Confession: I have at least 35 watches
It’s no news that I’m a controlled hoarder. A collectionneur. A more is more person. The queen of accessories.
My very first swatch. It was gifted to me by my boyfriend at the time. Its one of my least playful ones. Like with several other watches, I had to change the strap after 5 or 10 years, because they broke. This allowed me to choose for straps in different colors and designs.
So it should not come as a surprise that I own around 35 watches.
Another quite conventional Swatch from my first Swatch years. I like the colors of it and the structured strap.
Just a chick on a decluttering spree
Remember how I went on a decluttering/reorganizing spree a few months ago, after the fatal fall of one of my best friends? It helped me stay sane and got me through this difficult period.
A bit more daring design on this Swatch. The glitter strap is not the original one.
Well, my Swatch collection did not escape from my declutter mission.
This watch was very appropriate at the time. I had a Canadian boyfriend for 6 years and travelled back and forth all the time. This watch acts as if it is a packing list. Not usable of course. But fun.
What can I say - I love Swatches
My interest in watches awoke around 25 years ago, when I stumbled upon the brand SWATCH.
This watch is a collectors item from the dutch Swatch shop in The Hague. It came with a box of crayons and a calendar with cards by a graphic designer who works with crayons.
I love their watches, because they are contemporary, quirky, funky, pretty and art-y.
This watch is called Russian Treasury . It combines Russian aristocracy with Faberge egg elements. I love the richness of the design.
How unique and pretty is this watch?!
The brand came up with lots of new models and designs continuously.
This watch was also bought while I was dating my Canadian. It tells a story about a man and a woman who are in a long-distance relationship. They love each other, fly to each other and phone each other all the time. Riiing!!!
The (relatively) low price allowed me to purchase one each year. Sometimes more. Which I did for years. I bought them at airports and in cities all over the world. Resulting in an impressive Swatch collection.
This swatch with embroidered fabric strap came with a matching evening bag. It was a special edition, gifted to me by my Canadian when we were in Milano, Italy.
I like that they are lightweight.
A Swatch from the collection of the ultra thin models, with a bracelet-like, loose strap, made out of metal strands.
Watches with stories and memories
I also love that they tell stories and keep memories.
My Canadian gave this one to me as well. Another special edition Swatch from Milan. I love the metal, beaded strap.
For years I wore a watch every day. Matching my clothes and/or my mood. Sometimes I even wore two, since for me they were more like bracelets, so why not wear two. People found that weird, really. Maybe nowadays it would be more accepted than back then?
This is one of the weirdest, quirkiest Swatches I have. “What am I today”. “Unisex”. No idea what it means, but I love it. Bit Andy Warhol, right?
An habit broken unexpectedly
Then one day, about 10 years ago, I woke up not wanting to wear a watch. And I never have since. How strange is that? I have no idea why.
Are you weird like that? Or is it just me?;-)
Another fun design. It says: “Hello flowers. How are you feeling today? I am feeling sad. Can you brighten my day? I talk with my flowers.”
I still love the watches I have. As pretty objects. Only not for wearing any more.
I love the floral embroidery and the crystals on this watch.
Another swatch from the time I was in a couple with my Canadian. We were very much in love (before it turned very, very ugly). This swatch matched my “I wanna marry you” - mood. I love the design and the glitters!
Beloved watches, what shall I do with you now?
Since 10 years, my Swatches are only catching dust and taking up space. So what to do with them?
I noticed with other stuff, that it helps me to take pictures of them, after which I can let go of the physical objects while still keeping the memories.
I don’t understand this design at all, but that doesn’t mean i don’t love it. It has a Bunuel-feel over it. It’s mysterious and pop-art-y. Incomprehensible like an art movie. Or Twin Peaks.
So I say goodbye to all my special, quirky, cool (s-)watches, but not before showcasing them here. They deserve that, right?!
I also own watches that look like swatches, but that may not be real swatches. They might be look-a-likes, knock-offs, wannabe’s or special editions. I’m not always sure.
Like this one, designed by my favorite cartoonist Joost Swarte. Is it a real Swatch? Don’t know. But…
I love it!
Simple but with a few crystals.
The fun of this watch is that during the hours, the different parts of the dial come together at one point, showing the integral image.
I’m a huge Tin Tin fan, so I love this watch.
Another Tin Tin watch with a super cool design.
Yes, I have not two, but three different Tin Tin watches!!! A gal can never have enough Tin Tin stuff! ;-)
I like the colors and design of this Swatch. Also the structure of the strap is special.
I think this Tarzan watch is so much fun! The fake fur panther strap, the cartoon Tarzan. Me likey.
I bought this watch in the Vatican in Rome, Italy.
This Swatch has a long metal strap, that you wrap twice around your arm, like a bracelet. I like how the strap faux-continues over the dial. Details, folks. It’s all in the details.
So now the question is: what am I going to do with them? I could try to sell them in one batch. But they will not bring up a lot. Maybe 100 euro all together? IF anyone would be interested at all.
Or I can use them in an art project. I have no ideas about that yet. Any suggestions?
Do you wear watches? Always the same one? Or do you change watches according to what you wear? How many do you own? How do you see your watch? Functional? An accessory? Tell me. I look forward to hear your take on watches.
You do have a lovely collection. And I can see the attraction of those watches. Although I get your declutter mood, I would hang on to them. They don’t take up much space if you wrap and box them cleverly. And just as you changed wanting to wear a watch, you might change back again. And then you will regret letting them go.
Using them for an art project……. hmmm you might regret that too. There are more and different materials, less special, to turn into a project. But if you do sell them, sell them piece by piece and do some internet research beforehand. You might be surprised how much they fetch. And perhaps one or two might have made it to collector items. Perhaps there are special selling sites for them.
Greetje
Thanks for your thoughts and input, dear.
My research so far does not sound too promising on how valuable they are.
All your feedback made me think of yes, in an art project, but in a way that i keep them intact and that I can remove them again.
Incredible collection! I love these! It’s cool how they tell the story of the relationship with your Canadian. O has a lot of Swatches too. They are colourful, lightweight, and of course tell the time. He still has them.
Often I am with the “say good-bye”crowd, but these watches are so unique and have such a story. Like Greetje said, you may grow back in love with them, they are so unique. And I know that some designs are highly valued. I’d say make wall art from them but I think the sun discolours the plastic… Whatever you decide, these are amazing! Thanks for the show.
Glad you were entertained, Melanie. And yes, I’m thinking of wall art, although they may get discoloured… Thanks for your thoughts.
What a great collection! Don’t sell them, you might regret it later on! I hope you’ll get a good suggestion for an art project.
I don’t wear watches myself anymore, I always use my phone. It’s because I mostly don’t like the design.
I don’t expect much money from selling them, so I will indeed keep them and use them in an art project. Like I responded to Suzanne: probably in a way in which they stay intact and in which I can remove them again, if needed.
I LOVE Swatches! In fact for the past 30 years maybe I’ve worn a Swatch. Just a plain black one. I like them because I can wear them in the shower. Basically I never take it off. I bought my first one in Germany and was hooked. My strap recently broke on the one I wear normally and I haven’t replaced it yet.
I like that term… collectionneur, or controlled hoarder. I’m very much like you in that regard. I so need to go through and declutter. I find you really need to be in the right frame of mind for that.
You have such an amazing collection. I also agree that if you were to use them in an art project that I would try to do so in a way that they wouldn’t be destroyed and you could simply take them off the display after to use them if you wished. They really have such a history and story to tell. The memories associated with them are precious.
Loved this post!
bisous
Suzanne
Oh, I had no idea you used to wear Swatches too! Cool!
Yes, that’s what I started thinking: using them in an art project in a way that I can keep them in one piece and remove them again. I have an idea already!
Do u know where can i find the floral embroidery watch? It really look so pretty
Hello. Thanks for asking about the embroidery watch. Yes, I think it’s pretty too. It’s not always easy or possible to find older Swatch editions. I think the best way for you would be to search via Google.
Having said that, I can sell you mine. Let me know if you are interested and we can exchange details and discuss the price.