In the mood to one-up your friends? The MoonSwatch is a good deal, but I’m telling you, there’s an even better option out there.
Today we’re talking about this little devil here: the Swatch Chronograph SCB100, known as the “Black Friday.” This watch was released in 1990 and comes in an all-black, 37-mm case with a beautiful textured strap, and metal crown and pushers. The best part, however, is the dial.
That luscious custard color comes from the tritium used in the hands and hour markers. This is essentially the same tritium found in, say, vintage Rolex Submariner and GMT models, but here it adds richness, character, and just the right touch of irony to this watch.
Irony? Well, yes. This watch has a dial that ages gracefully year after year, even though it’s tucked inside a plastic watch case with a quartz movement.
Once you start shopping for this watch, you’ll see why it’s a better proposition than the MoonSwatch. There’s a great selection of editions available on the market, and they’re often cheaper than a MoonSwatch. Although the SCB100’s strap is admittedly less durable than the Velcro strap on the MoonSwatch, you do get an upgrade with those metal pushers. I also think the 37-mm case size is more manageable than that of the 42-mm MoonSwatch, offering more comfort on the wrist. And, based on the dial layout and case back markings, it’s safe to assume you’re getting essentially the same ETA quartz chronograph movement as the MoonSwatch.
The market value for this particular model hovers around $350, but I managed to snag mine brand-new, in the box, with the Macy’s tag still attached, for just $75! And if the Black Friday isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other styles out there, including the popular Rollerball version, and a few very bright neon versions, if you’re looking for a fun piece of wrist candy to shake up your collection.
This could be a longer article, but I’m gonna end it here. Log onto Chrono24, enter “Swatch Chrono” in the search bar, and you’ll see why these things are so cool and tempting.
