Swiss Designer Watches

In the mid-seventies, the Swiss watch industry was in the midst of its worst crisis ever. The Japanese competition had been outclassed in 1979 with the launch of the Delirium, the world's thinnest wristwatch with a limited number of components. But the event that marked the upturn in the industry's fortunes was the founding of SMH, the Swiss Corporation for Microelectronics and Watchmaking Industries. And its answer to the crisis was Swatch - a slim plastic watch with only 51 components (instead of the usual 91 parts or more) that combined top quality with a highly affordable price.


Swatch 'Rose Bouquet' Watch
Cute graphics inspired by nature pattern a fun plastic watch.
• Approx. case diameter: Blue 37mm; Ladybug 33mm; Rose 25mm.
• Approx. band width: Blue 19mm; Ladybug 17mm; Rose 15mm.
• Water-resistant to 30 meters.
• Silicone/plastic.
• Buckle closure.
$55

Swatch first went on sale in 1983. Since this time, it has gone on to become the most successful wristwatch of all time, and The Swatch Group, the parent company, is the largest and most dynamic watch company in the world.


Swatch 'Natural Sophistication' Watch
Light, feathery brushstrokes pattern a striking watch with a sleek patent leather strap. An understated dial in brushed silvertone is the elegant finishing touch.
Stainless steel/crystal/patent leather.
Buckle closure.
Swiss made.
$100

For many years, new developments have been taking place alongside the standard Swatch watch in plastic - from Irony (the metal Swatch) to the Swatch SKIN Chrono (the world's thinnest chronograph) to Swatch Snowpass (a watch with a built-in access control function which can be used as a ski pass at many ski resorts throughout the world), and Swatch Beat (featuring the revolutionary Internet Time).


Swatch White Ceramic Watch
Ceramic links accent a bracelet-style watch with a minimalist, number-free face. Round ceramic case complements the look.
• Stainless steel/ceramic/acrylic.
• Water-resistant to 30 meters.
• Band length: 140-220mm.
• Case diameter: 32mm.
• Band width: 17mm.
• Clasp closure.
$110

Outstanding technical capabilities and advances in the fields of science and technology were already proven by Swatch during its role as the Official timekeeper in several Olympic Games and Ski and Snowboard World Cup competitions.