Logo Prototypes
One step further in the direction of the definitive shape of the Swatch, in parallel with some steps back in the finding of the right Logo. Several different designs have been brought up by Marlyse Schmid and Bernard Müller also known to insiders as the “Schmüllers” in order to give the future plastic watch its face. They have been the creative force behind the Swatch designs for many years. Even the adaptation of the design handed in by Christian Chapiron alias Kiki Picasso for the art special 1985 has been made by them!
A few combinations of Zaugg prototype watch cases or final shaped watch cases mounted with manifold Logo designs are known, see the Zaugg prototype shown in the ‘1981’ section.
Some other details are not yet finalized, such as the crown and the hands. Some of the Logo prototypes still lack the two additional bridges for the strap, which will get one of the main design features of Swatch and an important stabilizer for the strap mount to the case. Not many know, that these stabilizers and major feature of the Swatch-design have also been created by Marlyse Schmid and Bernhard Müller. These early prototypes are for design study only and do not bear any movement. Most of them are marked as “sample”.
The logos themselves passed a few phases of re-design such as the crossed branches of the ‘w’ and whether the stroke for the ‘Q’ in ‘quartz’ should be vertical or oblique. There was also an attempt to squeeze the Swiss flag between the ‘S’ and the ‘w’, but because of severe restrictions in using national flags for commercial purposes, that version of the logo was dropped quite fast.
Finally none of these big-S logos have been used. Swatch decided to go for a better readable font, which is still used today.
Mock Brücke Prototype
This prototype repre- sents the first step for creating skeletonized models, which then inspired the creation of the ‘Original Jelly’ and later the ‘Jelly Fish’ models. The specialty of this prototype is the hand crafted bridge designed by Elmar Mock and hand crafted by Jacques Müller (The two inventors of Swatch). ALL of the ‘Mock-Brücke’ models were supposedly built by hand. (The bridges themselves were absolutely made by hand, and one can see that there are some differences between them. Most were without chrome plating.)
One can also see (on many of them) the non-perfect ultrasonic bumps where the welds were made. The concept was in line with the ”Original Jellyfish’ where they tried to minimize the movement and still retain the perfect timing and durability which Swatch came to be known for. The timing was not a problem, but as Elmar told Dan Komar personally when he queried him on the subject: the stability of the movement was lost and banging about would cause them problems.
We imagine Jacques Müller solved the problem with the standard “bridge” we all came to know. As far as we know, only hand built prototypes utilized the ‘Mock-Brücke’.
To better visualize the difference about the ‘Mock Brücke’ and the one used in all other models please compare this prototype with the two described below, belonging to the second generation prototypes for skeletonized models.
This model is in slightly worn condition. We suppose, that it had been worn during some time by Jacques Müller himself, or one of his close collaborators, to check for the stability problems Elmar Mock was afraid of. No need to change anything, it still works perfectly after more than 30 years!
Skeletonized Prototypes
These prototypes are referred to as “skeletonized” Prototypes. They are not, as many think, direct prototypes of the “Jelly Fish” or the “Original Jelly”. The name for latter two watches is directly linked to their transparent case, and only skeletonized watches with transparent cases can be called “Jelly”.
There are many different versions of these prototypes. It is still not very clear for which model they have been made. One can think, that these are first design studies, which were later further developed to get transparent cases and thus be called “Jelly Fish”.
These versions have matching dial rings to their cases. Both are working models. The dial rings have no Logo. The brown cased watch is marked as “sample”, the black cased version has no codes on its back.
Only 200 of the “Original Jellies” have been produced and distributed at a journalistic event. Even the movements of these watches differ slightly from later “Jelly Fish” versions, as they lack a magnetic enhancer.
USA Test Market Models
10000 handmade Swatches have been prepared for the semi-official launch of the brand the 10th of October 1982 in Dallas (Texas, USA). Some of these pieces were slightly different that the later 1983 models officially introduced in Switzerland.
Some of the USA-models had different straps and alternative very thin hands. The best way to recognize these USA-models is the distinct production code on the back of the case only used in these pieces. The code is a capital letter (A to C) followed by the year 82 and surrounded by four dots. The letter A stands for January, B for February and C for March. These watches don’t show yet the country code as do the models starting from 1984. Very rarely one can find also some boxes in which these USA-models have been sold. These blister boxes are also different in shape and color scheme, as compared to the ones used in 1983 and 1984.
The model shown in the picture is as most of these USA-pieces a worn example. It is the precursor of the GB 701 introduced in spring 1983 and sold until fall 1984. The only difference to the 1983 model is the 1982 production code and the very dark red letters showing the minutes.
Swatch Prototypes 