Swatch and Sabel make history

The hip horologer Swatch takes notice of BenCab’s Sabel, and the two embark on a momentous journey. Swatch turned 25 last week, and they celebrated with utmost flair in an event that wowed guests with its splendor, and surprised them with the launch of the limited-edition timepiece by National Artist BenCab.

For decades, Swatch has been known for creating culturally literate pieces. Their iconic collaborations with ingenious talents include the likes of modernist painter Keith Haring, fashion designer Jeremy Scott, Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, English designer Vivienne Westwood, photographer Annie Leibovitz and comic book artist Jose Munoz—just to name a few. The results are limited-edition timepieces crafted for the world market, most of which have become covetable collector’s items.

Sabel Swatch

For the first time in history, Swatch puts Filipino talent into the mix by launching the Swatch Sabel by BenCab, a truly magnificent way to commemorate their 25th year spearheaded by Swatch Philippines’ visionary maven and president Virgie Ramos. The star of the watch is BenCab’s longtime muse Sabel, a scavenger who roamed the streets of Manila and caught the artist’s mulling eye. She has since become a symbol of imperceptible beauty, appearing countless times in the maestro’s work. Sabel, from a fleeting stranger, suddenly becomes a recurring subject, and it is Sabel who graces the limited-edition Swatch which will be sold to the world. 

With every Swatch Sabel, the special acrylic box also comes with a limited-edition silver Sabel paperweight designed by BenCab himself. The work is a creative collaboration between Virgie Ramos, Swatch International creative director Carlo Giordanetti, and artist BenCab.

Sabel the muse

During the remarkable launch of the watch, Sabel became a muse not only for BenCab’s piece. She transcended her own medium and became an inspiration for fashion designers and topnotch chefs as well. Twenty-five esteemed fashion designers from the Philippines were challenged to create an outfit inspired by Sabel, which were strutted around the event by towering top models and beautiful personalities. From long gowns that glided on the floor, to short dresses that were more structured—being surrounded by living and breathing Sabel muses clad in high fashion pieces was a surreal sight. It was really strikingly beautiful to see them roam around the party, as if you were living inside one of BenCab’s wistful paintings.

There were 25 dishes artfully prepared to celebrate the 25 years of Swatch. BenCab himself made Filipino jams and the BenCab Mt. Province Honey, which accompanied a delectable plate of Swiss cheeses. BenCab’s homegrown roasted coffee was also used to create coffee cocktails by renegade baristas Slurp Coffee.

Chef Margarita Fores of Cibo created tantalizing and clever dishes as well, like the Swiss fondue to celebrate the heritage of Swatch, but incorporating local flavors like salabat ginger, lambanog, tamarind and palm hearts, to symbolize the partnership of the brand with the Philippines. And to highlight Swatch’s knack for twists, chef Fores put together a gelato bar with surprising flavor combinations, and cooled with liquid nitrogen. How about a gruyere cheese gelato with cured beef crumble, or a chili dark chocolate with BenCab’s honey, or a surprising red beet gelato with whipped cream and lumpfish caviar?

Another crowd favorite was chef Gilbert Pangilinan’s lechon served inside an apple, a classic Pinoy staple with a touch of humor. And his massive platter of Chirashi surely impressed, presenting a variety of fresh tuna, salmon, uni, tamago and ikura among the many. A fine selection of premium cold cuts was also provided by Terry’s.

It was a feast as artful as the masterpieces presented that night, and a showcase of how one piece of art could really inspire another.

Swatch & Swatch

With the event brimming with the creativity of such virtuosos, it is only ideal that the space to house such genius be the newly designed Swatch & Swatch Center along Arnaiz Road, an architectural gem that is industrial, elegant and modern. On the day of the launch, the Swatch & Swatch building was transformed into an art capsule, with Creative director Rowell Santiago and production designer Gino Gonzales taking the lead. Outside of Swatch’s homeland Switzerland, this is the only Swatch Center created at such a scale. Giant panels of BenCab’s black-and-white geishas were exhibited, along with a vintage Beetle, restored and hand-painted by BenCab himself. The delicate brushstrokes of BenCab’s women adorned the car, which is actually owned by renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina. There was also a Swatch museum on the second floor, which displayed their iconic designs dating as far back as 1983. It is a collection that is just as amusing as it is impressive to see. And on the third floor you will be greeted with an al fresco sprawl, a cool roof deck where the Makati skyline shines promisingly. A DJ booth was positioned at an elevated balcony, and kept the night alive with energetic beats. 

Swatch’s 25th anniversary drew together a star-studded crowd which included some of Swatch’s close-knit family and friends: the likes of Anne Curtis, Luis Manzano, Chris Tiu, Judy Ann Santos, Derek Ramsay, Angel Locsin, Christian Bautista, Matteo Guidicelli, Billy Crawford, Coleen Garcia and Vice Ganda made sure they wouldn’t miss the event.

 At 25, it doesn’t look like Swatch Philippines will be slowing down any time soon. In fact, the launch of the Swatch Sabel and their unforgettable 25th party just goes to show that they are roaring with energy, and are ready to continue the legacy of surprising and inspiring people by creating iconic timepieces that know no boundaries.