Swatch, standard lug width and straps
So recently, I picked up a Mission to the Moon Moonswatch. I am not a fan of the stock strap. I have switched... already ordered and started my own strap journey. Admittedly, it has been fun. I owned a Swatch in the mid-'80s in school. I have had a bunch of Swatch watches over the years. And until the Moonswatch, I can't recall a Swatch that used standard lugs to accept normal straps. Why?
This could be an opportunity for Swatch to change up their game plan. I get the whole OEM angle, but really, how many people are buying Swatches and buying extra OEM straps to change to? I would guess, not a ton. And then, ask the question of how many watch people may like the look of a standard Swatch, but may pass on it because of the whole proprietary strap idea? I would bet more than buy the OEM straps.
This is just conjecture on my part here... I don't have the numbers to back up the hypothesis. But I, for one, have passed on Swatches many times over the past decade because of the proprietary strap game (much like I have passed on 19mm or 21mm lug-width watches). If the Moonswatch used the same proprietary Swatch strap and integrated it into the case design (I know it wouldn't a true proportional clone of the Speedy), I am not sure if I would have picked one up... or even if the sales of them would be near the levels they are today.
Just some thoughts...
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I forgot about Swatch & their proprietary straps for the reason behind your hypothesis.
When they initially launched with that "feature" the hype almost got me, but I wanted to wear other straps & couldn't. Therefore, they went into the rubbish bin of my memory.
I kind of hope that the MoonSwatch is a start of a move away from that.
I feel like I explicitly wrote something here in the last week or so stating both that the multi-hinged proprietary Swatch lugs are a total dealbreaker and that they may have been necessary for 1980's transparent/translucent plastics, but wake up RIp Van WInkle.
It had not dawned on me that the Moonswatch was perhaps their first departure from this hidebound foolishness, so good catch there. And while I haven't actually changed out any plastic/resin OEM bands, I like the idea that I could if I wanted.
I feel like I explicitly wrote something here in the last week or so stating both that the multi-hinged proprietary Swatch lugs are a total dealbreaker and that they may have been necessary for 1980's transparent/translucent plastics, but wake up RIp Van WInkle.
It had not dawned on me that the Moonswatch was perhaps their first departure from this hidebound foolishness, so good catch there. And while I haven't actually changed out any plastic/resin OEM bands, I like the idea that I could if I wanted.
Back in school, we used paperclips and swapped bands with other kids... it was almost like a mating ritual. Guys and girls often exchanged both pieces or just one piece with their BF or GF.
I too remember the wacky mix&match personalization of the 80's Swatch craze, but it was very much a walled-off experience. The variety is what Swatch says it is, as opposed to the vast array afforded by a more universal size/design.
@roberto I'm always of the belief that non-opaque plastic is weaker. I suspect black is stronger than lighter colors too, but I may be wrong. Anyway, I'm not sure if the fact that only the delicate cosmetic shrouding (WHICH WOULDN'T EVEN EXIST WERE IT NOT FOR THAT CORNY MULTI-LUG DESIGN!!!!) being affected is evidence on anyone's side or not.
However, the Moonswatch has proven that, at least for the bioceramic material, NO PHYSICAL NEED for this design exists. But it is still there on there on their new bioceramic designs, in fact in large oddball models that are seemingly not even interchangeable with most of their own pre-existing lines. WTF!!
This is clearly just a design cue at this point. It warrants serious reconsideration. It seems to persist only due to stodgy insistence on brand identity.