The Schwarz Etienne Roswell 08, Now in Blue

While well-known by enthusiasts for providing high-end movements to some of the coolest indie watchmakers on the scene, like Ming or Ophion, Schwarz Etienne is more than just a highly integrated movement manufacturer and can even produce hairsprings in-house. It also offers an original collection of watches. Presented in 2018, the Schwarz Etienne Roswell 08 stands out for its openworked design showcasing an original date mechanism. Following the original editions combining a predominantly grey colour with either vivid green or orange accents, the model now comes in blue for a more subtle look.

Launched in 2018, the Roswell 08 is a sequel to the 2015 collection that was imagined as a tribute to the Roswell mystery, hence its alien personality and quirky rounded case evoking a flying saucer. A fully integrated manufacturer, Schwarz-Etienne is an independent watchmaking brand that develops and produces its movements in-house, down to the hairspring. The brand also has a penchant for showcasing complications in an original way. 

For the Roswell 08, we have a completely redesigned date mechanism with its springs, levers, jumper and column wheel. With the inverted construction of the movement, the balance wheel is visible dial side, while the micro-rotor is capped by a disc. Besides the central hour and minute indications, the small seconds are displayed by a tiny bombé indicator rotating at 11 o’clock. The date is read in the 2 o’clock cut-out on the slightly inclined disc rotating on the movement’s periphery.

The automatic calibre ISE 100.11 powering the Roswell 08 is an evolution of the Schwarz-Etienne family of movements. Like all the automatic movements of the family, the space of one of the two barrels found in the hand-wound versions is used to incorporate a micro-rotor. It beats at a 3Hz frequency and boasts 86 hours of power reserve.

The Roswell 08 was previously available in steel with vivid green or orange accents. The new blue version keeps its design codes intact. Yet, the colour is applied to the entire movement (plate and micro-rotor), providing a perfect background for the polished steel parts. Like previous editions, we have a 45mm round steel case. Its crown is hugged by a pair of guards, the lower one allowing for the quick correction of the date. An all-or-nothing mechanism ensures a complete function at each press on the pusher. Flipping the watch over, the caseback features a sci-fi-inspired tapestry of Schwarz-Etienne logos reminding of the “Matrix” digital rain code. The water-resistance rating is 50 meters. 

The blue version of the Schwarz Etienne Roswell 08 comes on a hand-sewn grey calfskin strap with a green lining, a signature feature of the brand’s leather straps that adds fun pop. It is secured to the wrist with a folding buckle emblazoned with the SE logo. With its 45mm diameter and colourful openworked design, the watch has a strong presence on the wrist and won’t go unnoticed. Minimalist, it ain’t! But it’s really unlike any other watch.

The price is set at CHF 15,400. For more information, please visit www.schwarz-etienne.com.