OK,OK,OK, I know this is just crazy.  Me? Swatch? Nooooooo!!  Firstly, the only do quartz, right?  And secondly, they make "disposable" watches, yes?    
Well, wrong on both counts.  My friendly watch dealer (sent by the devil....) phoned me yesterday with news of an exciting new automatic chrono movement on the market.  After putting out the bait, he said he had only one in stock and I should get over there to check it out.  He kept the brand secret, so I couldn't wait to check it out.

When I got there, he took this out of the box:

A damn SWATCH!:?
I was on my way............well just about, when he called me back.  "Not so fast; just check it out!"
Which is exactly what I did, and 5 minutes later it was bought..........by me!

Well, before you fall off your chair with laughter, let me explain.
I love mechanical chronos, both old and new.  To interact with a brand new calibre is simply divine. 

I think Swatch are onto a winner here.  This watch - in the "Irony" range - is a far cry from the cheap quartz watches they make.
Some specs: Transluscent nylon case with caseback window; s/steel crown, pushers, bezel and bracelet; 30m WR; CO1-211 ETA automatic chronograph movement running at 21600 bph; 46hrs PR; 45mm case excluding crown; double pushbutton foldover clasp with removable links and micro adjustable; sapphire glass; finely detailed dial with guilloche subdials, applied markers and textured blue background.  Date window at 3.  Movement handwinds and hacks.  2 Year guarantee!  Price?  $380!

Do you begin to understand why I was stoked?  Also, this movement is based on the legendary Lemania 5100 chrono movement.  The heritage is there....


This particular execution is called the "Blunge".  There are a few others in the range, but this was the only one that appealed to me. 
The overall quality is amazing.  The bracelet is well made with solid links.  The sizing is a helluva job though!  I broke a pin off my resizing tool due to the very high friction of the split pins on the bracelet.  The fit is excellent.


Well, my intention was not really to write a review, but to prepare for the curveballs heading my way for buying this! 
Never say never.




Jokes aside, I think this is a really well made, affordable automatic chronograph which should find favor with old and not so old WIS.  This movement is surely going to find its way into other Swatch brands eventually, but at a much higher price.  Stock up for Christmas!
Thanks for reading

Now for that elusive Invicta.......

Last edited on Wed Dec 9th, 2009 03:37 am by Graham