Swatch watches are a type of watch that has experienced world-renown for its revolutionary plastic watches.
The very first Swatch watches were introduced in 1983 in Switzerland. The design was very thin and made from plastic with an analogue style face. It was made from high quality materials, but was affordable. There were two reasons for this design. The first was to compete with the Japanese who were very successful with their thin, digital watches. The second was to have a watch that could be worn for fun, something different than the expensive formal styles. As a matter of fact, Swatch originally meant second watch. To say they were very successful is an understatement. The result was a worldwide phenomenon that has gone into the history books.
During the mid 1980s, they were all the rage, worn by everyone from teenagers to the hip hop crowd. There is even a name for the followers, the Swatchies. The watches were so popular because they were more of a fashion accessory than a device to tell the time. They were a fun item that came in a seemingly endless array of colours, patterns, and designs. The watch faces and wrist bands were even interchangeable, further increasing the wearers ability to be unique. Some people would take two of the watch guards that were made of a thin-rubber, and would twist them together over the watch to create an even more unique look. There was also an interchangeable plastic ring for the watch face to provide even more individuality. Even though it was technically a wristwatch, people didn't just wear them on their wrist, but in their hair, and attached to their clothes, backpacks and purses. They became so popular that people would even wear more than one at a time by stacking them up their arm.
There is an even greater choice of Swatch watches today as they have gone beyond the basic plastic watch with the vinyl wristband strap. They have different styles and categories to choose from. There is the Original line, which has a plastic case, the Beat line, which is a digital model, and the Irony line, which is all metal. They all come in various sizes, designs, and shapes. In addition, there is the Bijoux line, which is like jewellery, and the Skin line, which is an ultra thin and flat model. Swatch even has a revolutionary Snowpass watch that allows you to load a ski pass onto the watch, so when you are at the turnstile of the slope, it scans your watch and lets you go through.
Today, the Swatch Group is the largest watch company in the world. They also own many different luxury Swiss brands. There is even a Swatch magazine, as well as branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, and umbrellas. Swatch watches continue to be popular with extreme athletes, like snowboarders and skateboarders, as well as artists, rappers and the urban crowd. They are still collected by many people. Swatch watches can be bought in stores worldwide and online. You can even download wall paper and screen savers for your computer.