- Swatch Encyclopedia. As an early Xmas surprise for the die-hard Swatch watch collectors, Swatch is launching Swatch Encyclopedia, a unique four-volume box set celebrating 40 years of Swatch (1983 to 2023). Each volume represents a decade, showcasing 8419 Swatch watches. Highlights include the creation of the “second watch,” the first Swatch Art Special, and groundbreaking innovations like SISTEM51, and much more. Price for the box set is 400 EURO(!), it should be possible to order the box set on the Swatch website soon. Update: Some photos / videos of the actual Swatch Encyclopedia box set can be found on my Instagram. Update 2: Since 07-JAN, Swatch Encyclopedia is available for everyone in the Swatch online store.
- Blue Lagoon Blancpain X Swatch. Without any advance announcement on social media, Swatch has released the seventh diving watch to enter the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection on 12-DEC: Blue Lagoon (SO35L400, 350 UKP). The watch celebrates lagoons, aquatic environments often linked to oceans. On the backside, an illustration of a lagoon and the Tambja Mullineri nudibranch is featured in digital print. Unlike the previous Blancpain X Swatch watches, the NATO strap consists of two separate parts (I think that I prefer the original version). More photos of the watch can be found here.
- Mexico Destination special. In SEP-2023, Swatch has launched a third version of a Mexico Destination special: Horale Mexico (SUOZ268D, Destination special #83), with a "Mexico" loop around the strap. This watch is listed in Swatch Encyclopedia on page 1501. In the online Swatch Finder, the watch is listed at Horale Restyled??!? The first two versions of this Mexico Destination special were issued in 2017: Horale (SUOZ268, for Cancun, Destination special #33) and K'iin Playa (SUOZ268C, for Playa del Carmen, Destination special #34). Thanks to Alain Choisy for the information.
- Madrid Destination Artist special. On 05-DEC-2024, Swatch has launched the first watch in a new series of Destination Artist specials, designed by local artists (including the packaging!). Therefore, the watches are no longer packaged in the 'classic' Destination packaging. These watches are also available only in the respective city. Destination Artist special #1 has been issued in Madrid (Spain): Bio-sourced New Gent Chulapo (SO29Z143, 110 EURO), designed by Madrid based artist Gonzalo Hernández Sánchez de Ocaña (Gonhdo). Here is a report (in Spanish) about the Chulapo Swatch and the designer Gonhdo.
- Malaysia government told to return seized LGBT watches. In 2023, Malaysian Home Ministry raided eleven Swatch Stores and confiscated Swatch watches designed with a rainbow. As a consequence, Swatch has sued Malaysia for the seizure of Swatch watches. In NOV-2024 (finally!), a Malaysian court has ordered the country's government to return 172 rainbow-colored watches it seized from watchmaker Swatch last year.
- Banana SwatchXYou available again. In 2019, a controversial spotty banana duct-taped to a wall (artwork Comedian by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan) was sold for $150,000 US. Fast forward 5 years: Now, the art world has gone totally crazy: On 21-NOV, the 'artwork' :-) was sold for $6,240,000 USD at Sotheby's in New York City (Reuters report). What a ROI! Swatch has jumped on the bandwagon: The minimalist SwatchXYou Banana (originally released in 2019) is now available again for purchase on the Swatch website, probably for a few days only. Get your Banana SwatchXYou now :-) Update 04-DEC: Banana SwatchXYou is no longer available.
- BREAK FREE artist collection. On 12-NOV, Swatch has released four fantastic new watches as part of the BREAK FREE collection, designed by four young artists from all around the world: 1. Bio-sourced New Gent Freeze Time (SO29Z147, 110 EURO) by Grotesk (Switzerland); 2. Bio-sourced Gent B-Bot (SO28Z702, 100 EURO) by Bao Ho (Hong Kong); 3. Bio-sourced New Gent Unity Always (SO29Z148, 110 EURO) by Thandiwe Muriu (Kenya); 4. Bio-sourced Big Bold Hattie's Heart (SB05Z103, 145 EURO) by Hattie Stewart (United Kingdom). All watches are packaged in a nice colorful paper packaging. These four watches are the best in a very long time, congratulations Swatch!
- CHF 69,300 for the 1,000,000th MoonSwatch! On 11-NOV, the one millionth MoonSwatch (a Mission To Neptune Moonshine Gold) was auctioned for 69300 CHF (screenshot) at Christie's in Geneva (for the benefit of the European Leukodystrophy Association). French soccer player Zinedine Zidane (Zizou) participated at the auction. This particular MoonSwatch is unique for several reasons: Firstly, it is the one millionth MoonSwatch, a distinction engraved for posterity inside the watch, beneath the battery cover. Additionally, it features a seconds hand coated in Omega's proprietary Moonshine™ Gold, an alloy developed by the brand. To emphasize its importance, the watch is accompanied by a special trophy stand engraved with '1’000’000'.
- Mission To Earthphase MoonSwatch. On 16-OCT,
Swatch placed a mysterious
full page ad in Süddeutsche
Zeitung Germany (and others), with absolutely no direct
hint at Swatch:
"And yet, it moves" Galileo Coined in 1633. Possibly sold on November 2, perhaps.
The next day, on 17-OCT, it became clear that the ad has been placed by Swatch. Another ad in SZ Germany, Le Temps, Blick and Corriere del Ticino (all three Switzerland). Now, the following text was added to the line above:
"counterclockwise" Swatch November 2 2024, to be exact
Galileo was the internal project name for the MoonSwatch in 2021/22, you can find all the details about it in my MoonSwatch Experience report from May 2022. So what can we expect from Swatch in early November? A "counterclockwise" MoonSwatch? Update: Swatch has published two three teaser videos on Instagram: 19-OCT, 21-OCT and 23-OCT ("Counterclockwise Full Earth"). Some detailed speculation ("The Mystery of #1A17045") can be found here. Update 2: On 30-OCT, Swatch unveiled the new, non-limited MoonSwatch Mission To Earthphase (SO33M700, 330 EURO). You can find all the details on the Swatch website, the watch will be available on 02-NOV at selected Swatch stores around the world. This MoonSwatch not only comes with a moonphase subdial at 2 o’clock, but more importantly – and for the first time in watchmaking history – an earthphase located in the colored subdial at 10 o'clock. Never before have these two complications been combined in the same watch. Hodinkee and Fratello also report about this new MoonSwatch in deep detail with many photos. Update 3: It seems that Swatch has hidden a little easter egg on the dial of Mission To Earthphase: Using UV light, the little colorful picture of the earth in the earthphase subdial at 10 o'clock shows one of three different continents: So far Africa, Americas, Asia have been found (in various sale locations around the world). This means that three different variants of Mission To Earthphase are available for sale, collect'em all! - Beach Pro Gstaad 2024 special. The Beach Pro took place in Gstaad, Switzerland from 03 to 07-JUL-2024. A special Bio-sourced New Gent Beach Pro 2024 (SO29B113C) was distributed at the event, with the dates of the event on the back of the loop around the strap. The packaging of the watch has a special paper loop. The "basis" New Gent Time Is What You Make Of It (SO29B113) without a special strap has not yet been released so far in the regular Swatch stores. At a Swatch Club event, collectors from Switzerland received the watch plus a nice Swatch bag with the event programme. Thanks to Christine Tanner for the photos.
- Break Free collection. On Instagram, Swatch has announced a new Break Free collection which will be released on 03-OCT. It is designed and inspired by American Pop Art artist Keith Haring and his design for the original Swatch World Breakdance Championship at The Roxy (New York City) in 1984, 40 years ago. Maybe some Breakdance (GO001) Gent special related Swatch watches will be released too. The Breakdance watch was designed in 1984 by Swatch designers Marlyse Schmid and Bernard Müller, heavily influenced by the Swatch World Breakdance Championship 1984 poster created by Keith Haring. Update: The first part of the Break Free collection has been released on 03-OCT, inspired by the 1984 Swatch World Breakdance Championship and the poster created by Keith Haring. For now, three square What If? watches are available: 1. Break Time (SO34Z101, 115 UKP); 2. Breaks Off (SO34Z102, 115 UKP); 3. Break Loose (SO34Z103, 115 UKP). Each watch is packaged in a paper box with a nice corresponding design and it has a nice special "Keith Haring Swatch" battery cover on the back side. On 17-OCT, a fourth Swatch in the Break Free collection has been released, based on an original pencil drawing by Keith Haring: A transparent Bio-sourced New Gent From The Archives (SO29Z145, 96 UKP). It will also be available as a SwatchPAY! (SO29Z146-5300, 106 UKP). Here is the story as told be Swatch: "An original pencil and ink sketch was gifted to Swatch by Keith Haring and used to create the colorful Modele Avec Personnages (GZ100) from 1986. At the time, the watch proved extremely popular with its instantly recognizable, hand-drawn figures and a bright, primary color scheme that made it ‘pure Swatch’. The original drawing was then placed in the Swatch archive, where it has been carefully preserved ever since. The work is an original, a one-of-a-kind unique piece.". So this is as close to a real 80s Keith Haring Swatch as it can be! Update 2: Swatch has announced several BREAK FREE Collection events: 10-OCT: New York City; 11-OCT: Athens (Greece); 12-OCT: Berlin (Germany); 19-OCT: Paris (France), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Istanbul (Turkey), Taipei (Taiwan), Mexico City (Mexico); 19 to 24-OCT: Shanghai (China); 22-OCT: Milano (Italy); 25-OCT: Bangkok (Thailand). For details such as time and location, see Swatch website.
- Swatch Exhibition in Austria. A Swatch Exhibition is now on display at the Museum Horn in Austria (until 15-NOV). A number of Swatch watches from the collection of Eduard Reininger is being shown.
- Simpsons Family Maxi. A very yellow web-exclusive The Simpsons Family Maxi (MGJ001, 495 EURO) is now available in the Swatch online store. This watch is only available as a huge Maxi Swatch, it is not available as a regular small Gent Swatch.
- Swatch X The Simpsons Halloween specials. According to a GQ Magazine Germany report, Swatch will release two Swatch X The Simpsons Halloween specials on 26-SEP: 1. Big Bold Aye Carumboo! (SB01Z105, Bart Simpson); 2. Bio-sourced New Gent D'oh Of The Dead (SO29Z135, Día de los Muertos on 31-OCT).
- Dope Up In Smoke Big Bold special. After the Web exclusive Big Bold Valentine's special Bio-sourced It's A Pleasure (SB03Z104, 125 GBP), Swatch has released another controversial Big Bold special: Up In Smoke (SB03Z103, 125 GBP), it is part of the Pufffframic Collection: "Delivering laidback vibes". It is not available online in many Middle East / Asian countries due to restricted drug laws... As you can see from the ref.no. (SB03U103), the Up In Smoke watch is quite old already (it predates It's A Pleasure (SB03Z104)). The release was pushed back several times, an earlier prototype was changed significantly (definitely an improvement).
- Paris 2024 Olympics IOC specials. Two special IOC Swatch watches were issued for the Olympic Games Paris 2024: 1. Bluerang IOC (YIZ410, closeup) based on Irony SISTEM51 Bluerang (YIS430) from 2020; 2. Confidence 51 IOC (SY23Z401, closeup) based on Irony SISTEM51 Petite Seconde Confidence 51 (SY23S413) from 2023. Both watches are packaged in a nice special "#Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together" paper box featuring the Olympic Rings. Thanks to Fabrizio for the photos.
- The story of oigol ORO of Vladimir Horowitz. oigol ORO (GZ113, 1988) by Mimmo Paladino is one of the most sought after Swatch watches. The production run was limited to 140 watches (100 watches with arabic numbers xxx/100 (on the back) gifted to VIPs and 40 watches with roman numbers xxxx/XL used internally at Swatch for exhibitions etc.). oigol ORO 047/100 was gifted to pianist Vladimir Horowitz (1903 - 1989). So where is this ultra rare watch today? Check out the great story ... And the Maestro's Swatch by Brendan Cunningham.
- Blancpain X Swatch finally available online. After one year, the Blancpain X Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Collection is finally available for purchase online since 20-SEP. But it is still quite restricted as only three BxS watches are available (Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean) and only in the USA ("Due to very high demand, the shipment of this product may be delayed") and Australia. So the rest of the world is still waiting for online availability...
- ESA Earth SwatchXYou specials. One year after the 2023 ESA Space SwatchXYou specials, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Swatch have unveiled a second collection of seven SwatchXYou watches: ESA Earth: 1. Chad (canvas); 2. Flinders (canvas); 3. Glacier (canvas); 4. Larsen (canvas); 5. Rhine (canvas); 6. South America (canvas); 7. Subset (canvas).
- Paris 2024 Olympics NOC special. For the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (26-JUL to 11-AUG), the first NOC special has surfaced, it is a Bio-sourced Gent: 1. NOC Paris 2024 Hong Kong (SO28Z124K, loop around the strap). Here is a close-up of the watch face. More country watches: 2. NOC Paris 2024 Australia (SO28Z124D); 3. NOC Paris 2024 Austria (SO28Z124E, loop around the strap); 4. NOC Paris 2024 Germany (SO28Z124J, loop around the strap); 5. NOC Paris 2024 Portugal (SO28Z124O, loop around the strap); 6. NOC Paris 2024 Monaco (SO28Z124W, loop around the strap); 7. NOC Paris 2024 Chinese Taipei (SO28Z124X, loop around the strap); 8. NOC Paris 2024 Brazil (SO28Z124?) 9. NOC Paris 2024 Morocco (SO28Z124?). Thanks to Tak Lun Lee, Thomas Chan, Roberto Geremia, Daniel Licata and Fabrizio for the photos.
- MoonSwatch finally available online. After two and a half years, the MoonSwatch is finally available for purchase online since 04-SEP. But it is still quite restricted as only four MoonSwatch watches are available (Mission On Earth, Mission To The Sun, Mission To The Moon, Mission To Mars) and only in the USA ("Due to very high demand, the shipment of this product may be delayed") and China and Australia. So the rest of the world is still waiting for online availability...
- Paris Olympics 2024 IOC special. A nice Paris Olympics 2024 IOC special (with the Olympic rings on the dial) has surfaced: Irony Sistem 51 Petite Seconde Blue IOC (ref.no. SZ23Z4???). Here is a close look at the watch face. The regular version without the Olympic rings was released in 2020: Irony Sistem 51 Petite Seconde Blue (SY23S403).
- Paris Olympics Hospitality special. A special Bio-sourced New Gent Paris 2024 Official Hospitality (SO29G109) has been distributed as a special commemorative gift included in the Paris Olympics VIP Hospitality packages. The Paris 2024 Official Hospitality watch looks very similar to the New Gent Green Backside Wave (SO29G108, packaging). Except for the different loop around the strap, I cannot spot a difference. So: Why does this special have a different ref.code? It should have been SO29G108C, right? (because it is "only" a strap variant)
- Swatch Pop-up store @ Paris Olympics. The Maison Suisse (House of Switzerland) at the Paris Olympics (in the Garden of the Swiss Embassy in Paris) also contains a Swatch Pop-up store.
- "Blue Hour" MoonSwatch. In a cryptic Instagram teaser, Swatch is hinting at a new "Blue Hour" MoonSwatch special: "Available from 01 to 19-AUG, but only after 5pm". Could it be a blue Snoopy Moonphase watch? 19-AUG is "Blue Moon" Full Moon. 04-AUG is New Moon. On 23-JUL, Swatch has unveiled the newest addition to the MoonSwatch product line and no, it is not a "Snoopy" MoonSwatch. Mission To The Super Blue Moonphase (SO33N700, 315 EURO). The MoonSwatch has a "Panda dial" and a multi-shade blue moon phase with UV ink (with "SUPER BLUE MOON" inscription), that is set against a dark celestial background and positioned at the 2 o’clock subdial. For the first time with MoonSwatch, a blue Pulsometer scale ("Gradué Pour 30 Pulsations") is used (instead of a "Tachymètre" scale). The watch will be available from 01 to 19-AUG after 5pm in a quite limited number of Swatch stores (Germany only 4, Switzerland only 6 etc.). More details and photos can be found here. Update: Mission To The Super Blue Moonphase will also be sold in several Pop-up stores, eg. at the Blue Cargo beach bar in Biarritz (France) from 03 to 10-AUG. Update 2: At the Blue Hour bar at the Swatch HQ in Biel, circa 14 Mission To The Super Blue Moonphase watches are sold every day. Thanks to Bernd Eigler for the photos.
- Nico Rosberg MoonSwatch. During the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix on 21-JUL, former Formula One champion Nico Rosberg was wearing a MoonSwatch Mission To Mercury.
- Swatch store Firenze by Lorenzo Petrantoni. The Italian Swatch artist Lorenzo Petrantoni has contributed to the design of the new Swatch store Firenze (Italy). In 2012, Lorenzo Petrantoni has designed five black and white Swatch watches.
- Locarno Film Festival 2024 special. A special
Bio-sourced What If? Swatch Locarno77
(SO34Z100, 120 EURO) for the 77th
Locarno Film Festival 2024 (07 to 17-AUG) is now on sale
in the Swatch online store, probably worldwide. The special is
packaged in a paper box (open
box). This time, the watch was not designed by the artist
who designed the official poster
for the Film Festival (Annie
Leibowitz). The watch
was first "leaked" during the presentation
of the Locarno Film Festival at the Biblioteca
Cantonale in Bellinzona on 10-JUL. Thanks to Christine Tanner for the information.
- Swatch Proteam collection. Swatch has launched a new Swatch Proteam collection consisting of four watches created by four Swatch Proteam icons: 1. Skin Irony Coco Ho Blu (SYXG127, 182 GBP, packaging) by surfing sensation Coco Ho; 2. Big Bold Bio-sourced G-Turn (SB05K105, 135 GBP, packaging) by BMX flatland star Matthias Dandois; 3. Big Bold Bio-sourced The Pilgrim - Tread On It (SB05K103, 125 GBP, packaging) by British freeride MTB sensation Sam Pilgrim; 4. Bio-sourced New Gent Time With Andy Anderson (SO29J101, 106 GBP, packaging) by skateboarding virtuoso Andy Anderson.
- ETA Apprenticeship 2024 special. Swiss movement manufacturer ETA develops and produces calibres for the watch industry (ETA is part of Swatch Group). A new special ETA Apprenticeship 2024 special has surfaced, it was handed out to the 160 ETA apprenticeship graduates of 2024.
- SwatchXYou Summer In Space Collection. Swatch has partnered with British artist Edward Carvalho-Monaghan, known for his detailed and dreamlike aesthetic. Two SwatchXYou imagining Summer in Space have been released: 1. Astral Airport (canvas); 2. Holiday Vortex (canvas).
- Colors Of Joy collection. On 11-JUL, Swatch will release a new Big Bold collection called Colors Of Joy: It consists of six colorful biosourced Big Bold watches in bright neon colors: 1. Pink Joy (SB05P102, 115 GBP); 2. Orange Joy (SB05O103, 115 GBP); 3. Navy Joy (SB05N116, 115 GBP); 4. Yellow Joy (SB05J103, 115 GBP); 5. Turquoise Joy (SB05L101, 115 GBP); 6. Purple Joy (SB05V103, 115 GBP).
- Maxi Swatch in German TV show. A well used and yellowed Maxi Swatch Vasily (MLW111, 1987) was recently sold for 200 Euro in the German TV show Bares für Rares (a bit similar to Antiques Roadshow). The TV show expert had estimated a value of 120-150 EURO. You can watch the ZDF TV show (from 01-JUL) online here, the segment with the Swatch Maxi starts at 22:53 and later at 31:50. Hopefully, it is not geoblocked. Some German websites also had a news snippet about the Maxi Swatch.
- Beach Pro Gstaad 2024 special. The Swatch Beach Pro Gstaad will take place from 3 to 7-JUL-2024 as a tournament in the highest category of the Beach Volleyball Pro Tour. The Swatch website has a special section about the Beach Volleyball tournament in Gstaad. A special Swatch Beach Pro Gstaad 2024 has been released for this event.
- New Stuttgart Swatch store. A new
Swatch store will open its doors in Stuttgart, Germany,
Stiftstraße, probably mid July. Thanks to Franz Stegner for the photo.
- New Mission On Earth MoonSwatch release! On 07-JUN, Swatch has release a "teaser" Instagram reel hinting at some new (Moon)Swatch watches later in June, maybe as early as next week. The Instagram reel shows some "fire, water, earth and air" (my guess), so it may be 3 or 4 new watches (we already have Mission On Earth).... Let's get the speculation started [and check out the Swatch stores for some new suitcases(?)]! Update: A second Instagram reel on 09-JUN shows a new, smaller MoonSwatch suitcase, so 3 or 4 new MoonSwatch watches seems to be right. Update 2: On 12-JUN, Swatch has unveiled three new Mission On Earth MoonSwatch watches, showcasing earth from space: 1. Mission On Earth - Lava (SO33O100); 2. Mission On Earth - Polar Lights (SO33L103); 3. Mission On Earth - Desert (SO33T103). These three watches are not limited and they will be available for sale starting 15-JUN for 275 EURO each. In the Swatch stores, the watches are displayed in a nice new suitcase. Here is a photo of the suitcase in Cologne (Germany) and here is a closeup of the watches. Thanks to Klaus-Dieter Klein for the photos.
- New Blancpain X Swatch straps. Two Blancpain X Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathom swatches are now available with vibrant color straps: 1. Pacific Ocean (SO35P100, old strap was more black); 2. Indian Ocean (SO35I100, old strap was more black);
- Paris 2024 Olympics specials. For the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (26-JUL to 11-AUG), three new Olympic specials are now available in the Swatch stores in France and also online worldwide (since 30-MAY): 1. Bio-sourced New Gent Green Backside Wave (SO29G108, 90 EURO, packaging, Surfing); 2. Plastic Chrono Blue Heelflip (SUSN420, 130 EURO, Skateboard); 3. Bio-sourced Gent Purple Rollshot (SO28V700, 75 EURO, packaging, Volleyball). Thanks to David Catel for the photos.
- Swatch Finder is back! After many years of unavailability, it seems that the Swatch Finder is (currently? permanently?) back on the International Swatch website! It now has a database of more than 8000 watches. If you search for an older specific watch which is out of stock at Swatch, be sure to click "All watches" instead of the default "Available watches", otherwise, you will not get a useful search result... Thanks to Brian Martin for the discovery.
- Inside ETA Manufacture report. Hodinkee Japan has a nice detailed report Inside The Manufacture (Google translation) about the recent success of MoonSwatch, a visit to the ETA factory W35 (Boncourt, Sistem51), and an interview with Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek. The report includes a lot of great photos, so check it out! Update: On 06-AUG, an English translation was published on hodinkee.com.
- Swatch CEO Alain Villard interview. Monocle online magazine has a nice interview with Swatch CEO Alain Villard.
- Zermatt Destination SwatchXYou. Another prefabricated Destination SwatchXYou special is now available in Zermatt, Switzerland since 16-MAY: Greetings From Zermatt SXY (SUOK144-066, 100 CHF). The watch is prefabricated Destination SwatchXYou special #7, packaged in the brown Destination paper sleeve. It seems that quite a few older Destination specials are "sold out" / "out of print" in the meantime.
- Nemo and the Drive Thru Store. On 11-MAY, Nemo (Swiss rapper and singer from Biel) has won the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden. Congratulations, winning with the best song in the competition! In June 2019, Nemo was present at the opening of the first Swatch Drive Thru Store in Biel near Swatch HQ. Back then, Nemo was the first to buy a Swatch in the new store (video). Thanks to Carlos Zanotelli for the information.
- Paris 2024 Olympics Volunteer / Staff specials. For the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (26-JUL to 11-AUG), Swatch will release two specials which are not available for sale to the general public: 1. Olympics Paris 2024-Volunteers (SO28Z123-5300, packaging); 2. Gent SwatchPAY! Olympics Paris 2024-Staff (SO28Z130-5300). The Swatch website has more information about the Volunteer special. The photos of these watches can be found when using the SwatchPAY! App. Thanks to Oscar for the information.
- Shareholder special 2024. On 08-MAY, the annual Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Swatch Group was held in a virtual setup. Every shareholder who registered in time will receive a special Shareholder Swatch Swiss Ride (SO32Z108) as a gift (as every year). Thanks to Carlos Zanotelli for the photos.
- NEON 2024 collection. Swatch has revamped six iconic 80s & 90s watches with vibrant colours, boosted designs, and unique details and the NEON 2024 collection has been released on 02-MAY: 1. Bio-sourced New Gent Swatch Neon Rider (SO29G106, 77 GBP, packaging) refers to the original 1988 Gent Neo Rider (GG103); 2. Plastic Chrono Swatch Neon Wave (SUSJ404, 115 GBP, packaging) refers to the very popular original 1991 Chrono Neo Wave (SCJ100); 3. Bio-sourced Gent Swatch Neon Pink Podium (SO28K111, 67 GBP, packaging) refers to the original 1990 Lady Pink Podium (LK119); 4. Big Bold Swatch Neon Jelly (SB02K100, 145 GBP, packaging) refers to the very popular original 1993 Chrono Jelly Stag (SCK104); 5. Plastic Chrono Swatch Neon Flash Arrow (SUSG408, 115 GBP, packaging) refers to the very popular original 1991 Chrono Flash Arrow (SCL100); 6. Bio-sourced Skin Swatch Neon Hot Racer (SS08K119, 106 UKP, packaging) refers to the original 1988 Lady Hot Racer (LK115). Two of the watches in the NEON collection are also available in selected countries as SwatchPAY! : 1. Swatch Neon Pink Podium Pay! (SO28K112-5300, 77 GBP); Swatch Neon Jelly Pay! (SB02K101-5300, 155 GBP).
- Simpsons Graduation special. On 02-MAY, Swatch has released a new addition to the Simpsons Collection, right in time for Graduation Day: A Bio-sourced Gent Class Act (SO28Z118, 86 GBP), featuring Lisa carrying a stack of books on the dial. The watch is also available in selected countries as SwatchPAY! Class Act Pay! (SO28Z119-5300, 96 GBP).
- Swatch X Verdy collection. Swatch presents a collaboration with famous Japanese graphic artist Verdy at Biennale Arte 2024 in Venice, Italy (Swatch is a main sponsor). An imposing 4-metre bronze-colored figure of Vick (a panda-rabbit character) has been unveiled on 18-APR at the Giardini. At the same time, a limited edition Bio-sourced Gent special Vick Bronze By Verdy (SO28Z701, 91 GBP) has been released for sale by Swatch, packaged in a black paper box (open box). Update: On 25-APR, four more watches in the Swatch X Verdy collection were launched worldwide: 1. Bio-sourced New Gent Visty By Verdy (SO29Z140, 96 GBP, packaging); 2. Bio-sourced New Gent Vick By Verdy (SO29Z138; 96 GBP, packaging); 3. Bio-sourced Gent Girls Don't Cry By Verdy (SO28Z129, 86 GBP, packaging); 4. Bio-sourced New Gent Wasted Youth By Verdy (SO29Z141, 96 GBP, packaging). Additionally, Visty By Verdy is available as a limited edition Maxi Swatch (length 2,10 m), price is surprisingly high (430 GBP!): Maxi Visty By Verdy (MSO29Z140, 430 GBP, packaging). After two weeks, the Maxi is not yet sold out, probably due to the high price. Previous Artist Maxis from the last years sold out very fast (only a few hundred were made). The limited edition size is not known for the Maxi Visty By Verdy.
- Biennale Arte 2024 special. A Bio-sourced New Gent special watch to celebrate 60th International Art Exhibition in Venice has been released: Biennale Arte 2024 (SO29B112, 90 EURO). The watch will be worn by volunteers at the event, sold in the Biennale stores and in selected Swatch stores in Venice. Designed in collaboration with the Paris-born and Palermo-based Claire Fontaine collective, this special Swatch sports the words “FOREIGNERS EVERYWHERE” – the Biennale Arte 2024 theme – on the dial. The watch is packaged in the red eco packaging with a special "FOREIGNERS EVERYWHERE" paper loop around the sleeve. Additionally, Swatch presents six talented former artists-in-residence from the Swatch Art Peace Hotel (Shanghai) in Venice at the Swatch Faces 2024 exhibition at the Arsenale.
- The Nines Snow 2024 special. Swatch Nines Snow 2024 took place in Schilthorn (Switzerland) from 09 to 13-APR. A special Swatch Nines Snow 2024 (S029B113) was released, a (so far unreleased) New Gent with "Time Is What You Make Of It" on the dial with a special The Nines strap. Very few pieces (maybe only 25) were available for sale to the general public, the rest was distributed to athletes, VIPs etc. I assume that this watch will be available for sale with a different strap soon everywhere. During Swatch Nines 2024 Snow, three world records were set for Highest Air!
- Laurent Stefani Fragments OF TIME. VIsual creative artist Laurent Stefani (Swatch Club Pioneer member since the last millennium) has produced very nice sculptures with Swatch watches and other creative fields (music, lightning, ...) since 1991. Laurent has now revamped his website so check out the Fragments OF TIME (and the rest of the website of course): Neon, Colors, "Flextricity", and so much more... Amazing stuff!
- Two Snoopy MoonSwatch specials! On 19-FEB, Swatch has published a second Snoopy Instagram reel. This time, the reel shows a birthday cake with two candles (one black and one white, probably hinting at the second MoonSwatch anniversary on 26-MAR-2024). The first Snoopy Swatch Instagram reel was published on 25-JAN-2024. Update: Snoopy MoonSwatch will be released on 26-MAR-2024 (2nd MoonSwatch anniversary). On 15-MAR, Swatch published a large ad in Financial Times Switzerland and other newspapers around the world depicting a Snoopy (dog) paw on the moon (and a "(C) 2024 Peanuts Worldwide LLC" copyright notice in the lower right corner), with a date 26-MAR-2024... Update 2: On 20-MAR, Swatch published an Instagram reel hinting at a moonphase subdial on the upcoming Snoopy MoonSwatch (incl. fluorescent statement: 'I Can't Sleep Without A Night Light!'). The internet is already going crazy with eBay preorders selling for more than 3000 GBP?!? Update 3: On 21-MAR, Swatch unveiled the newest addition to the MoonSwatch product line on Instagram: The all white, non-limited Mission To The Moonphase (SO33W700, 270 GBP). The top right subdial features a Snoopy moon phase indicator, with a special hidden 'glow in the dark' message: 'I Can't Sleep Without A Night Light!' The backside of the watch features a special "Snoopy paw on the Moon" battery cover. Discover all details about the Moon Phase Indicator on the special Mission To The Moonphase page on the Swatch website. Mission To The Moonphase will be sold in selected Swatch stores around the world on 26-MAR. In Taiwan, the watch was also unveiled in a large newspaper ad. Update 4: On 26-MAR (2nd anniversary of MoonSwatch), Mission To The Moonphase was released in many participating Swatch stores around the world with long queues as expected. The number of available watches was often surprisingly low so some disappointment among the early queuers (numbers collected from various resources): Basel 20, Zermatt 15, Crans-Montana 15, Zurich 100, Bern 50, Biel 30, Munich 50, Mannheim 15, Düsseldorf 25, Liverpool less than 30, London Covent Garden 50, Milano 50, Toulouse 25, Paris 40, Strasbourg 25, Thessaloniki 5, Macau 10, Hong Kong 30, Melbourne 30, Philippines 14, Las Vegas 50, San Diego 30, Houston less than 30, Los Angeles 24, Austin 25, Honululu 25, San Jose 15, Vancouver 16, Burnaby Canada 15, ... Many customers got a free mini UV light as a gift with purchase. The watch is packaged in a white box with a nice Snoopy imprint and a little booklet. Update 5: The Snoopy story continues: On 31-MAR, Swatch has published a new Snoopy video on Instagram, with Snoopy unable to blow out the black candle on the cake with the two candles (white and black). "The internet" is now speculating that a second Snoopy MoonSwatch may be released, this time in black color. 08-APR is a likely release date. Update 6: On 05-APR, Swatch announced the second Mission To The Moonphase watch on Instagram and in large newspaper ads (eg. Süddeutsche Zeitung Germany): Mission To The Moonphase - New Moon (SO33B700, 270 GBP). The non-limited black MoonSwatch will be sold in Swatch stores around the world on 08-APR. Again, Snoopy, NASA’s safety ambassador since the 1960s, is featured lying on the moon on the moon phase disc, which rotates in the subdial set at 2 o’clock. Thanks to Carlos Zanotelli for the photos and to Thomas Chan for the hint.
- SwatchXYou Swiss Timing special. A Swiss Timing SwatchXYou special has surfaced (closeup of strap), probably a B2B special distributed by Swiss Timing (a Swatch Group company). Thanks to Daniel Licata for the photos.
- A Tour of the SISTEM51 factory in Boncourt. Fratello Watches has a great report A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Swatch SISTEM51 — Including A Tour Of ETA In Boncourt, with many photos and an interview with Swatch CEO Alain Villard. Two interesting details in the interview: 1. "...the SISTEM51 movement in the Blancpain X Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms can indeed be replaced." I did not know this; 2. "... the SISTEM51 movement used in the Scuba Fifty Fathoms undergo a further 14 days of testing once cased.", so these movements are specially selected (mine runs fine with only very few seconds deviation).
- New Big Bold Irony straps. The five "metal strap" Big Bold Irony watches (with the colorful closed dial) are now available with colored (non-metal) straps in Switzerland only. Thanks to Andrea Marco Faggioli for the photos.
- Swatch X Tate Art Journey 2024 collection.
Swatch invites to a Swatch
Art Journey in London (an immersive art experience at 180 Studios) from 21 to
23-MAR. Here
are some impressions from London.
The Swatch X Tate Art Journey 2024 collection has now been unveiled in London in conjunction with the Tate Gallery. It will be released in two batches (March and April), seven watches in total:
21-MAR:
04-APR:Name Artist Ref.Code /
Price / Year
Painting Leger’s Two Women Holding Flowers
packagingFernand Léger SUOZ363(C)
96 GBP
1954
Chagall's Blue Circus
packagingMarc Chagall
SUOZ365(C)
96 GBP
1950
Miró's Women and Bird in the Moonlight
packagingJoan Miró
SO29Z136(C)
96 GBP
1949
Turner's Scarlet Sunset
packagingJMW Turner
SO28Z700(C)
86 GBP
c.1830-40
Each watch exists in two strap versions:Name Artist Ref.Code /
Price / Year
Painting Matisse's Snail
packaging
Henri Matisse SO28Z127(C)
86 GBP
1953
Bourgeois's Spirals
packaging
Louise Bourgeois
SUOZ364(C)
96 GBP
2005
also available
as SwatchPAY! (SVIZ105-5300)
Barns-Graham's Orange and Red on Pink
packagingWilhelmina Barns-Graham SUOZ362(C)
96 GBP
1991
For the UK, the watch has a small loop "TATE" (ref.code with additional "C" at the end).
For the rest of the world, the watch has a larger loop "TATE Gallery" (standard ref.code), exception: SO28Z127 (two loops). - German TV report about the "clock giant 'Swatch'". German TV science magazine Galileo has published a nice report about Swatch: Schrill, bunt, Kult: Wie tickt der Schweizer Uhren-Gigant "Swatch"? It features a review of Swatch history in the 80s and 90s, an interview (at Swatch HQ!) with Swatch CEO Alain Villard, a visit to the SISTEM51 factory (ETA in Boncourt), a meeting with a Swatch collector (Robert-Jan Broer from Fratello Watches), and a visit to the Swatch store in Düsseldorf. Highly recommended!
- SwatchXYou Lunar Zodiac Collection. Swatch has released a new SwatchXYou Lunar Zodiac Collection featuring the distinctive work of former Swatch Art Peace Hotel artist-in-residence Feng Bin. He stayed at the Hotel in Shanghai in 2021. His eye-catching designs depict scenes from the fairy tales of each Lunar Zodiac animal, bringing them to life for a modern audience. The collection consists of twelve watches: 1. Dragon (canvas); 2. Rat (canvas); 3. Monkey (canvas); 4. Ox (canvas); 5. Snake (canvas); 6. Rooster (canvas); 7. Tiger (canvas); 8. Horse (canvas); 9. Dog (canvas); 10. Rabbit (canvas); 11. Goat (canvas); 12. Pig (canvas).
- Nike SB 20 Years special. A very limited Swatch New Gent special Nike SB 20 Years (SUOB402F) has been distributed to friends and family of Nike SB (Skateboarding) in 2022. The watch is packaged in a very nice paper sleeve.
- R.I.P. Pigcasso. The world famous painting pig Pigcasso
has died a few
days ago in South Africa. In 2019, Pigcasso designed one
of the most successful limited art Swatch releases of the last
years: Flying Pig By Ms
Pigcasso (SUOZ299S) which sold out very quickly.
Rest In Peace or as Pigcasso would say: "Less meat. More
art. Oink on."
- Time to Inspire Storyboard Competition. Swatch is a sponsoring partner in the UK Time to Inspire Storyboard Competition. This competition is open to inspired young filmmakers who have a story idea for a short film and would like to win the chance to get it made.
- Swatch Art Journey London. Swatch invites to a Swatch Art Journey in London (an immersive art experience at 180 Studios) from 21 to 23-MAR. Reserve your participation now, time slots are limited.... A new Museum collection with seven Swatch watches is coming soon I guess, in conjunction with a famous London Museum.
- Swatch Nines 2024 events. Swatch has published a special page about the upcoming Swatch Nines 2024 events: 1. Snow 13-APR Schilthorn (Switzerland); 2. MTB 14-SEP Sölden (Austria); 3. Surf 17-OCT Waco (USA).
- MoonSwatch Suitcase Charity Auction. Omega
(not Swatch!) is auctioning (though Sotheby’s)
eleven of the infamous blue
Omega X Swatch suitcases each containing the eleven
Mission to Moonshine Gold MoonSwatch specials release in
2023. These blue suitcases were never available for sale
before. 100% of the online MoonSwatch
Moonshine Gold Auction Omega For Orbis proceeds (bidding
from 12 to 24-FEB [the next full moon!]) will be given to Omega's
favourite charity organization: Orbis
International and its Flying Eye Hospital. This is
the very first time that these rare models are offered together in one
set, and even more important: the first time that the special
blue suitcase is available for sale. From 01 to 11-FEB, the
eleven Mission to Moonshine
Gold suitcases are on display at eleven OMEGA Boutiques
around the world: Zurich, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong,
Beijing, New York, London, Milan, Paris, and Sydney. The
suitcases are unique, as they contain a golden monocle with the OMEGA
x Swatch logo, and a one-of-a-kind
coin, engraved with the 3-letter aviation code from their
displayed city (such as HKG for Hong Kong). This same code will be engraved on the side of
all watches within the suitcase for that particular city (so
each of the 121 Mission to Moonshine Gold watches in the
eleven suitcases is a unique watch!). Bravo to Omega and Swatch for
initiating this charity auction, I expect lots of $$$ for a good cause
(totally out of reach for us Swatch collectors I guess)... Some
more details and photos at Hodinkee.
Update: A few photos
of the actual blue suitcase at Omega in
Singapore. Update 2: The eleven lots
(individual suitcases) at Sotheby's are online
now. Estimate is 5,000 - 10,000 CHF (no reserve). A nice
new webpage
at Sotheby's about the auction. Update
3: On 19-FEB, five days before the end of the auction,
bids for the suitcases are between 30000 CHF (Sydney, Hong Kong, Toky,
Singapore) and 42000 CHF (New York). Update 4: The
eleven auction lots ended on 24-FEB after an intense bidding activity
(but no "last seconds bids" as on eBay). Total results for
charity: 534,670 CHF (incl. buyer's premium):
Lot No.
City
# bids
Final price (CHF)
1
Sydney 48 44,450 2
Beijing 62 60,960 3
Paris 62 53,340 4
Hong Kong
59 44,450 5
Milan 63 48,260 6
Tokyo 41 44,450 7
Singapore 58 38,100 8
Bangkok 63 48,260 9
London 48 44,450 10
New York 44 57,150 11
Zurich 50 50,800 TOTAL
598 534,670 CHF - Mother's day / Father's day Simpsons specials. Two more Simpsons specials have been released by Swatch for Mother's day and Father's day: 1. Bio-sourced Gent BEST. MOM. EVER. (SO28Z116, packaging, 100 EURO); 2. Bio-sourced Big Bold BEST. DAD. EVER. (SB05Z100, packaging, 145 EURO). Availability of the watches in different countries varies (depending on the day of celebration of Mother's day / Father's day).
- MoonSwatch Suitcase Fractionalization. Do you want to own a fraction of the blue MoonSwatch suitcase? Swatch Club Pioneer member Carlos Zanotelli is looking for supporters to purchase the OMEGA x Swatch 'Zurich Edition' blue suitcase. Check it out!
- Four additional What If? watches. A teaser by Swatch Italy on Instagram (with Italian Rapper Dargen D'Amico) unveils a new addition (rose color) to the Bioceramic What If? collection. In total, four new square What If? watches in pastel colors will be released: 1. What If Lemon (SO34J700); 2. What If Mint (SO34G701); 3. What If Rose (SO34P700); 4. What If Sky (SO34S700).
- Web Exclusive Big Bold Valentine's special. A Web Exclusive Big Bold Valentine's special is now available on the Swatch website: Big Bold Bio-sourced It's A Pleasure (SB03Z104, 125 GBP). The watch is being advertised with a slightly frivolous touch: 'The ultimate "blue pill"','Make your love grow', etc. It's only available for purchase if you are at least 18 years old :-) Looking forward to see photos of the packaging...
- No Mission To Moonshine Gold January WOLF Full Moon. As suspected / expected, Swatch has not released a new Mission To Moonshine Gold for the Wolf Moon: Full Moon in January 2024 (25-JAN). Swatch has posted a howling Snoopy video on Instagram on 25-JAN. Only a joke or can we expect a Snoopy MoonSwatch soon? The teasing continues....
- Power Of Nature collection. A nice Instagram teaser has announced a new Power Of Nature collection consisting of four Irony Swatch watches: 1. Irony New Chrono By The Bonfire (YVB416, 265 EURO); 2. Skin Irony Sunbaked Sandstone (SYXM100, 215 EURO); 3. Big Bold Irony Frostbloom (SB07S116G, 220 EURO); 4. Skin Irony 42 Splash Dance (SS07S143G, 220 EURO). Update: This report (archived version) contains photos of three additional Power Of Nature watches (bio-sourced?) which will probably be released at a later time (in March?): Skin / Big Bold / New Gent.
- New Omega X Swatch collaboration? According to this
Corriere Del Ticino report, Swatch will announcea new
Omega X Swatch Speedmaster collaboration in the next weeks. It
may be a project related to a charity organization for children.
Thanks to Agostino Pagani for
the hint.
- Simpsons Valentine's Day collection. As unveiled in Taiwanese online magazine Mixfit (Google Translate), Swatch will release two nice special Simpsons watches for Valentine's Day on 18-JAN: 1. Bio-sourced New Gent Sweet Embrace (SO29Z120, packaging); 2. Bio-sourced Gent Angel Bart (SO28Z115, packaging).
- Black "Ocean Of Storms" Blancpain X Swatch. A mysterious newspaper ad has appeared in Germany (Süddeutsche Zeitung), Italy (Corriere della Sera), and Switzerland (Financial Times) on 05-JAN, hinting at a Ocean Of Storms special on 11-JAN (first new moon of 2024). Will we see Blancpain X Swatch specials in 2024 for every new moon? Maybe not: "Ocean Of Storms" (Oceanus Procellarum) is a vast lunar mare on the western edge of the near side of the Moon. So probably another MoonSwatch? Or Blancpain X Swatch? Update: Instagram teaser published on 08-JAN (following the usual playbook :-) Update 2: On 09-JAN, the Swatch website has been updated with a list of stores where the black Ocean Of Storms special will be available on 11-JAN. In Germany, the watch will be available in Hamburg and in Düsseldorf. Additionally, a special black Fiat 500 is now on display in Tokyo (probably at the Nicolas G. Hayek Center in the Ginza district), and Lugano (front / back). Update 3: The new Ocean Of Storms special has been unveiled by Swatch on Instagram: It is a non-limited black sixth Blancpain X Swatch Ocean Of Storms (SO35B400, 400 EURO), available worldwide on 11-JAN in selected Swatch stores. You can find more information on Hodinkee and Fratello Watches. As there are only five oceans on earth: The new black Ocean of Storms Swatch features an illustration of the Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms) region of the moon and the Okenia Luna nudibranch in digital print. Please note that Swatch has increased the prices in Europe, so BxS watches now cost 400 EURO (instead of 390 EURO), MoonSwatch cost 275 EURO (instead of 265 EURO) etc. Update 4: According to Hodinkee, Ocean Of Storms has some secret luminescence on the caseback. Thanks to Franz Stegner and to Andrea Marco Faggioli for the photos.
