Introduction: Key data on the MoonSwatch watches

We start with a short introduction and take a look at the characteristics and features that distinguish the Swatch / Omega MoonSwatch:

Materials

The MoonSwatch watches are mainly made of three materials. The case is made of so-called Bioceramic. This is a very special material that will be discussed in more detail later in this article. In addition, there is a high-quality hesalite glass over the dial and a textile strap. The Velcro strap is fastened – rather untypically for Omega, but all the more typically for Swatch – by a Velcro fastener.

Functions and dimensions

The heart of every MoonSwatch is the quartz movement, which runs on batteries. The watch is not waterproof, only protected against splashing water, and has three sub-dials, more precisely seconds, minutes and small seconds. The functional range of the timepiece, which measures around 1.36 cm in height and 4.2 cm in diameter, is enhanced by a tachymeter scale on the bezel.

Selection

The MoonSwatch is available in a total of eleven different versions, each of which is based on different planets in terms of design and appearance. So most people should be able to find a version that suits their personal style, at least in terms of colour.

Price

A surprise for many watch lovers might be the price of the Swatch and Omega product. At €250 per watch, the MoonSwatch is probably much cheaper than most connoisseurs of the industry would have expected.

Design: Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch meets Swatch

The design of the MoonSwatch is definitely worth a closer look. In the shape of the case and the design of the dial, the watch, around which a real hype has developed at the moment, is clearly modelled on the famous timepiece Omega Speedmaster Professional. This intentional resemblance is further emphasised by the “Speedmaster” lettering on the dial itself and on the strap. Characteristic of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch and the new MoonSwatch is, above all, the noble-looking case with the surfaces tapering to the sides of the bracelet. And the classic curvature of the Hesalite glass is undoubtedly strongly reminiscent of the “original”, the Moonwatch from Omega. A special highlight: on the battery cover of each MoonSwatch watch, the space theme is taken up in the form of a matching star or planet image. The hands and hour markers on the dial of the watches glow in the dark thanks to the Superluminova insert. The Velcro strap, which serves as the wristband and fastener of the timepiece, adds an unmistakably sporty touch. It thus makes the latest trend watch from the big brands, which incidentally both belong to the Swatch Group, an absolutely everyday accessory for the wrist.

MoonSwatch models: What variants of the watch are there?

Watch fans who are looking for a colourful timepiece with wow factor should be thrilled with the MoonSwatch products. There are a total of eleven models to choose from, each dedicated to one of the planets in our solar system.

Mission to the Sun

The sun rises with the MoonSwatch “Mission to the Sun”: A radiant dial in golden yellow with a sunburst finish attracts all eyes and exudes pure summer feeling. The white bezel with orange numbers and the hands in white and bright orange bring a rich contrast into play and create a flowing colour connection to the white strap made of Velcro material.

Mission to Mercury

The MoonSwatch in the “Mission to Mercury” version is more discreet in colour, but by no means less impressive. The case and dial are entirely in a dark, almost black grey, which visually emphasises the white hands and numerals. The strap, which is also grey, adds a dose of modern elegance with its metallic sheen and definitely functions as an effective eye-catcher.

Mission to Venus

The Swatch / Omega MoonSwatch “Mission to Venus” is mainly aimed at women and is predominantly in a soft, powdery pastel pink. The dial and bezel are subtly highlighted in matte cream, while the hands again echo the pink of the case. Unlike the other Omega x Swatch models, this one uses oval totaliser displays framed by small glittering stones. The strap is plain white and does not distract from the feminine beauty of the chronograph.

Mission on Earth

The MoonSwatch in the “Mission on Earth” version plays with the colours of our home planet: A lime green case and dial as well as bezel and strap in deep navy blue meet white totalisers and hands in a dark, earthy brown. The result is a thoroughly coherent overall picture that invites you to discover, explore and experience our earth as an abstract interpretation.

Mission to the Moon

The “Mission to the Moon” model is clearly the MoonSwatch variant that most closely resembles the original Omega Speedmaster. A silver-grey case holds a bezel and a dial in black with white numerals. The strap is again black and has a subtle, noble satin sheen. Anyone familiar with the Speedmaster Moonwatch from Omega will inevitably be reminded of it when they see this model.

Mission to Mars

If you’re a colour fanatic, you’ll love the Omega x Swatch “Mission to Mars”. In homage to the red planet, the watches in this version have a fiery red case, complemented by a white dial, red hands and a white Velcro strap. Unlike the other products in the range, the Mars watches have hour and minute totalisers that are reminiscent of space ships taking off. A small, playful detail that makes the MoonSwatch Mission to Mars fall into the category of “special models”, so to speak.

Mission to Jupiter

The “Mission to Jupiter” model from Omega and Swatch appeals to all those who like earth and natural tones, but also appreciate a certain noble factor in watches. The case, bezel and dial of this timepiece have a powdery beige hue, which is perfectly matched by the black of the strap and numerals. On this rather restrained colour base, the bright orange hands come into their own particularly well.

Mission to Saturn

Brown, brown, brown are all my watches…or at least the “Mission to Saturn” from the Omega-Swatch collaboration. This timepiece combines a beige case and dial with the dark brown of the strap, bezel and totalisers. The silky shimmer of the Velcro material gives the strap a bronze-like glow in the light, which is extremely elegant. As an additional allusion to the planet to which this watch is dedicated, a Saturn ring circles the seconds totaliser.

Mission to Uranus

Cool pastel shades are in vogue and are especially popular during the warm season. Omega and Swatch have taken up this fashion trend with the “Mission to Uranus” MoonSwatch. The bezel and bracelet are kept in the background in white, while the dial and case shine in an airy light blue. The hands are also in pure white and blend seamlessly into the overall picture.

Mission to Neptune

The design of the “Mission to Neptune” MoonSwatch has something mysterious and mystical about it. The case in a maritime mid-blue sets off the bezel and dial in dark ocean blue, from which the white hands stand out clearly. Combined with a black strap, this creates a watch that makes you want to explore the secrets of the universe.

Mission to Pluto

Whether Pluto deserves a place among the planets of the solar system is still controversial. What is clear, however, is that the “Mission to Pluto” MoonSwatch fits perfectly into the Omega x Swatch collection. The high-quality timepiece convinces with an enormously harmonious design that has been ideally colour-coordinated. The strap and hands are brown, the dial is a simple creamy white, the case is a cool grey and the totalisers and bezel are a rich burgundy colour.

Bioceramic: What distinguishes the material of the Omega x Swatch watches?

In some places, the Omega / Swatch MoonSwatch is somewhat loutishly referred to as a “plastic watch”. This is neither completely wrong nor 100% correct. The Bioceramic MoonSwatch is made of a mix of materials that includes plastic, about one third of it. This special plastic is of vegetable nature and is obtained on the basis of castor oil. The remaining two thirds of the mixture are ceramic, which is supposed to make the watches more scratch-resistant. In terms of feel, the Bioceramic MoonSwatch is quite clearly distinguishable from watches made of pure plastic, but at around 32 grams it is still a real lightweight.

Differences: MoonSwatch and Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch compared

As the issuing brands emphasise on their website, and as cannot be overlooked, the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch is modelled on Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch. Nevertheless, they are of course separate watch models that differ from each other in many respects. Besides the price, which is significantly higher for the Speedmaster Moonwatch, the difference in weight is immediately noticeable. The MoonSwatch weighs about 32 grams, while the Speedmaster Moonwatch weighs over 100 grams. In addition, the water resistance of the Speedmaster Original is 5 bar, while MoonSwatch watches are only water-resistant to 3 bar and are therefore only splash-proof. And of course there is also a significant difference in terms of the movement: MoonSwatch watches have a battery-operated quartz movement, while the Speedmaster Moonwatch uses an Axial Master Chronometer calibre 3861 with manual winding. But even though the Swatch / Omega MoonSwatch does not come close to the Speedmaster Moonwatch from Omega on several levels, there are unmistakable similarities that allow the MoonSwatch models to be directly associated with the Omega original.

What is special about the Omega MoonSwatch / Swatch MoonSwatch cooperation?

The long queues in front of the Swatch boutiques and the many enquiries via the brands’ online store forms speak for themselves: there is a huge hype about the Bioceramic MoonSwatch. But what is the reason for this? Well, for one thing, Swatch and Omega are brands that have made a name for themselves in the watch world and enjoy a high profile. On the other hand, this is a cooperation that many watch fans would not necessarily have expected. Consequently, there is a certain surprise effect that is making waves. For many people whose budget does not normally allow them to buy an Omega, the MoonSwatch also represents an opportunity to get as close as possible to the original Speedmaster Moonwatch. On the other hand, of course, the wide-ranging, versatile watch collection also plays a role: due to the large number of different MoonSwatch versions, everyone who wants to join the hype will find a model they like.

Sales: Where are the MoonSwatches available?

The watches are sold exclusively in selected Swatch Stores. If you want to buy a Bioceramic MoonSwatch at the moment, you will need a lot of patience. The watches sold out in record time after going on sale at the end of March, and it is still unclear when they will be available again. Omega and Swatch state on their websites that the team is currently working flat out to make more available. Those who want to get hold of a product from the MoonSwatch collection will probably have to be quick and join the queues in front of the boutiques. Alternatively, buying on Ebay, Ebay Classifieds and the like is an option. However, the watches that are resold there are mostly priced far above the manufacturer’s asking price. Buyers should also be on their guard: after all, it would not be the first time that overpriced fake goods have been sold by ad on Ebay.

Is the MoonSwatch watch a limited offer?

According to the Swatch Group, there are no plans to limit the MoonSwatch series. In other words, watches and accessories are actually to be produced and sold in unlimited quantities. So when the initial hype around the timepieces dies down, they could potentially be more easily available to everyone.

Conclusion: MoonSwatch causes a stir in the watch world

With the popular space theme, the successful colour combinations and, last but not least, the reference to the Speedmaster Moonwatch, the Swatch Group has obviously hit the mark. The Omega x Swatch cooperation series has really turned the world of watches upside down and proves that well thought-out teamwork can also be crowned with huge success in the watch scene.