Rewind to Pure Nostalgia-Farr and Swit Clear Retro Digital Mix Tape Vol. 1

In a world often dominated by high-priced luxury timepieces and hyper-connected smartwatches, independent American watchmaker Farr and Swit brings a refreshing breath of pure, unadulterated joy to horology. Based in Chicago, Illinois, this independent brand operates with a heartfelt philosophy. They firmly believe that time should not be measured merely by the ticking hands on a dial, but rather by the memorable moments we create in our lives. Hand-building their timepieces in the United States using dependable workhorse movements, Farr and Swit has built a sterling reputation for superior craftsmanship, cheerful design, and outstanding customer care.

What makes Farr and Swit truly special is their unwavering dedication to making a positive difference in their local community. Right from the very beginning, the founders integrated charitable giving directly into their business model. A portion of sales, products, and time is donated directly to local charities across the Chicago area. Purchasing a timepiece from them is not just an acquisition of a stylish wrist accessory; it is a direct contribution to worthy community causes.

With the Retro Digital Mix Tape Vol. 1 Clear Edition, Farr and Swit turned their creative lens back toward the vibrant decade of the 1980s. This timepiece is a loving tribute to the golden age of analog sound, specifically the cherished art of the custom cassette mix tape. Long before digital streaming playlists existed, creating a mix tape required painstaking effort, perfect timing, and genuine devotion. You had to sit by the recorder, carefully selecting tracks, waiting for radio DJs to finish talking, and meticulously pressing the recording buttons to blend songs into a seamless musical gift for a friend or loved one.

The Clear Edition pays direct homage to those iconic transparent cassette tapes and clear plastic jewel cases that lined bedroom shelves throughout the eighties and nineties. By pairing a iconic three-button digital watch shape with a totally transparent housing, Farr and Swit has crafted a piece of wearable nostalgia that immediately whisks you back to a simpler, music-filled era.

The specifications

The case of the Mix Tape Vol. 1 Clear Edition is constructed from a completely clear, transparent resin that offers an unobstructed view of the watch structure. It captures the exact rectangular, octagonal-bevelled geometry that defined classic digital timepieces of the 1980s. Measuring a wonderfully compact 35mm in width (extending to 37mm when including the side pushers)

and 38mm from lug to lug, it boasts an ultra-slim profile of just 8.5mm in height.

Three polished stainless steel push buttons are positioned around the clear case flanks, with two situated on the left side and one on the right. These tactile metal pushers allow you to seamlessly navigate through the various digital functions while providing a lovely visual contrast against the clear plastic body.

The face of the watch is where the design team at Farr and Swit truly excelled. Framed inside a crisp black border, the dial artfully replicates the top label of a classic 1980s blank cassette tape. In the upper left corner, you will find a small boxed letter A indicating Side A of your imaginary tape. Opposite it in the upper right corner sits the number 90, representing the classic ninety-minute blank tape format beloved by music collectors.

Across the top of the label, handwritten style script proudly displays the Farr and Swit brand name along with the title Mix Tape Vol. 1 lined neatly across notebook-style printed lines. Running through the middle of the dial are vibrant retro stripes in turquoise blue, candy red, and warm yellow. Below the digital screen, a dark charcoal graphic depicts the lower housing of a cassette tape, complete with printed tape reels and central drive gear screws.

At the centre of this marvellous artistic frame sits a crystal-clear digital LCD display. The screen presents the time in crisp digital digits, displaying hours, minutes, and running seconds. Above the main time display, you can view the day of the week, the numerical date, and active function indicators such as the alarm and hourly chime symbols.

Flipping the watch over reveals a solid stainless steel case back secured neatly by four corner screws. The metal case back provides a durable seal against the wrist while safeguarding the electronic digital module inside. It grants the watch a robust water resistance rating of 5 bar, which equals 50 metres. This means you can comfortably wear it while washing your hands, caught in an unexpected rainstorm, or taking a casual swim without worrying about moisture creeping into the housing.

The internal digital movement delivers all the classic, reliable functionality expected from a vintage-inspired digital tool. It includes a daily alarm function to keep you punctual, an optional hourly chime to mark the passing hours, a high-precision 1/100th second stopwatch chronograph for timing events, and a built-in backlight display for effortless reading in complete darkness. It is an efficient, shock-resistant digital module that keeps impeccable time day after day.

a or simply appreciate retro aesthetics, this watch serves as an accessible, joyous fashion statement.

On the wrist

On a 6.25-inch wrist, the Farr and Swit Mix Tape Vol. 1 wears like an absolute dream. Thanks to its tiny 38mm lug-to-lug length and remarkably slim 8.5mm height, it sits completely flat against the skin without any awkward lug overhang. It is so extraordinarily lightweight that you will frequently forget you are wearing a watch at all. It slips smoothly underneath tight shirt cuffs, jacket sleeves, or casual hoodies, making it one of the most comfortable daily wrist companions available today.

Legibility is top tier. The black LCD numerals stand out boldly against the light grey background of the digital display. Even in bright daylight, the clear case and flat crystal do not produce annoying glare, allowing you to check the time at a quick glance. When night falls, activating the built-in backlight illuminates the digital screen cleanly, providing instant readability in dark rooms or night-time strolls. The three metal pushers operate with a satisfying click, allowing you to trigger the stopwatch or set alarms without struggling with sticky buttons.

The visual ambiance of this timepiece is wonderfully playful, casual, and summery. The watch comes fitted on a fully transparent, clear resin strap equipped with a matching stainless steel pin buckle. The clear strap seamlessly extends the transparent motif of the case, wrapping comfortably around the wrist.

Because the watch features a standard 18mm lug width, it is also a fantastic candidate for strap customization. Swapping out the original clear strap for a bright neon single-pass fabric strap or a colourful NATO strap immediately amplifies its 1980s summer vibes. Alternatively, fitting it on a vintage-style expandable stainless steel stretch bracelet transforms it into a quirky, futuristic piece straight out of a classic retro sci-fi movie.

Concluding thoughs

When looking at alternatives on the market, traditional digital options like the standard Casio F91W or A168 certainly offer vintage functionality. However, those mass-produced alternatives completely lack the bespoke, artistic storytelling and passion that Farr and Swit brings to the table.

The Mix Tape Vol. 1 Clear Edition is designed for anyone who loves pop culture, music history, and fun, creative design. It is the perfect piece for retro enthusiasts, synthwave lovers, digital watch collectors, or casual wearers looking for a lightweight summer watch that brings an immediate smile to their face, whether you lived through the cassette era.

Priced at an unbelievably accessible 35 USD, the Clear Retro Digital Mix Tape Vol. 1 is an undeniable bargain. It offers custom-designed nostalgic artwork, 50 metres of water resistance, a full suite of digital functions, and a unique transparent aesthetic for less than the price of a fancy dinner. Farr and Swit proves once again why small independent brands are the true heart of the watch community. They deliver pure happiness, whimsical design, and genuine local charitable support wrapped up in a delightful, budget-friendly timepiece.

For more information go to:https://www.farrandswit.com/

Technical specs:

• Model Name: Clear Retro Digital - Mix Tape Vol. 1 (SKU: RDMT1C)

• Case Material: Fully transparent clear resin

• Case Width: 35mm (37mm including push buttons)

• Lug to Lug Distance: 38mm

• Case Height: 8.5mm

• Lug Width: 18mm

• Dial Graphic: 1980s cassette tape mix tape artwork with retro teal, magenta, and yellow stripes

• Display: Monochrome digital LCD screen displaying time, day, date, and mode indicators

• Water Resistance: 5 bar (50 metres)

• Pushers: Three polished stainless steel functional push buttons

• Case Back: Stainless steel backplate secured by four screws

• Functions: Digital time (12/24 hour display), daily alarm, hourly chime, 1/100th second stopwatch chronograph, night backlight

• Strap: Integrated transparent clear resin strap with stainless steel buckle

• Assembly: Hand built in the United States by Farr and Swit