In July, 64, 000 Swatch Access watches functioned as tickets to the opening events of the new Swiss national football stadium in Bern.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

Its Swatch Access contactless technology, launched way back in 1996, has since found several niche applications, including use as an electronic ski pass at hundreds of resorts.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

Christoph Winkelmann of Swatch says the Access technology is making a big comeback in this year's product line, as the company targets new applications.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR