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Swatch Pair 1994 Collectable Black Strap Watch- GB729 - Z4347
Ref. GB729
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Released as part of Swatch's winter 1993/1994 collection, the GB729 "Pair" is a classic Gent-format piece from the era when Swatch's plastic construction was at its most considered — light enough to forget it is there, cohesive enough that the resin case and integrated strap read as one continuous object rather than parts assembled together. The all-black presentation keeps the white Arabic numerals doing all the work, with the day-date window sitting neatly at three o'clock in the way the Gent layout always placed it. Decades on, this example has remained unworn, which means the acrylic crystal and dial surface will be as they left the factory — a condition that is genuinely difficult to find in a watch this old. The toolless battery hatch on the caseback was a small but practical piece of thinking for its time, and it means the movement remains easily serviceable. Worth noting that rubber straps from this period can become brittle with age regardless of storage conditions, so the bracelet should be treated with some caution before a first wear.
- Reference
- GB729
- Brand
- Swatch
- Collection
- Unknown
- Case size
- 34mm
- Case thickness
- 8.75mm
- Lug width
- 17mm
- Case material
- Resin
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- White
- Crystal
- Acrylic
- Movement
- Quartz
- Functions
- Day-date
- Water resistance
- 30m
- Bracelet / strap
- Rubber strap
- Strap colour
- Black
- Clasp
- Buckle
- Lume
- Luminous
- Condition
- Vintage
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 39.2mm
Learn more about Swatch
Swatch was the Swiss industry's answer to its own near-death. By the early 1980s Japanese quartz had reduced Swiss watch exports catastrophically and employment had collapsed. Nicolas Hayek, brought in as a consultant to advise on liquidating the ASUAG and SSIH conglomerates, recommended the opposite: merge them and attack the low end.
The engineering that made it possible was radical. Ernst Thomke, Elmar Mock, and Jacques Müller designed a watch with fifty-one components instead of the usual ninety-odd, with the movement assembled directly into the injection-moulded case so the watch could not be opened or repaired. It could be made in Switzerland, by robots, for less than the Asian competition.
The first Swatches went on sale in 1983. They were cheap, plastic, colourful, and — critically — sold as fashion rather than as timekeeping. Buyers owned several. Artists including Keith Haring, Kiki Picasso, and later Vivienne Westwood designed editions, and some early models now trade for thousands.
Swatch sold over a hundred million watches within its first decade and financed the rescue of the entire Swiss industry. The Swatch Group that resulted owns Breguet, Blancpain, Omega, Longines, Tissot, Hamilton, and Glashütte Original, and remains the largest watch company in the world.
The MoonSwatch collaboration with Omega in 2022 caused queues around the world.
- 1983
- The first Swatch launches with a 51-component movement.
- 1985
- Keith Haring designs the first artist editions.
- 1992
- Cumulative sales pass 100 million watches.
- 2022
- The MoonSwatch collaboration with Omega sells out globally.
Also in 5 collections
This watch appears in the Swatch Unknown range (5), Back in Stock (5,018), Watches Under 37mm (1,760), Watches Under £100 (647) and Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (382).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
Strengths
- 34mm wears small and slips under any cuff
- 39.2mm lug-to-lug keeps the 34mm case wearable
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Swatch's range as we list it
Worth knowing
- 30m means keeping it away from water
- Acrylic crystal marks easily, though it polishes out
Swatch Pair 1994 Collectable Black alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | GB729 | A168WG-9EF |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £70 | £60 |
| Case size | 34mm | 36.3mm |
| Water resistance | 30m | 30m |
| Movement | Quartz | Quartz |
| Strap | Rubber strap | Stainless steel bracelet |
| This watch |
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
No. At 30m it will survive rain and handwashing, but not submersion of any kind.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Yes, but it polishes out. Acrylic marks easily and a scratch can be buffed away at home, which is why vintage-style watches still use it.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
Yes. It is quartz, so expect a battery change every two to three years at a jeweller.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedWhat size strap does it take?
17mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Will it fit my wrist?
Lug-to-lug is 39.2mm, which suits wrists from roughly 15cm (6 inches) upward.
Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.
How to size a watch to your wristIs it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as unisex, and at this size it suits any wrist that takes the dimensions.
Cheapest place to buy
F.Hinds is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.
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