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Swatch Magnitudo 1994 Collectable Blue Strap Watch- GK170 - Z4330
Ref. GK170
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Stepping up in Swatch's range
The Magnitudo appeared in 1994 as part of the Originals Gent line, at a moment when Swatch was pushing its resin cases toward something more deliberately playful — the semi-transparent light-blue case was not simply a colour choice but a way of making the object itself part of the design language, so that case, strap, dial and hands read as a single continuous thing rather than assembled components. Thirty years on, a new-old-stock example is a precise record of that approach. The monochromatic layout holds up well: oversized Arabic numerals at the cardinal positions share the same silver-blue tone as the hands, and the domed acrylic keeps the dial visible while giving it a slight period warmth. The proprietary three-prong lug system means original-condition straps are not easily replaced, which makes an untouched example — strap still supple — genuinely harder to find than the model itself.
- Reference
- GK170
- Brand
- Swatch
- Collection
- Originals Gent
- Case size
- 34mm
- Case thickness
- 9mm
- Lug width
- 17mm
- Case material
- Resin
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- White
- Crystal
- Acrylic
- Movement
- Quartz
- Bracelet / strap
- Silicone strap
- Strap colour
- Blue
- Clasp
- Buckle
- Lume
- Luminous
- Condition
- Vintage
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 39mm
- Origin
- Swiss made
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 Originals Gent range (10), Back in Stock (5,018), Watches Under 37mm (1,760), Watches Under £100 (647) and Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (382).
Temporarily out of stock
F.Hinds is not currently taking orders for this reference. Last listed as available on 21 September 2026. Stock is checked nightly and this page updates when it returns.
What the specifications mean
Strengths
- 34mm wears small and slips under any cuff
- 39mm 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
- Acrylic crystal marks easily, though it polishes out
Swatch Magnitudo 1994 Collectable Blue alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | GK170 | A168WG-9EF |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £60 | £60 |
| Case size | 34mm | 36.3mm |
| Water resistance | — | 30m |
| Movement | Quartz | Quartz |
| Strap | Silicone strap | Stainless steel bracelet |
| This watch |
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Will 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 39mm, 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.
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