After just launching November 6, 2025, Swatch’s new Holiday Collection brings together twelve watches designed with gifting and seasonal wear in mind. It’s a mix of polished stainless-steel chronographs, colorful irony models, and two automatics powered by the brand’s SISTEM51 mechanical movement: BLACKCLOAK MECHANISM and GOLDCLOAK MECHANISM. The full collection is now available online and in Swatch stores worldwide.
Holiday drops usually come and go without much fuss in the watch world, but I’ve always had a soft spot for how Swatch handles these. They know how to make something fun, wearable, and just serious enough to keep on your wrist long after the decorations come down. This year’s collection feels especially balanced. The designs are clean and a little dressy, with brushed and polished cases that don’t scream for attention but still feel festive.
The two SISTEM51 pieces are probably the most interesting part of the lineup. Swatch has been quietly making these affordable mechanicals for a while now, and every time they sneak them into a seasonal release, I get a little more curious. I still kinda miss the first-generation SISTEM51 I owned a while back. These aren’t bulky or overly stylized—they just happen to be automatic and still come in at a price point that doesn’t make you flinch. And for anyone who’s been quartz-only for years, it’s a nice way to dip into mechanical without diving into service costs or crazy complications.
That said, the chronographs kind of stole the spotlight for me (especially the Greenshift Glow pictured above). There’s a sharpness to the cases that makes them feel more elevated than I expected. Swatch has always leaned fun over formal, but these bring a little grown-up energy without losing the brand’s personality. I wouldn’t be surprised if these end up being the ones collectors hold onto long after the holiday fog clears.
The rest of the lineup carries familiar Swatch DNA: lightweight builds, sharp color use, and a sense of design that doesn’t try too hard. These are watches made for people who want to wear something easy, thoughtful, and a little celebratory. You could wear one to a dinner party or just keep it as a reminder of the kind of season you want to have—uncomplicated, but still intentional.
Swatch is sticking to what it does best here. No gimmicks, no collector bait—just well-executed watches that show a little care in how they were put together. That feels like enough. Especially this time of year. Check out the entire collection on the official Swatch website.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.