Mario Canonizado 
With their signature vibrant flair, the cost-effective champions at Swatch have debuted a brand-new collection of dive-style timepieces!
Whether you’re a watch enthusiast or a complete horological novice, chances are you’ve come across a Swatch at some point. If you’re unfamiliar, you might assume that their presence is a fairly recent development — especially given their frequent collaborations with pop culture icons and their strong presence in the ‘hype watch’ scene with the MoonSwatch and Scuba Fifty Fathoms. With that limited knowledge, you might also assume that Swatch is viewed by the watch world as something of an affront to traditional horology.
In that respect, you’d be half right: Swatch is indeed younger than many of its industry peers, having only been founded in 1983. However, its contribution to the world of watches is far more instrumental than most people realise.
You see, for a 20-year stretch between the late 1960s and the 1980s, the watch world faced a seismic shift known as the ‘Quartz Crisis ‘— the rise of battery-powered timepieces that most people are now familiar with. Originating in the East, particularly Japan, these quartz watches outperformed mechanical timepieces in both price and accuracy — two qualities that mechanical watches had long taken pride in.
The impact was devastating: Swiss watch industry employment alone fell by a staggering 31%. Swatch was created as Switzerland’s way of fighting fire with fire. Under the leadership of Nicolas Hayek, the brand became a driving force in the Swiss watch industry’s survival and resurgence during this turbulent era.
While that might sound like serious history for a brand often associated with playful, colourful designs, it’s a testament to Swatch’s resilience. Against all odds, the brand has continued to thrive, release after release, always with the aim of putting a smile on people’s faces. Case in point? The new SCUBAQUA collection — another cost-effective, fun-first addition to the Swatch lineup.
These watches are certainly on the larger side, measuring 44mm across, 51.5mm lug-to-lug, and 15.4mm thick. However, the case material — comprising Swatch’s signature Bioceramic and biosourced plastics derived from castor oil — helps to offset the SCUBAQUA’s hefty silhouette. This combination, paired with a flexible silicone strap, ensures that the watch remains both lightweight and durable, boasting 100 metres of water resistance. The wearing experience is further enhanced by an unusually positioned crown — located at ten o’clock instead of the conventional three — which prevents it from digging into the back of your wrist, offering improved comfort for everyday wear.
Naturally, technical specs alone wouldn’t make the SCUBAQUA stand out. In true Swatch fashion, the watch is designed to turn heads. The most eye-catching feature is the translucence of the Bioceramic case which, according to Swatch, is inspired by the jellyfish. This so-called ‘jelly effect’ mimics the alien-like translucency of the graceful sea creature, creating a vibrant, colourful display that reveals both the movement and various inner workings of the watch in a wonderfully playful and eye-grabbing way.
Pushing even further beyond the realm of subtlety, the Swatch SCUBAQUA line has launched with five vibrant new colours—each featuring the same signature translucent Bioceramic construction: Lion’s Mane Red, Black Sea Nettle, Egg Yolk Yellow, Blue Fire, and Aurelia Aurita White. Every model in the collection has been designed to either lift your spirits or enhance your look, depending on your mood and style. The Black Sea Nettle offers a more subdued, edgy aesthetic, ideal for low-key or monochrome outfits, while bold options like Egg Yolk Yellow and Lion’s Mane Red act as statement pieces in their own right.
Of course, Swatch’s hallmark of low-cost, high-performance watchmaking is still front and centre, with each SCUBAQUA model powered by a reliable Swiss quartz movement — clearly visible thanks to the case’s jellyfish-inspired transparency.
My Thoughts
When you look at Swatch, it’s easy to forget just how pivotal the brand was in saving the modern watch industry as we know it. You’d think that, as part of the horological ‘Avengers’ that make up the Swatch Group, they might carry themselves with the same sense of elegance and seriousness as their luxury peers.
But that’s simply not the case. Take SpongeBob SquarePants, for example — he’s as childlike and happy-go-lucky as they come, yet when it really matters, he still knows how to knuckle down and get the job done. In much the same way, Swatch’s playful exterior hides a serious commitment to the industry. And while they’re unlikely to start encroaching on luxury territory anytime soon, to dismiss Swatch as frivolous is to completely overlook the crucial role they continue to play in the modern watch landscape.
References:
- Lion’s Mane Red: SSCU09R100
- Black Sea Nettle: SSCU09B100
- Egg Yolk Yellow: SSCU09J100
- Blue Fire: SSCU0SR100
- Aurelia Aurita White: SSCU09K100
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 44mm case diameter x 51.5mm lug-to-lug x 15.4mm thickness
- Case Material: Translucent bioceramic in red, black, yellow, blue, or white
- Dial: Grained white or black with red accents
- Movement: Quartz with ten o’clock crown
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Colour-matched silicone strap with polymer pin buckle
