Swatch Hielo 1993 Collectable Yellow Strap Watch- LK146 - Z4302

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Swatch Hielo 1993 Collectable Yellow Strap Watch- LK146 - Z4302

Name: Swatch Hielo 1993 Collectable Yellow Strap Watch- LK146 - Z4302
Brand: Swatch
SKU: LK146
Price: 70 GBP
Availability: InStock

Ref. LK146

Among our 44 Swatch watchesThis watch£70

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Stepping up in Swatch's range

Released in 1993 as part of the Lady line within Swatch's Originals collection, the Hielo is one of those early-nineties pieces that has sat in its box long enough to become a genuine archive object. The transparent matte resin case and the frosted yellow strap — with its contrasting orange buckle — were never meant to be understated; this was Swatch designing for colour first and everything else second, and the silver sunburst dial with its dark red inner circle reads exactly as intended. At 25mm it sits almost entirely within the wrist rather than on it, and after three decades of storage the strap carries the risk that aged silicone always does — it may be too brittle for daily wear, which is rather the condition of the thing now than a flaw in it. What survives intact is the acrylic crystal, which can be polished back to clarity if needed, and a movement that will run reliably on a fresh battery. For a collector, the interest is in having it complete, unworn and in its original packaging — which this is.

Reference: LK146
Brand: Swatch
Case size: 25mm
Case thickness: 7mm
Lug width: 12mm
Case material: Resin
Case shape: Round
Dial: Silver
Crystal: Acrylic
Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 30m
Bracelet / strap: Silicone strap
Strap colour: Yellow
Clasp: Buckle
Lume: Luminous
Condition: Vintage
Retailer: F.Hinds

Additional specifications

Lug-to-lug: 31.4mm

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), Women's Watches (940), 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?

12mm. 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 31.4mm, 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 women's.

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.