Step into a realm of fantasy, where a pivot in history sends reverberations through the fabric of time. What if, in 1982, the birth of the revolutionary Swatch watch had taken a turn less round and more towards a squarely unique direction? The brand-new Swatch BIOCERAMIC What If Collection invites you on a voyage to that parallel universe, an exhilarating reimagining of what could have been.
It was the dawning of the 80s, a time of breakthroughs, technological evolution and daring creativity. In this electrifying atmosphere, Swatch stood on the precipice of a momentous decision – to be round or square? Ultimately, the choice to favor the round form ushered in a journey filled with vibrancy, success, and iconic design. But the whispers of a “What If” scenario have never quite died down.
The “What If” collection, debuting this year, revives those whispers into a resonant chorus, daring to visualize the journey untaken. This innovative collection represents a tangible “what if” – the realization of an audacious alternative timeline that veers away from the familiar round aesthetic and instead embraces the unexplored charm of the square form.
Harnessing the cutting-edge properties of BIOCERAMIC, an ingenious blend of ceramic powder and biosourced materials, the collection presents a lineup of square watches that echo the energy and rebel spirit of the brand’s beginnings. The novel BIOCERAMIC material endows these watches with impressive strength and durability, defying convention, and embracing a world where no design challenge is too daunting.
The collection showcases four unique styles, each featuring a bold 33mm x 33mm case with distinct square edges. The designs hearken back to the original Swatch models, taking cues from the subdued tones of matte gray, green, beige, and black, reflecting the retro aesthetic of the era.
Revolutionary to its core, the Swatch BIOCERAMIC What If Collection embodies the brand’s enduring commitment to innovation. The BIOCERAMIC case, crown, and buckle, alongside the edge-to-edge biosourced glass, provide a fresh perspective on the dial – a bold innovation for Swatch. The glow-in-the-dark hands coupled with a day-date calendar window placed strategically at 3 o’clock round off the distinctive design features.
Adding to the list of firsts for the brand is the introduction of an integrated biosourced strap, a testament to the design mastery achievable with BIOCERAMIC. To add a nostalgic and playful twist, each new battery cover is adorned with a dial from one of the first four 1983 Swatch models, a fond nod to the 40th anniversary of the GENT watch.
The Swatch BIOCERAMIC What If Collection is an audacious exploration of an alternative past, a tribute to the brand’s innovative spirit, and a testament to its unwavering commitment to challenging the status quo. In this exciting rewrite of horological history, Swatch nudges us to embrace a world where possibilities are as vast and boundless as our imagination allows. So, what if things were different? With this collection, you won’t just wonder—you’ll get to wear the answer on your wrist.
© Photos: Swatch
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