Many people recognize Swatch watches for their unique design features, very different from the rest of the watches on the market. But few know that the Swatch Group has a unique story and watchmaking history. In this article, we look at some of the reasons why Swatch watches are so special.
The Unique History of the Swatch Group
In order to understand why Swatch watches are so different, we need to look at the history of the Swatch Group. The company was founded in Switzerland in the early ‘80s, mainly from necessity. The Swiss watch market had been thriving for decades due to their precise mechanical movements, but the Quartz Crisis had hit the Swiss market hard.
People started buying quartz/battery-powered watches that were just as precise, or even better, at a much lower price. The majority of these watches were produced in Japan. Meanwhile, the Swiss watchmakers remained convinced that they should stick to what they knew best: mechanical movements.
Quartz vs. mechanical technology / Credit: Timepiece Legacy
This was obviously not enough to save the Swiss watch market, which was rapidly losing ground. So, Nicholas Hayek, who was back then chief advisor of the nation's watch industry, was one of the visionaries who suggested creating a quartz watch, entirely produced in Switzerland.
Thus, the Swatch watch became a thing. It was a great challenge to design a watch that will be produced 100% in Switzerland, at an affordable price, which can compete with the quartz watches already on the market. But they did manage to create something unique, a watch that will revolutionize the Swiss watchmaking industry.
And through the great success that Swatch enjoyed on the market, other brands like Omega, Tissot, and Longines (now part of the Swatch group) were given a chance to thrive as well.
The Swatch Watch
1987 Swatch Lady LW116 Nikolai Watch and the 1996 Swatch ‘Olympic Portraits’ Annie Leibovitz
Why are Swatch watches so special? First of all, unlike most watches, they come in hundreds of different designs. Colorful, quirky, absolutely unique. A Swatch, or a ‘second watch’ is the accessory that allows you to wear your personality on your wrist. With so many different models and collections to choose from, you will surely be able to find a Swatch watch that best suits your tastes.
Secondly, Swatch watches are very desirable because at a very affordable price they come with a Swiss-made quartz movement, and they are very durable (made of either plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum, and water-resistant).
Since 1983, Swatch have released numerous watch models, and they've worked on different Swatch collections. Some of the most popular collections are: Swatch Irony, Swatch Scuba, Swatch Jelly, as well as the retro Swatch Pop watches. Swatch Pop watches are so beloved by vintage Swatch fans that they are making a comeback in recent years. If you're lucky, you can find a new version of the Pop Swatch in your local Swatch store.
By: Bejan George Bogdan/Vintage Radar
This article was written by Bejan George Bogdan of VintageRadar.com. If you want to learn more about the history of Swatch watches and have a look at an extensive vintage Swatch collection, make sure to check out their website.