch Pay! watches in China.  Four new Swatch Pay! (formerly known as "Bellamy") watches are now available in China:  1. White Line Pay! (SVHW101-1200);  2.  Paradise Pay! (SVIB106-1200);  3. Golden Pay! (SVIW110-1200);  4. Blue Pay! (SVHN101-1200).   Thanks to Sophia Chang for the hint.
  
• ChinaSteel special.  A blast from the past:  In the early / mid 90s, the steel manufacturer ChinaSteel from Taiwan has issued a Swatch special ChinaSteel.  It is a Gent Skin Print (GF103) from 1993 with a special paper sleeve.  No print on the strap, no special ref.no.  But the paper sleeve is interesting as it shows the Swiss cross next to the Swatch logo.  This is very unusual (I am not sure if there is a Swiss law that doesn't allow this).
• Destination Naples special.  A new "Pizza themed" Destination special for Naples (Italy) has surfaced:  A Gent Napulè (GR162E).   It is a Gent Red Pass (GR162) from 2014 with a special Pizza strap.  This is Destination Special #49.   Thanks to Angelo Moccaldi for the photo.
  
• Swatch Club local Xmas events.  Three local Xmas events have been announced by Swatch Club:  1. Toronto, Canada (01-DEC);  2. Paris, France (04-DEC);  3. London, UK (08-DEC).
• Swatch x Hackett special.  The British menswear retailer Hackett is selling a special SISTEM51 Muffin (YIZ402S).  The Swatch x Hackett watch is limited to 1983 pcs and it is packaged in a special red box (opened box).  The watch is also numbered on the side of the watch case and it has a nice imprint "born in 1983" on the back (both Swatch and Hackett were founded in 1983!).  The watch costs 148 GBP or 200 EURO (interesting conversion rate).  A launch event for the watch will take place in London on 01-NOV.  Here is a very nice info page about the watch.  Update:  Meanwhile, the information about the Swatch x Hackett watch has been removed from the website but some orders have already been shipped out.  You can also see the info in the Google cache.  The watch has been designed in collaboration with Jeremy Hackett, and the dial features silhouette of Jeremy’s Sussex Spaniel Muffin.  Please note also this little detail for the date window :-)  Here is a nice video ad for the Swatch x Hackett watch and GQ Magazine has an interview with Jeremy Hackett and Swatch COO Gonzalo de Cevallos about the watch.  The watch is already sold out online at www.hackett.com but you still can get it through the Swatch online store.  Also sold out at the Swatch Online store!  So it looks as if this watch is a big success.  Update 2:  A rare production error has been spotted by Stefan Kluge:  A slightly turned bezel.
• SwatchXDamienHirst / Mickey Mouse 90th anniversary special.  After releasing a nice teaser "Magic Will Happen On 15-NOV", Swatch has unveiled the fantastic SwatchXDamienHirst collaboration at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai.  The collaboration is part of the 90th anniversary celebration of Mickey Mouse and the watches have been designed by UK artist Damien Hirst, inspired by his well known art work Mickey from 2012.  Two Swatch specials are available:  1. New Gent Mirror Spot Mickey (SUOZ290S, limited and numbered to 19999 pcs, 110 EURO), packaged in a nice paper sleeve;  2. Gent Spot Mickey (GZ323S, limited and numbered to 1999 pcs, 165 EURO), packaged in a special packaging.  It is also available as a very limited Maxi Spot Mickey (MGZ323, 265 EURO, 333 pcs).  The New Gent is now available in the shops and the more limited Gent will be sold on one day online only (18-NOV). By the way, these are not the first Mickey Swatch watches!  In 1984, very few unique Mickey hybrid Swatch watches were manufactured by Swatch employees (never officially sold).  Two of these were available as part of the legendary Blum collection:  Swatch auction in 2011 (Hong Kong).  Update:  Lots of international press coverage for the two watches, including Esquire, Forbes, Grazia Italy, ...  Update 2: It seems that the very limited Gent Spot Mickey (GZ323S) was in extremely high demand on the 18th.  It was very difficult to place a successful orders due to overloaded servers.  Update 3: A few Spot Mickey specials were also sold "offline" on the 18th, eg. in Interlaken (Switzerland) or at the Paris Megastore.   Update 4: Crazy prices for the limited Gent Spot Mickey (GZ323S), these are successful ebay auctions!  Update 5:  Here is a report by Christine Tanner about the Interlaken sale event on 18-NOV.  Update 6: One of the very limited Maxi Spot Mickey was sold in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 22-JAN-2019, more than two months after the launch.  So you still can find it if you search enough :-)  If you have an extra Maxi Spot Mickey, please let me know.  I am still looking for one as Germany only got 3 Maxis :-(
• ComplexCon special.  ComplexCon is an expertly curated convention and festival bringing the world of Complex to life, including pop culture, music, art, food, style, sports, innovation, activism, and education. It takes place from 03 to 04-NOV in Long Beach, CA.  A ComplexCon Swatch special packaging has been released.  The special packaging (ref.no. SUOB702-I) is limited to 400 pcs ($125 US) and it contains a black New Gent Black Rebel (SUOB702) with an extra ComplexCon strap and loops.  It comes with an unusual guarantee card.  Here is a nice report about Swatch and ComplexCon.  Update:  The ComplexCon special is now available in the online shop.
• Bolton Group special.  The Italian high quality consumer goods company Bolton Group has issued a special New Gent Bolton Group (SUON705I).  It is a New Gent Backup Blue (SUON705) from 2014 with a special strap carrying an embossed logo of the Bolton Group on the front side of the strap and an inscription "2 billion thanks!  Bolton Group" on the back side of the strap. The "2 billion" may refer to the fact that the revenue of the Bolton Group probably has passed 2 Billion EURO in the fiscal year 2017.
• Hollywood Dream & POP Diva Wristory special.  On 03-DEC-2001, 25 unique Swatch lots were auctioned during the legendary Swatch Wristory Auction in New York City.  Several celebrities were in attendance: Donald Trump, Heidi Klum, ...   Lot #17 was Hollywood Dream & POP Diva in a unique Box covered by 6,370 Swarovski crystals, the box was sold for $6000 US.  Until now, it is very rare to see some pictures of the actual watches in the different lots.  Recently, some pictures of the unique box in lot #17 and the corresponding letter of authenticity (signed by Nick Hayek sr.) surfaced. You can see all photos here.
• Destination Berlin special.  On 09-NOV, the Destination Berlin special will be launched.  It is a New Gent called Ick Bin Ein Berlina (SUOZ293, 80 EURO).  This is Destination Special #48, packaged in the usual paper sleeve.  Participants of the Berlin launch event will receive a special packaging (video) as a gift.  There are six notable events in German history that are connected to the launch date of the Destination Berlin special (09-NOV).   Thanks to Sascha for the hint.
  
• Giant Swatch Psycadelic Maxi.  As in the last years, a giant Maxi of the current collection is now on display in Makati (Philippines), this time near the Swatch Store along Arnaiz Avenue.  Swatch has chosen the New Gent Psycadelic (SUOW155). Thanks to R.J.Valdez for the photo.
• Swatch and German politics.  German politician Sawsan Chebli (a member of the Social Democratic Party [SPD], State Secretary for Federal Affairs) was recently in the "twitter news" as she was photographed wearing a Rolex watch.  Now the Swiss Ambassador in Berlin (Paul Seger) has sent her a Swatch watch as a present (but she refused to accept the present).  The Swatch watch is the very rare Swisstopo special (SUOK103E) from 2017 which was never available in the shops.
• GLAM collection.  A new Swatch GLAM collection is now available in selected countries / Swatch stores:  China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Russia, Singapore, USA.  The collection consists of seven watches:  1. Gent Fabuloops (GB316PZ, $135 US); 2. Lady Cuffabulous (watch head HLM142PZ, $160 US plus two different leather bracelets at $70 US each);  3. Lady Black Cancan (LK387DPZ, $145 US) / White Cancan (LK387EPZ, $145 US) / Purple Cancan (LK387EPZ, $145 US);  4. Skin Big Glorious (SVOM106PZ, $165 US with seven different feathers at $20 US);  5. Irony Chrono Musical (YCG419PZ, $290 US plus three different leather bracelets at $30 US each);  6. SISTEM51 Sistem Helmsman (YIZ400SPZ, $295 US, limited to 510 pcs, back, this watch was rumoured since 2017 already);  7. Irony Lady Acrobelle (YSG161PZ, $255 US plus three different leather bracelets at $30 US each).  The great Swatch Glam Campaign has been produced by Plastik Studios.  Update:  Starting end of JAN-2019, the GLAM collection is available in selected Swatch stores in Europe (Hamburg, Paris, Brussels, Milano, Tourbillon Store Baden-Baden, ...).
• ETA 225th anniversary employee special.  For the 225th anniversary of ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, every employee received on 31-OCT a special New Gent ETA 225th anniversary (SUOZ288), packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  It is estimated that around 6000 watches have been distributed.  The watch is not numbered and there is no ref.code on the box or the packaging.  ETA manufactures the movements for Swatch Group, including Swatch.  Thanks to Julien for the photo and to P&P for the information.
  
• Swatch Creative Natives Festival Madrid.  A new festival of young creators & new ideas called Swatch Creative Natives will take place in shake up Madrid from 22 to 27-OCT.  The festival features art shows, concerts, workshops and much more!  It is rumoured that a few new Swatch Art Specials will be launched during the festival.  The full agenda is not yet online but you can already get some inspiration in the blog on the website.  Madrid has been chosen as the first international city for the Swatch Cities project.  Swatch Cities is a contemporary urban creation platform developed by Swatch to find support for and bring attention to young creators in different cities around the world. Update:  On the first day of the festival (22-OCT), the seven watches of the SwatchXAristocrazy, SwatchXThyssen, and Boamistura collections were launched (see "Swatch Cities Madrid specials"). Here is a picture of the opening event with Swatch's VP and COO Gonzalo de Cevallos, In addition, Swatch Creative Director Carlo Giordanetti presented a special book vinyl record (back) about the festival.  Three Seven unique artist Maxis are also on display:  pic1 / pic2 / pic3 / pic4.  A few serigraphs and custom made Swatch bags (back) were also available.  Update 2: Schön! magazine has a very nice report about the Creative Natives Festival.   Thanks to Ricardo Rocha for the additional photos.
  
• Vontobel Swatch.  The Swiss bank Vontobel has issued a special Gent Swatch Vontobel (GB292C), in DEC-2016.  It is a Gent Four Numbers (GB292) from 2016 with a special loop around the strap.  No further info so far.
• The Exclusive Swatch-Art Collection.  A huge and very special Swatch collection consisting of more than 3700 Swatch watches is featured in this interesting report by ensemble.cc, a bilingual publication featuring Architecture, Design, Creative Arts and Fine Estates, affiliated with Sotheby's Auction House.  Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information.
  
• Swatch Cities Madrid specials.  For the Swatch Creative Natives festival (22 to 27-OCT) in Madrid, seven special Swatch watches have been released (according to the press section of the official Swatch website): 
• SwatchXThyssen Collection:
1. New Gent Gracious Bouquet (SUOZ295) 
2. New Gent The Red Shiny Line (SUOZ297)
3. New Gent Sleepy Garden (SUOZ298)
   
These Art specials are designed "in spirit" of paintings which are on display at the famous Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid: 1. Balthasar van der AstChinese Vase with Flowers, Shells and Insects (1628; watch Gracious Bouquet);  2. Piet MondrianNew York City, 3 (1941; watch The Red Shiny Line);  3. Franz MarcThe Dream (1912; watch Sleepy Garden SUOZ298).  All the watches are packaged in a SwatchXThyssen paper sleeve (back). 
• Boamistura Art Special:
• New Gent Layers Of Time (SUOZ294, 80 EURO) in a nice special packaging (closed / opened).  1800 pcs but not numbered.
Designed by Boamistura (a multidisciplinary team with roots in graffiti art from Madrid).  Available in Madrid in a special nice customized tiny sales truck.
• SwatchXAristocrazy Collection:
5. Skin special Chamesparkle Skin (SVOZ101S, Spain/Portugal: 1500(!) EURO, ROW: 1700(!!) EURO) in a nice special packaging, limited and numbered to only 80 pcs! 
6. Skin special Chameskin (SVUZ100, Spain/Portugal: 160 EURO, ROW: 175 EURO) in a special packaging (SZS27), 1000 pcs, unnumbered.
   
7. Gent special Chamecrazy (GZ320, Spain/Portugal: 95 EURO, ROW: 125 EURO) in a special packaging (SZS26), 2000 pcs, unnumbered.
Here is a report from Spain about the luxury and jewelry company Aristocrazy, from June where they are already talking about the SwatchXAristocrazy collection (Google translation). On 30-OCT, the Aristocrazy collection was presented at the Swatch store in the Musée du Louvre in Paris.
• Swatch training.  Do you want to get your (Swatch) kicks on Route 51?
• Azimut Special.  A special Swatch Azimut Wealth Management (SUOB710C) has recently surfaced.  It is a New Gent Classiko (SUOB710) from 2014 with a special strap.  Azimut Wealth Management is a company from Italy.
• Swatch and Fashion.  Swatch Philippines and Slim's Fashion and Arts School present LARO (Best of Student Work 2018) at the Swatch building.  A very special mixture of Swatch Maxi watches and fashion design...  Thanks to R.J. Valdez for the hint.
  
• German NOC Chrono.  For the Olympic Games 1994 (winter, Lillehammer) and 1996 (summer, Atlanta), the German NOC has release a nice Swatch Chrono (a Chrono Fumo Di Londra (SCK105, 1994) with a special strap).  Update:  Something very unusual about this watch:  The plastic box has a (barely readable) sticker SCZ100!  But to me, the watch looks like a strap variant of SCK105, so ref.code SCK105C would have been appropriate.  The ref.no. SCZ100 is not listed anywhere...  Can you spot a difference on the watch face?
  
• PyeongChang Coca Cola special.  For the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Coca Cola has released a special Swatch PyeongChang 2018 Coca Cola.  The watch is a New Gent Red Brake (SUOR104) from 2015 with a special loop PyeongChang 2018.  The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve. Thanks to Fabrizio for the hint.
• Etro Swatch jacket.  A special Swatch jacket by the Italian Fashion label Etro is now on display at the MUDEC (Museo delle Culture) in Milano, Italy.  The jacket is part of the Generation Paisley exhibition which celebrates Etro's first 50 years.   It is a bit unusual to see the Swatch logo on a product not manufactured or given away by Swatch.  Thanks to Nicolò for the hint.
  
• New Skin Irony (and other new) Swatches.  Five new watches have been added to the Skin Irony collection, now available in the Swiss Online Store, eg. Skinflag (SYXS114).  Update:  The next part ("Deep Wonder") of the Fall/Winter Collection 2018/19 is available now in an exclusive online presale.
• Official Swatch Museum in 2019.  In the spring of 2019, Swatch Group will inaugurate a new complex (headquarters) in Biel. It will include a Swatch museum.  This exciting information about the opening of the official Swatch museum was just announced in a newsletter (Cité du Temps Geneva).  So the new wooden building, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, winner of the 2014 Pritzker Prize (the most prestigious architectural award in the world) will finally be completed (construction started in 2013, and the design was created in 2011).  Here are a few photos from the construction site in Biel (SEP-2017).  Cité du Temps in Geneva is closed now and Swatch will leave the rented building:  "La Cité du Temps in Geneva will close its doors on 30-SEP-2018 to open a new chapter in its history in Biel/Bienne in this magical place."
• Vogue Loves Mina  / special maxi.  On 21-SEP, Vogue Italia and Swatch hosted a party for the 60th anniversary of Italian singer Mina during the Milano Fashion week.  A special Maxi Vogue Loves Mina Maxi was created by Vogue Italia and it was used for many Instagram photos....  Update:  VIPs and journalists at the party also received a special New Gent Swatch Vogue Loves Mina in a nice paper sleeve (no special ref. code!) as shown on a few Instagram photos.  The watch is a New Gent Naitbayang (SUON136) from the current collection with two special loops (VOGUE / ITALIA) around the strap.  Thanks to Fabrizio for the photo.
  
• The Economist special.  On 15-SEP, Swatch will release a new limited edition swatch together with The Economist magazine in order to celebrate the 175th anniversary of The Economist:  The New Gent Colour Shift (SUOZ285S, 85 CHF) is limited and numbered to 3593 pcs.  The watch has been designed by British artist Justine Smith.  Read more about the project on her website.  1750 pcs will be sold by Swatch, the rest (1843 pcs = founding year) through the magazine.  The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve (front / back).  It will be available in the Swatch online store starting 17-SEP.   Update:  Another version of the sleeve exists.  This is the version distributed through the The Economist magazine, the ref.code is SUOZ285S-1.  More photos here.  And here is a nice report about the watch.  Thanks to Sascha for the photo.
• Jollibee specials.  Jollibee is the largest fast food chain in the Philippines (operating a nationwide network of over 750 stores).  For the 35th anniversary of the company in 2013, a special New Gent Swatch Jollibee 35th anniversary was released (packaged in a nice paper sleeve).  This year (2018), the company celebrates its 40th anniversary and three(!) additional New Gent Swatch watches Jollibee 40th anniversary (on the left) have been issued, packaged in paper sleeves as well.  I assume that these watches were given to selected employees of the company.
• SF68 special.  The Swiss chemical and biological company Cerbios has issued a special New Gent Swatch SF68 (SUOS100E) for the 50th anniversary of SF68^®.  It is considered to be one of the best characterized probiotic active ingredients for the prevention and treatment of intestinal disorders.  The watch is a New Gent Cool Me (SUOS100) from 2014 with a special strap featuring the company logo and a special loop.  No further information about limitation or distribution so far.
• 125th Inter-Parliamentary Assembly special.  For the 125th Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in Berne (Switzerland) in 2011 (16 to 19-OCT-2011), special New Gent Swatch 125th Inter-Parliamentary Assembly was distributed.  It has a special loop around the strap.
  
• Crazy Collectors. You can never have enough Swatch watches.... (not mine :-)
• Third Ireland Destination special.  A third Ireland Destination special (#47 in total) is now available in Irish Swatch stores (since the beginning of September?):  It is a Gent Swatch You Ok Hun (GG213C), a Gent Deep Shine Green (GG213) from 2012 with a special Eire loop around the strap.  The watch is packaged in the usual Destination sleeve.  Thanks to Ian Taylor for the photos.
  
• New Swatch Flagship store in Hong Kong.  Swatch will open a new flagship store in Hong Kong tomorrow (on 01-AUG).  Update:  The shop is now open for business.  Very unique store design!  Update 2:  The official opening event took place on 18-SEP.  Several invited collectors received a personalized gift at the store.
• SISTEM51 special.  Swatch plans to release a limited SISTEM51 special in the next weeks 2019.  No further info so far.
• Third Hong Kong Destination special.  A new Hong Kong Destination special has been launched on 01-SEP:  It is a Gent Lion Rock (GZ706).  Retail price is $560 HKD (~62 EURO).  The watch is currently available at the Hong Kong Central Flagship store, later at the airport as well.  It is the third Destination special for Hong Kong, after the two New Gent watches from 2016:  Flower Bay (SUOZ232) and Greetings From Hong Kong (SUOB702Q).   Thanks to Tak Lun Lee for the photos.
  
• Mini Cooper painted by Kenny Scharf.  How cool is that?!? Martin Maguss, a Swatch Club pioneer member from San Francisco, just had his and his wife's Mini Cooper painted by Swatch artist Kenny Scharf (Fiz n Zip, Monster Time). The painting of the car occurred in conjunction with Kenny Scharf Presents The Cosmic Cavern | Minnesota Street Project. Martin and Mari are thrilled with the results and look forward to driving it around San Francisco for years to come.  Thanks to Brian Pier for the information.
• Swatch Group Japan special CD. No serious Swatch collection is complete without the Swatch Group Japan Convention 2003 Audio CD.
• Fall / Winter collection 2018/2019.  The online pre-release of the Swatch Fall/Winter collection 2018/19 has started.  The first part of the collection has the theme Think Fun.
• Ingolstadt outlet store.  A new Swatch outlet store has opened its doors at the Ingolstadt Village in Germany.  This is the third outlet store in Germany, after Metzingen and Zweibrücken. Thanks to Wolfgang Seiler for the information.
  
• US Open of Surfing special.  Swatch is the new Presenting Partner for the 2018 Vans US Open of Surfing (28-JUL to 05-AUG) in Huntington Beach, CA.  A special event watch Perfect Ride (SUOW701J) will be released, it is a New Gent White Rebel (SUOW701) with a very nice special strap.  Update:  According to this Instagram post by Swatch, the watch is now available in the online store (worldwide!).  The watch is limited to 1100 pcs total (250 pcs are available at the event and 700 pcs will be sold through the US stores and the Swatch online store).  The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  Update 2: A Perfect Ride Maxi also exists and several hand painted Art Maxi Swatches were created during the event.
• Vienna Major FIVB special.  For the FIVB Vienna Major (30-JUL to 05-AUG), a special Swatch FIVB Vienna Major Beach Volleyball 2018 will be released.  The watch is available in Vienna and it is packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  There will be two more Swatch watches with transparent loops, sold only at the center court! 
• Drone Racing League (DRL) at BMW World Munich.  On 28-JUL, BMW World Munich hosted the semifinals (stage: 6) of the Drone Racing League (DRL) 2018.  Swatch is an "Official Supporter" for the 2018 season.  It was a spectacular event in a spectacular location.  Here are some photos from the day in Munich and here is a video from one of the races.  Thanks to Swatch Club Germany for an exciting day!  Watch it (season 3) on 7Maxx starting 13-SEP...  I am sure that it will be even more exciting on TV.  No special event Swatch watch was released.
• Swatch Group no longer at Baselworld.  Swatch Group to leave Baselworld Fair in 2019.  Swatch had a complete exhibition hall at the Baselworld in 2013 (30th anniversary of Swatch). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information.
  
• UK #swatchxtyrsa Sneakerness special.  On Instagram, Swatch UK has announced the launch of a special edition Swatch designed by French artist Alexis Taïeb (tyrsa, @tyrsamisu) for the London Sneakerness event (07 to 08-JUL).  On 06-JUL, tyrsa was present for a signing session at the Swatch store in Carnaby street.  The special SwatchXTyrsa watch (SUOW701Q)  is packaged in a nice custom paper sleeve, not numbered.  Apparently, 65 pcs have been sold at the London Sneakerness event, more will be available at future Sneakerness conventions.  Update:  The official Swatch website has a very nice report and outlook about the limited edition Sneakerness 2018 watch launch in London.    Update 2:  Now available in the Swiss online Swatch store (Switzerland only, no other countries).   #swatchxtyrsa   Photos:  Instagram swatch_uk and Steven Crouch.
• Locarno Film Festival 2018 special.  A special New Gent Swatch (SUOB702T) for the 71th Locarno Film Festival 2018 (01 to 11-AUG) is now on sale in Switzerland, also in the online store.  It is a New Gent Black Rebel (SUOB702) with a special strap, it is packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  The #Locarno71 watch is limited to 710 pcs.  Here is a photo of the actual watch.   #Locarno71   Thanks to Fabien Perissinotto for the information.
• FIVB Gstaad Major special.  From 09 to 15-JUL, the FIVB Gstaad Major 2018 took place in Gstaad, Switzerland.  20 Gold and Pioneer members had the chance for a perfect summer day at the Beach Volleyball Major Series Gstaad.  A special Swatch FIVB Gstaad Major 2018 (SUOK129, no special ref.no. despite a loop and a sleeve?!?) was released.  It is a New Gent Blumazing (SUOK129) with a special loop and a nice paper sleeve.  Every participating Club member received a hand fan, a nice Swatch bag and T-Shirt. Thanks to Christine Tanner for the information and pictures.
  
• Portuguese Swatch X Nova special.  On 11-JUL, Swatch Portugal has released a special edition New Gent Swatch watch Swatch x Nova SBE (SUOB715E-1, 75 EURO), created to contribute to the Nova School of Business Economics (Nova SBE) fundraising campaign.  The watch is available with a black and with a white paper sleeve.  It is a New Gent Backup Black (SUOB715) with a special strap and a paper sleeve.  A (unique?) Maxi Swatch is also available, the dial of the Maxi looks a bit unusual/homemade (large "Swatch", no "Swiss"?!?).  Some additional goodies were available to participants of the launch event.  Thanks to Pedro Mota for the pictures.
• Swatch and the Swiss "Bundesgericht".  ...those were the days....  Update:  Christine Tanner just sent me two photos:  1. Cover of the Auction catalogue (well known);  2. A scan of the auction catalogue showing the Oigol Oro.  It is quite easy to see that this watch is not new/mint.
• Swatch X Rijksmuseum.  On 04-JUL, Swatch unveiled three Swatch watches in conjunction with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  The watches will be available in the Dutch stores (worldwide?), starting 14-JUL:  1. Gent Dutch Skies (GE263), commissioned by Rijksmuseum & Swatch, designed by Part of a Bigger Plan, from the art work: Spectacle with ship with fireworks, and the columns of Hercules; Jacob Neefs, 1636;  2. Gent Pink & Versa (GB310), designed from the artwork: The Fall of Man by Cornelis Cornelisz Van Haarlem, 1592;  3. New Gent Lady Buzz (SUOR113), designed from a fan case in lacquered wood with decorated fabric, found at Rijksstudio by Rijksmuseum.  It seems that the watches are packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  No Club event for the launch, only for press and vloggers.  Swatch claims: "For the first time in the history of Swatch, masterpieces from historical art serve as a base for three new canvases on the wrist". I am not so sure about that (do you have more examples?).   watch-insider.com has a nice report with many photos from the launch event in Amsterdam.  #swatchxrijksmuseum   Thanks to Toty Booms and Hans van Buuren for the information.
  
• Art special with a strange number.  The three watches of Fondation Maeght set from 1988 exist with different numbering:  xxxx / 9999 (some say that only 5000 watches have been made?!?) or no numbers at all.  But here is a La Devoreuse (GZ401) with the number 0714/0000 on the back.  Very strange.  This watch was sold in the Fondation Maeght museum shop in SEP-1990.
• Pyeongchang Paralympics special.  For the Pyeongchang Paralympics 2018, a special Swatch Pyeongchang Paralympics 2018 (SUSW400K) has been released. I don't know if it is the Volunteer special (probably not as it is unlikely that a Chrono Plastic was used for the Volunteer special).  The watch (a Chrono Plastic Basic White (SUSW400) with a new strap) comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve.
• USA destination watches available online.  Until 04-JUL, three USA destination watches (Las Vegas, New York, Miami) are available as part of the Time For America collection in the Swatch US online store (online for the first time).  The New Gent Fuzzy Logic (SUOW160) is also part of the Time For America collection.
• Berne Swatch store reopening special.  On 29-JUN, the remodeled Swatch store in Berne, Switzerland, has been reopened.  To celebrate the event, Swatch released a special watch:  The Bearn (SUOZ248) destination special with an exclusive added loop.  Swatch Club members were invited for an apéro at 5pm.   Thanks to Vitor Pires for the photo.
  
• Fall/Winter collection 2018/19.  Apparently, Swatch invited a few bloggers / influencers for a small launch event in Paris showing the upcoming Fall / Winter collection 2018/19 (available in the shops starting 12-JUL).  Blogger Trendy Holy shared some impression in an Instagram story and ten photos:  A Louis XIV themed Swatch, two Swatch watches in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, two very colourful New Gents, a New Gent Swatch showing the exact dimensions of a Swatch etc.  Update:  A special online pre-release of the new Fall / Winter collection 2018/19 has started.  Check out the new watches, especially the fantastic New Gent Fuzzy Logic (SUOW160), designed by a Swatch Club pioneer member.   Thanks to Ines for the hint.
• Swatch Group is 20 years old.  Hodinkee has published a great first-hand report about the (controversial) name change from SMH (Société Suisse de Microélectronique et d'Horlogerie) to Swatch Group 20 years ago, initiated by Nicolas G. Hayek, Sr.  Highly recommended read!
• Frankfurt Destination special.  A new Destination special for Frankfurt has been launched on 21-JUN, this is the 45th Destination Swatch.  It is called Ei Gude (which means 'Hello' in the Frankfurt area).  Ref.code is SUOZ286, price is 80 EURO.  A Swatch Club launch event (including a two hours city tour in the Ebbelwei Express) took place on 21-JUN.  36 club members participated and each one of them received a nice surprise as a 'thank you' for the event participtation:  A small blue box with an 'Ei Gude' photo (taken by the event photographer).  Strictly only one box per event participant.  Here are photos from the launch event.
• Unreleased 80s Lady prototype.  Here is an unreleased prototype (Lady variant of GB100 from 1983) from the mid 80s.  I have never seen this before.  It is for sure authentic.  Has anyone else seen it before?
• Remodeled Swatch store in Paris.  Swatch will reopen the Swatch store at the Place de l'Opéra in Paris in the near future.  Update:  The remodeled store is now open again.   Thanks to swatch_attitude for the picture.
• Gold & Pioneer Event / special 2018.  The traditional Gold & Pioneer Event 2018 took place from 08 to 10-JUN in Gruyères and Montreux (Switzerland).  Gold and Pioneer Swatch Club members stayed in a 5* hotel in Montreux and enjoyed lots of Swatch traditions and Swiss heritage with a front-row seat to breathtaking views:  day 1 / day 2 / day 3.  Unlike previous years, no new Goldmembers were announced/selected.  Swatch Club has published a great teaser video for the event.  And yes, a beautiful special limited event watch was also unveiled:  It is an artist special New Gent Ogu (SUOZ282S), again designed by Italian artist Ugo Nespolo.  In March, he had also designed the "35 years of Swatch" special Swatch Ugo (SUOZ281S). The G&P special 2018 also has a connection to the 35th anniversary of Swatch as it has two dices with a '3' and a '5' on the dial.  The watch is limited and numbered xxx/200 on the back of the watch.  The watch is presented in a golden box (also numbered xxx/200) which has a beautiful artwork inside.   On the first evening of the event, Ugo Nespolo patiently signed the specials of the Pioneer members (after an interesting presentation [in the box!] with Swatch Creative Director Carlo Giordanetti).  During the event, the Pioneer members visited the HR Giger museum in Gruyères (including the famous non-official HR Giger Maxis).  This year, the traditional G&P kiosk was also very interesting as the rare Nos Valeurs (SUOZ273S) special and the also very rare (only 20 pcs total!) Punk X Job Maxi Swatch were available for sale (Punk X Job Maxi costs 480 CHF, ouch!).    Thanks to Dino and to Wolfgang for the pictures.
• ETA "Nos Valeurs" special.  Does anyone have any info on this unknown New Gent (artist special?)?  It is on display at the entrance of the ETA factory in Sion.  Update:  The New Gent is called Nos Valeurs (SUOZ273S), possibly distributed within ETA only.  Very few pieces of this special were sold in the traditional Gold & Pioneer kiosk at the Gold & Pioneer Event 2018.  So we finally have some good pictures of the watch and the paper sleeve.  Limitation of the watch is unknown but each watch is numbered "N° xxx" on the back (so not more than 999 pcs).  This is a very unusual numbering scheme.  The number is also printed on the sticker on the back of the paper sleeve.   Thanks to Fabien Perissinotto for the info and to Dino for the pictures.
• ETA education special.  A special Jelly In Jelly Swatch ETA Education (SUJK104D) has surfaced, surely issued by "The Motorist Of Time":  Swiss movement manufacturer ETA SA (a subsidiary company of Swatch Group).  It is a Jelly In Jelly Fluid Word (SUJK104) with a special strap. The German / French writing on the strap translates to "Start your professional future at ETA".  Thanks to Fabien Perissinotto for the pictures.
  
• Swatch homepage redesigned.  The www.swatch.com homepage has been redesigned / simplified.  It now focuses on the Swatch products (watches, accessories, ...).  It does not link to Swatch Club anymore and it also no longer shows information about Swatch & Art ( Biennale, Swatch Art Peace Hotel, ...), Swatch & Sport (Proteam, Events, ...) etc.  For the Club, please use the separate page  club.swatch.com in the future.  Update:  I don't know if it was a technical glitch or just an update in several stages but www.swatch.com now looks much more similar to the old version including the previously missing info about the Swatch Club, Swatch & Sport etc.  Here is a snapshot of the page from 24-MAY when the homepage had only reduced content.
• Studio Job special.  The Belgian-Dutch design firm Studio Job (the duo Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel) was founded in 2000.  They have now designed a spectacular Swatch New Gent Special Punk X Job (SUOZ280S) which was launched on 16-APR in Milano, Italy.  The watch is limited and numbered to 2018 pcs and it comes in a nice special packaging.  Price is 105 EURO or $3800 TWD.  The special will be sold online starting 17-APR.  Update:   According to Swatch, it is the first Swatch watch with "studs on a Swatch".   But what about the Gent Hipster (GB160) from 1995 or the Gent Ciel (GK178) from 1994? :-)  Update 2:   Studio Job (Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel) held an autograph session for Swatch Club members on 17-APR at the Swatch store in Milano (Via Montenapoleone).  Update 3: Swatch has posted a nice video from the press launch event.  Update 4:  Swatch has some interesting info in the press release:  Studio Job's connection to Swatch goes back to the 1990s, with Job Smeets forming part of the Ravage design team that created the Swatch Ravage Set - a spirited allusion to one of the world's most celebrated couples, Napoleon and his flame Josephine. Common friend Mika inspired Job with his three Swatch watches KUKULAKUKI (GZ287S) and KUKULAKUKU (SUOZ171) in 2013 and MUMUCUCURRUCUCU (SUOZ210) in 2016.  Update 5:  On 29-MAY (6pm), Swatch has organized a signing session with Job Smeets at the Swatch store in Amsterdam (some last remaining Punk X Job specials will be available for sale).  A rare Punk X Job Maxi Swatch (only 20 pcs exist!) will be raffled among the event participants (winner to be notified mid June).  Swatch Netherlands has published a nice photo album of the signing session.    Thanks to Hans van Buuren, Sascha Stawinski, Swatch and Alessandro for the information and pictures.
• Shareholder special 2018.  On 24-MAY, the annual shareholder assembly of Swatch Group took place in Grenchen at the Swiss Velodrome.  Each one of the 3562 participants received a special blue New Gent Milkymoo (SUOZ289) as a present.  The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve and it has a few nice icons on the back of the strap.  The theme of the year 2018 is "Stars, Galaxies, Universe and Astronomy".  Here are a few photos from the shareholder assembly 2018 and here is a nice animation :-)  Here is a newspaper report about the shareholder assembly including a few more nice pictures.   Nick Hayek's speech also included a subtle reference to Donald Trump.  Fun fact:  Almost 17 years ago, Nick Hayek jr. and Donald Trump were both present at the Wristory charity auction in New York City (03-DEC-2001), a Puff collection was auctioned on that day as well!    Thanks to Fabien Perissinotto for the information.
  
• Ramadan 2018 collection.  Swatch has published a video (currently unlisted!) presenting the Ramadan 2018 collection of Swatch watches.  Please note that the traditional Swiss Cross has been replaced by "Swiss Made" in the Swatch logo.  It seems that this exclusive collection consisting of ten previously unreleased Swatch watches is only available in Saudi Arabia and UAE (United Arab Emirates).  The collection consists of the following watches unavailable elsewhere:  1. Irony Medium Irresitive (YLG407G);  2. Gent Infinite Day (GE710);  3. Irony Chrono Touch Of Flair (YVG405G);  4. Gent Everlasting Light (GE711);  5. Irony Lady Exquisita (YSG158G);  6. Lady Charmesse (LK383);  7. Irony Lady Sublimescence (YSG157G);  8. Irony Medium Intuitiveness (YLS208G);  9. Lady Delicatesse (LK384); 10. Irony Chrono His Mastery (YOS459G).  In other parts of the world (eg. USA), Swatch also shows a Ramadan 2018 collection but it consists of twelve completely different, previously released Swatch watches.  In 2016, Swatch had also released an exclusive Ramadan 2016 collection but it seemed to be more widely available.  Thanks to Dino and Nicolò for the hints.
  
• A Swatch smartwatch in 2018?  Old news or new news? "Swatch To Develop Their Own Smartwatch This Year" ('less battery hungry', 'better data protection', 'Swiss OS', ...).
• New product line SKIN Irony.  On 26-APR, Swatch has launched a new product line SKIN Irony at the Praterinsel in Munich, Germany.  Yes, it is a Skin watch, made of steel, and it is 5.8mm thick (38mm diameter, mineral glass [not plastic glass]).  You can find all the details at zeitenblick.at or cellini.ro.  The first collection consists of eight watches:  1. Skinlingot (SYXG100GG, 175 EURO, golden metal flex strap);  2. Skinpole (SYXS103GG, 145 EURO, silver metal flex strap);  3. Skinblueiron (SYXS106, 150 EURO);  4. Skinspring (SYXS107, 135 EURO);  5. Skinnoiriron (SYXS100, 135 EURO);  6. Skinbrushed (SYXS102, 135 EURO);  7. Skindoree (SYXS108, 140 EURO);  8. Skinalliage (SYXS109, 140 EURO).    Here is a video of an actual SKIN Irony watch and here are actual photos of the first SKIN Irony collection.  Follow the hashtags #skinirony and #futureclassic.  SKIN Irony will be available online starting 17-MAY and in the shops on 26-MAY.  welt.de has a great report about the product launch in Munich.  Update:  SKIN Irony is now available in an online pre-release.  Update 2: Swatch has published a video of a SKIN Irony press event in Spain and the official SKIN Irony ad.
• Additions to SwatchXYou collection.  A few new additions (Spring / Summer related) to the SwatchXYou collection: 1. A blue (pink?) Gent watch head;  2. A black New Gent watch head;  3. Two Gent straps;  4. Two New Gent straps.
• NCCR Structural Biology special.  A special Jelly In Jelly NCCR Structural Biology has recently surfaced. It is a Jelly In Jelly Fluid Word (SUJK104) with a special strap.  I assume that it was issued in 2013 at the Zurich Center for Structural Biology:  NCCR Structural Biology.  More details here.
  
• Bangkok Destination special.  The first Bangkok (Thailand) Destination special (#44 in the Destination Watches series) is available since 31-MAR: The New Gent Tuk-Tuk Sam-Lor (SUOZ284).  Every watch comes with special two loops printed “Greetings from ????????” (Krung-Thep or Bangkok).  The first 888 customers get special collection card from King Power. A special SWATCH TUK-TUK tuk tuk can be seen on the streets of Bangkok.  Update:  It seems that the watch is only available at the airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang International Airport, not at Swatch stores in the city).  Also a maximum of 4 watches per customer.  Thanks to Torsten Rube for the hint and to Alain Choisy for the info.
• Sneakerness 2018 special.  On 05 and 06-MAY, Sneakerness 2018 took place in Zurich, Switzerland.  Swatch is a Gold Partner of the sneaker fair.  The three famous XX-Rated New Gent specials were available with a special Sneakerness loop and a new ref.code, eg. SUOB402C.  French Graffiti artist Alexis Taïeb (@tyrsamisu) was present at Sneakerness and he painted a special unique Maxi Swatch.  He also decorated the of the Sneakerness version of the XX-Rated New Gent.  Thanks to Ines Brem and Swatch Instagram for the pictures.
  
• Lisboa stone special packaging.  A new version of the Portuguese Swatch Lisboa (SUOZ211LIM) will be available on 09-MAY.  Compared to the regular Swatch Lisboa (SUOZ211), the white / blue colours of the strap are reversed.  The new special is limited and numbered to 260 pcs and it is packaged in a white stone and a paper box.  Price is 145 EURO.  Thanks to Pedro Mota for the information and pictures.
• Spring / Summer collection 2018.  According to this report, the Swatch Spring / Summer collection 2018 comprises the following subcollections / themes:  1. Brit-in;  2. The Swatch Vibe;  3. Mediterranean Views.  You can check out the complete collection on the official Swatch website.  And yes, they did it:  The X-Vibe are three New Gent watches almost identical to the much sought after X-Rated (GB406) from 1987: XX-Rated Black (SUOB402);  2. XX-Rated Red (SUOR400);  3. XX-Rated Violet (SUOV401).   Update:  The first models from Brit-in, Irony and Time to Swatch are now available exclusively online in a pre-release (#SWATCHTHIS) until 11-JAN.  Happy shopping!  Update 2: The XX-Rated Black New Gent Swatch watches sold out immediately in the US during the online pre-release on 12-APR.  No surprise here.  Here is the first picture of the actual XX-Rated watches.  Update 3: GQ Magazine has a nice story about the reissued XX-Rated watches.  Update 4:  Fun fact:  The "(C) SWATCH AG 2017" is printed white on white on the dial.  Impossible to read and very unusual!
• David LaChapelle autograph.  A few days ago, Swatch Club Pioneer member Sascha met the photographer David LaChapelle during a book signing in Cologne and he got an signature on his Time Tranny Swatch (GZ163).  Previously (18 years ago!), Swatch Pioneer member Roy had collected a few signatures during the opening of an exhibition.
• Swatch Rocket Air in the year 3000.  Swatch Rocket Air took place on the 27 to 28-APR-3000(!) at the Eishalle in Thun, Switzerland.  About 30 Swiss Club members were invited for a barbecue on the Swatch truck.  A special Swatch Rocket Air 2018 (SUOB147-1, 75 CHF) was released, it is a New Gent Punti Gialli (SUOB147) with a special loop around the strap.  The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  Swatch Proteam member Sam Pilgrim patiently signed autographs.  Here is the watch with a signed card.  Here are a few impressions from the event.   Thanks to Christine Tanner for the information and pictures.
• Caribbean Destination special.  Sea My Colors is the name of a new Caribbean Destination special.  It is a Gent Sir Blue (GN718) from 2014 with a special colorful strap.  During the month of November, it is available with a free gift with purchase at the three Kirk Freeport and Swatch stores in Cayman.  Update:  The watch is available (on the respective islands) with four different loops:  Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, and Cayman Islands.  Thanks to Bernard Nelis for the information and picture.
  
• Sigrid Calon Pop-Up store.  Swatch artist Sigrid Calon from the Netherlands has now opened a Pop-Up store at the Kalverpassage in Amsterdam.  It will be open for one month only.  Click here for a few impressions from the store.   Thanks to Toty Booms for the info.
  
• Giant Swatch Accecante Maxi.  As in the last years, a giant Maxi of the current collection is now on display at the Ayala Mall in Makati (Philippines).  This time (just in time for the summer), Swatch has chosen the Gent Accecante (GE255). Thanks to R.J.Valdez for the information and picture.
• L'Amour Du Risque Eva & Adele special.  L'Amour Du Risque is an Eva & Adele retrospective exhibition at the Me Collectors Room in Berlin (27-APR to 27-AUG).  100 signed Swatch watches (Futuring by Eva & Adele) are now available in the shop of the museum.  As far as I can see, the only difference to the regular watch is the sticker with the number and the signature on the packaging.  Thanks to Torsten Rube for the information and picture.
• New product line.  A completely new product line will be launched soon (end of May?).  25 lucky Gold & Pioneer members are invited "to discover the huge world behind the making of this new collection" at ETA factory in Sion, Switzerland (02 to 03-MAY).  More information here.  Update:  It is not hard to guess that the manufacturing of the new product SKIN Irony will be shown.
• Swatch ART + Soul exhibition.  From 11 to 13-APR, you can visit the ART + Soul exhibition at the Whistler Conference Centre.  Check out some great artworks here. Are there any Swatch watches in the exhibition.
• Paris Megastore restyled.  The French artist Jungle has restyled the Paris Swatch Megastore on Champs-Élysées.  Checkout this cool video!
• Brembo company special.  The Italian manufacturer of automotive brake systems Brembo has released a company special Brembo (SUOR705N).  It is a New Gent Backup Red (SUOR705) from 2014 with a special strap.  No further information so far.
  
• Swatch "Time To Art" exhibition in Milano.  From 05 to 13-APR, Swatch celebrates its birthday in the famous Via Montenapoleone in Milan with a special open-air exhibition entitled "Time To Art":  The "Time To Art" exhibition will consist of several parts:  1.  "Space and Time", a pleasant and surreal installation that connects time, Art and people created by Stefano Ogliari Badessi;  2. a coloured photographic set where guests can have an intense portrait, becoming part of the "Faces Of Milan" project, directed by the Spanish artist Xepo W.S.;  3. 24 Maxi Swatch watches, customized by twenty-three students of the European Institute of Design of Milan together with their teacher and Swatch artist Massimo Giacon will be shown in the courtyard of the Montenapoleone VIP Lounge, next to the Swatch Flagship Store;  4. Additionally:  A White Maxi Swatch available to visitors: a white canvas to paint...;  5.  And a special Time To Art Maxi.  Please send pictures if you visit the exhibition!  Update:  Swatch has released a Swatch X You Set Milano special packaging (unusual ref.code S9ITSXYMILANO and no price sticker!) for the exhibition.  It contains the blue SwatchXYou Gent HGN253 and two specially designed straps in a nice special packaging, limited and numbered xxx/100, price is 100 EURO.  The special sold out on one day.  Here are pictures from the exhibition.  Here is the official information by Swatch Group. 
  
• Swatch Finder "Designed By".  The Swatch Finder now has a "Designed By" selection (artists). Here are the watches designed by the famous artist "Puff".  No Keith Haring, though.  I am sure that the whole Swatch Finder project could easily be improved a lot.  It would be great if there would be a feedback channel for corrections.
• Club Swatch 2018.  In 2018, the new Club Swatch is a New Gent Follow The Dots (SUOZ279).  The watch is packaged in a nice special box and it will already be launched in January (11-JAN), so the new club year will now be equal to the calendar year.  A limited version of the Club Swatch 2018 Find Your Way (888 pcs, SUOZ278S, 125 EURO) will be launched later, starting 01-MAR in Geneva, Switzerland, at several local club events as in the last years.  Update:  The first Follow The Dots related merchandising has already been mailed out in DEC-2017.  The printed website www.club.swatch.com is not (yet?) active :-(   Update 2: The new Club Swatch Follow The Dots (SUOZ279) is now available in the Swatch online store.   Update 3:  The list of local club events where Find Your Way is available is as follows:  01-MAR:  Geneva (CH, with "35 Years Swatch" artist special);  09-MAR:  London (UK, no "35 Years Swatch" artist special);  11-MAR:  Lisbon (Portugal);  13-MAR: Paris (F, Escape Game, the "35 Years Swatch" artist special will be available there as well);  17-MAR:  Italy and Tilburg (Netherlands);  23-MAR:  Dusseldorf, Germany (opening of new Swatch Megastore!);  24-MAR:  Montreal, Canada;  25-MAR: Taiwan; 14-APR: New York City.    Update 3: The limited version of the Club Swatch 2018 Find Your Way was launched during a snowy club event with ~50 participants on 01-MAR (35th anniversary of Swatch!) in Geneva, Switzerland.  The watch is packaged in a box (numbered xxx/888, also on the back of the watch) with a real labyrinth in the cover.  Here is a picture of the opened box.  In six countries (Switzerland [SUOZ278IS], Austria, Italy [SUOZ278QS], France, USA [SUOZ278ES], Taiwan [SUOZ278CS]), the watch will be available with a special country loop.  Here is a comparison picture of the two club watches.  You can see that the strap is "inverted" (blue and white is exchanged).  The limited version of the club watch (Find Your Way) has colourful dots printed on the inside of the glass while the regular version Follow the Dots has (mostly) blue dots printed on the dial.  Here is a detailed report about the Geneva Club launch event on 01-MAR.   Here is a detailed report about the Dusseldorf Club launch event on 23-MAR.   Thanks to Fabien Perissinotto for the hint and to swatchleaks.org and Arnaud Perche, Robert Lemieux and Charlotte Gardner for the information.
• Team USA specials 2018.  Two special Swatch watches are now available in the Swatch online store, for Team USA 2018 (Pyeongchang Winter Olympics):  1. A New Gent Dream Of Snow (SUOZ275);  2. A Chrono Free & Brave (SUSZ401).  Both watches have the Team USA logo on the back of the strap:  Dream Of Snow strap / Free & Brave strap. Both watches are packaged in a special paper sleeve:  Dream Of Snow paper sleeve / Free & Brave paper sleeve.   In addition, Free & Brave has the words "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave" on the back of the strap (the first Chrono of the new collection with a print on the backside of the strap). You can also buy the two watches at the Team USA online shop.  Update:  The Chrono Free & Brave was also issued for the Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics.  The difference is the Paralympic logo on the bottom of the strap, the writing "2018 United States Paralympic Team" and the logo on the paper sleeve and the new ref.code SUSZ401C.   Thanks to Nicolò and Ines for the hint.
• Swatch store on Carnaby Street.  Swatch has opened a new colourful Swatch store on the famous Carnaby Street in London.  Looks great!  If you spot anything special, please let me know...
• TV report about Swatch from FEB-1984!  Here is a great TV report (in french) about Swatch from FEB-1984!  The earliest TV report about Swatch?  It shows the beginning of the success of Swatch ("...La Swatch se vend énormément...";  'Swatch is selling extremely well'), lots of blister packagings of the 1983 collection, and a great interview with the "fathers" of Swatch:  Elmar Mock and Jacques Muller.
• Swatch Club membership numbers.  According to the Swatch Group Annual Report 2017, Swatch Club has grown 25% in 2017 and it now has 265,000 Club members.
• European Athletics specials.  The European Athletic Association (European Athletics) has issued two special Swatch X-Large watches for the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam in 2016:  1. European Athletics Association Blue (SUDK103I): a X-Large Ocean Ripple (SUDK103) with a special strap which has the words "Your Sport For Life" on it;  2.  European Athletics Association Orange (SUDK103E, similar to the blue one). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the picture and to Hans van Buuren for the information.
  
• 35 years of Swatch artist special / event.  On 01-MAR, Swatch celebrated the 35th birthday at the Cité Du Temps in Geneva, Switzerland.  During an event organized by Swatch Club International, Swatch unveiled not just one but two three special Swatch watches:  1. the limited version of the Club Swatch 2018 Find Your Way (888 pcs, SUOZ278S);  2. the new Olympic Museum special Quai D‘Ouchy (SUOZ283);  3. an artist special Swatch Ugo (SUOZ281S) designed by Italian artist Ugo Nespolo.  The watch is limited and numbered to 3535 pcs and it is packaged in a paper sleeve.  It is released in conjunction with NUMBERS, Swatch latest art exhibition at the Cité Du Temps (until 01-MAY).  Here is a detailed report about the Swatch Ugo launch with Ugo Nespolo in Geneva on 01-MAR.  Previously (in 1993), Ugo Nespolo had already designed two Swatch Gent watches:  Collage Doré (GR116) and Silver Patch (GN132).  So he is an old friend of Swatch.  Here is the press release for Swatch Ugo.  Update: Swatch has posted a nice video from the press launch event.  
• Congratulations to Swatch.  Swatch turns 35 years on 01-MAR.  The clear winner for the best birthday wishes is Pioneer Club member Chantal Denise from Canada!  Superb!
• Swatch Collectors on the front page.  On 02-MAR, three well known Pioneer club members (Isa, Rodolphe and Yannick) were featured on the front page of the Swiss newspaper Le Matin.  In an article (two full pages!) in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of Swatch, they explain their passion for their Swatch collecting hobby.  Bravo, well done!
• Olympic Museum special.  During the festivities for the 35th anniversary of Swatch on 01-MAR in Geneva, a new special Olympic Museum New Gent Quai D‘Ouchy (SUOZ283) was available for sale for the first time.  "Quai D'Ouchy" is the street in Lausanne where the Olympic Museum is located.  The watch is packaged in a nice colourful paper sleeve and it has the words "Beat Your Own Record" printed on the back of the strap.  On the dial, you can see pictograms of ten different olympic sport disciplines (summer and winter).  In the future, the watch will be sold only at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.  Thanks to Ines Brem for the picture.
  
• 1985 Invitation to Kiki Picasso launch.  You probably know the Kiki Picasso Swatch but very likely, you haven't seen the 1985 invitation to the launch of the Kiki Picasso Swatch!  Check it out, a megarare item!
• Japanese Soccer Club special.  The Japanese Soccer club Urawa Red Diamonds has issued a special Gent Loomi Swatch Urawa Red Diamonds I (GK912C).  It is a Gent Loomi Lifting (GK912) with a special red strap. Fun fact:  I already have a watch with the same ref.no. on my page:  Bicentenary Of Mexico Green (GK912C).  See the Mexico Bicentenary special from 2010.  Update: The Urawa Red Diamonds I special is from JUL-2010, as you can see from this news item on the official Urawa Red Diamonds webpage. As you can see in the news item, a second special Urawa Red Diamonds II (a Gent Reach The Rings (GE136) from 2005 with a special strap)was also released.  Thanks to Cristiano Ianna for the update.
• Mid 80s French promo material.  I just added two nice items to my Old Swatch Ads webpage.  I think that it is very likely that you haven't seen these two pieces before:  1. A poster for the first ever ("wordwide") exhibition of street art painting in Paris in JUN-1986;  2. A French press map (8 pages, card board) for the 1986 Swatch collection.  Two super rare items.  Teaser:  Another mega rare item will follow in the near future.
• A Swatch Collector explains his obsession love for Swatch.  "Menswear Collectors Explain Their Obsessions" is the great title of an article on the Fashionbeans website about five collectors of sneakers, ties, streatwear, vintage clothing, and yes, also Swatch watches.  A (well known :-) Pioneer Swatch Club member explains why Swatch is his favourite watch brand.
• Swatch Megastore Düsseldorf.  Swatch plans to open a new Swatch Megastore in Düsseldorf, Germany, in a very central location:  Schadowplatz 12.  It is likely that the opening of the Store will happen in the next weeks (maybe end of March?) as you can already see some Swatch banners at the construction site.  Swatch is also already looking for salespersons in Düsseldorf.  Hopefully, there will be a store opening event...    Thanks to swatchleaks.org for the information.
  
• Hugging Booth at the Rome Swatch Store.  On 03-FEB, Italian actress, singer, dancer and TV host Lodovica Comello was present at the Swatch store in Rome to promote the new Valentine's Swatch Hearty Love (GZ314S).  There even was a special Hugging Booth in the Store where fans and customers could take a photo with Lodovica.  Here are more pictures from the event.
• PyeongChang 2018 Olympics Volunteer special.  For the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games, an Olympic Volunteer special Gent Snolympic (GZ312) has been released.  The watch is packaged in a nice paper sleeve.  It probably won't be easy to get this watch as there are some strict rules regarding the resale of this watch.  The watch first popped up in this Instagram post.  Thanks to Fabien Perissinotto for the additional information.
• Giant Swatch Woof Maxi.  As in the last years, a giant Maxi of the current collection is now on display at the Ayala Mall in Makati (Philippines).  This time, Swatch has chosen the Chinese Year Of The Dog special Swatch Woof (SUOZ266). Thanks to R.J.Valdez for the information and picture.
• London in Milano.  To celebrate the launch of the new Brit-in collection, the Swatch Flagship store in Milano (Via Montenapoleone 25) has been completely decorated in "London style".
• Paola Navone Artist special / Paris launch.  After the success of Thammada, Italian designer Paola Navone has created a new artist special box set called Treperotto (SZS25), limited to only 333 pcs.  It is sold for 240 EURO exclusively at the fashion & home store Merci (111, boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris) starting 20-JAN (for two weeks).  The box set contains two New Gent watches and one Gent watch:  1. Tartanotto (SUOZ258S, back of the watch);  2. Cutotto (SUOZ259S);  3. Erarotto (Gent, GZ310S, only available in this box set!).  Here is the official press release for the box set.  Update:  Here is a detailed report about the Treperotto launch with Paola Navone in Paris on 20-JAN.  Here is the official event video by Swatch.
• Swatch bus in Taipei.  A London double decker bus in true poppy Swatch style can be seen in Taipei.  Sophia Chang has a nice photo album with more photos from the promotion.
• Swatch on tmall.com.  On 12-JAN, a huge press event ("Super Brand Day", #EnterToDiscover) took place at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, China in order to celebrate the launch of Swatch on Tmall: swatch.tmall.com.  Tmall (formerly Taobao Mall) is a Chinese-language website for business-to-consumer (B2C) online retail, operated in China by Alibaba Group, so it is a huge new market opportunity for Swatch.  The event with more than 250 guests also celebrated the new collaboration with Swatch brand ambassador Karry Wang.  Some great impressions from the event can be found on the Instagram story by Swatch.  The event also included a large Swatch watch exhibition with many ultrarare watches, artist specials, destination watches, Club watches, expensive Swatch watches, Swatch Art Peace Hotel watches, brand new Swatch watches, ...  Update:  Sophia Chang has a great photo album from the event with many, many pictures.  Here is the official event video by Swatch.
• Brianda Fitz James Stuart exhibition in Tokyo.  Last year, Spanish fashion designer, Illustrator, and DJ Brianda Fitz James Stuart designed a POP Swatch: Melusine (PNN102).  She now has a solo exhibition Little Atelier in Tokyo (until 31-JAN).  More information here.
• Swatch watches at a MoMA exhibition.  Items: Is Fashion Modern? is an upcoming exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City (01-OCT-2017 to 28-JAN-2018).  The exhibition explores the present, past—and sometimes the future—of 111 items of clothing and accessories that have had a strong impact on the world in the 20th and 21st centuries.  A few Swatch watches from the Swatch archive will be part of the exhibition as listed in the complete list of 111 items.  Update:  There are five Swatch watches on display at the exhibition, two early ones (GB100, Jelly Fish) and three artist specials (Space People by J.C de Castelbajac, Milles Pattes by Keith Haring and Lots of Dots by Alessandro Mendini).  Two special MoMA Swatch watches (not very exciting) are sold in the MoMA store.  Update 2:  Here is the official press release by Swatch Group (not Swatch!) and here is a picture from the exhibition. Update 3:  Three days before the closure of the exhibition, Swatch Club members are invited "for a private evening with behind-the scenes access to MoMA's first exploration launch of fashion design in over 70 years with special guest, Swatch Creative Director, Carlo Giordanetti."  Thanks to Bill Dankulich for the picture and to Max Cheslow for the information.
• Swatch Art Peace Hotel special 2018.  During the #EnterToDiscover press event at the  Swatch Art Peace Hotel on 12-JAN in Shanghai, several designs for the upcoming Swatch Art Peace Hotel special 2018 were shown.  The winning design is by Han Feng.   Thanks to Sophia Chang for the photo.
  
• Auswandererhaus special.  A few years ago, the German Emigration Center ("Deutsches Auswandererhaus") in Bremerhaven has issued a special Deutsches Auswandererhaus Gent swatch to its employees.  The watch was not available for sale and it came with a few nice goodies (pins, cup, pens, ...).
• A time-honored Christmas tradition.  Here is a nice story about the current and previous Xmas specials by Swatch.  Did you know that Swatch has released 40 Christmas watches in 32 years?  (these are official numbers by Swatch HQ in Biel :-)   Thanks to Klaus-Dieter Klein for the information.
  
• Elmar Mock interview.  Elmar Mock was a finalist of the 2017 European Inventor Award.  He also was one of the "fathers" of the Swatch watch in the early 80s.  The Guardian has a great interview with Elmar Mock entitled How we made the Swatch.
• Swatch Art Peace Hotel opening special.  For the opening of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai in late 2010, a very very rare and very elaborate Swatch Art Peace Hotel Super VIP opening box set was distributed to about 20 VIPs.  The box contains several pens and the limited Peace Hotel (GZ226S, xxx/888) special.  Here is another picture of the box set.  The unlimited Bund 19 (GZ228) is not part of the box set.  Thanks to Tak Lun Lee for the information and pictures.
• New Swatch Pay watch in China.  A New Swatch Pay (Bellamy) watch is now available in China.  The ref.code is SVIP100-1200.  Thanks to Sophia Chang for the information and picture.
  
• Happy Hours surprise Swatches.  In many local markets (eg. Germany), the well known "buy one Swatch, get a second one for a very low price" promotion is available again.  This time, the theme of the promotion is "Happy Hours".  The promotion is available both online (23 EURO for the second watch, Gent, Lady, or Skin) and offline in the stores (23 EURO for the second Original or Skin watch, or 40 EURO for an Irony watch).  Update:  Here is a picture of the Happy Hours special packaging.