A classic Swatch from the 80s is a timeless piece of fashion history. The brand was one of the first luxury watchmakers to incorporate collaborations into their offerings, and the 1980s were no exception. The brand enlisted artists like Keith Haring and Kiki Picasso to design a collection for the brand in 1985, and the results were a series of watches that could only be described as “art-inspired.” These watches were the forerunners of the sneaker design craze of the 1990s.
Swatch
Swatch watches were extremely popular in the 1980s and early 1990s. The average Swatch was less than $30 and came in a variety of colors and designs. The line quickly became so popular that sellers would limit the number of watches they could sell to one per customer. But some people still like to wear their throwaway watches today! This article will explore the history of the Swatch brand and its impact on the world. Let’s take a closer look at these iconic timepieces.
The original Swatch was translucent plastic with a distinctive central cage. It was available in limited quantities and featured signatures by artists such as Vivienne Westwood and Pedro Almodovar. As collectors sought to collect them, prices of these watches rose and a Mimmo Paladino limited edition of 120 sold for over CHF 56,000 at auction in 2010.
During the 80s, the youth was looking for a new way to stand out. Despite MTV, patterned leg warmers, and Trapper Keepers, there was still room for a colorful watch. Swatch took advantage of this trend by introducing colorful quartz watches. The colorful designs and bold colors helped revive the watch industry. The Swatch brand made the watch a fashion statement, and a cultural icon for the era.
Diaphane One
The Swatch Diaphane One was the first truly original watch, a mechanical carrousel tourbillon that rotated twice an hour. The limited edition of 2,222 was only made for the Place Vendome in Paris. Of the remaining 1,999 watches, only a diamond was added. The dial was made of plastic and aluminum, but many of the pieces were still made today. The diamond-encrusted version is currently on sale for $4,200.
The dial features an elegant sunburst pattern, blue minute markers and Arabic numerals. This watch was originally designed with a stainless steel bracelet. It has a circular plastic case and a stainless steel band. The watch features a 23-jewel Eta 2840 movement and a leather strap. The original warranty covers the watch for one year. A service center authorized by the brand will repair the watch.
In the 1980s, Swatch was a leader in making plastic watches, and recently announced its first mechanical watch. The Diaphane One Turning Gold features an exquisite revolving movement and high-end finishings. It is a true statement of the artistry of a watchmaker. The watch will be available in limited editions of only 100 pieces. It is limited to specific markets, and will be sold for a modest $7,570.
Big Bold Jellyfish
This Swatch Big Bold Jellyfish timepiece is an updated version of the iconic Swatch Jellyfish from the 1980s. With a 47mm transparent dial, the watch features the watch’s functionality as the focus of its design. The semi-transparent silicone strap also features a pop of color on the hands and numbers. The retro-styled timepiece is sure to become a collector’s item.
For decades, Swatch produced the classic Jellyfish timepiece, which captivated collectors. The iconic timepiece was versatile and clear, and was available in several variations. The brand released a COSC-certified chronometer version of the Jellyfish in 1990. Last year, the company brought out a re-release of this 80s classic in the form of a re-release.
In 1983, Swatch released its transparent Original Jelly Fish GZ010. The Swiss watchmaker was known for its colorful Swatches, and even collaborated with Damien Hirst and Keith Haring to create the original. The Jelly’s transparent appearance has always made it a standout in the Swatch back catalogue. The Swatch BIG BOLD Jellyfish has a 47mm case, a silicone band, and a crown at two o’clock. It’s water-resistant to 30 meters.
Jellyfish Swatch
The Jellyfish is one of the most iconic 80s Swatch designs. Featuring a clear plastic case with brightly coloured hands, the Jellyfish was an instant hit and became a popular fashion accessory. The iconic watch was sold out worldwide, and even has a replica, the Big Bold Jelly. The Jellyfish embodied Swatch’s fun, no-frills style.
The Swatch Clearly collection features two new models from the original Jellyfish. Both models have the same case design, but they are made of bioceramic, a mixture of ceramic and plant-derived plastic that is durable and comfortable to wear. The Swatch Clearly Gent 34mm is the most authentic successor to the iconic 80s timepiece. The Jellyfish watch is still made in the same mold as its predecessors, but has a new design that captures the classic proportions of the original.
This oversized Swatch was introduced in 1983 as the company’s first transparent timepiece. The original price for this watch was 49,90 DM, or approximately twenty-five Euros. The watch was first sold in the UK in March 1983. The company distributed its watches through the Avia International Division, part of Louis Newmark plc. During the eighties, the Swatch was marketed in the UK as a sporty watch with a sports-oriented feel. The company has since made numerous models and styles.
Art Swatch
During the 80s, the Swatch watch was synonymous with colorful and abstract designs. Its simplicity was what made it a perfect canvas for colorful, abstract, and minimalist designs. The Swatch watch continues to inspire designers to this day. The colors and patterns were vibrant and often clashed, and the band was interchangeable, allowing for an infinite number of combinations. This article explores some of the most iconic 80s Art Swatch designs.
Art Swatch was the result of collaborations between Swatch and famous artists. The first artist to work on a Swatch was Kiki Picasso, who created prototypes in the mid-1980s. Later, Keith Haring, also known as Kiki Picasso, created a series of watches with Swatch. Later, four of Haring’s designs were launched in the US. Other artists involved in this collaboration included Jean-Michel Folon, Sam Francis, and Nam June Paik. During the 1980s, Swatch was also seen as the savior of the Swiss watch industry, which faced fierce competition from cheap quartz watches produced in Asia and 60,000 job losses.
Other art-centric Swatch models from the 80s were produced by artists such as Keith Haring and Vivienne Westwood. One of them, the “Orb” watch, was named after its packaging design. Another popular model, the “Putti” watch, featured a rich autumnal palette and resembled Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. These watches were produced in limited editions, with each limited to 49,999.
Diaphane II
Swatch is known for its high-quality and innovative timepieces, and the Diaphane One is one of their most complicated models yet. With its carrousel tourbillon movement that rotates twice an hour on its axis, the Diaphane One is a true masterpiece. Originally issued in 2001, this limited-edition piece was produced in a limited edition of just 2,222 pieces, with 222 of the pieces being made for the Place Vendome in Paris. The Diaphane One was made of plastic and aluminum and had a dial with a 0.075-carat diamond. This rare model is now available for a cool $4,200.
The Milano Vogue special was released for Vogue Fashion’s Night Out in Milan on 9-SEP. The package contained any Colour Code swatch, but no special loop. The watch was limited to 300 pieces and not numbered, but probably 100 for each store in Milan. Its price was around €1,300, and you can get it online here. However, the limited editions were sold out within a matter of hours.
The price of a Diaphane II swatch from the 1980s is now very affordable. The original retail price was about EUR80, but the second-hand market prices have since skyrocketed, and a vintage Swatch can fetch a price of up to EUR125. In terms of quality, these vintage timepieces are not only stylish and functional, but they’re also incredibly affordable.
Diaphane III
A Swatch is a Swiss watch brand known for its low-cost designs. During the 80s, Swatch watches were made from plastic, and the company’s first luxury watches came out in the early 2000s. This new line of Swatch watches featured the Diaphane One, a skeleton watch with a 25-ruby movement, a sleek plastic or aluminum body, and a lizard-skin leather strap.
A special bourse for a Vogue fashion night in Milan took place on September 5th. Each bourse included an unnumbered copy of any Colour Code swatch, and a regular watch with no special loop. These limited editions were produced in limited quantities, with just 300 units being produced. Of these, probably 100 will be sold at each Swatch store in Milan. This bourse was a success, and the gent’s watch were popular among collectors.
This particular swatch has a dark blue dial, white hands, and no numbers. The dial also has tiny lines on it, but no numbers. At the three-o’clock position, a day-date window appears. The dial and strap both show signs of wear and tear, but the watch is in overall great condition. The Plexiglass lens is clean and the strap is free of splits. It costs approximately $1,940.
