You can find a large selection of Swatch watches with quartz movements in the Irony collection, which dates back to the mid-1990s. Unlike most of Swatch's other watch series, which are made of plastic, the manufacturer crafts the Irony watch cases from either stainless steel or aluminum. As a result, these timepieces are much more robust and scratch-proof than many alternatives.
The Irony product line is home to a diverse range of chronographs and three-hand watches. The color pallet is virtually endless: You can choose between cases in rose gold, yellow gold, copper, silver, or black. As for the dials, you can take your pick from models with more traditional hues like black, white, and gray, as well as more modern colors such as blue, green, and brown. Most watches are paired with leather straps, rubber straps, or stainless steel bracelets, which, in true Swatch fashion, also come in an array of different colors.
The Dark Irony ref. YVS487G is a 43-mm stainless steel chronograph. The black dial hosts three subdials for the stopwatch function. The case comes on a stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
You can buy this reference in mint condition for roughly 215 USD. The ref. YVS499G is a similar model, but features a burgundy dial. Plan to spend around 200 USD for a new copy.
If you're looking for a sophisticated three-hand watch with a quartz movement, take a look at the Irony Big Will ref. YWS101. This stainless steel timepiece measures 42 mm across and sports a white dial with black Arabic numerals. The watch is mounted on a brown leather strap and costs around 100 USD. The InkWell ref. YWS102 is very similar to the Big Will in terms of design and price, but has a black dial with white Arabic numerals.
James Bond Irony Model
There's also something for James Bond fans in the Irony collection. The 2Q ref. SS07Z102 pays tribute to Q, head of the fictional research and development division of the British Secret Service. Swatch released this quartz watch in 2020 when "No Time To Die" hit the silver screen. This Bond watch is made of stainless steel and has a 42-mm diameter. The silver and red dial is skeletonized, meaning you can view the movement at work inside. The hour markers are blue line indices, with the exception of a Q at 6 o'clock. The watch is worn on a brown leather strap with a waffle pattern.
You can buy a new Irony 2Q on Chrono24 for around 280 USD.
SwatchPAY! Technology
Swatch offers a collection of battery-powered quartz watches outitted with their SwatchPAY! technology. This means that you use an encrypted NFC chip embedded in the watch to make contactless payments in eligible countries. The technology is certified by Mastercard and Visa, and supports many of the major credit and debit cards. Swatch has not yet announced when the technology will be introduced in the USA.
As of December 2022, there were almost 40 different SwatchPAY! models, ranging from 34 to 37 mm in diameter. You can choose between Bioceramic or plastic cases. The compatible watches are easily recognizable with names such as "Ocean PAY!", "PAY! By Day", and "BluedazePAY!"
Retail prices begin at around 90 USD. This amount will get you the 34-mm WinePAY! model in plastic. The 47-mm Night Trip PAY! belongs to the Big Bold series and is made of Bioceramic. The MSRP is around 155 USD.