By Charles Walhingford
Some of my favorite brands Longines and Hamilton are part of the Swatch Group, my future targets, “Blancpain Fifty Fathoms” is also part of the Swatch Group. Though I have a problem. What do I want with this colourful, fun, dare I say timepiece. No self-respecting horologist would wear this. What am I going to do with an aluminum, plastic and rubber yes I know plenty of high-end watches use rubber in their straps see any HUBLOT, but stay with me here. I do not like them with a fox, or in a box… Maybe that is what I am doing wrong. I called my 10-year-old son over to look at these (Pause) timepieces. “What do think of these?”, I asked.
I think back to the early eighties when my father first showed his Bulova Accutron Spaceview. I was mesmerized, I was captivated, I was hooked. And like any addictive behavior that was passed on by parenting I have now pushed that on my own son. I have once again completed the vicious cycle, God help him.
My son first gravitated to the bright yellow to the YYS4002AG LEMON SQUASH. This watch has a yellow dial with black and red markings, date window at 3o’clock set in an aluminum case with opaque yellow plastic inserts, yellow pushers and crown.
I asked him if there was any other watch he liked, his choice was the YYS4001AG ENDLESS ENERGY. This blue dial white and sliver coloured chronograph, is set in an Aluminum case and translucent blue plastic insert pushers, crown and with an adjustable aluminum bracelet with blue plastic inserts in sides of the links. This was the watch I wanted him to choose. At least this was short-lived, “ooh that red one” he squawked, that is my favorite.
My son chose the YES4001 GO JUMP. This particular watch has a black dial with white markings, date window at 3 o’clock set in an aluminum case with translucent red plastic insert and red crown along with a red perforated leather strap. I was pleasantly surprised to see him choose a watch with a leather strap. A leather strap is a more refined choice then plastic or rubber. I fear that this will be his Bulova Accutron Spaceview, the watch that will start it all, again. The Jonesing for the next issue of “Watch Journal”, the binge-watching of “Hodinkee” on Youtube, the arguments of who is better Audemars Piguet or Rolex. What have I done?
YYS4003 FEEL STRONG
Model: New Irony Alu Chrono
Dial: Black dial with orange and white markings, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum case with opaque orange plastic insert, orange pushers and crown
Bezel: Aluminum bezel
Bracelet: Black and orange silicone strap
YYS4005 BLACK WHEEL
Model: New Irony Alu Chrono
Dial: White dial with black designs, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum with translucent dark gray plastic insert, dark gray crown and pusher at 2 o’clock, red pusher at 4 o’clock
Bezel: Aluminum bezel
Bracelet: Black and white silicone
YYS4004 RED WHEEL
Model: New Irony Alu Big
Dial: Black dial with white and red markings, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum case with translucent red plastic insert, red pushers and crown
Bezel: Aluminum bezel
Bracelet: Black silicone strap
YYS4000AG BLACK ENERGY
Model: New Irony Alu Chrono
Dial: Black dial with white markings, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum case with opaque black plastic insert, black pushers and crown
Bezel: Aluminum bezel
Bracelet: Adjustable aluminum bracelet with black plastic insert in the sides of the links
YYS4002AG LEMON SQUASH
Model: New Irony Alu Chrono
Dial: Yellow dial with black and red markings, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum case with opaque yellow plastic insert, yellow pushers and crown
Bezel: Aluminum bezel
Bracelet: Adjustable aluminum bracelet with yellow plastic insert in the sides of the links
YYS4001AG ENDLESS ENERGY
Model: New Irony Alu Chrono
Dial: Blue with white and silver-colored designs, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum with translucent blue plastic insert, blue pushers and crown
Bezel: Aluminum bezel
Bracelet: Adjustable aluminum bracelet with blue plastic insert in the sides of the links
YES4002 GO JOG
Model: New Irony Alu Big
Dial: Bronze dial with silver markings, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum case with opaque black plastic insert, black crown
Bracelet: Gray and black textured silicone strap
YES4000 GO RUN
Model: New Irony Alu Big
Dial: Blue with white and orange designs, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum with opaque blue plastic insert and blue crown
Bracelet: Rubberized blue leather with white stitching
YES4004 GO CLIMB
Model: New Irony Alu Big
Dial: Blue dial with green markings, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum case with opaque green plastic insert, green crown
Bracelet: Gray and green silicone strap
YES4003 GO CYCLE
Model: New Irony Alu Big
Dial: Black dial with white and silver markings, date window at 6 o’clock
Case: Aluminum case with translucent black plastic insert, black crown
Bracelet: Black leather
YES4001 GO JUMP
Model: New Irony Alu Big
Dial: Black dial with white markings, date window at 3 o’clock
Case: Aluminum case with translucent red plastic insert, red crown
Bracelet: Red perforated leather strap
YES4005 GO DANCE
Model: New Irony Alu Big
Dial: Sun-brushed silver dial with white designs, date window between 4 and 5 o’clock
Case: Aluminum with opaque white plastic insert and white crown
Bracelet: Gray and white silicone
In closing can I recommend this watch to my fellow Watch fans, Horologist, Watch Geeks or Watch Snobs? A resounding No. I do recommend this line to the very young adults or deviant fathers who have no regard for the wellbeing of their son’s future addictive behavior. Prices for the new Irony XLite timepieces are between $120 – $175.
No sons were hurt in this article.
For more info, please visit swatch.com
Charles Walhingford – Contributing Writer
Charles Walhingford was bitten at 6 years old by the watch bug with his father’s Bulova Accutron Spaceview. To him nothing can beat that sweep and hum. Charles believes the hard work, time and artistry that the watch maker spent making your watch is a direct reflection of the hard work and sacrifice you have made to afford that particular time piece. Charles recently started a Youtube channel where he shows his admiration for watches. Charles loves independent brands like Kobold and Muhle Glashutte but equally adores the heavy weights like Breitling and Breguet. Read his articles here.
