March 2014

Swatch SISTEM51 Automatic Wind Mechanical Timepiece
Highly stylish mechanical watch... without the high price tag.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

  Proof that you don't need to invest $10,000 for a good quality Swiss-made automatic winding mechanical movement timepiece, Swatch now offers their new SISTEM51 for around $200. Quite a few connoisseurs even admit that during the Swiss mechanical movement downfall decades ago, it was Swatch that kept the flame alive as a rebirth of the industry has flourished into the incredibly vibrant industry it is today. With SISTEM51, Swatch has once again opened up an exciting new world!

As the world's first mechanical movement ever to be made not by hand, but on a fully-automated robotic assembly line, this insures each movement is precisely built without having humans draped carefully wearing vision-enhancing magnification devices within a cleanroom since dust and debris are extremely harmful to precision mechanical devices. Unprecedented technological innovation (17 pending patents) enabled the development, in less than two years, of a self-winding mechanical movement with only 51 parts in five modules. SISTEM51 is 100 percent Swiss made and while most mechanical watches under $20,000 only hold around 48 hours of power reserve, the approximately $200 SISTEM51 features an impressive 90 hour power reserve! Hermetically sealed within its case, the 3 Hz movement delivers precise, long-lasting, maintenance-free performance. Having owned the automatic wind Swatch Body & Soul for many years, i can personally attest to Swatches durability and reliability in timekeeping.

The dial side of the SISTEM51 reveals six of the movement's 19 rubies, and from the back one gazes through a transparent oscillating weight into the heart of the movement. Design is a key part of the Swatch DNA, and SISTEM51 extends its reach into the innovative depths of the movement itself. The visible surfaces of the movement's five modules present a new canvas, a new field of creative expression for graphic designers and contemporary artists. There are four models to choose from to match your style and activity.

SISTEM51 White (SUTW400) features six red points positioned on the white dial directly above 6 of the movement's 19 rubies, indicating the mechanical universe beneath. These 6 ruby-red points are surrounded by large colored dots, each corresponding to one of the points where the movement's 5 modules are welded together. The back side features a transparent crystal showing the oscillating weight and brightly colored modules. You can see the motion of the gear trains and balance spring. The design is pure current pop culture, connecting SISTEM51 to the legendary story of Swatch and art.

SISTEM51 Black (SUTB400) is a beautiful black and white map of the stars. It shows a universe revolving around a single, central point of light, a mirror of our solar system. Six red points representing 6 of the movement's 19 rubies glow in the darkness of infinite space, framed by a concentric array of white lights — a harmonious star-map of time. On the rear of the watch has a swirling black and white vortex that may captivate your eyes. The transparent crystal oscillating weight revolves and reveals the mechanical microcosm that turns on a single, central screw.

Other colors have their own style and will reach the hearts of watch lovers worldwide. So while we all await for Patek Philippe's assuredly $100,000+ 175th Anniversary timepiece, those with real-world budgets can enjoy their ~$200 Swatch SISTEM51 and not be afraid to bang it around the gym, dance clubs and beach.

www.Swatch.com