Swatch Freaks Unite's topics - tribe.net

Hey i used to work at store in honolulu?

2007-06-12T18:03:06Z

Ya thats funny that i was invited to this tribe and i used to work for swatch, ne ways ya did one of u guys know me or sumthin? ha oh well i own like six watches and all of mine are all customized they are sick pieces of man jewelry haha. my favs are the skin chrono what about you guys?

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 4 replies

How can I get some of the older swatches

2006-12-28T06:26:58Z

I now work for swatch and I want to know if anyone here knows the best way to get some of the older swatches. Like virtual wave or something older

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Swatch: The Beep

2006-12-11T18:41:04Z

Does anyone remember this? I seem to have this odd notion that our favorite watch company made cool watches with a pager/beeper function built in . This would have been around 1993-95... I haven;t been able to find much about it. Am I just krazy?

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 3 replies

Replacing The Strap Question

2006-05-09T04:38:42Z

My mother's Desierto Perdidi Skin looks dilapidated after two plus years of hard wear.
So I think we have at least on option. That is to replace that Swatch.
However, might we also think of replacing the strap? I can order one from Squiggly.com
Desierto Perdido Strap: ASFF108.
Then, can we send the new strap and the old skin to the store in Portland for replacing the strap?
My mother grew devoted to her old Skin Swatch.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Nordic special

2006-04-26T16:23:41Z

Hey Folks,

A couple years back there was a cool Nordic special. It wasn't for sale in the states. I begged and got a few. Then a got a few more. If you'd like one, they're 45 bucks and come with a decorative sleeve. The band has icons/flags from each of the Nordic countries. Call me if you want one. Swatch Portland: 503.222.3380.

Oh, the name of the watch is: Memories From The North.

Later,
Heather.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Swatch Sale! 40% 0ff.

2006-04-03T01:39:36Z

Starting March 24th, we're having a HUGE sale at Swatch Portland. 40% off tons of watches & jewelry.

We have a bunch of older, cool plastic watches that will be on sale. Plus, various Skins, lots of Irony, some Flik Flak, several Fun Scuba and oodles of Bijoux.

Swatch Portland
617 SW Morrison St. (downtown across from Pioneer Courthouse Square)

We validate for Smart Park & Star Park.

If you can't make it to our store, we do ship!!!
Call Swatch Portland: 503.222.3380.

Sale ends April 9th.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

mother's day special

2006-03-20T04:58:03Z

Hey folks,

The Mother's Day special for 2006 is a Skin. The special pack is really pretty. I posted a pic of it (see gallery). I'll let you know when it hits the stores. If you want one, call & get on my list: Swatch Portland 503.222.3380.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

New favorites!!

2006-03-08T22:44:39Z

Top relief!!!! I love it and I don't care if it is as big as my arm! I love it's colorful face and non-symmetric chrono dials. And the cuff makes it work! I can't wait to own it!

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

New Stuff

2006-02-23T19:19:17Z

Hey Swatch Freaks.

We've got a bunch of new product at Swatch Portland (503.222.3380), including the new Valentine Swatch (Shake Your Heart). My fave is a chrono...called Total Rescue. OH MY GOD - it's the coolest thing ever & GI Joe would have totally worn this!!

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

Chinese New Year

2006-02-23T19:06:58Z

2006 is the Year of the Dog. There's going to be a Chinese New Year Swatch this year and it is C-U-T-E! The special pack is cool too. I'll let you know when we get them at the store. See gallery for pictures.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

We've Got The Beat

2006-02-09T17:51:00Z

Ahh... the GoGos. But Seriously, It occured to me yesterday that I have installed Swatch Time (Internet Time) in some form or another on every computer or gadget/gizmo that would support it since the late 1990s. This includes all of my Macs, 2 Newtons, 3 Palm devices, a couple of linux boxen, and of course my "Net-Time" from 1999 that promptly stopped working when it's Y2K timer went off

http://www.squiggly.com/swatch/p/product/i/4993/code/SQN101/name/Net-Time

How about the rest of you? Do you ever use @Beat time?

posted @711

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

Snow Mobile??

2006-01-02T05:21:05Z

Does any one know anything about that Snow Mobile Swatch Scuba (see gallery) special? It's soooo cool. Does any one have it??? I got the pick from Stay Tuned to Swatch.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Muffled!

2005-12-30T19:58:31Z

i was kickin' around Manhattan on Tuesday, and stumbled into the Swatch store... I splurged on a 2nd for 2005 - Muffled!

It's Pink!
It's fuzzy!
It's a polar bear!

:)

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Swatch the Perfume

2005-12-29T19:25:40Z

Have you guys heard about a perfume by Swatch? See gallery for picture. Right now it's not available in the states and there are no plans for it to be sold here in the near future. Yet another reason to move to Europe. Has any one smelled it? Does it smell swatchily delicious?

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Portuguese Charity special

2005-12-29T19:15:53Z

Oh my God!!

This Touch special is too cute. It puts Mighty Dogs back in the dog house (woof!). See gallery for picks.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

Swatch Group plans watch-repair training program

2005-12-13T04:46:33Z

Kind of cool:

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/style/fashion/s_369927.html

All words below from the article linked above:

Swatch plans watch-repair training program

From staff and wire reports
Friday, September 2, 2005

People routinely get their cars serviced, chimneys cleaned and plumbing fixed -- and there are plenty of skilled technicians to get those jobs done. Watches need similar care and maintenance, but finding a watchmaker to do the work has gotten more difficult over the years.
Over the past 20 years, the federal Labor Department cited watchmaking as "downward trending" and predicted that the practice would "die out in five to 10 years."

Meanwhile, fine watch sales have risen.

To address this growing gap, the American subsidiary of the world's largest watch company, the Swatch Group, opens the N.G. Hayek Watchmaking School this fall in Secaucus, N.J.

Instructor Paul Madden will follow the curriculum set by the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Education Program. It's a two-year, 3,000-hour training program.

The school is tuition free, and enrollment is highly selective to ensure a focused and individualized classroom experience.

"As the world's largest watch company, we share the responsibility to ensure that the profession of watchmaking continues to grow in the United States. With the increase in sales of complicated Swiss watches, the need to service these timepieces grows as well," company spokesman Joseph Panetta says.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 14 replies

Major Sale!!

2005-12-11T04:56:03Z

Starting the day after Thanxgiving, we're having a HUGE sale at Swatch Portland. 40% off tons of watches & jewelry. We have a bunch of older, cool plastic watches that will be on sale. Plus, various Skins, TONS of Irony, some Flik Flak, several Fun Scuba and oodles of Bijoux. If you're into X-Large, we can totally hook you up! We ship!!! Plus, we've got kick ass service.

Call Swatch Portland: 503.222.3380.

Tell us you saw it on Tribe & I throw in an extra goodie!!

FYI: We now have the GUARDS - in black, white, clear and aqua. They're 5 bucks!

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Holiday Special '05

2005-12-03T16:03:42Z

Hey Folks,

I'm putting together a list of people who want to get the Holiday Limited Edition. If you want to get on the list, please give me a call ASAP at Swatch Portland (503.222.3380). You do not need to purchase it at this time.

There will also be a line of Holiday watches this year, besides the Special.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Two words (or is it one?) Scorpy Time

2005-12-03T16:01:58Z

There's a new Swatch on the block and it has Swatch Portland completely freaked out....its name.....Scorpy Time (or is it ScorpyTime). What do you guys think of this watch???

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 16 replies

Yay! I got my Swatches back from the Hurricane

2005-11-28T00:56:00Z

I just got three packages to my new place in SoCal and fortunately, the majority of my Swatches made it. Some damage to some of the boxes but the bottom line is they are here and made it through the hurricane OK but to make sure I took all precautions and hired a mold cleaning company to clean everything thoroughly for any mold spore damage. So at least I'm starting to get my stuff back!

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 4 replies

NEW STUFF!!!!!

2005-11-23T15:40:28Z

Hey Gang,

We have new stuff at the Portland Swatch store (503.222.3380), including the new Fun Boarder (altimeter) watch. Give me a call if you want anything. Or stop by the store: 617 SW Morrison St. Portland, OR across from Pioneer Courthouse Square.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 8 replies

Favorite Swatch

2005-11-04T16:55:55Z

Hey Freaks - which Swatch is your fave????

Here's some of mine....
1. Hang Over
2. Bad Trip
3. The two Kenny Scharf Swatches
4. Stilleto

Mmmmmm, new favorite for the moment....Oil Slick (me thinks it's called).

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 19 replies

Adam, are you okay???

2005-10-10T03:58:31Z

One of our Swatch Freaks...Adam...lives close to New Orleans. I tried calling him to see if he is okay, but I wasn't able to get through. Adam, are you okay?????

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 4 replies

New Swatch product: Fun Boarder

2005-10-06T06:40:01Z

Alright mountaineers and gnomes. Sounds kind of cool. I was part of the Access marketing crew about seven yrs back. Access, the snowpass function the article mentions, is used at Bachelor in Oregon, Solitude in Utah, and I think three other resorts in N America. Not a resounding success. There are at least a hundred resorts in Europe that use it. I used it in Cortina and Innsbruck as well as at Solitude. Basically, I thought it was great but it wasn't very flexible for cross marketing, which kind of stopped its potential.

Anyway, this is one of the PR releases:

Swatch unveils new technical product

[Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:37:00 pm]

Swatch is now measuring heights as well as depths. As a follow up to the Fun Scuba collection, the innovative Swiss watchmaker has launched a new technical product with a high fun factor and a low price – the Swatch Fun Boarder.

During a recent international launch event high in the Swiss Alps, Swatch presented its latest creation. The new watch combines an altimeter, snowpass and fashion accessory in a single timepiece.

The Swatch Fun Boarder comes in four cool and colourful, multi-function models, and was designed for fans and participants who enjoy high--altitude sports. Just as the Fun Scuba measures underwater depth in meters, the four Fun Boarder styles use a built-in pressure sensor to measure height above sea level, in five-meter intervals up to 9,900 meters.

International media and guests from the Middle East, Europe and the rest of the world were treated to breath-taking displays and demonstrations of the new watches accuracy and diversity from exciting vantage points along the legendary mountain passes and valleys of the Swiss Alps. After an adventure-filled day, guests were invited by Mr. Nicolas Hayek, Chairman of Swatch Group to a dinner and reception where everyone enjoyed traditional mountain village hospitality.

The Fun Boarder altimeter reads height above sea level in 5-meter increments. A perfect accessory for snowboarders, skiers, rock-climbers, trekkers, mountain bikers and anyone else with a hang for xtreme high-altitude activities, the Fun Boarder measures altitudes up to 9,900 meters above sea level.

Another very useful feature is the Snowpass function, the near-universal access device used in over 600 winter resorts worldwide.

The new Fun Boarder models combine a high-tech take on winter sports and timekeeping with the latest trends in fashionable colours, advanced materials and the invariably innovative Swatch touch in design. High-tech, high-style, high-quality, and high in adventure, the new Fun Boarders are just what they say—fun and sure to be the envy around winner resorts this season.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

Swatch.com Flash Mob

2005-10-06T06:13:25Z

Just when I thought the Internet seemed boring, I felt pleased to stumble upon the reworked site at Swatch.com. Swatch uses flash programming, and the Swatch.com site works well at dispelling the miasma that attends much brochure ware on the Internet.
I wish I had a local Swatch store to enjoy the touching and the real seeing experience of Swatch. I'm glad that people like Heather still make the physical thing go forward.
However, the Internet seems a new venue already thanks to Swatch.com. Seeing it, I felt excited about the idea of the Swatch flash mob which, as a marketing concept, I hope will continue to evolve. On Swatch.com, you may go to the button for Flash Mob and you may put a blip on the map to represent yourself in the world of Swatch. How will that work with future events?
I hope that we will find an event or and online chat or some way to party with local Swatchy people.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

Nick Hayek Jr in Int'l Herald Tribune

2005-09-27T02:26:44Z

Awesome exposure compared to all the annoying speculation articles recently:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/09/23/business/wbspot24.php

Spotlight: Swatch strives to stay timely
By Tom Wright International Herald Tribune
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2005

BIEL, Switzerland Wearing jeans, a checked shirt, no tie and scuffed suede shoes, Nick Hayek Jr., the boss of Swatch, seems to perfectly embody the plastic watch brand's no-frills image.

"Swatch is about provocation," he insists.

As evidence, he points to a newspaper photo of himself and Bill Gates, the Microsoft chairman, wearing identical shades at the start of a recent joint venture in the United States.

"I put them in my pocket and gave them to Bill on the podium at the last minute," Hayek, 50, said with a laugh. "It was the only way to get him to wear them - and get in the newspapers."

The picture, however, belies difficulties in keeping the original fun spirit - and sales of the trendy, plastic watches - going at Swatch, which has grown over the past two decades into one the world's largest watch companies, with $3.5 billion in sales last year.

Demand for the Swatch watch, which retails for about $70, is stagnating. Despite solid profit growth, Swatch Group's shares have underperformed other luxury goods companies, like LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton or Richemont, which owns Cartier, largely because of its exposure to cheap watches, analysts say.

Many are urging Swatch to focus more on its stable of luxury watch brands, including Omega, Blancpain and Breguet. Omega is growing especially strongly, accounting for about half of the company's 2004 net profit of 512 million Swiss francs, or $401 million.

"Whether or not the Swatch watch is crucial to the future of the Swatch Group is pretty debatable," said Matthew Morse, editor of the trade magazine WatchTime. "The bulk of the money they make, and will continue to make, is in luxury mechanical watches."

But from Swatch's headquarters in the Jura region, the heart of Switzerland's watch-making industry, Hayek is not too worried by what investors think.

"We are selling products, we are not selling shares," said Hayek, who became president of the management board in 2003, equivalent to chief executive.

Still, Hayek says that Swatch has problems.

In a bid to turn it around, the company is overhauling the way it sells and markets the watches. He recently reduced the number of Swatch models to 80 from 155 in a bid to cut costs. Another strategy is to move out of the discount basket by selling more through Swatch-branded boutiques.

But the jury is out on whether Swatch can keep the plastic watch eternally fresh. Analysts say Swatch is hampered by high costs of manufacturing in Switzerland, the strong Swiss franc, and competition with cheap watches from Japan and China.

"Swatch is actually a very good operator," said Melanie Flouquet, an analyst with J.P. Morgan Chase in Paris. "The problem is perhaps it doesn't have quite as good a brand portfolio as its competitors."

Swatch certainly understands the importance of luxury watches to its business. In 1999, it bought Breguet, a Swiss manufacturer that sells watches for around $15,000. The company is looking for other purchases this year in the luxury segment, Hayek said, adding, "We have a lot of cash and a strong cash flow."

Yet, talking to Hayek, whose office is a jumble of heaped files, walls covered in white boards for brain- storming sessions, and a huge promotional neon sign for Swatch, it is clear that his real passion remains the cheap plastic watches that made his family billionaires.

In the 1980s, Hayek's father, Nicholas Hayek Sr., an engineering consultant, helped stave off an industry collapse by merging two failing Swiss watch companies. The sector was suffering because of competition from Japanese companies like Seiko that were using new low-cost quartz technology rather than mechanical movements.

To avoid layoffs, Hayek Sr. introduced the mass-produced Swatch in 1983 in a profusion of colors and designs. Swatch mania was born, with some models selling for more second-hand than in the shops. But 10 years later the company was finding it hard to keep sales at these levels.

Unlike his father, who often wears four watches at a time - two on each wrist, Nick Jr., as he is known at the office, prefers just one. Today it is a bright orange Omega Planet Ocean.

On moving to Swatch, in which the Hayek family holds a 37 percent stake and majority voting rights, he helped to bolster Swatch sales with the ultra-thin "Skin" range. Last year he began selling the Paparazzi Swatch in the United States, a joint venture with Microsoft that allows limited access to the Internet.

The company does not break out figures for each brand, but analysts forecast that sales of Swatches this year will be flat at about $470 million; Omega, by contrast, brings in more than $780 million, they estimate, and sales are rising at a double-digit rate.

Hayek has not given up. Raising prices is not an option, he said, so cost control is crucial. The company is also focusing on Asian markets.

And then there is an intangible factor he would claim. "Swatch is an icon," he said.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Article from Forbes.com on swatch model output

2005-09-12T17:19:46Z

About bleeding time! The brand has been on autopilot with no direction for too long. Time to get in the game again sweet lil' swissies.

From Forbes.com:
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/06/23/afx2107398.html

AFX News Limited
Swatch cuts down on new model launches to counter Chinese competition - CEO
06.23.2005, 03:26 AM

ZURICH (AFX) - Swatch Group AG plans to massively reduce its number of annual model launches as the Swiss watchmaker faces growing competition of cheap plastic watch-imports from China.

'We are now launching a counter-attack,' chief executive Nick Hayek told Swiss finance magazine CASH.

Part of the new strategy will be a more innovative communication and distribution, he said.

At the same time, the watchmaker plans to reduce its annual outpout of new models by a third from currently 350.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 7 replies

Swatch Urban Expression: UK Event

2005-09-12T17:05:38Z

Check it: http://www.swatchurban.com/

More: http://www.rwdmag.com/articles/fullstory.php?&sid=&id=2053

Andreas has the new logo here: http://www.stay-tuned-to-sw.de/urban_expression.jpg

He points out that it's similar to the Instant Store logo:
http://www.stay-tuned-to-sw.de/swatch_store_berlin_muenz.jpg

I like it LOADS. Getting down and chuuuuurchin out.

Word.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

NEW STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-09-05T15:05:12Z

Hey there!!

We have new stuff at Swatch Portland. Give me a call if you want me to send ya something!! 503.222.3380. The new line is KILLER!!!!

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

OT: Swatch Group: Approaching Haute Horologie

2005-08-22T01:14:31Z

I just got back from New York City where I went into three Swatch stores including the one on Times Square. I bought something from Swatch bijoux at the Central Station store.
For kicks, I looked at as many watches as possible in NYC with price tags that approach $20,000. I liked the store in the St. Regis hotel that had about eight Breguet wristwatches in the window at night. (Breguet is one of the oldest brands in horology after being acquired by Swatch) Next to the Breguet wristwatches sat the Patek Phillipe sporty wristwatches. Those sporty ones looked like Swatch originals to me. Some holorgists might say that I have a twisted view on horology.
In the Waldorf-Astoria hotel I found a store that features Gerald Genta wristwatches that look so wacked. I adored them, and that was because they reminded me of Swatch Scuba Irony 200 wristwatches. People in the know revere some of the names in horology that produce tourbillions and mechanical movements which I don't understand.
I walked by the Breguet boutique near Madison Av. In NYC, and a giant guard hovered around the double locked doors. The guard filled the doorway, and I felt too intimidated to delve into that vault of haute holorogie. At Audemars Piguet, my experience turned out a bit differently. I guess that when you get past the Breguet guard and doors and locks, you get to have face time with a Breguet clerk. That clerk might have effectively eliminated the specter of a lookiloo like me.
Interestingly, Blancpain has a boutique next to Breguet's on Madison Ave. (Blancpain also has the Swatch Group parent company) Blancpain has a similar arrangement of a guard, doors and locks. In contrast, the jewelry shop at Waldorf-Astoria has a display shelf of Blancpain wristwatches. I saw the new logo on the Blancpain wristwatches, and I can understand something of the outcry.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

OT: Swatch Group: ETA Movement Producer

2005-08-19T15:24:16Z

Link this http://www.europastar.com/europastar/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000989308
for an interview on _Europastar_ with Thomas Meier, President of ETA
[From said interview
_Meeting with the new President of ETA_
by Pierre Maillard]
[clip ]
...Asked about the watch he personally favours, Thomas Meier [President of ETA] admits his weakness for the Swatch. “I have always admired this watch,” he confesses, “since the day I understood the thought behind its creation: decrease the number of component parts in order to obtain better quality. In my mind’s eye, Swatch also has a soul. It has remained youthful even up to now, and we are continuing to develop many interesting things. You only have to see the Paparazzi or look at the latest developments in relation to the Internet to understand that its potential for development remains enormous.”[clip]

Unfortunately, I found no news about the decision at ETA to stop shipments of precision components of watches.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Internet Time Count Down On Swatch .beat

2005-08-18T20:39:38Z

I've a Swatch .beat NETSURFER. However, I don't have the manual for the original .beat wristwatch. Can someone point me to a resource so that I may set the Internet time count down?

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 4 replies

OT: Swatch Group: EM Microelectronic Flash SIM Modules For Low-end Telephony

2005-08-18T20:13:36Z

If you would like more background on EM Microelectronic Flash SIM Modules, you might appreciate the following marketing copy.
[clip from http://www.emmicroelectronic.com/DetailNews.asp?IdNews=90]
MARIN, Switzerland – August 02, 2005 – EM Microelectronic, an electronic systems company of the Swatch Group, announces the EMTG30 and EMTG56, a family of unique flash memory-based smart card ICs designed for use in SIM cards for low-end mobile telephony. The EMTG30/56 are compatible with the ISO7816-3 Integrated Circuit Card (smart card) specification. Memory flexibility is a key advantage of the EMTG30/56, which contains 31KB and 57KB, respectively, of pure flash memory.

“The EMTG30/56 are a low-cost, yet highly flexible smart card circuit with a 100% flash memory architecture for the entry-level mobile telephony market," explains Mougahed Darwish, president of the management board of EM Microelectronic. “The flexibility of using flash memory opens up a new field of applications, where smart cards can be truly ‘smart' – allowing them to be fully reprogrammable in the field, adapting to changing applications, operating systems and user requirements. For the manufacturer, it means that one card design can be used for a wide variety of applications, and inventories of cards can be quickly personalized at low cost to meet market demands."
[clip]

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

totally random info on a quiet Swatch sister company

2005-08-15T15:59:29Z

EM microelectronics. They had offices in Colorado Springs I think...?

They used to furnish tons of Nokia phones, I don't think they were involved in the Access watches. As always, this is interesting because developments in one sister company seem to have a way of making nice debuts in the related brands (Omega X-33 to Tissot T-Touch to Swatch and Hamilton touch screens etc)

Anyway, you may be bored to tears... but the tribe did say freak so read on:

From http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/dailynewsdetail/001901

EM Microelectronic Introduces Smart Card IC Module Family for Low-End Mobile Phones

August 4, 2005 -- EM Microelectronic, an electronic systems company of the Swatch Group, has announced the EMTG30 and EMTG56, a family of Flash memory-based smart card ICs designed for use in SIM cards for low-end mobile telephony.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Roman troops march on Caesars. Also: New Irony watch: Petite Seconde

2005-08-14T14:34:57Z

Opened May 22! Swatch returns to Caesars. Where have I been? Very big cheese over the top opening with the Pussycat Dolls. Right on, Swatch!

Also, the Petite Seconde is kind of fun, I'd like to know the movement innovation as the case thickness is increased. When I tried it on, I found it completely comfy and charming. One aspect was kind of odd, the bezel on the yps402g had a slightly sharpish edge to it, seemed like it could have been massaged a bit more. On the plus side of this bezel, the acrylic crystal is not as exposed, being less extruded than on other Irony models.

http://www.stay-tuned-to-sw.de/petite_seconde.jpg

Scroll down to "New Irony models" at Andreas' site here:
http://www.stay-tuned-to-sw.de/swatch.html

No coverage of the Las Vegas event. This usually means none of the US club members had an invite, or they would have forwarded info to Andreas. Or, maybe they're still living it up at Caesars.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 4 replies

Swatch Instant Stores

2005-08-11T13:34:35Z

Check it:

http://www.fhs.ch/en/news/news.php?id=400

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 8 replies

Summer Site

2005-08-11T03:09:40Z

I happened upon the summer collection at
http://www.swatch.com

It's worth a peek. The swatch.com site has design sensibility. There, the Web graphics look super.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 5 replies

Internet Time Problem

2005-08-04T23:16:27Z

Because of something about Daylight Savings Time, perhaps, I can't get my figure of Internet time to agree for a meeting' start.
The online meeting is to happen at 7 p.m. E. Australia time (E.A.S.T.) That is at @375.
I thought that 7 p.m. E.A.S.T. equals 10 a.m. Dublin time equals @375.
However, if you plug in the times seperately for E. Australia and Dublin into http://www.icq.com/languages/timecenter.html
you will get different results.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Local paper says 'ditch the swatch'

2005-08-01T16:35:29Z

This was online today, from the Indianapolis paper:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050716/LIVING/507160367/1007/LIVING

From the article:

College-bound: Keep the collectibles

As the kids get ready for college, it's a good time to clean out their childhood clutter. But what's likely to be valuable someday? Collectibles experts Ralph and Terry Kovel recommend keeping these things:

• Classics that mark the beginning of a new type of toy, including such video games as Pong, Super Mario Brothers and Pac-Man.

• Unusual Barbie accessories such as the Barbie record player or dentist's office chair.

• Lunchboxes, especially those that depict popular TV or movie characters.

What to ditch: Obsolete electronics and Swatch watches.

(end of article)

My response to the writer:

Regarding the collectibles article: Why recommend Swatch watches in particular be ditched? Was there a particular phenomenon in Indiana where current age college bound youth acquired far too many? This means the departing would have obtained the watches in the mid nineties. I didn't realize Indiana saw such successful sales in the 90's of this brand. Curious call.

(end of response)

++++

Not my most crystal clear prose, but the article was simply lame, since last time I checked, the G Shock was the only story in the 90's, having essentially outsold Swatch five times to one in the heartland, and even more than that on the coasts. Do you still see the big, uber velcroed models marching around town? Neither have I. So, if the big story from then has lost favor with the freshman kiddies.... you can do the math.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Closed Swatch Store--Bellevue, WA, USA

2005-08-01T13:21:17Z

The store of Bellevue Square vanished. What a shock. I will miss Heath and the great Swatch people.
Is Portland's Swatch store the closest one to Seattle?
At least the online .store looks great.
Best wishes

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 10 replies

Daylight Savings Time--Proposal for New USA Law

2005-07-22T23:05:03Z

The following clip bodes ill for the project of simplifying the USA time system. In a related comment, I note that http://www.Swatch.com deleted their material for Internet time.

[clip]
Slashdot.com story linked here:
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/07/20/1957200&from=rss

An anonymous reader writes "Congressional leaders from both parties have signed off on a proposal that will change daylight savings time in the United States as early as this year. All that is left is a signoff by President Bush. If the proposed solution becomes law, DST will be extended two months, from March to November. With many IT applications relying on accurate time information and many having automatic adjustments for DST, how will the IT world handle this change? And with the proposal reportedly taking effect this year, is there enough time to implement change?"
[clip]

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Swatch Competition

2005-07-18T16:35:26Z

I shopped at the Wedgwood store and found a travel clock with a black and white modern face. It is about 1.5" x 2" x .4", and it is of plastic. It keeps good time and it cost $2 U.S. It was made in China and it carries the brand Hampton.

That goes along with the Stamp watch. Does someone know the retail price of the Stamp watch?

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

OT Swatch Group: Blancpain's New Management

2005-07-13T06:03:45Z

Apparently, a scion of the Hayek family took over at Blancpain.

What is a model of Blancpain which gives cause for trepidation about the future of that venerable brand?

Blancpain produces many classic mechanical wristwatches. Steel, automatic, and basic models can be had for less than $10000.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Stock Chart of Swatch Group

2005-07-02T20:51:46Z

Link the following for a chart.
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=UHR.VX&t=1y
Wow! ...looks impressive.

For the uninitiated, find a quote, linked on
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=UHR.VX
[clip]
The Swatch Group: it's Swiss time If there is one company that has revolutionized its sector, reached dizzy heights in terms of its worldwide reputation and established itself, in less than 20 years, as an undisputed benchmark, that is the Swatch Group, led by the charismatic Hayek. Set up in 1982, the Swiss Swatch Group, (and surely there's nobody who doesn't know of it by now), set out to conquer the world with a new concept ? a very colorful fun watch, which is flat and primarily made of plastic. It would be an understatement to say that everyone went for it. Who has never worn a Swatch? From the start, the watch had a whole range of innovations: an incredibly low price, a quality until then only found in the big names, a quartz mechanism with an analog display face; it had a name (two new collections a year) and you could change it to suit your mood. A fashion accessory providing accurate timekeeping, the Swatch watch gave rise to the Group motto: the only aspect of a Swatch that doesn't change is that it is constantly changing. Today the Group has become the leading world watchmaker and, thanks to a determined policy on acquisitions, owns a portfolio of brands that are equally well known: Blancpain, Hamilton, Omega, Longines, Tissot, Certina and Flik Flak, to name but a few.
[clip]

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Firefly

2005-06-29T19:49:08Z

I picked up a Firefly yesterday, not remembering that it's face lit up. It's beautiful!!! definately up there with my Cowboy and Cappucino Swatchs.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 5 replies

OT: Swatch Group Omega at Costco

2005-06-29T03:18:41Z

Wow, I felt so jazzed by seeing a steel Consetellation Omega wristwatch in Costco. It was less than $800.

My friend said that Costco discovered the Asian American people's penchant for Omega wristwatches. I wonder if that is true.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Swatch Bijoux Summer Collection

2005-06-29T03:14:37Z

This site looks great, and the steel jewelry can not be beat for the combination of style, economy and durability.

Here's the link to Swatch Bijoux Summer Collection:
http://bijoux.swatch.com/

Call me slow; I just turned on to Swatch Bijoux.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Internet Time--Dead On Arrival?

2005-06-04T19:04:03Z

Internet time didn't get a good start.
Do you think Internet time amounts to a useless elaboration on the concept of time? Or is Internet time a good idea in search of an application?

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 3 replies

OT: Swatch Group Omega in Tokyo

2005-05-28T21:03:53Z

The popularity of Omega wristwatches struck me on the subway of tokyo. I saw so many ladies' Omegas on commuters, and I spied a few mens' Omegas.
In the Tobu department store, I saw a display of Omegas with over a dozen different womens' models. I thought that Swatch Group were taking Omega into the realm of collecting that made the original Swatch so successful.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Swatch In Tokyo

2005-05-15T02:38:50Z

I visited the Mitsukoshi department store in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
The next day, I visted the Tokyu department store in Shibuya, Tokyo. In both stores, I saw the Swatch stands that have the characteristic colors and fixtures of the Swatch stores that I know. I can't make it to a different stand-alone Swatch store.
Those stands in the department stores have recent models of Swatch wristwatches. However, the stands don't have as much space for showing off all the newest models. I'm glad because the counterhelp people seemed exceedingly friendly, helpful, and industrious.
Due to the price of the yen, the cost of the watch seems high in Tokyo.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

In Tokyo, Which Store?

2005-05-11T03:28:51Z

I have yet to see a newly designed Swatch store.
Which Tokyo store has the new design?

+ Swatch can be found at the following locations in Tokyo:
-
Swatch Store Ikebukuro
Sunshine Alpa B1 3-1-2 Toshima-ku Higashi-Ikebukuro
Tokyo 170-0013
phone: ++81 3 5985 2088
-
Swatch Store Shibuya
Tokyu Departmentstore Co. Ltd.;Toyoko 1F, 2-24-1 Shibuya-ku, Shibuya
Tokyo 150-8319
phone:++81 3 3477 4710
-
Swatch Store Shibuya Meijidori
6-23-6 Jingu-mae, Shibuya
Tokyo 150-0001
phone:+81 3 5464 1510
fax:dito

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Fixing them?

2005-04-12T03:21:45Z

So, I've been wearing swatches since the mid 1980's. I still have my first one that I got when I was in 5th grade.

And I've inherrited some from friends, gotten them as gifts, etc.

A lot of them are in various stages of disrepair. Is there a way to get the mechanisims repaired for cheap?

xoMilo

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 3 replies

Daylight Savings Time

2005-04-06T03:36:08Z

Is the purpose of Daylight Savings Time to get us to get up earlier? Daylight Savings Time seems a waste of time.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 4 replies

Fave new Swatch???

2005-03-03T16:10:05Z

My fave watch from the new collection is Eight Stripes (original gent, plastic strap). I also REALLY like Jammed (Irony, cuff watch).

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 8 replies

OT: Swatch Group--Tissot T Touch

2005-02-27T15:59:22Z

Here I go on a wild tangent again.
On the Norwegian Sun cruise ship, the watch shop carried wristwatches of several brands of Swatch Group including Tissot. I eventually broke down and got the dealer to demo the T Touch wristwatch from Tissot. The T Touch has a touch interface so that you can get real feedback and response in several areas from the T Touch. Among those areas are altimeter, temperature and compass in addition to the usual chronograph and alarm functions.
I realized that a T Touch purchase would resemble a purchase of a prestigious German car; you want to buy the best technology. I barely walked away with my wallet intact after the dealer offered a discount onboard the ship.
Instead, I'm looking for the Swatch wristwatch touch game with the magic eight ball game from last season. That might be more useful than the bevy of functions I wanted on the T Touch.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Miami Swatch Store on Lincoln Road Mall & Paparazzi

2005-02-27T15:51:15Z

The Swatch store in Miami seems notable for its three kiosks of Flik-Flak wristwatches.
Otherwise, the best part of Swatch in Miami is my Paparazzi Spot Swatch. A thrill concerned the automatic switch of the time in relation to Internet time. Internet time, of course, doesn't need to shift because it doesn't include time zones. Also, my weather channels switched to Miami weather. The Forecast is 76 degrees F. and three days of partly cloudy weather. I'm sorry if that underwhelms all. I remain easily entertained and taken with my smart Swatch.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 4 replies

Swatch Store of Grand Cayman

2005-02-23T18:29:01Z

I stopped into the store on Grand Cayman. I looked for the Diaphane _Spring Motion_. However, that store had no automatic Diaphane wristwatches. Instead, they carried a lot of chronos, gents, and, of course, all of the fun scubas.
Around the corner was Kirk Freeport store which carried almost all of the other dressy Swatch Group offerings in brands of Rado, Tissot, Longines, Omega, and Breguet.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

OT: Swatch Group--Rado V10k--Hard Like Diamonds

2005-02-23T18:23:23Z

Because this concerns Rado, a Swatch Group company, maybe the following sounds off-topic. My fingers stumbled across a site of the Rado v10k wristwatch.

[clip]
With the new 'v10k', Rado has now pushed forward to the absolute summit. The pure, elegant connecting pieces between sapphire crystal and bracelet, as well as the lateral elements, are protected with diamond hardness against scratching. Case back and bracelet clasp are in skin-friendly titanium. As already with the Rado 'eSenza', the crown has been omitted from the 'v10k' too, for reasons of design aesthetics.
[clip]

Link for Rado.com promotional lit. ==> http://www.v10k.com/v10k/

Link for text of above promotional lit. without flash ==>
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/clocks-watches/watch/watches/rado/collections/v10k/index.htm

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 3 replies

Diaphane Automatic

2005-02-11T21:54:21Z

I hope to buy Swatch wristwatch _Spring Motion_ . However, I've some points to resolve:
<+>Must one wear an automatic wristwatch for twelve hours per day in order for it to have the energy to run?
<+>If you don't wear it for a few days and it runs down, is it hard on the movement to start it up again? What is the best treatment of the wristwatch if you plan to wear it occasionally?
<+>I've heard of shaker devices for automatic wristwatches. Does someone have experience with those?
<+>Finally, what is the right pronunciation of Diaphane? :)

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Helmut Newton

2005-01-27T22:38:46Z

Here's info on the Helmut Newton - one of a kind Swatch, that is up for auction. See picture section for images of the watch...(text from Swatch.com)

Priceless Helmut Newton Swatch to be sold at Auction to Benefit SoHo partnership

On December 3, 2001, Swatch concluded a magical evening at Sotheby’s in New York, having auctioned off 27 unique lots consisting of historic pieces and raising $800,000 for charity. One lot in particular drew some fierce bidding, as members of the audience vied for the opportunity to be the first person to ever design their own Swatch. The philanthropist Henry Buhl eventually raised his paddle the highest and walked away with the “My Swatch” lot and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to imprint his own vision on 100 Swatch canvases. This honor has never been offered to anyone not already an established artist and will likely never be again.

Mr. Buhl and the Swatch design team spent the next two and a half years trying to find something that spoke to both the provocative and artistic nature of Swatch, Mr. Buhl’s own love of photography and, most especially, photography of the hands. Being a collector and aficionado of Helmut Newton’s work, Mr. Buhl offered him the chance to have one of his photographs, California Finger Nails Hollywood, 1981, imprinted as art for the wrist. With this, Helmut Newton joins the ranks of other artists who have worked with Swatch over the years: Kiki Picasso, Keith Haring, Nam Jun Paik, Annie Leibovitz, Pedro Almodovar, among many, many others. And a unique Swatch was born.

Only 100 of these pieces were created. Among them, only one will be auctioned online on our site from May 7th, 11:30AM (EST) until May 20th, 20:00PM (EST). In the night of May 20th, invitations to Mr. Buhl’s house will be limited and the online Auction will be broadcasted, allowing for the whole world to participate. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the SoHo Partnership, an organization started by Mr. Buhl whose primary goal is providing job opportunities for the homeless.

From May 7th to May 19th, the watch will be on display at the Swatch store at the corner of Prince Street and West Broadway in SoHo.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

NEW STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-01-27T16:19:12Z

Word has it that next week we'll get 60 or so new styles in the store. Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, my store is receiving 12 Valentine specials. If you want one, give me a call & I'll put you on our list. Swatch Portland 503.222.3380

Oh - we also received the new Valentine Bijoux. This year it's a bracelet - chain with a heart & arrow. It's REALLY cute, 40 bucks and comes in small & medium.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

Positive Shopping Experience

2005-01-27T16:17:58Z

Yesterday, I brought my friend to the Swatch store in the suburbs,
and we were surprised. I had given my friend an Irony Swatch model Happy Joe, and we needed to have taken out some links in the bracelet. The Swatch tech at the store was happy to oblige, and he went the extra mile by buffing out the crystal for us. Then the same tech buffed out my sorely scratched Swatch skin. I was thrilled. Myfriend in now a new fan of Swatch with her nearly new Irony wristwatch.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 3 replies

Favorite Swatches continued

2005-01-12T04:38:58Z

Heather will laugh at this post (we work together at Swatch and she has heard me say this at least 12 times) but if anyone ever has an Art Film No. 4 (the Yoko Ono one), Gnomania, Hairy Harry, Frozen Tears, Bisex or Time Tranny to get rid of (or if ya ever, like see one laying on the ground), YOU LET ME KNOW!! I'll be your true love forever more. Thanks!

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 3 replies

Diamonds.........

2005-01-11T02:14:46Z

At Swatch Portland, we have a limited edition (4,000 pc world wide) Skin watch with 174 diamonds. It's $1,400. Any takers?

503.222.3380
Swatch Portland
Mngr: Heather.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

Time Trannie

2004-12-10T16:14:19Z

Any one have a Time Trannie they want to sell??

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Holiday Special

2004-12-05T23:18:04Z

Hey there -

If you want this year's holiday special - give me a call. I have a large list of people, but I might get some extras.

Swatch Portland - 503.222.3380

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 4 replies

Cool NEW Swatches

2004-10-01T04:50:43Z

Hey gang -

At Swatch Portland, we just got in some REALLY cool new styles. I posted some of the styles in this tribe's gallery. Check 'em out. If you want any, give me a call at the store: 503.222.3380. We ship too!!

- Heather.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

cool old Swatches

2004-09-10T15:42:00Z

Hey folks -

I just ordered a bunch of old Swatches from the warehouse....before they sent them back to Switzerland. I've got some cool styles, such as Afterburner, Bleep, Monster Game, Krake, Directions, Pierre et Gilles, Bubblegum, Spitzer, and Missing Spoon. Let me know if you want anything. 503.222.3380 (Swatch Portland)

Heather.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply

CUTE new Swatch

2004-08-10T15:59:16Z

Oh my God....we just got in the cutest Swatch ever at Swatch Portland. It's various shades of pink, with Japanese inspired characters on the bands. It's called Zen Wink. It's not even available on Swatch.com. It's soooooo cute. Sort of reminds me of a Pucca type drawing.

If you're interested, call me at the store: 503.222.3380. We also received some other styles that aren't available online yet either. They're very cute, but this one is my fave.

- Heather.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 2 replies

HR Giger

2004-08-09T15:47:58Z

I just bought another book on HR Giger & it contained some shocking info.....Turns out he's a major Swatch fan. He is Swiss, so it's not too weird. The best part is.....he's actually done artwork using "Swatches". He has made arm bands with Swatches and all kinds of other funky stuff. Cool, huh?

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

Bunny Sutra

2004-06-30T02:53:10Z

I just posted some pics of the watch & the billboard in Times Square.

I heard it's in Playboy. Has anyone seen it in there?

We're getting another shipment from Switzerland next week & we're offering free shipment if you get on our waiting list...

Portland Swatch
503.222.3380
Mngr (that's me) - Heather.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 3 replies

Fun Scuba

2004-06-29T15:18:25Z

Hey folks,

Fun Scuba (a new line from Swatch) is hitting the stores this week. Give me a call if you're interested: 503.222.3380.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 0 replies

have you seen this one?

2004-05-13T15:39:15Z

http://www.swatch.com/specials/bunny/bunnysutra1.php

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 3 replies

Portland Swatch

2004-04-24T16:11:05Z

We just got in the Bunnysutra watch. If you'd like it, give us a call.....503.222.3380

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 5 replies

Favorite Swatch Band

2004-03-13T06:23:21Z

Which band is your fave??? I can't decide, please help me.

posted in Swatch Freaks Unite - 1 reply