Swatch has launched two Japan-inspired watches designed by Tokyo illustrator Shinji Tsuchimochi. One depicts a taxi heading towards the moon, while the other draws on Edo-period bridges and summer fireworks. Both feature quartz movements, but their Japanese availability differs considerably.
What happens when a Tokyo expressway leads all the way to the moon? Swatch has turned the idea into a watch, pairing a futuristic cityscape with a second design inspired by Japan's past. The two new Swatch Destination Art watches launched on 16 October 2026, although buyers in Japan will find that the two models have rather different distribution arrangements.
Created with Tokyo-born illustrator Shinji Tsuchimochi, the collection combines traditional Japanese ukiyo-e influences with elements of manga and anime. Tsuchimochi's work also draws inspiration from artists including Utagawa Hiroshige and Vincent van Gogh.
A Tokyo taxi takes an unexpected route
The first design, Expressway to the Future, features a colourful Tokyo cityscape, a taxi heading towards the moon and yellow lightning-shaped hands. The 41 mm quartz watch offers 3 bar water resistance.
Its dark blue case and strap carry additional multicoloured artwork, extending the illustration beyond the dial.
In Japan, Swatch identifies four participating stores: Ginza, Harajuku, Shibuya and Yokohama Vivre. That makes its announced Japanese distribution more selective than the companion model's, although the manufacturer does not describe it as a numbered limited edition or a worldwide exclusive.
A bridge between Japan's past and present
The companion watch, Bridge to the Past, takes a different direction. Inspired by an Edo-period bridge, its artwork depicts a Japanese summer evening with fireworks, while colours recalling wind chimes and transparent details give the design a lighter appearance. Its 34 mm case is made from biosourced material, with a transparent finish that continues through the strap. Gold-coloured hands sit beneath biosourced glass, and the watch also uses a quartz movement with 3 bar water resistance. Unlike the Tokyo-themed model, Bridge to the Past is offered through Swatch stores across Japan and the manufacturer's Japanese online shop.
Two watches, two very different journeys
The distinction is not simply artistic. Swatch has given the two designs different roles within its Destination Art collection, which pairs locations with artists connected to them.
Expressway to the Future is dedicated specifically to Tokyo, while Bridge to the Past represents Japan more broadly. The contrast runs through the illustrations, from a taxi heading towards the moon to a bridge connecting different periods of Japanese history.
Both watches went on sale on 16 October. Japanese pricing is ¥18,150 for Expressway to the Future and ¥16,500 for Bridge to the Past.
Neither model has an announced production limit, and international product listings should not be confused with confirmed worldwide retail availability. For buyers interested in the Tokyo design, the more immediate question is where it can actually be purchased.
Louise Burke - Tech Writer / Proofreading - 70 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
Louise is a passionate linguist and performer with a background in translation for the UN and EU institutions. With a deep love for languages and storytelling, she blends precision and creativity, whether translating complex texts or bringing characters to life on stage and screen. When not immersed in words or music, you’ll find her refining accents, working on new songs, or exploring the magic of cinema.
Louise Burke, 2026-10-18 (Update: 2026-10-18)