The Watch Hut's History of Swatch

July 22, 2010 - PRLog -- Swatch is not only one of the most popular watch brands on the Watch Hut, the UK’s largest watch website, but also one of the most enduring and loved watches around the world.

Iconic Swatch is often associated with youth and vitality thanks to colourful designs that both influence and draw inspiration from modern fashion trends.

Since its beginnings in the early ’80s, Swatch has always defied convention whilst still embracing the essence and skill of traditional watchmaking.

In the decade that preceded the first Swatch’s launch in 1983, the Swiss watch industry was in crisis due to Japanese competition. However, the introduction of the Swatch-a-slim plastic watch to the mass market was the turning point that has made Swatch what it is today.

Under the leadership of then ETA CEO Ernst Thomke, a small team of watch engineers led by Elmar Mock and Jacques Müller realised the concept of the Swatch-a-slim. Using the case back as a movement main plate, or platine, the team produced a watch that was fully functional yet utilised only 51 components compared to the standard 91 or more.

When it went on sale to the public in 1983, no-one was to know that it would go on to become the most successful wrist watch of all time and that parent company The Swatch Group would evolve into the largest, most dynamic watch manufacturer in the world: http://www.thewatchhut.co.uk/swatch.htm.

Originally introduced to combat the rise of digital watches, Swatches quickly became recognised for their bold styling and design. This led to a peak in popularity during the mid-’80s, with noted artists and the burgeoning hip-hop scene embracing Swatch watches and lending a cultural cachet to what were often seen as trendy youth watches.

Combining top Swiss quality with highly affordable prices, Swatch is just as significant in the watch world today. Since the original, era-defining cult plastic watches, the brand has diversified its product output and now showcases a varied collection of watches.

New developments have seen the launch of just some of the following achievements: Irony (the metal Swatch), Swatch SKIN Chrono (the world’s thinnest chronograph) and digital line Swatch Beat (featuring the revolutionary Internet Time, a patented decimal time concept).

Swatch has also forged several ties with the sporting world, with the manufacturer’s outstanding technical capabilities and advances leading to its position as the Official Timekeeper of several Olympic Games and Skin and Snowboard World Cup championships.

Despite recently suffering the sad loss of co-foundern, and so-called ‘Mr Swatch’, Nicolas G. Hayek in June 2010 - http://www.thewatchhut.co.uk/swatch-group-appoints-new-ch... - Swatch continues to progress technically at the same time as satisfying long-term fans who have come to expect forward-thinking fashion statements to accompany every season.

Currently at the Watch Hut, you can discover the vibrant hues of 2010’s Colour Codes collection, a new line that celebrates the rainbow of colours we experience every summer: http://www.thewatchhut.co.uk/swatch/swatch-colour-codes-s.... A whole host of old and new favourites, including Swatch Originals, are also featured on the website.

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The Watch Hut - http://www.thewatchhut.co.uk - is the largest watch website in the UK, with the biggest selection of watches online. As part of the TH Baker Group established in 1888, we are one of the most respected names in the UK Jewellery industry.