To mix it up Swatch moves the date window from the six to three o’clock positions depending on the dial design. The date window is present on most models. There are endless combinations of hands and dials. I chose the “Incognito” (SUTT400), “Cream” (SUTM400), and “Grid” (SUTN401) versions to use in this article for variety. They all do share two features, the Swatch logo and 6 red dots representing movement components. The diversity of the all the different dials can be overwhelming. However, the plastic was smooth and had a uniform texture. I was expecting seams from the molding process. The case finishing is about as good as one could expect for a $150 plastic watch. If you are used to a steel mechanical watch, the Sistem51 is so light that you’ll to forget that it is there. The Black Bay feels 10 times heavier in-hand and on the wrist. I compared the profile of the Sistem51 to the Tudor Black Bay to emphasize the height and length of the case. It sits like a coffee table – not a watch. The combination of the shape and a lug to lug width of 50mm means they don’t hug my 6.75” wrist at all.

The flat lugs are very square to the bottom of the case. This is partially because of the lug shape and width. Not overwhelming, but I found it annoying to have it under a shirt cuff. One of the first things that you notice is how high the watch sits on the wrist. The crown comes out from the locked position too easily. This did not help build my confidence in the watch. I was afraid that it would snap it right off of the stem with one wrong move. It also feels fragile moving between positions. Proportionately, the crown is much too small for the case size. With a sealed case back, servicing is not an option. There is no case back to open, only a large exhibition window on the back. The cases are sealed together with a very strong adhesive… permanently. There are a few stainless steel models as well. The 42mm case is all plastic for the majority of models. Released at the Baselworld 2013 watch fair, the mechanical Swatch Sistem51 was the anti-smart watch.Ĭan Swatch walk the thin line between fashion and function for an MSRP of $150? We are about to find out. The now juggernaut Swatch Group was ready to respond with the Swatch Sistem51. The Swiss watch industry would soon face another crisis: smart watches. The inexpensive Swatch watch enjoyed decades of success developing a cult following in its wake. Swatch soon became an icon for new Swiss watchmaking. Aggressive marketing campaigns aided in brand recognition. With a simple case design and colorful designs, Swatches could easily be recognized from their conservative competition. These less expensive Swiss quartz watches began hitting the shelves in 1983. The Swatch watch brand was one of many Swiss ideas attempting to reclaim lost market share from Asian watch companies during the quartz crisis. I had to look closer at where the Sistem51 came from as well as physically get my hands on one to get the answers.

Why don’t we see the $150 Sistem51 more often in our #twobrokewatchsnobs horological bubble?.

Why would the flagship namesake of an enormous watch conglomerate want to partner with a niche enthusiast website?.

Why would a high-horology enthusiast website / retailer be interested in a collaboration with a $150 watch?.

The three questions that I couldn’t wrap my head around: I had more questions about the Sistem51 than I had answers. The typical watch-addict ad reaction of “ADD TO BAG” didn’t happen. It was only a fraction of the cost of anything else that Hodinkee offered (besides a magazine).

The Swatch Sistem51 cost $150, which piqued my interest immediately. The first time that I was introduced to a Swatch Sistem51 was in a marketing email from Hodinkee announcing their collaboration with Swatch.

Swatch sistem51