Sabena Appraisal

Sabena Belgian World Airlines Promotional Swatch-Style Watch

This item is a vintage promotional wristwatch featuring the branding of Sabena, the national airline of Belgium that operated from 1923 to 2001. The watch is constructed in a style reminiscent of the classic Swatch designs popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It features a dark navy blue plastic or resin case and an integrated matching blue synthetic rubber or silicone strap with a single sliding keeper. The watch face is the focal point, displaying a white background with a grey-toned printed world map. Positioned prominently at the 12 o'clock area is a stylized mascot or logo element, and the brand name 'sabena' is printed in blue sans-serif lowercase text just above the 6 o'clock position. The timepiece utilizes a simple three-hand analog movement with black hour and minute hands and a thin seconds hand. In terms of condition, there is a prominent diagonal crack or deep scratch visible on the acrylic crystal, extending from the bottom center toward the left side, which significantly impacts its aesthetic and functional integrity. The overall build quality suggests a mass-produced promotional item intended for passengers or employees, likely dating from the mid-to-late 1990s shortly before the airline's dissolution. The strap appears flexible with minimal surface oxidation, though the crystal damage is a major condition issue.