HiPSTER WAVE

Swatch Sports Summer Collection 2012

SIX FANTASTIC NEW WATCH DESIGNS FROM SWATCH COMBINE ACTION, INSPIRATION AND IMAGINATION TO CREATE EXTREME STYLE STATEMENTS

Swatch presents its latest Sports collection for the summer of 2012. Aligning with its previous releases, these watches feature one of the brand’s best selling models, the New Gent, with all-over patterns inspired by various action sports. The Swatch Sports Collection stylishly confirms the iconic Swiss watch and jewellery maker’s long-standing enthusiasm and support for international Action and Extreme sports. Swiss watchmaker, Swatch, opened its doors back in 1983 with an idea to combine top-quality craftsmanship with affordable prices in an effort to fight against the rise of Japanese-made products. Now one of the more dynamic watchmakers today offering unique innovations.

Six striking watches have been designed by members of the Swatch Proteam – the highly skilled riders proudly sponsored by Swatch. These dynamic creations combine the technical excellence and design innovation for which Swatch is world famous, to convey some of the breathtaking energy, spirit and motion associated with the exciting disciplines of snowboarding, surfing and FMX. With highly personal design inspirations behind the Swatch Sports Collection ranging from classic surf films to animal prints, or nature and bikes, the six men and women from the Swatch Proteam collectively prove their design flair and creativity – colourfully expressed through drawing, photography or customizing – are as impressive as their sporting talents.

Shop: Wonder Zebra – $70.00 – bit.ly/SwatchWonderZebra
Shop: Wonder Drift – $70.00 – bit.ly/SwatchWonderDrift

Swiss watch and jewelry maker Swatch steps out into the lights with two new Swatch Touch, the trendy new digital timekeepers with big colour LCD displays and a touch-sensitive zone for easy access to multiple times. Lit up like stars, the seconds dance across the screen. Constantly changing, alive, moving with the driving rhythm and the pulse of life, they are by far the biggest numerals on display. Catching emotion in the blink of an eye, they are the heart of the watch.

Inspired by the sounds and the rhythms of cities on the edge, Swatch’s designers have taken street-smart trends straight to the wrist: Swatch Touch blends the Swiss brand’s flair for on-trend colours with sharp, easy-to-read colour touch displays and high-tech timing functions. The case, 39 mm wide and 52.5 mm tall, provides plenty of space for the big, brightly lit display. Both new models pack a powerful mix of contemporary trends and advanced digital technology. The first is the stylish black and grey skull-patterned Swatch Touch Skull and the second a star-studded purple and white beauty, Swatch Touch Star.

The high-tech touch screen gives Swatch Touch owners easy access to six digital functions: time (2 zones, t1 & t2), date, chrono, alarm, timer and beep, using finger-taps and sideways scrolls. The curved plastic glass display and coloured LCD present Arabic numerals in a big, stylish font drawn to make the most of the watch’s shape, and the screen’s built-in backlight assures easy readability at all times. Swiss-made quality and ergonomic design—the watch head and strap are perfectly integrated—make every Swatch Touch a joy to wear.

Swatch Touch Star – $140.00: bit.ly/TouchStar
Swatch Touch Skull – $140.00: bit.ly/TouchSkull

SWATCH AND ITALIAN ARTIST LORENZO PETRANTONI COLLABORATE ON A SERIES OF DESIGNS DESTINED FOR ALL THE BEST-DRESSED WRISTS!

Swatch is excited to unveil a new collaboration with the internationally acclaimed artist, Lorenzo Petrantoni, whose work is known for combining a distinct graphic sensibility with an illustrative flourish.

This new series of five watch designs from Lorenzo Petrantoni confirms Swatch’s long-standing quest to identify and then work in conjunction with creative mavericks whose dedication to innovation and artistic excellence equals that of the famed Swiss brand. Previous Swatch collaborations, regularly unveiled since the mid-1980s onwards, have resulted in stunning time pieces from high profile visual artists including Keith Haring, Kiki Picasso, Alfred Hofkunst, Mimmo Rotella, Alesandro Mendini, Ivan Navarro and Jean-Michel Othoniel.

As part of The Graphic Designers Collection from Swatch, Lorenzo Petrantoni proposes five different designs which are all equally amazing. Using a stark palette of black and white, the artist’s complex array of illustrative patterns and motifs – which he achieves by reassembling cut-outs from old books, almost like a contemporary form of patchwork – are intricately printed upon the sleek silicone and plastic surfaces of the various watch designs. The quality of this printing process is incredibly precise, ensuring that every single detail can be minutely scrutinized and fully appreciated. Furthermore, each watch features the well-known Swatch logo printed on the inside of the plastic glass, creating a pleasing 3-D effect.

Born in Genoa, in 1970, Lorenzo Petrantoni went on to study graphic design at college in Milan, prior to embarking upon a successful career as an art director in France. Following a move back to his native Italy – which remains his base to this day – he has also evolved his graphic talents into the territory of illustration. His delicate and intricate creations take inspiration from the 1800′s and in particular from old dictionaries of that era, from which he retrieves long-forgotten images to reassemble and reinvent for an appreciative 21st century audience. Petrantoni’s work has, not surprisingly, been exhibited internationally and utilised throughout a variety of popular global advertising campaigns, as well as iconic magazines and newspapers.

Lorenzo Petrantoni explains his design inspirations: “The old and the new come together. Past and present, united in a unique project. This collection of five watches is the offspring of this perfect union. They were designed with decorations, characters and letters and symbols that date back to the 19th century. For me it has been a fascinating, surprising and original project. The idea was to give life to characters and objects from our past once more, while they are often forgotten in dusty bookshops, and to make them modern and aesthetically beautiful by using them for a young and stylish brand. Truly, there was nothing like a Swatch to welcome them into our times.”

HYPNOTIC EYE – $70.00: bit.ly/SwatchHypnoticEye

The line is avail 3/1.

SWATCH AND FRENCH ARTIST FAFI COLLABORATE

Swatch is proud to announce a new collaboration with the internationally-acclaimed artist, Fafi, whose work is known for mixing a strong, graphic sensibility with a vibrant, streetwise energy.

A new, one-off design from Fafi confirms Swatch’s ongoing wish to seek-out and join forces with creative talents whose dedication to innovation and artistic excellence equals that of the famed Swiss brand.

As part of The Graphic Designers Collection from Swatch, French artist Fafi has drawn upon her own unique aesthetic culminating in a watch design that simultaneously looks and feels cheeky and stylish. Combining the uncompromisingly modern finish of sleek black plastic, with the colours and deft curves of the artist’s signature style of mark-making, her creation for Swatch – named Fafi O’Clock (GZ274) – buzzes with sheer personality and confidence.

The enigmatically-named Fafi originally hails from Paris, France. During the mid 1990s, she first began to enliven local walls and spaces with her graffiti art, garnering admiration for her distinct graphic sensibility, which proposed sassy and humorous depictions of subverted feminine stereotypes. Encouraged by her initial success, Fafi travelled around the world – making her mark in Japan, Europe, USA and Hong Kong – and forged further enthusiastic fans far and wide. High profile collaborations with, for example, electronic mega-brands, cutting-edge fashion boutiques, sports labels and make-up ranges all duly ensued, with Fafi’s imagery also being featured in glossy magazines, pop videos and best-selling books. A new-found depth was brought to Fafi’s creative output after she became a mother, in 2007, though her mischievous visual spirit remains as potent as ever in her latest works.

Fafi recalls her earliest Swatch moment: “Like a lot of kids, my first ever watch was a Swatch. I can still remember the pleasure of wearing it and how highly fashionable I felt!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Swatch Love Collection.

Wear your heart on your sleeve with two adorable Original Gent watches. Catch My Heart is ruby red and features a small white figure, emerging from a scarlet rose sketched on the dial. To give love an extra chance, the red silicon strap also bears the words “Only you!” Positioned just beneath the dial, near the beating heart of the watch, the message hugs the wrist.

It is also time for romance with Lovely Mine, the second Original Gent, with its delicate pink design. The pink dial is home to a cute character in a rabbit costume, the ears of which join to form a heart shape. The little guardian of feelings kept secret becomes the messenger and whispers the sweetest words to the chosen one. The pink strap confirms the tender declaration with “I love you!” written below the dial.

The Swatch Love Collection is completed with stainless steel 316L bijoux, embellished with faceted red crystals. The Glamorous Love trio comprises a heart pendant nestled in steel, which dances on a delicate chain; a simple, pure ring studded with tiny hearts that sparkle with incandescent light; and a set of heart-shaped earrings. The bijoux flash with fiery red, like love.

We’ve always known Swatch for their high-quality, durable watches, but style and holiday spirit are also brought to the table for the Swatch Love Collection. Following are a few links for browsing // purchasing the watches that tickle your fancy or you think would make a good gift for your sweetheart this year, as well as a gallery of photos of these cool timepieces. You can count on the same durable quality for Swatch’s ever-growing catalog of jewelry.

Lovely Mine ($60)
Catch My Heart ($60)
Glamourous Love Jewelry