The Swatch BIOCERAMIC WHAT IF? collection turns a square watch prototype from 1982 into an alternate-history collection. Swatch says its founders considered round and square designs that year and chose round; the company separately dates its founding to 1983. The collection’s premise is therefore “what if” the square design had been chosen—not that Swatch’s 1983 debut was square.
What is the Swatch BIOCERAMIC WHAT IF? collection?
Introduced in 2023, the collection revisits a square prototype from the early Swatch story. Swatch frames it as a counterfactual: “But WHAT IF a square Swatch had been chosen?” The question refers to a shape decision the company says its founders faced in 1982, not to a square version of the round watches that debuted with Swatch’s 1983 founding.
The first release comprised four muted matte-color watches, each with a square 33 mm × 33 mm case. Swatch describes the case, crown and buckle as BIOCERAMIC, paired with biosourced edge-to-edge glass and an integrated biosourced strap. The brand says BIOCERAMIC combines ceramic powder with biosourced materials and promotes the material’s strength and durability; those are manufacturer descriptions, not independent performance-test results.
Which original colors and model numbers were released?
The four original models share the square case format, but differ in color and dial treatment:
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- BIOCERAMIC WHAT IF? COLLECTION
- Watch Size: 33.25mm square case with push/pull crown
- Water Resistance: 100 Feet
- 2 Year International Warranty
- Free battery exchange at Swatch retail locations
| Model | Model code | Case and strap color | Dial treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHAT IF…BLACK? | SO34B700 | Black | White dial with color-matched printing |
| WHAT IF…GRAY? | SO34M700 | Gray | White dial with color-matched printing |
| WHAT IF…GREEN? | SO34G700 | Green | White dial with color-matched printing |
| WHAT IF…BEIGE? | SO34T700 | Beige | Blue dial with white printing |
These model names, codes and dial details are listed in Swatch’s 2023 collection announcement and its official press page.
What details distinguish the watches?
- Hands: Swatch specifies glow-in-the-dark hands.
- Calendar: A day-date window sits at 3 o’clock.
- Battery cover: Each cover bears a dial design from one of the first four Swatch watches created in 1983. Swatch presents this detail as a tribute to the GENT watch’s 40th anniversary.
What changed in the 2024 additions?
In 2024, Swatch Group Japan announced two monochrome additions: WHAT IF…BLACKAGAIN? and WHAT IF…ALLWHITE? The announcement said they would be available worldwide through Swatch stores and the official online store starting August 1, 2024. That release notice records a launch date; it does not establish current stock or availability in every market.
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- SWATCH ESSENTIALS
- Watch Size: 41.80mm square case with push/pull crown
- Water Resistance: 100 Feet
- 2 Year International Warranty
- Free battery exchange at Swatch retail locations
The original four models were presented in muted matte gray, green, beige and black, while the later additions expanded the concept with black-again and all-white treatments. Swatch Group Japan’s 2024 announcement documents those additions.
When did the collection launch?
Swatch Group dated its launch announcement July 28, 2023, and said the collection would make its global debut online and in stores on August 1, 2023. Swatch’s press page is dated July 31, 2023. The dates describe the original launch, not ongoing availability.
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- WHAT IF? COLLECTION
- Watch Size: 33.25mm square case with push/pull crown
- Water Resistance: 100 Feet
- 2 Year International Warranty
- Free battery exchange at Swatch retail locations
What product details are not established here?
The cited Swatch and Swatch Group pages do not establish current prices or inventory, detailed movement specifications, water resistance, or a complete present-day lineup. Those details should be checked against a current official listing for the relevant market rather than inferred from the collection announcements.
Quick Recap
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- WHAT IF? COLLECTION
- Watch Size: 33.25mm square case with push/pull crown
- Water Resistance: 100 Feet
- 2 Year International Warranty
- Free battery exchange at Swatch retail locations
Rank #4
- WHAT IF? COLLECTION
- Watch Size: 33.25mm square case with push/pull crown
- Water Resistance: 100 Feet
- 2 Year International Warranty
- Free battery exchange at Swatch retail locations
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
