The Swatch SCUBAQUA Brings Jellyfish DNA To ’90s-Inspired Dive Watches

In our industry, we’re fortunate enough to be able to cover and review watches of all kinds. However, before 2022’s internet-breaking MoonSwatch collaboration with Omega, Swatch was a fun brand, but one that rarely occupied our gaze. They followed up that release with yet another luxury partnership, teaming up with Blancpain on a Bioceramic version of the Fifty Fathoms diver. And although Swatch has been making water-bound watches in some capacity for over 30 years, this was the first one that really felt like it was deserving of attention from watch enthusiasts.

Now, the Swiss budget brand is venturing out on its own with five vibrant jellyfish-inspired dive watches that combine the playfulness Swatch is known for with actual functional dive watch credentials.

Aquatic Nostalgia

Rewind to 1990, when Swatch dropped its first proper dive watch, the Scuba 200. Before “desk divers” were really a thing, these 38mm quartz-powered timepieces were about as casual as you could get. They embodied everything great about ‘90s design sensibilities with aggressive colors and unpretentious design. The original Scuba 200 eventually got phased out but the SCUBAQUA collection revives that spirit for the modern wearer.

Instead of merely recycling designs, Swatch has completely reimagined the concept. These are bigger, 44m watches (with a 15.4mm thickness) with a partially see-through case and dial, creating a visual experience that evokes the translucent sea creatures that served as their inspiration. But best of all, these look just as “acceptable” to wear as, say, your funkiest G-SHOCK models.

Material Innovation

The real technical story here involves the fusion of two materials that have become central to Swatch’s modern identity. The solid-colored sections on the crown and bezel utilize the same Bioceramic compound found in the MoonSwatch. A Swatch patent, Bioceramic consists of a ceramic-plastic hybrid that offers improved durability without sacrificing lightness. Meanwhile, the transparent components on these watches employ a “bio-sourced material” derived from castor oil, giving these watches their unique “jelly” quality.

This material pairing creates a very cool visual contrast between matte and glossy surfaces, where the opaque and transparent elements totally subvert the classic tool-like utility of a traditional dive watch. And while we’re nothing but fanboys of traditional divers, these are deserving of their own place at the horological table.

Depth Without Pretension

Available in five colorways, the quartz-powered SCUBAQUA ranges from the more sophisticated Black Sea Nettle to the summery yellow Egg Yolk and Blue Fire variants. There’s also an all-red Lion’s Mane option and a white Aurelia Aurita colorway which surprisingly features the most color diversity with its red, blue, and yellow hands. 

The collection’s most striking feature might be the unconventional crown position at 10 o’clock, which Swatch claims enhances safety but also adds to the watch’s enigma. But despite the playfulness, the SCUBAQUA delivers respectable dive watch function with 100m of water resistance. Furthermore, lume is applied to the markers and hands to make them pop in low light like a serious dive watch would do. Swatch has used Super-LumiNova lume in the past but this hasn’t been specified for the new collection. 

Lastly, the integrated straps here are made of silicone to match their respective cases and are buckled with a polymer clasp.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Priced at just $150 and not limited in edition size, the Swatch SCUBAQUA collection is available now from both Swatch’s website and retail locations.

Recap

Swatch SCUBAQUA Dive Watch Collection

Featuring partially transparent cases and dials, this five-piece dive watch collection from Swatch is a colorful bridge between the brand’s old and new identities.

Learn More: Swatch