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Swatchwatches have experienced a surge in popularity in recentmonths, perhaps driven by the brand's fashionable designs and retrostyling.New figures released by Swatch Group AG showed that sales in thefirst half of 2010 jumped by 22 per cent, resulting in companygrowth of 55 per cent.Chairman Nick Hayek, who prepared the statistics prior to hisdeath in late June from heart failure, said: "We have been able togrow in all regions and across all our price segments."His daughter Nayla has since inherited his role of chair of theboard.Last month, Emma Messenger of the Daily Mail said Swatch watchesare iconic timepieces, as they pioneered the idea that watchescould be fun and trendy without costing a fortune.The classic Swatch plastic style was introduced in 1980 and thewriter said it has since enjoyed lasting popularity from people inall walks of life.

Swatch watches have been hailed for their innovative designs by author Nicholas Foulkes.Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Foulkes noted that the timepieces were designed to be disposable yet high quality at the same time.He said that while this was "apparently oxymoronic", Swatch watches soon caught on and people would even be seen wearing two at the same time."The Swatch was perfect for anyone who wanted to play the inverse snobbery game," Mr Foulkes observed.This, he continued, was part of the genius behind the design of the timepieces.Mr Foulkes added that if something looks as good today as it did almost 30 years ago, it is reasonable to call it a design classic.He said Swatch watches, which were first rolled out in 1983, fit this requirement and remain a highly "enduring" piece of design work.The timepieces have also recently been hailed by author Jurg Wegelin, who said they have become a worldwide phenomenon since their introduction.