Today, Swatch has revealed the release of the new Swatch Dragon Ball Z Watches. An unexpected collaboration for both fans of the show and the brand, these delightful watches take inspiration from some of the more important characters from the much-beloved anime series. The watches in the line use various models from the Swatch family, including the Big Bold and New Gent collections, as a base for their design. Read on to learn more about the show and the watches!
“I do not fear this new challenge. Rather like a true warrior I will rise to meet it.”
Vegeta, ‘Dragon Ball Z’
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese animated series which adapts the last 325 chapters of the original Dragon Ball manga. The anime had a 7-year run from 1989 to 1996. Dragon Ball Z picks up the story 5 years after the first anime series Dragon Ball ends. The story follows a now adult Goku and his son Gohan as he defends earth from a variety of alien and magical villains. The anime is divided into 5 “Sagas” which focus on a new set of events with Goku and Gohan at the centre. Warning! There might be spoilers ahead!
Swatch x Goku Dragon Ball Z Watch
The watch is inspired by the main character of the show Son Goku. From an early age, Goku has trained to become the greatest warrior on the planet. His compassion and kind heart lead to him becoming the Earth’s greatest defender. In Dragon Ball Z it’s revealed that Goku is in fact an alien from an almost extinct race of warriors called Saiyans. As a young child Goku, or Kakarot, was sent to Earth programmed to kill all humans, however, after suffering a head injury he forgot his mission and who he was and instead became an energetic caring child. The character is much loved for his hard-working nature, simplicity and laid-back outlook.
The Goku watch uses the Swatch Big Bold as its base model. The design of the watch is inspired by the character’s outfit. The orange and blue print represents the Gi, or martial arts uniform, he wears. The case is made of black plastic with a silicone strap. The strap secures with a pin buckle. On the white dial is featured the first kanji character for ‘Goku’ in black. A detail only true fans might notice is the Kintoun Goku uses for transportation on the back of the watch.
Swatch x Gohan Dragon Ball Z Watch
Gohan is Goku’s son. He is born at the end of Dragon Ball. Though he doesn’t have an interest in fighting he is shown to have incredible power within him. This is first shown when he hits his uncle Raditz, allowing Goku and Piccolo to win. Over the years he unlocks his hidden powers and trains to take on the mantle of Earth’s protector from Goku. Gohan is seen as a very relatable character. His perspective on fighting stands out from others in the series. He dislikes fighting unless it’s to protect his loved ones. He inherits his father’s kindness and his love of adventure.
The Gohan watch is also inspired by the character’s outfit. It, however, also draws on the Kamehameha energy attack. The words are written on the dial. In addition, across the strap and the dial are shown energy beams caused due to the attack. The hands of the watch are also stylised as blue bolts. The back of the strap is designed as a reference to kid Gohan. The purple case is plastic and measures 41mm in diameter. The strap is silicone with a velvet-like texture.
Swatch x Vegeta Dragon Ball Z Watch SUOZ348
Vegeta began as the main antagonist of Dragon Ball Z. Over the course of the show, however, his character develops and he sides with Goku and the rest of the Dragon Team to protect his family and the planet. Vegeta’s character progression has been one of the most praised on the show. Though he retained his prideful nature, Vegeta realised the value of love for one’s family and trusting others.
The strap pattern is inspired by the traditional Saiyan armour. The uniform is blue with gold armour plates and white gloves and boots. The red dial is made to look like the red-lens scouter the character wears when he first came to Earth. The dial also features a silhouette of Goku as Vegeta is reading his power level. The back of the watch features a print of the “Great Ape”.
Swatch x Kamesennin Dragon Ball Z Watch SUOZ346
Kame-Sennin, also known as Master Roshi, is Goku’s martial arts instructor and the founder of Turtle School. He is called the God of Martial Arts due to being one of the most powerful humans in the whole series. He is a master of ki and invented the famous Kamehameha energy attack.
The Master Roshi watch captures the personality and quirks of the character nicely. The dial has a print of Kame-Sennin’s face wearing his signature red sunglasses. The hands are lightning bolts, similarly to Gohan’s watch, alluding to the fact he created the Kamehameha. The case is white and made of plastic, while the strap is silicone. The strap is decorated with a print resembling Kame-Sennin’s clothes. The back of the watch is inspired by his iconic Aloha shirt.
Swatch x Frieza Dragon Ball Z Watch GZ359
Frieza is the main antagonist of Dragon Ball and Goku’s archnemesis. He is cruel, tyranical and merciless. He is, however, almost regal in his interactions. His manner of speaking is refined contrasting perceptions of villains and other antagonists in the series. Frieza is also the most re-recurring villain in the show.
The watch design is inspired by the character’s initial and true form. The colours of the plastic case (purple) and the white silicone strap are taken from the character’s colour scheme. The underside of the timepiece is taken from an earlier form of Frieza.
Swatch x Cell Dragon Ball Z Watch SB01Z401
Cell is another of the show’s villains. He was genetically created via cell recombination by Dr Gero. Cell was made using the DNA from the world’s greatest warriors – Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Frieza and King Cold. This makes Cell the “ultimate weapon”. As he is created from the DNA of Goku, Vegeta and Piccolo he can anticipate their weaknesses and exploit them. He also possesses various abilities from all of the characters he was made from. He is the main antagonist in the Cell Saga.
Cell is modelled after cicadas which gives his character design its distinct insect-like look. The Cell watch is inspired by Cell’s green exoskeleton. The dial is off-white with a shadow and features green number hour-markers and asymmetrical indices. A small pink date aperture can be seen at 4 o’clock. An image of Cell’s tail is featured on the back of the case. The case is again plastic and the strap is silicone.
Swatch x Majin Buu Dragon Ball Z Watch GZ358
Last but not least from the Swatch Dragon Ball Z watches is Majin Buu. His name is literally translated to Demon Person Boo and he has had many forms throughout the series. Each form has its own distinct personality and goals and behaves like its own individual. Majin Buu, in many of his forms, is the last antagonist of the Dragon Ball manga and the Dragon Ball Z anime. Majin Buu is a magical life form awoken by an evil warlock. His appearance in the series is modelled after Jinn/Genies. All his forms, but one is pink with pores, or holes, on his arms, chest and head. He wears white trousers with a black and gold belt. On the belt buckle is seen the Majin Mark.
The buckle is what inspires the dial of the watch. The model has 3 hands, with the hour and minute hands being luminescent. The top silicone strap is pink with Buu’s signature holes and the bottom strap is white. The back of the watch is a homage to Innocent Buu’s purple cape.
See the rest of your Swatch collection by following the link here.
Which of the Swatch Dragon Ball Z watches has grabbed your attention? Would you choose a villain or a hero? Let us know in the comments below.
