Kensington Watches
Swatch Louis Louis 1991 Collectable Patterned Strap Watch- GR106 - Z4325

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Swatch

Swatch Louis Louis 1991 Collectable Patterned Strap Watch- GR106 - Z4325

Ref. GR106

Among our 44 Swatch watchesThis watch£60
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Stepping up in Swatch's range

Price range £60 to £170 across 44 Swatch watches in stock.

Released in 1990 as part of the original Gent collection, the Louis Louis arrived at the height of Swatch's most inventive period, when the brand was treating the watch as a canvas rather than an instrument. The gold-patterned dial and the contrast between the red case and the dark green strap decorated with burgundy motifs gives it a deliberately Renaissance or heraldic quality — ornamental in a way that reads as period-specific to early-1990s Swatch design rather than generic decoration. Because this is deadstock — unworn and kept in storage since new — the strap carries an important caveat: silicone and plastic of this age can become brittle without warning, and bending it risks cracking. Most collectors treat a piece in this condition as something to own and display rather than wear daily, keeping the original strap intact and sourcing a modern replacement if they want it on the wrist.

Reference
GR106
Brand
Swatch
Case size
34mm
Case thickness
9mm
Lug width
17mm
Case material
Resin
Case shape
Round
Dial
Gold
Crystal
Acrylic
Movement
Quartz
Water resistance
30m
Bracelet / strap
Silicone strap
Strap colour
Green
Clasp
Buckle
Lume
Luminous
Condition
Vintage
Retailer
F.Hinds
Additional specifications
Lug-to-lug
39mm
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.

All Swatch watches

This watch appears in Under 37mm (1,010), Under £100 (305) and Pre-Owned & Vintage (46).

Manufacturer’s guarantee

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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.

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.

Does it need a battery?

Yes. It is quartz, so expect a battery change every two to three years at a jeweller.

What 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.

Is 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.

Who are F.Hinds?

F.Hinds has been run by the same family since 1856 and is now in its fifth generation, with more than 115 shops across England and Wales. They are a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council and an Authorised Diamond Dealer.

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