80s Swatch: The Iconic Pop Culture Watch

Swatch watches are one of the areas of watchdom that I’ve noticed watch enthusiasts don’t seem to explore so much. There seems to be a separate specific , almost cultish group, that have been collecting these for a long time when you look at the various auctions for old pieces. When subscriber ‪@TickSweep‬ dropped me a note around buying a Swatch, he suggested I do a video on it. Little did I know I would be down a 5 week rabbit hole!!
An amazing history combining art, horology and swiss watch industry history. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. This video should help give you a pretty comprehensive overview of their offerings in the 80s, as well as some of the pre-history of how the affordable plastic fashion watch came into being. I hope you enjoy the video!
If you enjoy consider donating a beer or coffee here : www.buymeacoffee.com/illumina...
Chapters:
Pre-Swatch: 0:00
1983: 4:25
1984: 5:39
1985: 7:46
1986: 10:21
1987: 11:36
1988: 14:02
1989: 15:48
Amazing sources I used for this video are:
Stay Tuned to Swatch Website - amazing resource!!
Swatch Beyond Website
Squiggly.com (from web archive)
Lauritz.com and other auction sites
Watch Papst (if i doubt - most of the photos came from here)
Fred Edwards - Swatch - A Guide for Connoisseurs and Collectors
And many more from the usual Etsy, ebay sites that I’ve tried to reference where possible

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Another brand I notice people have limited knowledge of passed a certain point is Citizen so you may enjoy my video on their history here -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGHbemaOf7Z2nM0

[@LambentOrt]

I love Swatch watches... especially their early 90s designs. The four that I have in my collection all come from that period.

[@iandavidson99]

Thank you so much for the huge amount of time it must have taken you to compile this AMAZING video! Incredible!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thanks man. Ha ha yep you probably saw it took me quite a while to get this one up! Ended up down a deep rabbit hole! 90s Swatch next - rude not to

[@codeblue9004]

I have a 1984 Swatch, “don’t be too late”, i bought it for 24 Australian Dollars, and it’s still going strong.

[@travisogden9426]

The Dali chair thing references his inspiration method. He would intentionally nap in his chair at his desk and the drop of his pen would wake him up in that twilight phase

[@jason41a]

swatch isn't for the watch "enthusiasts" it's just for fun. no one can deny thier watches are so much fun.

[@MichaelEngel55]

I recently went to the Swatch museum in Biel. Incredible place I can highly recommend!

[@JulianM_Col]

Can't argue against the coolness factor of many of those examples. And also, I seriously doubt that there are another 19 mins out there that visually summarizes the 80s in a better way. Thanks as always for sharing your amazing videos

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Ha ha thanks! Yes it’s definitely a big slice of 80s!

[@emanuelmoralesgalarza5038]

Waiting for Next videos from Swatch watches from 90' s and 2000 decades. It would be awesome from you my Friend.

[@Lucas-ru6mm]

I just found your channel the other day, I've been missing out! You're covering an area of watches that not enough people give the proper time, respect and attention to. That Giogaro video especially pulled me in, thanks!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thanks so much!! That’s my whole goal - to illuminate areas of watchdom that don’t get so well covered elsewhere. Very glad you liked the giugiaro video - I really enjoyed reading around the topic of Italian car design!

[@shawndurbs]

14.32 GB122. My cousin got this one Christmas. I was 10 he was about 16. I loved this watch. It was my first glimpse into the Swatch world. I wore it a few time when I was a little older when I had slightly bigger wrists. I’ve owned many since then.

[@TimeToGoTravelAndTimepieces]

Amazing work with this video. Really enjoyed!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thanks man! Enjoyed your vlog on your trip to London!

[@wattsj2362]

Super cool and informative video, really appreciate all the research that you put into your channel! i recently started getting into vintage digital watches but i've been collecting swatches for a bit now, my favorite that i own is definitely the "mackintosh" from 1987 :)

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thankyou! Oh yes the Mackintosh is cool. I like the taxi stop - crazy but fun.

[@FuglyStick]

I was around in the 80s. The Swatch brand was never my thing, too loud, too fashion focused. But Swatch is very much a milestone and influential brand, and you simply can't discuss the history of watches and not include Swatch.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

I was an 84 baby so wasn’t buying watches at the time. I was also not a swatch guy but as you rightly say it’s a milestone in watch history!

[@dimatha7]

@@IlluminatingWatches I was born in 80, and since 92 there's a Casio on my wrist

[@emanuelmoralesgalarza5038]

I was born in 1976 and since I was 12, there two watch Brands for me: Casio and Swatch.

[@codeblue9004]

It has a lot of good designs, not all are loud.

[@choond]

Another excellent video 👍 Thanks!

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

Bravo! That was informative and delightful.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thankyou so much - that is really kind of you to day. Pleased you enjoyed the video!

[@Daud76]

I was in my single digits in the 80s, but I do remember my cousins having Swatch and always being intrigued on that interesting battery replacement plate on the back. Even more so when my cousin said his Swatch eventually broke at that point. He had a navy blue Swatch with naval flags and his brother had a chocolate banana themed Swatch. I am not sure if he still has it. Nevertheless, great video as always. Keep it up. 🤙🏼

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thankyou sir as always!

[@Bear-nu8xm]

I was a kid in the 80s and had at least 6 or 7 different Swatch’s. I really wish they’d make a popular comeback because they’re are so cool and allow the wearer to have a model that speaks to him or her alone.

[@TickSweep]

Absolutely amazing video thanks for the tag. The taxi stop is awesome from 89 also love the ice breaker as well! Ps try not to get addicted 😅

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thanks for the original idea to do it. Scampi fries at the next MWC meet up

[@Beechhill]

How on Earth did I miss this one? As always very good stuff, mate! I soooo wanted a Swatch as an 80's kid, but my parents wanted me to have a "real watch"...

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Glad you enjoyed! Looked at a good variety of subjects so always worth looking at the back catalog!

[@miguelgarza4162]

Amazing work

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Much appreciated Thankyou!

[@MrGeirSteinar]

Amazingly creative design and marketing departments at Swatch HQ. Amazing video also 👍

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thankyou so much! Absolutely this is something I’ve come to learn. Genius marketing

[@yerkodiegoborjakvessitchva2183]

HELLO FRIEND , ANOTHER HISTORY OF WATCHES , ALL RIGHT , ALL ABOUT THE SWISS WATCH SWATCH COMPANY . WELL DONE . GRETTINS FROM SPAIN . CARE YOU ! . 🙂👍🖐️😉⌚⌚

[@obesetuna3164]

An excellent overview of SWATCH.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thankyou!

[@aaron2709]

In 1985, I had the 'Calypso Diver'... warm gray case, blue band.

[@dimitriostsiganis]

Very informative video. One thing you should have mentioned (but I won't hold this against you, most people have forgotten or never heard about) is the Swatch Guard Too. These were coloured plastic rings, which sat upon and encircled the crystal in order to protect it from scratching it. Usually someone would buy a couple of those in different colour when bought the watch so they could change or enrich the looks of the watch. They were pretty cool cheep gadgets but they stopped producing them sometime around 1992 I believe.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Ah yes I remember seeing those things now!! I only really started learning about swatch to make this video so I’m sure there is a lot I missed! Thanks for watching!!

[@guymorris6596]

I bought two watches at the Swatch store at Galleria mall today in Houston, Texas and didn't see those crystal guards.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Sadly there were discontinued in the 90s I believe :(

[@dimitriostsiganis]

@@guymorris6596 they were discontinued sometime around 1991-92.

[@Dorelaxen]

Swatches were and still are cool. Memphis design is something that I absolutely LOVE (likely because it was/is so loathed, as I've got a bit of a punk streak in me, too), and I'd love to have one of those GM100s. Along with an entire living room of Memphis design furniture!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Me too! I love the Memphis design stuff for similar reasons !

[@thomasespinosa5293]

Swatch watch is the highest technologie in wrist watches. Shock proof, water resistant, affordable, comfortable, accurate, personally stylsh, Swiss, and free batteries, buffing, and small strap and buckle repairs for free! Swatch, all day, everyday! ❤

[@jb8280]

Tonga will always be my favorite.

[@funkykoval2099]

That was a masive job!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Ha ha yep took a while to pull together! Fortunately some great resources out there (listed in video description)

[@KillingTimeWithNorman]

Oh manI HAVE to get the tech Swatch GA101 - thanks for bringing that one to my attention!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Sadly because it’s a 1984 it will probably be unwearable now with the strap being all brittle. They are more collectors items from those years sadly :(

[@KillingTimeWithNorman]

@@IlluminatingWatches Yyeah

[@Jamie-rj5cp]

You know it’s Wierd how when I was a kid I thought these were a gimmick a cheap watch and I discounted their importance I am 38 now and I just hit the eureka moment. The importance of these watches as a entry point into watches especially now when our youth have turned away from the importance of being able to tell time is very important. The swatch is not your dads Rolex but it’s still affordable, collectible, with Swiss match making. I had finally attracted me is yes it can be a fashion watch but it leads in design which makes the wearer be able to express their individuality I am thinking of buying a Zulu time by longines but I am also considering a nice looking swatch this says something

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Me too! I’m 38 and had a similar swatch epiphany!

[@MrPleers]

I remember when in the 80's a journalist on German television visited the Swatch factory. He asked how much it did cost to make one watch. If I remember correctly, if was something like 25 or 40 Pfennig. (I don't know exactly how much. But it was less than half a Deutche Mark.) My mind was blown. As the price for a swatch in the 80's was about 50 Deutche mark. I never had one myself. As I was more into digital Casio's.

[@IlluminatingWatches]

I was more of a casio and timex kid myself, so that actually made it all the more fun to learn about Swatch. I only knew about it at a superficial level. Love the connections to art and artists.

[@henryattfield8979]

I like the high moon one

[@KillingTimeWithNorman]

My 2-GA101 just arrived. Brilliant Swatch! All thanks to this vid hehehe I blame you, man!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Oh nice you got the high tech! You were into swatch already before my video so I take no blame!!

[@KillingTimeWithNorman]

@@IlluminatingWatches :) lol Dang it, you called my bluff

[@tomasmedici1557]

niceeeeeee video

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thanks!

[@timbodedidleo]

Wow! 13:55 -my new grail watch. What is that called pls? (just before the Tadanori Yokoo Rorrin 5)

[@zornikzornuk3187]

Great video, it's true that I never care about swatch watch

[@jamesblonde2271]

Good Lord, the research involved , the horrors you have seen, even so theres quite a few cool ones, As a collector I'm interested in a System 51 and have a coupla Irony Chronos, Im assuming they're still to come in the 90's vid?

[@IlluminatingWatches]

The horror … the horror ha ha! Yes indeed they will be on there way. Kind of have to do the 90s now!

[@jamesblonde2271]

@@IlluminatingWatches Id forgotton that graphic style I hate was called Memphis, I hated the 50's iteration too.....

[@IlluminatingWatches]

@@jamesblonde2271 how can you not like a fusion of fisher price and Bauhaus?

[@jamesblonde2271]

@@IlluminatingWatches I dunno, maybe Im weird....

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Weird is welcome here :)

[@John-P]

Hi I've just got a Casio A-V3 from 1999 and I'm now wondering if you know of a website which lists all of the Casio watches that have been made Thanks

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Sadly not. If you search “casio modules list” you can get a list going from 1974 till end of 2009. But even then there are multiple references that use the same module so you won’t find everything that way.

[@John-P]

@@IlluminatingWatches Thanks for your help... I'll give it a try

[@manusverzoni2384]

Scooby Doo approved!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Ha ha funnily enough - Kiki Picasso is a pseudonym

[@manusverzoni2384]

@@IlluminatingWatches Ah! Missed that!

[@MadKingJorge]

Then in the last 10 years Swatch became very conservative.

[@hansspiegl8684]

Great, but to quick!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

Thanks! Sorry the pacing wasn’t to your liking.