Swatch Chrono 'Wall Street' SCM100
Quartz Chronograph · Swatch (Swatch Group). Known for revitalizing the Swiss watch industry with affordable, plastic, fashion-forward timepieces.
Period: Vintage 1990s (90s Retro). Characterized by the use of translucent plastic cases and bold, multi-colored dial graphics typical of the early Swatch Chrono era.
Type
Quartz Chronograph
Brand
Swatch (Swatch Group). Known for revitalizing the Swiss watch industry with affordable, plastic, fashion-forward timepieces.
Movement
ETA Quartz Chronograph, likely 22 jewels. Features a central 60-second hand, 1/10th of a second subdial, and a 60-minute counter.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 37.3mm; Thickness: 10.7mm; Lug-to-lug: 43mm; Lug width: 17mm (proprietary Swatch 3-prong mount).
Description
The Swatch Chrono SCM100, nicknamed 'Wall Street', is a quintessential example of early 90s horological pop culture. Combining a sophisticated grey-and-gold aesthetic with the fun, lightweight construction Swatch is known for, it bridges the gap between a tool watch and a fashion accessory. Its world-timer aesthetic on the dial gives it a global, executive feel despite its plastic construction.
Key Features
Translucent smoke-grey case, gold-tone pushers, 1/10th second chronograph accuracy, and the distinctive world-city names printed on the dial perimeter.
Dial Description
Multi-tone grey and black dial. Features a center grey sunburst sector, black outer ring with printed minute scale, and world-city names in a peripheral ring. Applied luminous dot indices and gold-tone baton hands.
Case Material
Translucent grey/smoke plastic (synthetic) with a matte finish.
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic (hesalite/plastic). Shows moderate surface scratches consistent with use.
Bezel Details
Fixed internal bezel integrated under the crystal, featuring a white printed world time city scale (London, New York, Tokyo, etc.).
Crown & Pushers
One silver-tone push-pull crown for time setting and two gold-tone piston-style pump pushers for chronograph start/stop and reset functions.
Bracelet or Strap
Brown textured synthetic leather-style strap with contrast white stitching. Non-original to this specific reference (which originally came on a black leather strap). Includes a plastic buckle.
Caseback Details
Solid integrated plastic case back with a visible coin-slot battery hatch for easy replacement. Engraved with technical info: 'Patented Water-Resistant'.
Movement Type
ETA Quartz Chronograph, likely 22 jewels. Features a central 60-second hand, 1/10th of a second subdial, and a 60-minute counter.
Water Resistance
30 Meters (3 ATM). Splash resistant only. The 'Patented Water-Resistant' seal on vintage Swatches is often degraded; swimming is not recommended.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Manufactured in Switzerland using automated assembly lines developed by ETA.
Age Estimate
Circa 1991-1993. The SCM100 'Wall Street' was part of the 1991 Spring/Summer collection.
Cultural Significance
Swatch watches of the early 90s are credited with saving the Swiss watch industry from the 'Quartz Crisis' by making Swiss-made watches trendy, collectible, and accessible to the masses.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The acrylic crystal has visible scuffing. The strap is a replacement. Gold plating on pushers shows very minor wear. Case remains clear without major yellowing. Grade: Very Good (Vintage).
Value Estimate
Market value: $60 - $110 USD. Value is higher for 'New Old Stock' with original box. This example is slightly lower due to the non-original strap.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid chemicals like perfume or alcohol which can craze the plastic case. Polish the crystal with Polywatch to remove scratches. Replace battery immediately when exhausted to prevent leakage (uses 394/SR936SW battery).
Similar Watches
Swatch SCM101 'JFK', Swatch SCM102 'Grand Prix', and modern Swatch Irony Chronographs (which use metal cases instead of plastic).
Interesting Facts
The SCM100 was one of the early 'Chrono' models that helped transition Swatch from a simple time-only brand into one capable of housing more complex Swiss movements at a fraction of the cost of luxury brands.