The case is also water resistant to 30 meters.Īside from different straps, the watches really differentiate themselves in terms of visual style. It wears smaller though looking ample, but not too large on your wrist. Size of the watch is actually deceptively large at about 45mm. The plastic used for the case is very tough and also translucent in a cloudy sort of way. The cases are enhanced with other elements such as metal bezels and casebacks. This is Swatch remember? They have a reputation to maintain. Other models have sub names such as “Right Track, Blunge, Sign in the Sky, and Simply Pure.”Įach of the watches has a case which is mostly made out of a high-grade plastic. My intent is for this discussion to cover the whole line, with emphasis on this particular model, known as the Swatch Automatic Chrono Silver Class watch Ref. Instead, Swatch presents us with five models in the new Automatic Chrono line – each the same in function but in a different skin. The Swatch Automatic Chrono line is placed within the Swatch Irony collection, but that is hard to determine. Pictured is an ETA C01.211 movement, but with a Tissot logo (which is also a Swatch Group brand). There are certainly no 7750 based watches at this price. Overall the movement feels a lot like a slightly less expensive version of the Valjoux 7750, which it essentially is from a hierarchy perspective. The 6 hour chronograph works just as expected. Operating the watch is simple, and the chronograph pushers have a secure, if not heavy feel to them. The crown makes a bit of an odd noise when you use it for winding, but it feels like it is contacting the gears securely. The cloudy glass look of the caseback is likely meant to distract from much of the movement that is not really decorated. The movement is interesting with a large sized automatic rotor. In the back of the watch you can view the movement through a mostly semi-opaque crystal window, with two clear areas for where a particular gear is, and above the escapement. Overall the movements are comprised of 184 parts, have a 46 hour power reserve, and feature the time, date, and a 6 hour chronograph. However, the escapement is in some fancy synthetic material. See some of them in what looks to be brass. All the important parts of in metal of course. Like the original Lemania 5100, the new C01.211 has some plastic pieces in the movement – but those should have no negative effect on its durability or functionality in the long run. The movement was designed to be durable, accurate, and not too expensive to make. While these Swatch Automatic Chrono watches aren’t the first mechanical Swatch watches, they are of the first with this new ETA C01.211 automatic mechanical chronograph movement that is based on the classic Lemania 5100. As such, with an interesting and highly complex design, Swatch is still able to sell these at a good price. Any little guy trying to make watches like this would have to charge an arm and a leg. Plus, Swatch does big volume production, meaning they can invest more into the production process. This means that Swatch gets the benefit of having all the cool movements ETA makes with priority. Remember that Swatch and the Swiss movement making giant ETA are connected at the hip being part of the same group. But unless you have been keeping a close eye on Swatch, you might not realize that they have released some pretty interesting models (even a solid platinum Swatch watch at one point). Many hardcore watch lovers feel like they might have out-grown Swatch watches based on what we remember of them. If you are like me, you have also been one to give Swatch watches as gifts as they are usually always appreciated, and a good value at that. Either it was some special Swatch watch in your past, or the friendly and fun designs you’ve been seeing your whole life. Most people have very positive associations with the Swatch brand. While this is a bit of an over simplification and there are other details, the bottom line is that Swatch should have a special place in the hearts of watch lovers everywhere. It was the high volume sale of pop culture friendly Swiss quartz watches that fed the high-end mechanical Swiss watch making world we have and appreciate today. Swatch is almost single-handedly to thank for saving the Swiss watch industry. Probably as well known as Rolex or Seiko, maybe even more do. Swatch is one of the most popular names in watches – ever. The game changing watch has changed its game.
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