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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Quartz wrist watch

Swatch 'En Vague' Wrist Watch

Partially verified

This quartz wristwatch, known as the 'En Vague' model (reference SDN 109), was manufactured by Swatch SA in Switzerland in 1994 as part of the 'Scuba 200' collection. The watch features a gold-toned circular dial with yellow and green accents, set within a dark blue acrylic case. It is completed with a green textured leather strap featuring a matching blue buckle. The rear of the case is stamped with an identification marking. This object was acquired as part of a collection of 91 Swatch watches from the spring/summer 1994 range. Swatch timepieces were designed to serve as secondary watches, providing an affordable and accessible alternative to traditional mechanical styles while maintaining Swiss manufacturing. The watch is catalogued by Museums Victoria with the registration number ST 42080.1 and is documented as part of an exhibition collection.

The Swatch 'En Vague' watch (ref. SDN 109) viewed from the front, showing the dial, gold-toned bezel, and textured green leather strap.
The Swatch 'En Vague' watch (ref. SDN 109) viewed from the front, showing the dial, gold-toned bezel, and textured green leather strap. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Wristwatch · Quartz wrist watch
Maker / attribution
Swatch SA
Reference
SDN 109
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 42080.1
Source-reported date
1994
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
4 04

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Design and Case Construction

The Swatch 'En Vague' watch is constructed with a dark blue acrylic case, which is a characteristic material choice for the brand's 'Scuba 200' range. The dial is circular and finished in gold, featuring a stylized graphic in yellow and green that extends towards the center. Numerals are engraved directly into the gold-toned bezel surrounding the crystal, providing a distinct contrast against the dark blue housing of the watch head.

The timepiece is secured to the wrist by a green textured leather strap that complements the colored accents on the dial. The overall configuration of the watch measures 23 cm in length and 3.8 cm in width, conforming to the physical specifications documented in the institutional records for this registration number.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold circular face with yellow and green.”
  • “Numbers on gold border.”
  • “Dark blue acrylic case.”
  • “Green textured leather strap, blue buckle.”

Movement and Identification

The watch operates using a quartz movement, a standard technical feature for the Swatch brand during the mid-1990s. The movement is housed within the water-resistant acrylic case. Specific identification markings are present on the reverse of the case, which is stamped with the identifier '4 04'. This stamping serves as a physical mark of the model's production details, separate from the primary registration number assigned by the collection.

The watch is officially identified by the reference code SDN 109. This reference identifies it as belonging to the Scuba 200 range, which was released by Swatch SA as part of their spring/summer 1994 product line. The internal documentation links this specific piece to a larger acquisition of 91 items from the same seasonal collection, ensuring its place within the museum's science and measurement archives.

Evidence for this section
  • “Quartz movement.”
  • “Rear of case stamped '4 04'.”
  • “One of Scuba 200 range.”
  • “One of 91 Swatch watches purchased from the Swatch spring/summer 1994 collection.”

Acquisition and Provenance

The object was acquired by the museum through a purchase, forming part of a wider effort to preserve examples from the 1994 spring/summer Swatch collection. The inclusion of this watch in the museum's exhibition collection management system indicates it was intended for historical and educational reference.

This registration, number ST 42080.1, places the object within the broader horological collection of the museum. By maintaining this object, the collection preserves the design language and marketing approach employed by Swiss manufacturers during this era.

Evidence for this section
  • “Registration number: ST 42080.1”
  • “In box with warranty & instructions.”
  • “One of 91 Swatch watches purchased from the Swatch spring/summer 1994 collection.”
  • “The original concept was that a Swatch watch was not intended to be a person's treasured keepsake, or indeed their primary watch, but their second watch”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific significance of the '4 04' stamping on the case back regarding manufacturing batch or date?
  • Does the 'Scuba 200' series denote a specific depth rating for this model, and was it officially tested at the time of production?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swatch 'En Vague' Wrist Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerSwatch SA“Manufacturer, name: Swatch SA”
Model NameEn Vague“'En Vague'”
Model ReferenceSDN 109“SDN 109”
Registration NumberST 42080.1“Registration number: ST 42080.1”
Case MaterialAcrylic“Dark blue acrylic case”
Movement TypeQuartz“Quartz movement.”
Case Inscription4 04“Rear of case stamped '4 04'”

Visible details

  • Dark blue translucent acrylic case
  • Green textured leather strap with blue buckle
  • Gold-colored bezel with engraved numerals
  • Quartz movement configuration

Research qualifications

  • The exact functional status is not specified by the source
  • The source notes the watch is in a box with warranty and instructions, though these are not visible in the provided photos.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Wrist Watch - Swatch, 'En Vague', Switzerland, 1994

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 63f2fdde07

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other quartz wrist watch records