Swatch System 51: Automatic, 90h PR, CHF 130

Ornatus-Mundi · 2013-04-26T01:43:14Z

Discover Swatch's revolutionary System 51 automatic watch from Baselworld 2013: 90h power reserve, laser-set, 51 parts, CHF 130.

Ornatus-Mundi

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

38 replies10782 views2 photos

Ornatus-Mundi shares groundbreaking news from Baselworld 2013: Swatch's introduction of the System 51. This post details the revolutionary automatic movement, featuring a 90-hour power reserve, laser-set escapement, and fully robotic assembly, all at an unprecedented price point. It sparked significant discussion on its implications for the watch industry.

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This is one of the milestone news for this Basel fair!

SWATCH presents the System 51, an absolutely mind blowing watch with:

automatic movement with 90h power reserve
unique escapement, no regulator, rate set with laser
daily deviation is guaranteed less then five second
51 parts, only 1 (one!) screw
material: ARCAP, (alloy of copper, nickel, zink), highly antimagnetic
entirely assembled and regulated by robots
100% Swiss Made

Now here comes the real surprise: The whole watch costs a little more than 100 CHF (rumors: 130 CHF)!!

The watch was not on display as the introduction is set of October this year. However, I found two life pics from the newpaper 'Bieler Tagblatt', published in SWATCH's home town Biel:

This is an absolute surprise, unannounced, unprecedented - an example of out-of-the-box thinking and a demonstration of what watchmakers can do - if they set the right priorities!

A Basel 2013 highlight, for sure!

Cheers from Basel,

Magnus

This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2013-04-29 00:29:05

Key Points from the Discussion

The Swatch System 51 movement is entirely new and rethought from the ground up, not a derivative of existing ETA 2842 series movements.
The laser setting of the escapement likely involves removing material from the balance for precision, implying mass-produced hairsprings and balances with narrow tolerances, possibly using silicon.
Previous Swatch automatic models, such as a platinum-cased version released to celebrate a milestone, existed but were significantly more expensive and less accessible than the System 51.
The System 51's low price point of approximately €140 makes it an intriguing purchase for collectors interested in its innovative movement and potential long-term value.
The Swatch Body and Soul remains a favorite for some collectors, despite the new innovations of the System 51.
The System 51 represents a significant development in the watch industry, introducing robot-made movements and potentially impacting the landscape of mechanical watch manufacturing.

The Discussion

amanico

Apr 26, 2013

Wasn't there a mechanical Swatch before, Magnus?

I don't know Swatch very well, but wasn't it the Irony ( on pun intended )? If I remember well, it was much more than 100 CHF. Very cool offer from Swatch, fair and nicely priced. Great information! Best, Nicolas

small-luxury-world

Apr 26, 2013

Yes, there have been several ...

but not like this: " automatic movement that is entirely put together by machines, only" :-) Cheers, Oliver

Nicko16

Apr 26, 2013

One game changer of watch!

Would love to see one in real life.

Ornatus-Mundi

Apr 26, 2013

plus antimagnetic, 90h power reserve and all that...

for 130 CHF. QUITE A FEAT! Cheers, Magnus

DonCorson

Apr 26, 2013

Yes...

The Swatch automatic uses movements from the 2842 series, versions of the 2824 that have been optimised for cost and long life _without_ any service. This movement is, however completely new and rethought from the beginning. I am looking forward to seeing it (and opening it up :)) Don

Ornatus-Mundi

Apr 26, 2013

Opening it up = destroying it...

as the movement contains only one screw that fixes the rotor, the rest is welded. So I guess if you try to open/service it you destroy it. Best, Magnus

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