What if time had
a different shape?
Dive into an alternate reality…
Embrace a fresh perspective as you look at life from a different angle. Watch our video to discover a world where round goes square – and Swatch watches are no exception!
The brilliant Swatch engineers, who took on the challenge of creating the first Swatch model have produced several prototypes, including various appealing round and square watches. They present them to the founders and raise the question: What shape will our first watch have?
1980: Development of the Delirium Vulgare, including materials
testing, construction plans, design studies and prototypes.
Round or square?
For a variety of reasons, it was agreed that the first Swatch would have a round shape which we named "GENT". Four decades on, that historic choice, is still our signature watch shape and paved the way for a vibrant success story.
But WHAT IF the first Swatch had been square?
Thanks to Swatch BIOCERAMIC, you don’t have to wonder. The innovative blend of ceramic powder with biosourced materials, achieves both remarkable strength and durability allowing us to conquer the challenges associated with the unique square design.
Inspired by Swatch's first square watch prototype, the BIOCERAMIC WHAT IF? Collection explores an alternative and fun reality, in which four square watches playfully challenge the status quo.
BIOCERAMIC WHAT IF? Collection
In 2023, four square styles broke our round mold with BIOCERAMIC cases, sharp corners and edge-to-edge glass. An integrated biosourced strap —another first for Swatch—brought a once impossible design to life.
Break the mold in black & white
The BIOCERAMIC WHAT IF? Collection takes it up a notch with two watches in sleek black and elegant white. These square timepieces prove that there's nothing square about black and white!
The innovative design owes it all to BIOCERAMIC
The integrated strap flows seamlessly into a square case with edge-to-edge glass. Robust yet silky-smooth BIOCERAMIC's combination of ceramic and biosourced material is ideally suited to this striking shape.
A playful twist
No detail is overlooked: each battery cover features a dial from one of the first 1983 prototypes in a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the GENT watch.