Launching SISTEM51 in Singapore

So the Swatch SISTEM51 is finally launched on our island republic! Officially launch party was held at Orchard Gateway Swatch store on 24th July 2014. Event was held between 6.51pm and 8.51pm. Care to guess why?

The store was decorated with all things SISTEM51. including the central display showing the features of SISTEM51 - anchored by a blue screw.

Swatch SISTEM51 launches yet another milestone in Swiss watchmaking. Many firsts and patents goes into the making of SISTEM51. The tag-line for SISTEM51 is - the front tells the time, the back tells the story. As you can already guess, SISTEM51 has 51 moving parts anchored by one central screw.

With the launching of the SISTEM51, Swatch has taken Swiss Watchmaking to new heights. The watch is 100% made in Switzerland and has 17 patents pending. I think no other brand today can lay claim to their timepieces being 100% made in Switzerland and retailing at such an incredible price. The watch comes in four colors - blue, black, white and red.

For the launch, the store was transformed into all things SISTEM51. All the watches displayed were SISTEM51.

And for the launch party, Swatch also commissioned cocktail bar 28HKS to present 3 cocktails inspired by SISTEM51: 90 Hour Power Reserve, 51 Components and 1 Central Screw.

A bunch of us got together at the launch and brought our SISTEM51. Blue being the most common. Notice the gang buster - the Diaphane One? Well, we shall leave that for another day. A very unusual carousel watch. And my friend JK has two!

On top what's in the store, Swatch also created the POP-UP store for this event. And outside, a special station set up to allow guests to print their own bag with the tag line. Guess who that is doing the screen printing of her bag?

During the event Peter was invited to give a speech by Swatch to talk about the importance of the SISTEM51 and the significance it brings to the world of horology. Peter is a well known watch collector and you can read more on his website about all things horology at Deployant.

On top of what is outside, Swatch also created a special set of 4 for purchase. 51 sets are available and if you purchase them in the set, you get a specially created watch winder for free.

The watch winder is by the brand Wolf and is blue in color. One for Jokoh!

The 51 sets are whilst stocks last and definitely worth it. Each watch is retailing at S$209 inclusive of GST.

For more on the watch, look out for my other post on SISTEM51.

Kudos to Swatch for launching a mechanical watch that is 100% made in Switzerland at this price level. Let's see what comes after SISTEM51. Thanks to Swatch and Michelle for the invite.

Swatch Sistem 51 - Coming to Singapore Soon!

Swatch makes fun watches, colorful watches, quartz watches… but Swatch the company also owns several high end watch brands and movement maker ETA. They have a small range of mechanical timepieces which were rather well made and priced. Then came Sistem 51.

The Sistem 51 is a new range of mechanical timepieces from Swatch. What so different? Well the Sistem 51 is made of 51 parts, hence the name. And as I understand it, fully assembled using automation. And the watch needs no regulation. So I was obviously intrigued and in my recent trip to Switzerland, promptly picked up the watch - all four of them!

Priced at CHF150 each inclusive of tax, I must say they are affordable. The first release consists of four colors - black, white, blue and red.

My favorite? Has to be the Sistem White - very Swatch, very colorful and playful IMHO.

On first touch, the watch feels light and plasticky… every inch a Swatch. Comes with a small date at the 3 O'Clock position. Too small to make a difference. I would rather not have the date window. Comes with a white rubber strap.

The colorful play on the hands - I love that! But as you can see even the crown looks plastic. The hands come with luminous tip.

The Sistem Black is a little boring - but supporters of all things black will probably like it. Like my sons, I am sure one of them will want the black. This one comes with a black leather strap.

The blue and red has rather interesting dials - probably depicting the stars and constellations.

The Sistem Blue comes with a black rubber strap with matching blue stitches.

The Sistem Red is similar in motif to the blue.

As with the blue, the red comes with a rubber strap with red stitches.

And what about the movement? Well this is where some surprises are in store. First, the automatic rotor. Notice the ETA mark on the top left corner of the case? Watch is water resistant to 5ATM. Made from 5 separate modules, the watch is hermetically sealed and has power reserve in excess of 3 days - impressive!

The balance wheel comes without the usual balance spring screws and it is supposedly regulation free.

The motif on the movement makes it feel psychedelic.

So we shall have one each - family watch! Watch out for the wrist shot coming up soon.

Overall a nifty package and well priced at CHF150 (approx SGD220). A fun mechanical watch at an affordable price. Shall be testing it for accuracy. More more information visit Swatch website.

And for Singapore fans, the Sistem 51 will be launching here on 25th July 2014. And if you decided to buy all 4 colours, you will get a watch winder - only 51 sets available.