My dear friend David Rippmann from Zürich just filed me his report about the new Swatch Sistem 51 Irony. He ordered the watch last Thursday (the first day you could order one) and got it today.
Just in case you missed my introduction of the new Swatch Sistem51 Irony click on the link here underneath. I recommend you to also read all the comments …
David, reporting from Zürich …
Today, I received my first Swatch Sistem 51 Irony. After the presentation here on Watch-Insider I was absolutely sold to this new watch. As one of the early Swatch Collectors starting 1983 and owning a collection of over 1000 pieces in 2004, I sold most of the watches then, as the product policy simply did not match my taste anymore. But since the back-to-the-roots strategy, I started to buy Swatch watches again – but this time not for collecting, but for really wearing them alternatively to the luxury watches of other brands.
Thank you David for your report!
These are the pictures David sent me:
A typical Swatch packaging …
Looks very classy, everything else than cheap!
Sistem51-calibre with 90 hours of power reserve …
A nice dress watch, but not only!
Left the Swatch Sistem 51 Irony SISTEM FLY, right an “old” Sistem51 in plastic
I recently bought one Sistem51 irony Arrow. I am convinced about it’s good quality. But the accuracy was far below any expectation at approx. -50 sec./day! I immediately asked to exchange my watch for another one! I hope my new watch will run at it’s promised +/-7 sec./day. Perhaps the computerized laser-adjustment at the new production facility in Boncourt needs a little improvement.
I received my SISTEM ARROW last week. It is a nice interpretation of a B-Uhr. But if I compare it with a Seiko 5 Sports, which is in about the same price range, it has some disadvantages. It is only 3 bar water resistant versus 10 bar of the Seiko. The lume of the Seiko is much brighter. On the other hand the Swatch has a 90 hour Power Reserve. Unfortunately, my SISTEM ARROW runs slow more than a minute per day. As far as I know so far the movement can´t be regulated after it is manufactured, so I think I have to exchange it for a new one.
I have never before heard of Sistem51 performing so bad. What did you do to your Swatch?
I don´t know what UPS did with it during transport, but i just put it on my wrist and didn´t do any activities which could harm it.
I just got an answer from Swatch Customer Service. They told me, that the SISTEM51 is an absolut innovation from SWATCH and different from other automatic watches. You first have to wind it 88 turns towards the body before it reaches accuracy. So i will try this.
OMG you did not wind the watch… 🙂 They should have told you that you have to turn the crown in the other direction …
Normally I wind an automatic watch just a few turns, set the date and put it on the wrist. I didn´t know that the SISTEM51 is an innovative sports watch and you first have to wind it 88 turns manually 🙂
88 times is definitely too much, the watch will also work when wound less. But you have to wind in the right direction
This watch looks like a Classic Patek, instead for paying 25000 USD, you put the money in the bank, the interest the bank pay a year will be enough to buy a New watch every year still a money for a cup of coffee, you are getting the watch free paid by the bank.
To be honest I find the dials of these S51 Irony rather bland and unimaginative, unlike their plastic counterparts.
Sooner or later the white S51 with black dial will be mine.
The Sistem 51 Irony is an intriguing watch and I’m sure one day one will grace my wrist. I’m partial to the blue face as I think the features stand out more. The pricing is really good, the design attractive and I know they are well made.
I would love to see one in person before ordering and I could have… until recently. I was at the mall two weekends ago to buy a Swatch but the Swatch boutique (Perimeter Mall in Atl, GA, USA) had closed up! What the heck? Is this a new marketing decision from Swatch? The store always had customers, I think they sold lot’s of watches so what happened? I/we were very disappointed, bummed, etc.
Oh well. They list one at the airport and I’m taking a trip in October, so maybe then. BTW, I’m of the school that there is just something about being touchy feely when making a purchase, to say nothing of impulse buying when seeing and handling something in person.
Swatch Irony FLY looks gorgeous but aren’t they excessively large? I mean 45mm diameter for a dressy sports watch..! Any news on them launching a reduced version for people who think a Speedmaster Pro is a large watch?
Be aware that each watch producer has his own way of measuring! 45mm is the diameter if you count the crown as well. The watch is not larger than the plastic one, just slightly thicker.
I think this is the first Swatch that looks like a proper timepiece.
I guess all those plastic versions were meant for school-going kids.
Prices in the Swatch online store (Austria) are 15 to 20 € less than in the table of your post (E.g., Sistem Fly is € 175.- when ordered online). Is this a special online prerelease offer, or will the prices stay?
Harald, thanks for the input! I am checking this with Swatch right now …
Another error or is this policy?
The EUR 175 watch incl. 20% VAT in Austria is sold for Sfr 200 incl. 8% VAT on the Swiss website.
That is more than 17% more expensive for the watch net VAT at an exchange rate of 1.08 (if my excel is correct ….)
I have not cross checked the prices. But this could be possible. At least the prices I published today must be correct now.
I think Swatch System 51 Irony look more prestigious and classic than plastic one. Plastic watches (classic look for Swatch)System 51 look more colourful and indiviual, but System 51 Irony series has more dress view.
That is my frugally opinion…
Nice, but I am still waiting for the Sistem 51 Irony Chrono
No signs that there is one in the pipeline so far…
I think Thomas is being irony ; )