What if Swatch was a square watch?

The new Swatch Bioceramic What If is a trendy collection of square watches. Plus, 5 more best square watches in 2023.

In 1982, as it was working on its first watches for release, Swatch created a watch prototype in a square case. That was shelved in favour of the round case of the Gent when the Swatch brand eventually launched in 1983. Fast forward 40 years later, Swatch revisited this prototype that could have been its first watch, which culminated in the What If collection of square watches. Measuring 33mm x 33mm, the watch is crafted from bioceramic, a combination of ceramic powder and biosourced materials, that possesses remarkable strength and durability. It comes with an integrated strap in biosourced material.

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The four available colours for the strap—grey, black, green, and beige—recall the first Swatch models and their design aesthetics. As a tribute to its roots, the caseback features a dial from one of the first Gent watches in 1983.

With anything that echoes a retro vibe so trendy right now, these new Swatches make for really cool complements to your ensembles.

And if you're in the market for more than one square watch, here are five more that are worthy of consideration.

The skeleton 9629 MC movement features an oscillating weight in the shape of a replica of the Demoiselle, the plane designed by pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont, of which this magnificent Cartier watch is named after.

Like its name suggests, the shades of blue for the sub-dials and perforated calfskin strap are inspired by the tones sported by Talbot-Lago, Delage and Bugatti Type 35. They are complemented with lime yellow that appears on the seconds hand and the hour marker at 12 o'clock. This Monaco Chronograph is powered by the automatic Calibre 11.

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Featuring a bevelled sapphire crystal dial protector, this Cartier Privé Tank Normale is an instant classic in a yellow gold case with brown alligator strap. The sword-shaped steel hands have been blued to lend a lovely contrast against the silver dial with black Roman numerals.

Limited to 250 pieces, the sapphire crystal offers absolute transparency, revealing the in-house HUB1280 Unico flyback chronograph movement perfectly adapted for the squared dimensions.

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The black ceramic case frames the skeletonised R808 automatic movement equipped with the antimagnetic NivachronTM hairspring that is resistant against shock, temperature fluctuations and of course, magnetic fields.

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