Swatch Big Bold Collection Review: All Models, Variants, and Features

The Swatch Big Bold collection is one of the Swatch brand’s most eye-catching and expressive lines. As stated by the Swatch website, “It’s a collection inspired by bold ideas and designed by even bolder personalities.”

Characterised by its large 47mm case, bold colours, and contemporary designs, it’s great for casual wear and collecting, but its focus is on style over complex tech.

In this in-depth review, we will go through the Swatch Big Bold series’ performance, build quality and materials, water resistance, and durability, drawing on our real-life experience with the product to provide an honest, comprehensive guide and a sound buying decision.

Watch Overview and History

Launched in May 2019 as part of Swatch’s modern design push, Big Bold blends Swiss quartz reliability with playful materials and vibrant designs.

The original Big Bold watch models, namely BBBLACK, BBBLOOD, BBBUBBLES, BBBLANCO, BBBLUE, and BBBEAUTY, were released with the marketing slogan ‘Go big, go bold!

However, over the years, the model has grown to over 150 variations and collections, such as Essentials, Irony, Chrono, Neon, Colors of Joy, Colors of Nature, Monthly Drops, and Bioceramic, among others.

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Swatch Big Bold Collection Full Watch Review

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the review, let’s highlight the technical specifications for the Swatch Big Bold collection:

Specification	Details
Brand	Swatch
Model	Swatch Big Bold Series
Case Material	Bioceramic (patented mix of ceramic and bio-sourced plastic)
Crystal	Mineral crystal
Movement	Swiss quartz
Dial	Large bold numerals and indices with translucent “jelly” or solid vibrant color designs
Case Size	47mm diameter
Water Resistance	30 meters
Strap	Integrated bioceramic or silicone strap with tang buckle
Price Range	Approximately $150

Table 1: Swatch Big Bold Technical Specifications

1. Movement & Performance

The Big Bold series uses Swiss-made quartz movement, which is simple, reliable, and battery-powered. For the standard Big Bold, use the 390 (1.55V) watch battery; for the Big Bold Chrono, use the 394 (1.55V) watch battery.

You can get free battery replacements at any Swatch store, or use a compatible Renata brand battery if you’re doing it yourself. Swatch offers unlimited free battery replacements for life at their corporate stores, making it easy to keep your watch powered.

These quartz movements deliver accurate timekeeping with minimal maintenance, which is ideal for a casual, everyday watch. Their quartz heartbeat and audible ticking are noticeable and typical of watches in this price segment.

2. Build Quality & Materials

Swatch takes a playful but practical approach to materials in the Big Bold lineup. Many modern Big Bold models use a bioceramic composite made from ceramic and bio-sourced plastic. It feels solid yet light and offers a distinct tactile feel compared to standard plastic.

The straps are made of plastic and bio-sourced materials, which make them usually comfortable and flexible, often in silicone or bio-sourced plastic.

Finally, the dial face is made from acrylic crystal and plastics, rather than sapphire. This makes the watch more prone to scratching; however, this makes these watches more affordable and shatter-resistant for everyday casual use.

3. Design, Dial & Readability

Design is where the Big Bold series truly shines, with its oversized 47 mm Case, which makes a strong visual impact and gives the dial plenty of presence.

Dial Styles also vary from semi-transparent or skeletonised, letting you peek at the movement beneath, especially in bioceramic models, to the bold colors of the neon models and the transparent facade of the jellyfish model, to bright streetwear tones and graphic prints. The line is about personality first.

Finally, daylight readability is usually strong thanks to high-contrast hands and big markers, but Standard acrylic crystals can cause glare or limited visibility at angles.

4. Comfort, Fit & Wearability

Despite the large 47 mm diameter, Big Bold watches often wear lighter and more ergonomic than expected, thanks to the bioceramic and plastic composites they are made from.

This Swatch model is also surprisingly comfortable even on smaller wrists. Its ingenious design choices, such as short lugs and silicone or bio-strap materials, help the watch sit more snugly and be more flexible and comfortable for everyday wear.

5. Water Resistance & Durability

The Big Bold models are rated to 30 m or 3 bar, making them usable for rain or handwashing but not suitable for swimming or diving.

Additionally, the acrylic crystals scratch more easily than sapphire, and the watches are not designed for rugged outdoor use. However, bioceramic cases are light and fairly resilient in everyday settings.

Therefore, the Big Bold is great for daily casual wear but not intended for sports or adventure use.

6. Features & Value for Money

Big Bold watches don’t overload on complications; they are simple three-hand quartz watches. However, some variants, such as chronograph models, include stopwatch functionality.

Finally, the Big Bold watches sit in an affordable price segment (often around $100–$150), giving you Swiss-made credentials, bold design, and reliable quartz performance, a strong proposition for fashion-led buyers.

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Available Collections, Colors, and Variants

The Big Bold family is vast and diverse. Below is a breakdown of its key collections and variants:

A. Core Aesthetic & Color Collections

These are thematic lines focused on color and design.

1. Swatch Essentials Collection

This is a more subdued, versatile line. Often features monochromatic designs (all-black, all-white, all-blue) or classic combinations, with a focus on everyday wearability.

2. Monthly Drops Collection

Swatch frequently releases limited, themed collections (e.g., seasonal themes, artistic expressions, Olympic Games and Sports events) under the Big Bold platform. These are often colorful and collectible.

1. FRESH SQUEEZE SB01G101

The Swatch Fresh Squeeze Unisex Watch (Model: SB01R100) available in green.

2. FRESH ORANGE SB01O101

The Swatch Fresh Orange watch (Model: SB01O101) unisex quartz watch.

3. ISWATCH BLUE SB01N102

The Swatch ISWATCH BLUE Unisex Watch (Model: SB01N102)

4. TRAVEL BY DAY SB03B108

The Swatch TRAVEL BY DAY Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB03B108)

5. NIGHT TRIP SB03B107

The Swatch NIGHT TRIP Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB03B107)

6. CHEQUERED WHITE SB02W400

The Swatch Chequered White Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB02W400)

7. DEEP CONCRETE SO27B118

The Swatch Deep Concrete Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SO27B118)

8. CHEQUERED SILVER SB02B404

The Swatch Chequered Silver Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB02B404)

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3. Big Bold Neon Collection

This collection features ultra-bright, fluorescent colors (pink, green, orange, yellow), often with matching neon straps and luminescent details. Designed to glow under UV light.

4. Colors of Joy Collection

The Colors of Joy collection uses bright, playful, and often contrasting color palettes. 

5. Colors of Nature

This collection draws inspiration from earth, sky, sea, and sand with more organic, muted tones.

1. BIG BOLD BIOCERAMIC BASALT SB03B110

The Swatch Big Bold Bioceramic Basalt Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB03B110)

2. BIG BOLD BIOCERAMIC DESERT SB03C101

The Swatch Big Bold Bioceramic Desert Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB03C101)

3. BIG BOLD BIOCERAMIC FOREST SB03G100

The Swatch Big Bold Bioceramic Forest Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB03G100)

4. BIG BOLD BIOCERAMIC ARCTIC SB03N102

The Swatch Big Bold Bioceramic Arctic Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB03N102)

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B. Material & Technical Variants

These variants change the construction or functionality of the Big Bold.

1. Big Bold Irony

The most significant variant. It replaces the standard lightweight plastic/resin case with a stainless steel case, giving a much heavier, more premium, and classic watch feel while keeping the bold 47mm size.

1. THRU THE UNDERBRUSH SB07S118

Swatch Big Bold Waterproof Thru The Underbrush Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S118)

2. TERRACOTTA TIDE SB07S119

Swatch Big Bold Terracotta Tide Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S119)

3. AUDACIOUS ACAI SB07S120

Swatch Big Bold Audacious Acai Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S120)

4. FROSTBLOOM SB07S116G

Swatch Big Bold Frostbloom Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S116G)

5. FOREST FACE SB07S101G

Swatch Big Bold Forest Face Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S101G)

6. AMBER SHEEN SB07S103G

Swatch Big Bold Amber Sheen Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S103G)

7. AQUA SHIMMER SB07S100G

Swatch Big Bold Aqua Shimmer Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S100G)

8. INDIGO HOUR SB07S102G

Swatch Big Bold Indigo Hour Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S102G)

9. SCARLET SHIMMER SB07S104G

Swatch Big Bold Irony Scarlet Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S104G)

10. DARK IRONY SB07S105

Swatch Big Bold Dark Irony Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S105)

11. AZURE BLUE DAZE SB07S106

Swatch Big Bold Azure Blue Daze Unisex Quartz Watch (Model: SB07S106)

2. Big Bold Bioceramic Collection

Utilizes Swatch’s innovative Bioceramic material, a blend of ceramic and biosourced plastic. It offers a unique, smooth, slightly warm touch, is more scratch-resistant than standard plastic, and is a signature of Swatch’s sustainability efforts.

 

3. Big Bold Chrono (Chronograph)

This collection adds stopwatch functionality with sub-dials on the oversized dial. It’s a technical upgrade within the same bold case style.

 

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C. Special Editions & Collaborations

The Big Bold is a frequent canvas for high-profile partnerships and collaborations. Notable examples include designs with Disney, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and other artists or brands, often featuring iconic graphics on the large dial.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very striking and contemporary designs.
• Lightweight and comfortable despite its large size.
• Swiss-made quartz is very reliable and low-maintenance.
• Wide variety of colors and styles for almost every taste.
• Excellent value for money.

Cons

• Limited water resistance, up to 30 metres.
• Its acrylic crystal is more prone to scratches than sapphire.
• Its bold size may overwhelm users with smaller wrists.
• Minimal complexity, as it’s mostly basic time-only or basic chrono functions.

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Conclusion and Final Buying Recommendation

The Swatch Big Bold series is best suited for people who want a fun, eye-catching everyday watch with personality and contemporary flair.

The Swiss quartz movement keeps things reliable, while the oversized case and bold palette make it a standout casual accessory. If you value style, comfort, and affordability over traditional horological features, this collection delivers.

We highly recommend this timepiece as a stylish, youthful, affordable statement watch, especially for casual and fashion-forward wearers. With Bioceramic, Irony, Chrono, and core variants, there’s something in the Big Bold universe for nearly every bold personality.

Last update on 2026-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API