My first automatic watch, my dad bought one for me back in 2016, a blue sistem 51 with a white dial. I used it everyday at school and its pretty banged up now from everyday wear, scratched acrylic and faded rubber strap. I will never get rid of it XD
I wouldn't call Tissot or Hamilton 'low cost' - these brands are mid-range. You can get some of their discontinued models cheap at Jomashop and Ashford though.
Yeah...they kinda cost 3 or 4 times the Swatch. I'd rather recommend a japanese automatic - Seiko, Orient, Citizen - those are readily available at around 200 for the base automatic models. But sure, if you can spend more, Hamilton and Tissot are miles ahead. I own a Khaki Field Auto, a PRX, various Seiko 5's, Orient Ray 2 and Bambino, Citizen NY0040 and a Tsuyosa, and the swiss are surely better watches (way more precise, way better constructed, way better bracelets, sapphire, etc). Still, I like them all.
@@jotr.9786 Well Seiko has various watches. The base models (Seiko 5s) costs way less than the base model Tissot (as they should, the quality isn't as good). Like for around 200 you get an automatic Seiko 5. With Tissot most likely you'll be spending over 300 for a quartz, never less than 500 for an auto. We are talking brand new here. Better deals can be certainly found on grey market dealers and with older models.
Yes, all of them. Better still they should be barred from producing such items, fined if they do, and not subsidised or incentivised in any way to do better or recycle responsibly and sustainably. They've made obscene amounts from their current practice, probably avoided tax in some way and should be sanctioned for it.
I had one of these (the metal version) for about a year. You're spot-on; it was not particularly accurate, but more importantly it wore very awkwardly - big, thick, and the proprietary bracelet meant options to try and change that were limited. Also the plastic crystal scratched extremely easily. I sold it.
Swatch used to be fun, but I guess just like us, as we grow older, their styles may have grown a tad grumpy. Still glad to see they haven't given up. We need swatch in the line up, regardless. Cheers Mate.
You definitely hit the nail on the head with this one Dr. Jody! I live in Switzerland, and in my uni I've never seen anyone wear a System 51. I do know some people that love swatch, but as far as I know they wear really bright and fun variants. I can't help but feel like Swatch didn't fully commit to the System 51, because as you say, it couldn't have been that hard to make more size or colour variants. I mean, the watches are already made of plastic!
I don't know why he focused on these 3 plastic ones, because there are more models. it's not a huge lineup, but there are options in metal cases and with metal bracelets
I liked the idea of the System 51 - an affordable, yet ok automatic swiss watch. I bought one in 2017, and it broke in little less than one year. After I went to a Swatch AD, I was informed that they are not meant to be repairable at all. Swiss watches have a charm of their own, but you can get way more bang for your buck by purchasing any automatic Seiko watch with a similar price. Heck, I'd say that even Invictas would be better.
Hello Jody! Just seems to me that the Sistem 51 is a watch you wear for a few months, then something goes wrong and it becomes a paperweight. Would rather spend that money on a watch that is at least a bit more repairable, even if it is *gasps* quartz.
Nailed it as usual. I had the shiny metallic one with the blue sunburst face, but flipped it as it looked like a dress watch, but on wrist sat like a chunky dive.. cumbersome is spot on.
I have a 37.4mm Swatch Irony Body and Soul automatic and actually really like it. I think the smaller size is more wearable, and more 'Swatch-y' and the case and bracelet is metal so it feels much more substantial. It's my only Swatch, not into the plastic ones!
I have one and it is worn as part of the rotation of watches such as the Vostok Amphibia and Komandirskie 24 hour dial, pebble and tell the time using two ball bearings type. Interesting and worth its place in my collection.
Full metal except the escapement, which is plastic-fantastic. There are pictures in the web from destroy-dissassembly of the 51 watch. Worth watching just to stop buying crappy watches.
I have a tissot v8 swissmatic with a version of the system 51 movement. Picked it up at my local AD on clearance for $250. A little heavy but looks good and runs great. Definitely a good daily wear. The Tissot version for some reason only has a 70 hr power reserve. Strange fact... You have to turn the crown counter clockwise to wind it.
I am from Geneva and people even here wear Swatches and it's true that a swiss automatic movement for this price is super interesting the only problem for me is the style sadly... Not my cup of tea I would prefer the transparent model where you can still see the mechanism.
I totally agree with you, whyyyy not make it fun and colorful!? Also, the fact that Swatch keep making their watches unserviceable is pretty infuriating. Could have been so good.
I bought the all white Hodinkee one and enjoyed it for a few years. Eventually gave it to a coworker Swatch collector for two reasons. I did like it but didn’t wear it that often especially as my collection grew around it. The case it too thick as mentioned. I tried to sell it but wasn’t getting any serious offers. My coworker was thrilled to get it which was good enough for me. I was glad that was my first Swatch experience. Because of the sistem I knew not to get too excited when the moon swatches came out😂
I was at an antique pawn store and bought a swatch automatic. It was late 90's plastic but as my second automatic watch it was really cool. Winding it was the most painful thing ever as well as setting the time because I chew my nails and it was the smallest crown ever but came with all the original pieces and was a cool little thing for the like $40 I paid.
Can only agree with everything Jody says. I stop by the Swatch boutique ever so often, hoping they'd have released a 51 that's interesting, but no such thing happened. Even if they did, there's a chance it will wear awkwardly. I don't know what they think is so great about that 40mm case. Swatch used to make automatics in the 90s that were similar in size to their 36mm 'Gents'. I only have one Swatch in my rotation, it's an early Jelly from 1987. Never missed a beat yet.
The Swatch Irony automatic was a good gateway watch in the 90s at around $125, and I still have a skeleton one in my collection (along with a smaller one that would be good for a teen). But the fact that these Sistem 51s can't be worked on stopped me from ever getting one. (But isn't the same movement related to the Powermatic 80 or something? That's scared me off of those as well, despite there being some nice ones.) Thanks for the vid!
The early 90's mechanicial swatches are quite cool. Can see the movement/rotor on them too. I've got one that still runs fine. Basically identical in size to typical quartz swatches too.
Jodie so many watches so many offerings and sometimes I can be really close to pulling the trigger on watches because of your reviews but I have a plan and a budget to keep to to get my fourth watch and then my collection is done. I have the PRX mint dial with the quartz movement, the Casio DW5600 tough solar, the Casio Duro as a knock about diver and well next year in April I will have saved enough for my grail. It’s a modest grail at that and is the only mechanical I will buy. The 41mm Oris Upcycle. So between now and then please keep up the reviews so I can enjoy all the watches I will miss out on. Thanks 🙏🏼
I had a Sistem 51 but sold it as I never wore it. Mine was gaining almost half a minute per day, and as you noted, there is no way to adjust it. I actually had one of the metal case models, so it felt both heavy and cumbersome. I think of the Sistem 51 as a failed experiment; a good idea that failed in execution.
I just snapped up a stainless bezel for $72 off of ebay. I owned swath watches groing up amd the name is nostalgic with me. I have LOVED mechanical watches my whole life. My parents wouldnt allow me a digital one until i could read "real time" as they called it. The ticking of movements in watches or grandfather clocks both relax me and bring fond memories. I will see how loud a plastic gutted steel watch is bit am getting it not evem caring about service life or real "swiss watch accuracy", but just because of a great deal on a watch name from my childhood that looks great and different from everything else i own. Nostalgia does weird things to people AND our wallets.
That translucent blue case was all the craze at the time these were introduced because of the original Apple iMac. I had a calculator with said translucent blue case, and there many other products too.
Funny enough swatch group used the sistem 51 movement in non swatch watches for a little bit too. Check the Tissot swissmatic. I think it makes more sense in that application since 1) tissot have a pretty interesting history with plastic auto assembled movements (check out the astrolon. A watch from the 70s with a movement made entirely of plastic) and 2) you can open up a tissot and drop in a new movement if anything goes wrong.
I wore the blue one with the constellation pattern for about 7 years as my daily watch. It was my first automatic and i loved it. Then it was destroyed by rats when i had to abandon my room for 10 months during covid.
Yep... got one when they first came out. I use it rarely. Usually when someone at home can't find her watch or someone says he forgot to ask me to change the casio battery or no digital watches at school due to testing it gets used. I had mine serviced once as Swatch said they'd fix it for free. ED209 was very accommodating. Cumbersome is right...feels weird on the wrist too. Thanks for the video!
I actually bought the Sistem puzzle for a daily wear piece i bit back and absolutely love it. It also runs with incredible accuracy, roughly +2 to -1 second per day.
I had the blue version of the red one that Jody reviewed years ago. It was too big and awkward and stopped running after a few months. I've also got one of the older Irony metal versions. It's smaller and fits nicely. It still works and i do wear it occasionally.
I owned a Swatch Sistem 51. I bought it from a friend. It was my first automatic. He even included a watch winder, as there was no manual wind feature. Honestly, while it was okay, there was no lume where it was needed, and it wasn't that great. The bracelet was much better than the rubber strap my friend had it on due to nickel allergies. I bought a Tissot after that. Leagues better. Powermaric 80, has hand wind, carbon fiber dial, and the movement is visible through the back. Paid $415 for it new. I sold the Swatch back to the friend I bought it from.
I like swatch but I think that’s just from a childhood nostalgia point of view… they are priced right but the fact you can get a solid deal on a Seiko 5 it’s hard to get keen. I owned one briefly way too thick
I asked for a clear Swatch for Christmas, and my sister got me one. I was so excited! But when I wore it for a couple hours I was really disappointed with how it looked/felt on wrist. Totally agree with your sentiments on how it wears--it looks rather awkward, like the case is totally disconnected from the strap. Really odd design that I think could easily be fixed if they get rid of the weird scoop on the lug ends of the straps. I was considering trying to flip the straps upside down so they would contour better on my wrist, lol. I can't imagine how strange this watch feels with the thicker case!
I think you nailed it at the end Jody - this is so far away from what a Swatch customer would want that it must be a test bed for the Swatch group - if you look at it as a ‘concept car for watches’ it makes way more sense.
I recently bought a fun Swatch and like I it for what it is. Fun, light, comfortable, cheap, accurate and legible. Good to wear when you just want to wear something that tells the time, and you will forget it's there. Great in summer. However, it got me looking on the Swatch website and I noticed these. Got interested and I realised just how thick they are!! The metal ones aren't that cheap either and a little bit more can get you a Seiko Presage, or for the same money a Seiko 5. The thickness and price of the nicer ones is a deal breaker for me....
Swatch has released autos in the limited 38 ironic models Body and Soul, Uncle Charlie and some others. I do enjoy my SISTEM 51 and there are some solid metal versions. There's more than enough fruity watches from swatch so these are a nice alternative
Great video Jody. Swatch was the brand that got me into watches. I'd love a decent Swatch auto - in fact I've got a number of their rather rare Irony Automatic Chronos from 2010 (the SVGK and ASVG series) and the Blunge model is easily my favourite in my entire collection. If they made metal Sistem51s I reckon they'd be onto something.
Well they acutally do metal case versions. And more of them than plastic versions, too! I have both and like the overall idea behinde it. But I don't wear them either 😅
I have had one for a few years now. For me it was the novelty of the movement and the creation process. I actually like how loud the rotor is. IMHO that is consistent with the loud swatch quartz tick. The thing I find disappointing is that you touched on is how cheap it feels. I know we are not talking high end here, but the gent and new gents, even with the new bioceremic, feel more solid than the sistem51 case.
Speaking of servicable watches. I sent my Longines HydroConquest to Longines for a service. After many years I wished to grant it some fresh oil and polishing the case. What did Longines do? They threw the movement in the bin and installed a new one. Guess it's just easier and cheaper to insert a new movement instead of doing what I expected them to do with a automatic movement and just disassamble it, clean it and then reassamble it.
Considered one before, but found it too large for my skinny wrist. In the end bought a smaller cheap 90s swatch auto off ebay and fitted an aliexpress mesh strap to improve the fit.
I have an all metal sistem 51 in a drawer somewhere never wear it. I can take Swatch at face value they were colourful and a bit fun back in the 80's and 90's but ultimately disposable and therein lies the problem especially these days when sustainability is a big thing for most companies. I did enjoy the howls of derision from some people when the moonswatch came out though.
Nailed it once again, Jody. Please keep these analytical videos coming. I love them and even have some theories of my own. Also thanks for the AAWF mention. I feel famous by association. 😊
I own a system 51, the black version. I would disagree on your comfort assessment. I actually think it's the most comfortable automatic I own. I have on a few occasions fallen asleep wearing it, which never happens to me. It is tall. That is true. My only complaint about it, is the seconds hand. It's completely white, more so than the hour and minutes hands. To the point where at a glance, I frequently think it's one of the other hands since it's much more white than the other hands. I wish it was "green" in color to match the other green aspects of the watch so it would blend in more to the background. Other than that, I really like the watch. It's pretty good for it's price which I paid under retail price. It cost me one hundred dollars. New. In the US. To me, it's a "fun" watch. I like it for it's looks. I like that it doesn't have any complications. No day/date, thank you. Easy to set, easy to wear. The only Swatch I own. I have other Swiss watches that are more reputable, Hamilton etc. Funny to call Hamilton Swiss, but it is now. Those cost a lot more though.
I really like my vintage hodinkee - it hits rotation pretty regularly. It's legible, the leather strap is surprisingly good. My case is an opaque black - the only real "giveaway" on wrist is the big dipper stars on the dial...
I initially thought mine was broken until I realized you had to wind it by turning the crown anti-clockwise. Bizarre decision! I think the biggest issue with the Sistem-51 is that it's too expensive for a disposable watch. If they could reduce the price a bit more, get them under AUD150, I reckon they'd be more popular.
I've harbored a desire to own a System 51, but I never execute because of all the deficits you mentioned, Jody. If I could get a SWATCH with a mechanical movement, I might consider it...a bright, fun piece I'd only wear occasionally, but at that price, I won't feel like I wasted my money...think less interesting (and much cheaper) Mr. Jones watches.
I was an 80s teen when Swatch was very trendy, but they never appealed to me. Instead, I went with the Timex Illusion. I thought the lcd analog face was cool and futuristic. I still have it today.
I just can't spend $150 on a "disposable" watch. When I was in the military a safety guy reminded me that I couldn't wear a watch with a metal band on the flight line so I went to the base exchange and got a olive drab mechanical Timex with a nylon strap for less than $20. It was considered disposable but I loved that watch. It was surprisingly tough, kept good time and wasn't awkwardly large. I wish I could get another but they quit making it a long time ago.
Me, being both relatively new to watches, and Mr. "Head in the Sand" in any case, had never heard of this concept. So I dutifully went to the Swatch website to have a look. And you know, some of the steel cased ones don't look half bad. But the fact of the matter is, you would end up paying an extra $50 just for a heavier piece of trash? Not exactly a step in the right direction.
The big benefit of the Swatch is the hype in marketing bringing new enthusiasts into mechanical watches. Yes, those in the know, know there are much better options, even at this price point but anything to broaden the appeal of mechanical watches is a great thing for all watch enthusiast’s.
I have one, in Wollongong, but confess I don’t wear it often, for both the comfort and the colour reasons you raise. But a watch made by robots does appeal to my inner nerd.
You nailed it Jody! Those three reasons are why it's utterly forgettable. I mean, I saw your thumbnail and thought "What watch is Jody talking about?" then when you said "Swatch" I was like "oh yeah... I forgot those existed." And to be honest, I won't mind when I've forgetten about them again.
I had the SISTEM CLOUDS (SUTA401). I loved the iridescent camouflage pattern on the dial that glistened in light. Too bad the rest of the watch was a let down.
There are indeed a lot of websites that describe the Sistem51 movement as being "made of plastic" but this is incorrect. It does look a bit like plastic with it's painted-on decoration, but you can clearly see it's almost all metal by studying it under magnification through the clear case back. The plates are made of ARCAP, a die cast zinc-based alloy (this is from Swatch's Sistem51 press release), the train wheels and balance are brass with steel pivots. Only the pallet fork, winding rotor, and escape wheel are plastic (also of course the case, strap, and crystal on most Swatches).
I’m with you Jody. I have a few swatch watches (swatches), but they are mostly the smaller sizes. I do have one old mechanical swatch, but I’m sure it is no bigger than 40mm. I’ll have to check that and get back to you. As you say, swatch seems to have lost the plot with the one you mention.
I have one of the first Irony Sistem 51 watches and when I bought it I was told Swatch were working on a service option - alas, my watch dies after a few years. I went into a Swatch shop and they very generously exchanged it for an old stock that worked (and still does). It’s a shame they can’t make a serviceable version.
The Swatch Sistem 51 is one of the most significant technological achievements in mechanical horology. It is the culmination of mechanical watchmaking in the sense that it proves that the fabrication of a mechanical watch can be completely automated. Computer scientist Donald Knuth once said: "Science is what we understand well enough to explain to a computer. Art is everything else we do." The Sistem 51 therefore shows that all mechanical watchmaking beyond the basic watch is actually art.
Some guy in Spain was selling off a collection of Swatches (who knows where they came from) on Wallapop, which is an app where you can sell stuff here in Europe. He probably didn't know much about watches given that he spelled Swatch wrong in all the ads and....because of the prices he was charging. I bought two plastic sistem51s for 35 euros each and a steel one for 45. That's just what he felt they were worth I imagine. And he was right. They are cool to have but I wouldn't have paid any more for them at all. Compare what you get with the Seiko perpetual calendar chronograph with a sapphire crystal Jody just reviewed for about the same money....yeah, a plastic Swatch is a bit lower down the ladder quality wise to say the least.
I don't know about the 150$ Swatch watch, especially since it has a set expiry date (cannot be serviced0, but for 250$ I would suggest a serious Swiss movement diver in Aragon Divemaster 42 (with Ronda M150 automatic movement).
May be made in Switzerland, but a hermetically sealed plastic uni-axel(?) movement is no Swiss Made watch I'd aspire to. Would cop a SW200 Invicta in its place for around the same money. That said, an excellent as always review, Jody.
I mean, I have some "cheap" watches that are like the Seiko 5 or AliExpress watches that are only servicable "in theory" but I've had them serviced because they hold sentimental value or are no longer sold. So, sure, lots of watches of that type might be servicable in theory and disposable in practice, but at least I do get to choose if I want to spend the money to service them.
Nice, informative video. I actually own a sistem51, irony. Think the model is called 'soul'. Anyway, agree with you on it being bigger than it should and wearing awkwardly. However I don't really agree with it not being serviceable. If you notice, on the display case back, there is little notch that you can use to pop out the back of it. I personally never have done this, but in theory I believe it's doable!
In times of the challenges of cleaning up plastics from our environment - the Swatch approach is a no-go. It seemed fun st the time, but now we should realize it was irresponsible.
I would add that the steel sistem51 I have has an oddly heavy and solid feeling bracelet, yet...the case back is the cheapest looking and feeling piece of plastic just pressed or glued on.
Swatch watches are fun. They are cool as they bring people into watches. But that's it. I had 5 in my collection over the years and sold all as they feel like toys. They are so flimsy, poorly built. On the other hand, Casio watches never felt like toys and I wear them with pride. Just 2 days ago I wore an F91 at work, where I sell luxury watches. Legendary piece, did not feel out of place.
Just realised the model number for the blue one is "waktu" which in Malay/Indonesian means "Time". South East Asia must be a pretty important market for them.
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
My first automatic watch, my dad bought one for me back in 2016, a blue sistem 51 with a white dial. I used it everyday at school and its pretty banged up now from everyday wear, scratched acrylic and faded rubber strap. I will never get rid of it XD
Nailed again with swatch - for me if you’re going low cost Swiss your best saving a little extra and going for Tissot or Hamilton imo !
I wouldn't call Tissot or Hamilton 'low cost' - these brands are mid-range. You can get some of their discontinued models cheap at Jomashop and Ashford though.
Yeah...they kinda cost 3 or 4 times the Swatch. I'd rather recommend a japanese automatic - Seiko, Orient, Citizen - those are readily available at around 200 for the base automatic models. But sure, if you can spend more, Hamilton and Tissot are miles ahead. I own a Khaki Field Auto, a PRX, various Seiko 5's, Orient Ray 2 and Bambino, Citizen NY0040 and a Tsuyosa, and the swiss are surely better watches (way more precise, way better constructed, way better bracelets, sapphire, etc). Still, I like them all.
@@tiagodvt seiko kinda became expensive in the sense that you could buy a tissot cheaper lmao
@@jotr.9786 Well Seiko has various watches. The base models (Seiko 5s) costs way less than the base model Tissot (as they should, the quality isn't as good). Like for around 200 you get an automatic Seiko 5. With Tissot most likely you'll be spending over 300 for a quartz, never less than 500 for an auto. We are talking brand new here. Better deals can be certainly found on grey market dealers and with older models.
@@tiagodvt you said it all
Companies that make disposable, unserviceable products need to be held responsible for recycling them.
Interesting point mate.
Yes, all of them. Better still they should be barred from producing such items, fined if they do, and not subsidised or incentivised in any way to do better or recycle responsibly and sustainably. They've made obscene amounts from their current practice, probably avoided tax in some way and should be sanctioned for it.
*That’s a Communist way of thinking.*
@@negativeone7151 *
@@joeskeptical4762 oh dear, what a silly thing to say.
I had one of these (the metal version) for about a year. You're spot-on; it was not particularly accurate, but more importantly it wore very awkwardly - big, thick, and the proprietary bracelet meant options to try and change that were limited. Also the plastic crystal scratched extremely easily. I sold it.
Fun fact- the Sistem51 platform is actually the basis for the Tissot Swissmatic.
Swatch used to be fun, but I guess just like us, as we grow older, their styles may have grown a tad grumpy. Still glad to see they haven't given up. We need swatch in the line up, regardless. Cheers Mate.
You definitely hit the nail on the head with this one Dr. Jody!
I live in Switzerland, and in my uni I've never seen anyone wear a System 51. I do know some people that love swatch, but as far as I know they wear really bright and fun variants.
I can't help but feel like Swatch didn't fully commit to the System 51, because as you say, it couldn't have been that hard to make more size or colour variants. I mean, the watches are already made of plastic!
I don't know why he focused on these 3 plastic ones, because there are more models. it's not a huge lineup, but there are options in metal cases and with metal bracelets
I liked the idea of the System 51 - an affordable, yet ok automatic swiss watch. I bought one in 2017, and it broke in little less than one year. After I went to a Swatch AD, I was informed that they are not meant to be repairable at all. Swiss watches have a charm of their own, but you can get way more bang for your buck by purchasing any automatic Seiko watch with a similar price. Heck, I'd say that even Invictas would be better.
At EPFL, professors are wearing the Sistem 51. I actually bought one for one of these professors.
Hello Jody! Just seems to me that the Sistem 51 is a watch you wear for a few months, then something goes wrong and it becomes a paperweight. Would rather spend that money on a watch that is at least a bit more repairable, even if it is *gasps* quartz.
Most AliExpress watches use the NH35. It can be serviced, or easily replaced.
The Swatch is future landfill.
Nailed it as usual. I had the shiny metallic one with the blue sunburst face, but flipped it as it looked like a dress watch, but on wrist sat like a chunky dive.. cumbersome is spot on.
I have a 37.4mm Swatch Irony Body and Soul automatic and actually really like it. I think the smaller size is more wearable, and more 'Swatch-y' and the case and bracelet is metal so it feels much more substantial. It's my only Swatch, not into the plastic ones!
I haven't seen that model before but it's actually pretty sick. Really interesting and well-balanced design.
I have the "Uncle Charly" model (seemed to be more legible). Good Option for a skeleton watch with the Swatch Style. Also fits Well my 5.5 inch wrist.
Jody mentioning Glasgow Buchanan Street = 😍
Here I am Jody, staying up late for no good reason and dropping everything I was doing to watch your video 😁
I regret nothing.
I have one and it is worn as part of the rotation of watches such as the Vostok Amphibia and Komandirskie 24 hour dial, pebble and tell the time using two ball bearings type. Interesting and worth its place in my collection.
Have had a Swatch Sistem 51 Irony (full metal version) for a couple years. Such a simple, unique, fun watch!
Until the buttons fall off twice
@@dogreviewdog9088 exactly. The pushers and the acrylic crystal on my swatch started falling off.
I have the weird " musicall"alarm hacking minute, silent running quartz a real odd ball be Swatch
They are an interesting concept. Tissot have a slightly different version, the Swissmatic I think it’s called. Have you tested one of those Jody?
Full metal except the escapement, which is plastic-fantastic. There are pictures in the web from destroy-dissassembly of the 51 watch. Worth watching just to stop buying crappy watches.
I have a tissot v8 swissmatic with a version of the system 51 movement. Picked it up at my local AD on clearance for $250. A little heavy but looks good and runs great. Definitely a good daily wear. The Tissot version for some reason only has a 70 hr power reserve. Strange fact... You have to turn the crown counter clockwise to wind it.
I am from Geneva and people even here wear Swatches and it's true that a swiss automatic movement for this price is super interesting the only problem for me is the style sadly... Not my cup of tea I would prefer the transparent model where you can still see the mechanism.
I totally agree with you, whyyyy not make it fun and colorful!? Also, the fact that Swatch keep making their watches unserviceable is pretty infuriating. Could have been so good.
I've owned a Swatch Irony Skeletonized Automatic for decades. If you like the look, a Body & Soul feels like a better deal than the System 51.
It is 👍
Recently bought a Matthey Tissot XX and I am super impressed. Excellent finishing with a great movement. Yet no one is talking them
I have bought the Evasion model. It is nice. 🙂
I bought the all white Hodinkee one and enjoyed it for a few years. Eventually gave it to a coworker Swatch collector for two reasons. I did like it but didn’t wear it that often especially as my collection grew around it. The case it too thick as mentioned. I tried to sell it but wasn’t getting any serious offers. My coworker was thrilled to get it which was good enough for me. I was glad that was my first Swatch experience. Because of the sistem I knew not to get too excited when the moon swatches came out😂
I was at an antique pawn store and bought a swatch automatic. It was late 90's plastic but as my second automatic watch it was really cool. Winding it was the most painful thing ever as well as setting the time because I chew my nails and it was the smallest crown ever but came with all the original pieces and was a cool little thing for the like $40 I paid.
Can only agree with everything Jody says. I stop by the Swatch boutique ever so often, hoping they'd have released a 51 that's interesting, but no such thing happened. Even if they did, there's a chance it will wear awkwardly. I don't know what they think is so great about that 40mm case. Swatch used to make automatics in the 90s that were similar in size to their 36mm 'Gents'.
I only have one Swatch in my rotation, it's an early Jelly from 1987. Never missed a beat yet.
The Swatch Irony automatic was a good gateway watch in the 90s at around $125, and I still have a skeleton one in my collection (along with a smaller one that would be good for a teen). But the fact that these Sistem 51s can't be worked on stopped me from ever getting one. (But isn't the same movement related to the Powermatic 80 or something? That's scared me off of those as well, despite there being some nice ones.) Thanks for the vid!
I have four of them. Three I purchased in the Philippines, the other at a Flea market. They all work well and are fun to wear as everyday watches.
The early 90's mechanicial swatches are quite cool. Can see the movement/rotor on them too. I've got one that still runs fine. Basically identical in size to typical quartz swatches too.
I also have two older swatch autos
I have one from 1994. You can see the movement. 20 sec fast a day but I wear it just once a while.
Jodie so many watches so many offerings and sometimes I can be really close to pulling the trigger on watches because of your reviews but I have a plan and a budget to keep to to get my fourth watch and then my collection is done. I have the PRX mint dial with the quartz movement, the Casio DW5600 tough solar, the Casio Duro as a knock about diver and well next year in April I will have saved enough for my grail. It’s a modest grail at that and is the only mechanical I will buy. The 41mm Oris Upcycle. So between now and then please keep up the reviews so I can enjoy all the watches I will miss out on. Thanks 🙏🏼
I had a Sistem 51 but sold it as I never wore it. Mine was gaining almost half a minute per day, and as you noted, there is no way to adjust it. I actually had one of the metal case models, so it felt both heavy and cumbersome. I think of the Sistem 51 as a failed experiment; a good idea that failed in execution.
I just snapped up a stainless bezel for $72 off of ebay. I owned swath watches groing up amd the name is nostalgic with me. I have LOVED mechanical watches my whole life. My parents wouldnt allow me a digital one until i could read "real time" as they called it. The ticking of movements in watches or grandfather clocks both relax me and bring fond memories. I will see how loud a plastic gutted steel watch is bit am getting it not evem caring about service life or real "swiss watch accuracy", but just because of a great deal on a watch name from my childhood that looks great and different from everything else i own. Nostalgia does weird things to people AND our wallets.
That translucent blue case was all the craze at the time these were introduced because of the original Apple iMac. I had a calculator with said translucent blue case, and there many other products too.
Funny enough swatch group used the sistem 51 movement in non swatch watches for a little bit too. Check the Tissot swissmatic. I think it makes more sense in that application since 1) tissot have a pretty interesting history with plastic auto assembled movements (check out the astrolon. A watch from the 70s with a movement made entirely of plastic) and 2) you can open up a tissot and drop in a new movement if anything goes wrong.
I looked at them too but just thought there was something off about them, turns out I was right, and bought one with a 2834-2 in it.
Main issue with System 51 movements is that they are not servicable.
I wore the blue one with the constellation pattern for about 7 years as my daily watch. It was my first automatic and i loved it. Then it was destroyed by rats when i had to abandon my room for 10 months during covid.
Thanks for my “random image laugh” of the day, Jody.
ED-209 and JOMW?!
OUTSTANDING! 🤣
Yep... got one when they first came out. I use it rarely. Usually when someone at home can't find her watch or someone says he forgot to ask me to change the casio battery or no digital watches at school due to testing it gets used. I had mine serviced once as Swatch said they'd fix it for free. ED209 was very accommodating. Cumbersome is right...feels weird on the wrist too. Thanks for the video!
I actually bought the Sistem puzzle for a daily wear piece i bit back and absolutely love it. It also runs with incredible accuracy, roughly +2 to -1 second per day.
I had the blue version of the red one that Jody reviewed years ago. It was too big and awkward and stopped running after a few months. I've also got one of the older Irony metal versions. It's smaller and fits nicely. It still works and i do wear it occasionally.
I owned a Swatch Sistem 51. I bought it from a friend. It was my first automatic. He even included a watch winder, as there was no manual wind feature.
Honestly, while it was okay, there was no lume where it was needed, and it wasn't that great. The bracelet was much better than the rubber strap my friend had it on due to nickel allergies.
I bought a Tissot after that. Leagues better. Powermaric 80, has hand wind, carbon fiber dial, and the movement is visible through the back. Paid $415 for it new. I sold the Swatch back to the friend I bought it from.
I like swatch but I think that’s just from a childhood nostalgia point of view… they are priced right but the fact you can get a solid deal on a Seiko 5 it’s hard to get keen. I owned one briefly way too thick
I got one for my dad, We were both disappointed, it was the tuxedo, it looked so nice on the website
I asked for a clear Swatch for Christmas, and my sister got me one. I was so excited! But when I wore it for a couple hours I was really disappointed with how it looked/felt on wrist. Totally agree with your sentiments on how it wears--it looks rather awkward, like the case is totally disconnected from the strap. Really odd design that I think could easily be fixed if they get rid of the weird scoop on the lug ends of the straps. I was considering trying to flip the straps upside down so they would contour better on my wrist, lol. I can't imagine how strange this watch feels with the thicker case!
The biggest problem about Swatch for me is that stupid strap situation. Had they a normal lug, I might have a few in my collection.
I think you nailed it at the end Jody - this is so far away from what a Swatch customer would want that it must be a test bed for the Swatch group - if you look at it as a ‘concept car for watches’ it makes way more sense.
I recently bought a fun Swatch and like I it for what it is. Fun, light, comfortable, cheap, accurate and legible. Good to wear when you just want to wear something that tells the time, and you will forget it's there. Great in summer. However, it got me looking on the Swatch website and I noticed these. Got interested and I realised just how thick they are!! The metal ones aren't that cheap either and a little bit more can get you a Seiko Presage, or for the same money a Seiko 5. The thickness and price of the nicer ones is a deal breaker for me....
Swatch has released autos in the limited 38 ironic models Body and Soul, Uncle Charlie and some others. I do enjoy my SISTEM 51 and there are some solid metal versions. There's more than enough fruity watches from swatch so these are a nice alternative
I've got a blacked out Sistem51. It's an interesting piece of kit with a 90hr power reserve.
Great video Jody. Swatch was the brand that got me into watches. I'd love a decent Swatch auto - in fact I've got a number of their rather rare Irony Automatic Chronos from 2010 (the SVGK and ASVG series) and the Blunge model is easily my favourite in my entire collection. If they made metal Sistem51s I reckon they'd be onto something.
Well they acutally do metal case versions. And more of them than plastic versions, too! I have both and like the overall idea behinde it. But I don't wear them either 😅
I've bought two original Sistem reds for a bargain on eBay. Always good to have one in the collection for posterity
I have had one for a few years now. For me it was the novelty of the movement and the creation process. I actually like how loud the rotor is. IMHO that is consistent with the loud swatch quartz tick. The thing I find disappointing is that you touched on is how cheap it feels. I know we are not talking high end here, but the gent and new gents, even with the new bioceremic, feel more solid than the sistem51 case.
I have the system 51 summer Hodinkee edition it’s great! It was my first auto watch 😃
Speaking of servicable watches.
I sent my Longines HydroConquest to Longines for a service. After many years I wished to grant it some fresh oil and polishing the case. What did Longines do? They threw the movement in the bin and installed a new one. Guess it's just easier and cheaper to insert a new movement instead of doing what I expected them to do with a automatic movement and just disassamble it, clean it and then reassamble it.
Considered one before, but found it too large for my skinny wrist. In the end bought a smaller cheap 90s swatch auto off ebay and fitted an aliexpress mesh strap to improve the fit.
This review is why I love Jody, the TRUTH!
I have an all metal sistem 51 in a drawer somewhere never wear it. I can take Swatch at face value they were colourful and a bit fun back in the 80's and 90's but ultimately disposable and therein lies the problem especially these days when sustainability is a big thing for most companies. I did enjoy the howls of derision from some people when the moonswatch came out though.
I started with a Seiko 5 many years ago and now I ended up with design watches. Not a big leap maybe costwise, but fun as hell.
Fashion watches? Hell's sakes, man! Never admit to that on a watch channel. Normally nice blokes will pop you one and say rude things.
@@m2pozad you're right! 🥶🥵
Nailed it once again, Jody. Please keep these analytical videos coming. I love them and even have some theories of my own. Also thanks for the AAWF mention. I feel famous by association. 😊
I own a system 51, the black version. I would disagree on your comfort assessment. I actually think it's the most comfortable automatic I own. I have on a few occasions fallen asleep wearing it, which never happens to me. It is tall. That is true. My only complaint about it, is the seconds hand. It's completely white, more so than the hour and minutes hands. To the point where at a glance, I frequently think it's one of the other hands since it's much more white than the other hands. I wish it was "green" in color to match the other green aspects of the watch so it would blend in more to the background. Other than that, I really like the watch. It's pretty good for it's price which I paid under retail price. It cost me one hundred dollars. New. In the US.
To me, it's a "fun" watch. I like it for it's looks. I like that it doesn't have any complications. No day/date, thank you. Easy to set, easy to wear. The only Swatch I own. I have other Swiss watches that are more reputable, Hamilton etc. Funny to call Hamilton Swiss, but it is now. Those cost a lot more though.
Got a 51 - fleamarket edition for 25 bucks. With 33mm super wearable and ticks just fine for as long as it ticks for casual but not everyday wear
I really like my vintage hodinkee - it hits rotation pretty regularly. It's legible, the leather strap is surprisingly good. My case is an opaque black - the only real "giveaway" on wrist is the big dipper stars on the dial...
I initially thought mine was broken until I realized you had to wind it by turning the crown anti-clockwise. Bizarre decision! I think the biggest issue with the Sistem-51 is that it's too expensive for a disposable watch. If they could reduce the price a bit more, get them under AUD150, I reckon they'd be more popular.
I had the same reaction at first, but the eBay seller had thoughtfully included an instructional note.
Don’t forget about the Tissot from the 70’s was a automatic with a complete plastic everything except for the mainspring and the hairspring.
I've harbored a desire to own a System 51, but I never execute because of all the deficits you mentioned, Jody. If I could get a SWATCH with a mechanical movement, I might consider it...a bright, fun piece I'd only wear occasionally, but at that price, I won't feel like I wasted my money...think less interesting (and much cheaper) Mr. Jones watches.
I was an 80s teen when Swatch was very trendy, but they never appealed to me. Instead, I went with the Timex Illusion. I thought the lcd analog face was cool and futuristic. I still have it today.
Totally agree. I see no reason to even consider this over any off the shelf Timex or Casio.
Run that watch through a demagnetizer and see if it will keep better time. Just a hunch I have.
I just can't spend $150 on a "disposable" watch. When I was in the military a safety guy reminded me that I couldn't wear a watch with a metal band on the flight line so I went to the base exchange and got a olive drab mechanical Timex with a nylon strap for less than $20. It was considered disposable but I loved that watch. It was surprisingly tough, kept good time and wasn't awkwardly large. I wish I could get another but they quit making it a long time ago.
Proud member of Australian Affordable Watch Forum.😁
Thanks for sharing Jody! 👍🏻
Me, being both relatively new to watches, and Mr. "Head in the Sand" in any case, had never heard of this concept. So I dutifully went to the Swatch website to have a look. And you know, some of the steel cased ones don't look half bad. But the fact of the matter is, you would end up paying an extra $50 just for a heavier piece of trash? Not exactly a step in the right direction.
The big benefit of the Swatch is the hype in marketing bringing new enthusiasts into mechanical watches. Yes, those in the know, know there are much better options, even at this price point but anything to broaden the appeal of mechanical watches is a great thing for all watch enthusiast’s.
I have one, in Wollongong, but confess I don’t wear it often, for both the comfort and the colour reasons you raise. But a watch made by robots does appeal to my inner nerd.
All true but as a collector, I bought the blue one!. I have 2 of the steel Ironys and a diver on the chopping block. Part of horological history .
I bought that exact watch. I frickin hate it!!! Enough said and yes your points are spot on!
In Australia, Swatch is providi g lifelong free battery replacement for their quartz collection. Big thumbs up 👍
here they all cost over 200€, at that price point i can buy so many nice looking non plastic watches that will actually let me change straps
You nailed it Jody! Those three reasons are why it's utterly forgettable. I mean, I saw your thumbnail and thought "What watch is Jody talking about?" then when you said "Swatch" I was like "oh yeah... I forgot those existed." And to be honest, I won't mind when I've forgetten about them again.
I had the SISTEM CLOUDS (SUTA401). I loved the iridescent camouflage pattern on the dial that glistened in light. Too bad the rest of the watch was a let down.
I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot more about this movement soon….Omega x Blancpain Sistem51 Fathoms
There are indeed a lot of websites that describe the Sistem51 movement as being "made of plastic" but this is incorrect. It does look a bit like plastic with it's painted-on decoration, but you can clearly see it's almost all metal by studying it under magnification through the clear case back. The plates are made of ARCAP, a die cast zinc-based alloy (this is from Swatch's Sistem51 press release), the train wheels and balance are brass with steel pivots. Only the pallet fork, winding rotor, and escape wheel are plastic (also of course the case, strap, and crystal on most Swatches).
I’m with you Jody. I have a few swatch watches (swatches), but they are mostly the smaller sizes. I do have one old mechanical swatch, but I’m sure it is no bigger than 40mm. I’ll have to check that and get back to you. As you say, swatch seems to have lost the plot with the one you mention.
I have one of the first Irony Sistem 51 watches and when I bought it I was told Swatch were working on a service option - alas, my watch dies after a few years. I went into a Swatch shop and they very generously exchanged it for an old stock that worked (and still does). It’s a shame they can’t make a serviceable version.
The Swatch Sistem 51 is one of the most significant technological achievements in mechanical horology. It is the culmination of mechanical watchmaking in the sense that it proves that the fabrication of a mechanical watch can be completely automated. Computer scientist Donald Knuth once said: "Science is what we understand well enough to explain to a computer. Art is everything else we do." The Sistem 51 therefore shows that all mechanical watchmaking beyond the basic watch is actually art.
Some guy in Spain was selling off a collection of Swatches (who knows where they came from) on Wallapop, which is an app where you can sell stuff here in Europe. He probably didn't know much about watches given that he spelled Swatch wrong in all the ads and....because of the prices he was charging. I bought two plastic sistem51s for 35 euros each and a steel one for 45. That's just what he felt they were worth I imagine. And he was right. They are cool to have but I wouldn't have paid any more for them at all. Compare what you get with the Seiko perpetual calendar chronograph with a sapphire crystal Jody just reviewed for about the same money....yeah, a plastic Swatch is a bit lower down the ladder quality wise to say the least.
I have owned 2 of these in the past. And later sold them on eBay.
I liked them. I do wish they were slimmer.
Great analysis, and I learned the term "fool's paradox". This channel is so educational.
I don't know about the 150$ Swatch watch, especially since it has a set expiry date (cannot be serviced0, but for 250$ I would suggest a serious Swiss movement diver in Aragon Divemaster 42 (with Ronda M150 automatic movement).
I’ll pass on the Swatch. But I’ll give Swatch credit for saving the mechanical watch industry.
May be made in Switzerland, but a hermetically sealed plastic uni-axel(?) movement is no Swiss Made watch I'd aspire to. Would cop a SW200 Invicta in its place for around the same money. That said, an excellent as always review, Jody.
I mean, I have some "cheap" watches that are like the Seiko 5 or AliExpress watches that are only servicable "in theory" but I've had them serviced because they hold sentimental value or are no longer sold. So, sure, lots of watches of that type might be servicable in theory and disposable in practice, but at least I do get to choose if I want to spend the money to service them.
Swatch Sistem 51 … aka … Tissot Swissmatic! Btw, lift angle is 47 degrees.
That movement sounds crazy. They should somehow make a clear case back, and potentially parts if they’re plastic.
You can see the movement on mine. It's cool!
@@pktsqr oh that’s awesome! I’m definitely on the hunt for a funky swatch.
Nice, informative video.
I actually own a sistem51, irony. Think the model is called 'soul'.
Anyway, agree with you on it being bigger than it should and wearing awkwardly.
However I don't really agree with it not being serviceable. If you notice, on the display case back, there is little notch that you can use to pop out the back of it. I personally never have done this, but in theory I believe it's doable!
In times of the challenges of cleaning up plastics from our environment - the Swatch approach is a no-go. It seemed fun st the time, but now we should realize it was irresponsible.
The red one is my favourite.
Just bought one on eBay for $50. Love it.
I would add that the steel sistem51 I have has an oddly heavy and solid feeling bracelet, yet...the case back is the cheapest looking and feeling piece of plastic just pressed or glued on.
Swatch watches are fun. They are cool as they bring people into watches. But that's it.
I had 5 in my collection over the years and sold all as they feel like toys. They are so flimsy, poorly built.
On the other hand, Casio watches never felt like toys and I wear them with pride. Just 2 days ago I wore an F91 at work, where I sell luxury watches. Legendary piece, did not feel out of place.
Jody, great content - always enjoy but really enjoyed this one - please keep it up
Not far away we get actual Hanowa automatics or even Tissot Powermatic 80. No reason to get a disposable half-assed piece, if I may say so.
Just realised the model number for the blue one is "waktu" which in Malay/Indonesian means "Time". South East Asia must be a pretty important market for them.
I got the red one for 50 bucks... I can't complain for that money, when the movement dies I can say it was well spent money 👍