Why the Swatch x Dragon Ball Z Watches Are Reselling

And why people pay extra for cheap watches

News

By RC Staff

27 February 2023

Key Points:

The Swatch X Dragon Ball Z collection is box containing 8 different Swatch watches depicting different Dragon Ball Z characters
Released on October 6, the collection went up for sale at $1,000, and was limited to 997
One of these watches features the dragon Shenron, and is numbered out of 997. Unlike the other watches in, the numbered Shenron watch is exclusive to the collection

Item

Jewellery

Swatch x Dragon Ball Z Collection

A uniquely-packaged collection of 8 Swatch watches that pays homage to the Dragon Ball Z franchise. Limited edition of 997.

Swatch teamed up with Toei Animation to produce a special collection of Dragon Ball Z watches. A total of 997 boxes were released, with 8 watches each. They sold out fairly quickly, and have begun to resell. While 7 of the watches released in the collection can be bought individually, one in particular is exclusive, and numbered. Dragon Ball Z fans eager to get their hands on this special watch have driven up the aftermarket price, with resellers taking the profit.

What is the Swatch X Dragon Ball Z Collection?

With 8 different watches and 8 different Dragon Ball Z characters, the Swatch X Dragon Ball Z collection is very appealing to serious Dragon Ball Z fans and watch collectors.

The characters featured in the collection are Shenron, Goku, Vegeta, Kamesennin, Majin Buu, Cell, Frieza, and Gohan. While all the watches can be bought separately, collectors were interested in the numbered collection. Just 997 were produced, and includes all eight watches from the original collection with numbering, as well as a special case and Dragon Ball displays.

Like all Swatches, all of the watches in the Swatch X Dragon Ball Z Collection are quartz powered. They are waterproof, and feature straightforward 12-hour displays.

How much does the Swatch X Dragon Ball Z Collection cost?

If you wanted to buy one of the 997 Swatch X Dragon Ball Z Collections released, you would need to pay $1,000. While some fans were upset with that price, others were happy to pay. The collection sold out quickly as, so it’s clear that interest was strong.

It’s possible to buy individual watches from the collection as well. Most cost $105, but the Goku watch will set you back $130.

Why is the Swatch X Dragon Ball Z Collection reselling?

While it’s still early, there have been a few cases of the Swatch X Dragon Ball Z Collection reselling. Despite worries that $1,000 for 8 Swatches may have been asking too much, it seems fans and collectors pulled through in the end.

The main reason behind the Swatch X Dragon Ball Z Collection’s success on the aftermarket is its scarcity. Only 997 in total were produced, and sold out quickly.

Currently, the Swatch X Dragon Ball Z Collection is reselling for around $1,500. There was a sale for $2,000 recorded on eBay, but no other sales at that mark.

Some have chosen to try to sell their Shenron watches individually, but these have only sold for around $150-$200. Considering that you’d have 7 more watches to move, none of which are special, it makes more sense to try to sell the entire collection at once.

The relatively slow pace of sales in the last few months mean this will probably remain a niche product. It’s possible that aftermarket prices may dip. The most likely scenario is that these will be a pretty rare sight in the future. There will probably be a few eBay listings here and there, but they will remain an obscure product.

Will every DBZ fan rush out to get one in a few months? Probably not. But the special numbered watches will be a draw for anyone interested in picking up an individual part of the collection, and that might be enough to keep them reselling well into the future.

If you’re interested in other odd crossovers and one-offs that resell, check out our other articles. Maple Syrup Pepsi, Halo Boots, Pokemon Skateboards; some of the ideas that get greenlit are a little unusual, but people still buy them.