A passion for Swatch Vintage models
About Swatch and its early years...
It all began in the early 1980s, a very unstable period for the watchmaking industry also known as the "Quartz Crisis". The Quartz Crisis was the direct result of competitiveness underestimation by the Swiss as Japanese and American companies began to gain considerable market shares.
Between 1970 and 1983, Swiss watch companies decreased from 1,600 to 600 and employment fell from 90,000 to only 28,000 jobs. Most family-run businesses and smaller workshops had to file for bankruptcy.
At the beginning of the 1980's, watch manufacturers in Switzerland realized that changes were necessary. The recovery of the Swiss watch industry was shouldered in particular by two men: Ernst Thomke and Nicolas G. Hayek. In 1978, Thomke was hired by ASUAG (Allgemeine Schweizerische Uhrenindustrie AG), the second largest watch group after SSIH (Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère), to restructure the production of movements.
Thomke aimed to simplify the production process and managed to bring all its suppliers together to form a new company, ETA SA, which is still known today for the manufacture of raw movements. He reduced both production costs and the number of employees and began to accelarate the conversion to quartz movements. His strategy soon proved to be the good one.
The rise of Swatch...
Thomke and Hayek were to be brought together by Swatch - both then and now the flagship of the Swatch Group. Thomke soon had a plan for a model, which he developed under the code name Delirium Vulgare.
N. Hayek & E. Thomke
ETA made its debut in 1978 with Delirium, one of the flattest watches ever. Thomke planned to invest the engineering knowledge gained in a low-cost, rapid-production watch that would yield a high profit margin. Instead of the circuit board, the movement was to be built directly on the case back. The case itself should be made of plastic. The problem: Thomke needed investors, but the banks refused the money. So he presented his idea to Hayek, with whose help he could secure the financing. The Swatch was launched in 1983 along with the company and gained popularity due to its affordable price, wide range of designs, and neon wristbands. It was the success that Switzerland needed.
Original Jelly Fish 1983N. Hayek Jr, in his own words:
Each of the items is a piece of documentary evidence. Together they could tell hundred different stories, exciting episodes in the history of watchmaking. There are stories here about product design and marketing, about new materials and processes, about the power of mass communications, fashion and popular trends. Above all there is the story of the revolutionary shift in how people think about watches and in how watches are produced - an industrial revolution inspired and carried by Swatch itself.
It is the story of a love affair with art. Not the art that is trapped in galleries and museums, but art that has escaped and jumped to the wrist, to the street and the world's smallest canvas.
(Blum Auction, 2011)
POSITIVE PROVOCATION
JOY OF LIFE
SWISS-MADE QUALITY
A passion and a family matter...
The collection started a few years after the launch of the brand in 1983. We have been lucky enough to witness the rise and magnificence of its unilimited creativy. In 1995 we integrated the official Swatch Collector's Club which gave us access to rare models released over time.
The love and passion generated by these unique timepieces motivated us to acquire a numerous amount of models, some of them were kept for private use but most of them are here, untouched, and preserved in their original case.
We decided to share our story and our models with you by creating a web shop, where this vintage era could live forever.
Jean Vanheurck
(owner and founder)
Absolute mint condition, love the brown strap. Feels fantastic to wear!
Orologio elegantissimo e tenuto maniacalmente, spedizioni super veloci e affidabili!
Ottimo lavoro⏱️
I am a returning customer having purchased twice from them (5 swatches in total). Watches in pristine condition, and superb customer service. I had a question on one of my purchases and I received a response on the same day as my query, in fact just a few hours after I sent my query. I would strongly recommend swatch vintage collection.
A great experience. Top condition, new and unworn. Delivery fast and transparent with tracking! Thanks!
The Swatch I ordered arrived in perfect condition, with original box and paperwork. Very impressive! It took a few weeks to arrive from overseas as expected, but it was worth the wait. It was also cool that it came with the new battery I ordered installed and it was set to the correct time. Love it!
This is such a cool watch! I was a little kid in the mid-1980s and this fun piece teleports me right back to hilarious movies and New Wave music. I love it so much and I will 100% purchase from this site again soon. Swatch Vintage Collection does great, honest business and I look forward to finding my next piece of pop culture history right here!
The watch was even better looking in person and as usual the support and responsiveness from Jean was excellent.
Lovely watch. Funky & different. A new style for me. Very happy with the watch & service provided.
Great service, quick delivery, as described, used the watch and so far it’s been working great. Will buy again! Thank you!
I purchased two swatches in one order and they both exceeded my expectations. The packaging and delivery was as expected and they even set the Swatches to my local time. I’ll definitely be ordering from Swatch Vintage Collection again.
Bravo and thank you SVC!
Purchased two Swatches.
Both watches, the service and the delivery, exceeded expectations. I will definitely purchase with
Swatch Vintage Collection again.
This is my second purchase and the watch was just what I wanted and the process was painless and smooth.
Great product and even better customer service. Fast response and helpful people.
I enjoy the style of the watch but realized I wanted numbers on the dial. So I bought another Swatch to compliment the coming tide.
Always wanted the Nautilus in the collection-rare piece to find in this condition! Thank you Jean for this beauty and for the secured trust by selling only NOS mint pieces!
Venditore serio, affidabile e soprattutto appassionato! Per noi malati di Swatch sono punti fondamentali. L’orologio è arrivato realmente in condizioni NOS funzionante e mi ha fatto rivivere delle emozioni profonde legate al passato. Consigliatissimo +++.
I was the lucky one who won the white horses at the auction for a very fair price. You also notice the way Jean packages the watch, monitors the shipping process, etc. That he does this with a lot of "love" for his vintage Swatch watches and his customers. Very pleased with my purchase! On to the next one. Thank you !
Watch exactly as described and had been looking for it for a while so very happy.
Very good experience for my first purchase. watch is new as described. I look forward to finding other nuggets.
The watch is in great condition, running and with original box and papers; just as it was described.
I am very happy with this purchase and will definitely be acquiring more pieces from swatch vintage collection in the future.