24th Oct, 2024 10:00

The Art & Design Sale

 
Lot 195
 


Lot 195 - A group of sixteen Swatch Watches
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195

A group of sixteen Swatch Watches

to include: Soup de Poisson (PWZ106); C-Monsta (SDZ101); Mind the Shark (SDK902); Cherry Drops (SDG102/103); Black Wave (SDB102); Spray Up (SDN103); Seetang (SDK900/1); Tipping Compass (SDK111); Azimut (GK179); Mint Drops (SDK108/9); Silver Trace (SDN107); Blue Sky (SBN100); Red Harbour (SBG100); Black Rudder (SBB100); Big Blue (SBN101); and Silver Moon (SBK100)

Swatch watches, launched in 1983 by Swiss watchmaker Nicolas Hayek, revolutionised the watch industry. In the 1970s, the Swiss watch market faced severe competition from inexpensive, mass-produced Japanese quartz watches. Swatch responded by creating affordable, stylish watches that merged Swiss craftsmanship with a modern, playful aesthetic.
The key innovation of Swatch was its simplified design—using fewer components and lightweight plastic materials, making production more cost-effective. This approach not only saved the Swiss watch industry but also made watches accessible to a wider audience, turning them into fashion statements, rather than just timepieces. Swatch watches were known for their bold colours, quirky designs, and frequent limited-edition releases, often collaborating with artists and designers, further boosting their appeal.
Beyond their commercial success, Swatch watches are significant for democratising Swiss watchmaking and introducing a fun, creative approach to what was once considered a luxury product. Today, Swatch remains an iconic brand, symbolising innovation, art, and affordability in the global watch industry.
Estimated at £200 - £400

 

Auction: The Art & Design Sale, 24th Oct, 2024

For our final Art & Design Sale of the year, we are pleased to offer works from the following collections:
The late Lord Myners, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Tate, whose collection largely centres around the St Ives school of painting; the actor and connoisseur Quentin Stevenson, who is offering the largest collection of Elisabeth Vellacott works to be sold at auction; the late Sam Alper OBE who, through his work at the Curwen Press, was instrumental in championing the British print market.

From private collections, we are happy to offer three previously lost works, including a rare Christopher Dresser teapot, a Patrick Heron oil, and a John Craxton oil from the estate of the late Gigi Richter.

View the page-turner catalogue here

Viewing

Sun 20 Oct    10:00-12:00

Mon 21 Oct    10:00-17:00

Tue 22 Oct     10:00-17:00

Wed 23 Oct   10:00-17:00

Thu 24 Oct     09:00-09:45

Fri 25 Oct       09:00-09:45

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