This is a review of the Swatch Spare Corner. This model is a colorful unisex watch that was released as part of their Fall/Winter 2010 collection.

• Collection: Spare Corner
• Model number: GJ129
• Manufacturer: Swatch
• Basic specifications: Function: Hour, minutes and seconds
• Case: Polycarbonate (plastic?), diameter 34 mm, height 8.5 mm, lug width 17 mm, lug to lug 38.5 mm
• Movement: ETA quartz
• Crystal: Acrylic
• Water resistance: 3 ATM
• Retail price: $50 USD

CASE
The watch is a one-piece design. It is made of either polycarbonate or plastic. The case is well made and has a nice finish. You can’t see the seams of the mold on the case.

The case has a matte yellow finish. The case lugs have lughole to push out the strap pins. As with most Swatch watches, the lugs have two tabs. The case has two access points, the top and a battery access on the case back.

The battery access hole is slightly raised at the edges. This does not affect the wear comfort of the watch. The markings, which is very difficult to read are: # 025, ‘Patented Water-Resistant’ in the middle of the case back. Below this you find the ETA logo, indicating the movement powering the watch, the SWATCH logo and below that Swiss Made. The battery information is also in the case back. This is great, as you know what battery to get if you want to replace the battery yourself. The watch is fitted with the 11,60 x 3,10 1,55 V battery.

The crown is made from stainless steel. It has a matte finish. The crown is not of the screw-down design. It measures 3.5 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm thin. It is unsigned. Although the size of the crown is small, it is easy to use. There is a notch on the case back that makes it a pleasure to use and operate. It pulls out to adjust the time.

MOVEMENT
This watch comes fitted with an ETA quartz, basic 3 hands movement. The movement should be very reliable as ETA makes it. The movement 'hacks' as all quartz movement does.

DIAL
The dial is basically white with colored lines. It is a very pretty dial. The dial is void of any hour index markings save for the 12, 3 6 and 9. This makes telling the exact time difficult. There is also no minute markings. There are very little marking on the dial. You find the Swatch signature at the 12 o’clock position and Swiss below that. Actually it is closer to the center of the watch. The only other legend is below the 6 o’clock index, where you find Swatch and AG 2009.

HANDS
The hands are of the stick design. The hands are rendered in black but it has a polished finish. This makes it ‘stand out’ against the ‘white’ dial. The hands are well made and well finished. The minute hand extends beyond the hour hand. This makes telling the time easy. None of the hands are luminous, although the hour and minute hands may look like it has luminous material.

CRYSTAL
This watch is fitted with a acrylic crystal. The crystal is domed and it extends about 3 mm above the watch case. This makes it prone to chipping and scratching. The crystal can be polished. The crystal lacks any AR coating.

STRAP
The strap is made of silicon. It is very soft and very comfortable. However it does pick up dust and dirt very easily. But because the strap is white in color, you will not notice this. The design on the strap is an extension of the design of the dial. It has many colored lines and geometric shapes. The strap is 17 mm at the lugs and flares out to 20 mm. This makes it flush against the case and provides an appealing look. It then tapers down to 16 mm. The strap measures 78 mm on the buckle side and 110 mm on the other side.

The strap is ribbed on the underside. This makes it a comfortable wear as the ribbing provides cooling between the strap and your skin. The strap comes with a single floating strap keeper.

The strap is signed on one side with Swatch near the lug attachment point and ‘14/0’ on the buckle side near the buckle. As with all Swatch watches, the design of the strap (and lugs) makes it difficult to use independent straps. The buckle is made of the same material as the case. It has a matte finish and is well made. It is of the double loop design. It signed Swatch on the top of the buckle.

CONCLUSION
This watch offers great value for money. It comes with a movement from a reliable manufacture. The design is fresh. It is light and not very thick. It is unisex and can be worn by both adult and children. It is easy to use and operate. It is comfortable. What more can you ask for.