Swatch Flymagic
The Swatch Flymagic - Beyond The Dial, There Is Some Serious Watchmaking Here
By Benjamin Teisseire
Contributor
Anti-magnetism is the new frontier for mechanical watches. All major watch groups are competing for ingenuity while R&D departments are working tirelessly to push the boundaries. This time, Nicolas Hayek, CEO of the Swatch Group, gave a gift that will benefit the entire industry.
The grail of Swiss mechanical watchmaking has always been precision. Among the factors that negatively affect it, magnetism is one of the most important. In today’s world, magnetic fields are everywhere. Screens, computers, smartphones, and appliances are omnipresent and can alter the functioning of the small mechanical wonders in our wrists.
Addressing this growing problem, therefore is essential. Large groups, the only ones able to invest heavily in the R&D, required to remedy this have undertaken the challenge. With the Flymagic, Swatch Group presents its latest technological revolution to tackle this major drawback: a non-magnetic spiral made of Nivachro.
A new revolution
In 2013, Swatch had already started a mechanical revolution by introducing the Sistem51, a miracle of micromechanics with just 51 components and an impressive 17 patents, the essence of Swiss mechanical watchmaking prowess, all while 100% Swiss Made. In 2018, the group went even further by presenting a spiral realized in a new alloy: the Nivachron . Made from titanium (a secret defense for any additional precision on the material), it is claimed to reduce the effects of magnetic fields by a factor of 10 to 20, and is extremely resistant to shocks and insensitive to changes in temperature.
Hayek is already saying that this technological revolution - made possible thanks to a close collaboration between ETA and Nivarox - will be offered to all brands of the group and will most importantly ensure a better chronometric accuracy - of the order of +/- 7 seconds / day -. This new reliability, coupled with an optimized power reserve and ultimately increased longevity.
Certainly, silicon, also developed internally, provides even more precise precision, but its cost is not the same. The real revolution of 2019 is here to offer a level of performance unmatched in an entry-level segment of mechanical watchmaking. A feat that the group had already achieved in 1992 with its mechanical Swatch "Time to Move" as Mr. Hayek recalled.
The FLYMAGIC SWATCH
To launch this revolution, Swatch offers a new timepiece that comes in 3 limited editions of 500 each: the FLYMAGIC. It takes all 51 components of the Sistem51 and adds 15 new parts which allow the reversal of the caliber dial side to reveal all the magic of the mechanical movement. A skeleton dial and wheel, as well as a transparent peripheral oscillating mass allows admiring of the whole movement, including the balance and its famous Nivachron spiral at 9 o'clock and the triaxial needle small seconds that turn in the counterclockwise at 12 o'clock.
The three steel models have each different finishes and display their edition numbers in the center of the dial. With a 45mm case for 15.8mm high, the timepiece does not go unnoticed and it is the goal since it marks "a new page in the history of Swiss mechanical watchmaking already enameled with many innovations due to Swatch", in the words of Nicolas Hayek.
He added: "This is a strong message, addressed to the young generations in particular, for the benefit of the entire industry". Other brands will benefit from this non-magnetic revolution. Nicolas Hayek recalls the announcement of collaboration with Audemars Piguet in August 2018, proof that the technology can adapt to all levels of the industry.
The official launch of FLYMAGIC on the markets will be on April 30, the birthday of Mr. C.F. Gauss, for the nod. Nivachron will then equip the Sistem51 from September 2019, thus offering access to a technological revolution of anti-magnetism at a price below CHF 200 (Incl. Tax).
The battle against anti-magnetism is well underway for the benefit of mechanical watchmaking and especially the end consumer. Silicium is not at its first attempt. Carbon makes its appearance. Nivachron becomes the new alternative of the Swatch group. A race for innovation that demonstrates the modernity of a secular industry.
The Swatch Flymagic is limited to 500 pieces and priced at CHF 1500 (incl. Tax).
