… Swatch AM51. Got it for 640RM in late 2022. Nowadays it costs 100RM more due to higher taxes. I chose it because of 5 main reasons,
- It’s inexpensive
- It’s got decent WR
- The case and dial are bold, modern, and tasteful
- Doesn’t need batteries or service
- Understated and not showy black resin strap and case
While many (ss) watches, even some Swatches, cry out, look at me -how rich / tasteful my wearer is! The AM51 is minimal pride with maximum stealth. It looks, at a glance, like so many other CBP analog Casios nobody gives a damn about. But careful inspection shows the gentle curve of the band such as most Casios do not have, the sculpted resin case with sharply delineated edges and the powdery matte texture applied. The dial, likewise is all black with angular but slim white ‘floating’ hands.
It has a display back which is a cool feature but more importantly allows checking the power reserve, due to the open mainspring barrel. I’ve showered with it on, no issues. Swimming should also be okay. I’m not sure why Swatch made the buckle lock quite so securely but I guess it’s one of their trademark features.
Everything is supposed to be made of plant based plastic resin which is much stronger than PU and other Casio rubbers, aside from their hi-end carbon reinforced ones. If eventually you do break your strap, it will cost a tenth of your watch to replace. And the crystal is acrylic which is both good and bad depending on your skill with polywatch polishing. So far, I’ve picked up only minor scratches that don’t show.
Accuracy, OOTB was good but since I bought it, it went from 3s off daily to 20s off daily. And I never dropped it. And if I did, it would not be serviceable anyway. It has this disposable vibe which I think is cool to feel. A watch, like time itself, never stays forever. It moves up (or down) and we move on from it without attachment -which is unspiritual.
Now I can sell off my collection, knowing I won’t miss my grail. More later…
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