In the past two years, when it comes to the most popular affordable watches in the market, if Omega x SWATCH MoonSwatch claims to be the second, probably no other watch dares to claim the first place. Remember when this watch was first released at the end of March 2022, it shocked the market. Because no one had ever imagined that a watch with the Omega logo on the dial could be priced at less than NT$ 8,000 (the initial price of MoonSwatch was NT$ 7,900), and it looked very similar to Omega’s well-known Speedmaster Moonwatch. Instantly, it became a blockbuster that watch enthusiasts queued up to buy, fulfilling their dream of owning a famous watch. However, when the watch was first introduced, it inevitably faced doubts. Some believed that this kind of product with the nature of a “price disruptor” might have a negative impact on both brands. If it failed to be accepted by the market, it would turn into a creative nightmare. But judging from the current development, those initial doubts were somewhat unnecessary. Because MoonSwatch has driven the sales growth of both SWATCH and Omega. Even over the past two years, it has continuously introduced new models, giving both those who have purchased and those who haven’t a new target to look forward to. Undoubtedly, it is the most successful and highly popular product during this period.
It should not be particularly difficult for Omega and SWATCH, both belonging to the Swatch Group, to collaborate. But previously, no one thought they would join hands to create. The decision to base MoonSwatch on the Speedmaster Moonwatch now seems very brilliant. Because it has high popularity and a recognizable design. However, the genuine Omega Moonwatch is priced at over NT$ 200,000, which is relatively unaffordable for students or the younger generation. But the emergence of MoonSwatch solved this problem, significantly lowering the entry barrier for those who want to experience the style of the Moonwatch. And these people who purchase MoonSwatch may potentially become Omega’s future customers. It can be regarded as a brilliant long-term strategy.
MoonSwatch with themes of planets such as Earth, Moon, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, Venus, Uranus, Neptune, and Mercury.
The Beginning of the Boom – MoonSwatch
The first wave of MoonSwatch introduced 11 models at once. Each model has a unique case color. SWATCH planned a planetary theme of the solar system for the watches. Even Pluto, which is no longer considered a planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), was included in the MoonSwatch family as one of the models. The watch is made of Bioceramic material developed by SWATCH for the case and paired with nylon straps of different colors to present the characteristics of each planet. Inspired by the Speedmaster Moonwatch, some similar features can be found in MoonSwatch, such as the asymmetrical 42mm case, bezel tachymeter, chronograph pushers, and the crown, which seem to be exactly the same. And what you might overlook is that the case thickness of MoonSwatch is almost the same as the Moonwatch version equipped with a carbon fiber glass crystal (13.25mm). Because MoonSwatch is a quartz watch, its caseback design is different from the genuine Moonwatch. SWATCH cleverly printed the pattern representing the planet theme of the watch on the battery cover at the 12 o’clock position of the caseback, which is a small highlight that adds points to the watch. The first wave of MoonSwatch also incorporated some special ideas corresponding to different planets. For example, Mission to Mars (Mars) carries the genes of the red aluminum protective case prototype Moonwatch created by Omega for the Alaska Project. Therefore, its dial design is different from other MoonSwatch models. And if you want to find the one that is most similar to the genuine Moonwatch, the Mission to the Moon (Moon) with a gray case and a black dial is the first choice.
MoonSwatch with the chronograph seconds hand plated with Moonshine™ Gold.
Low-Luxury Micro Upgrade Version – Mission to Moonshine™ Gold
SWATCH then added the so-called Mission to Moonshine™ Gold in 2023. They are almost all based on the Moon model and plate the central chronograph seconds hand with Moonshine™ Gold, the exclusive alloy commonly found in Omega watches. Interestingly, as the watch developed, a specific pattern (such as strawberries, Swiss lanterns, snowflakes, etc.) was added to the chronograph seconds hand every month corresponding to the full moon theme at that time. Only the 7th Mission to Moonshine™ Gold released in August of that year, in response to the “Blue Moon” theme, was based on the Mission to Neptune (Neptune) model with a blue case. However, because the appearance changed color entirely, no other pattern was added to the plated Moonshine™ Gold chronograph seconds hand. A total of 11 Mission to Moonshine™ Gold models were released. Except for the patterns on the chronograph seconds hand, the overall variation is relatively small. However, its sales strategy at that time was set during the full moon period each month. Although it was not as popular as the first wave of MoonSwatch, it still created many interesting topics.
The only blue case model of Mission to Moonshine™ Gold, the Blue Moon model.
Mission to the Moonphase with moon phase display and Snoopy pattern added in 2024.
Expansion of New Functions – Mission to the Moonphase
In 2024, MoonSwatch continued to evolve. SWATCH found inspiration from Omega again and came up with the idea of using the Snoopy character, which is closely related to the Moonwatch, as an introduction. And in two consecutive months, it launched the all-white “Mission to the Moonphase Full Moon” and the all-black “Mission to the Moonphase New Moon”. The feature of this MoonSwatch is that the small subdial at 3 o’clock is changed to a dual moon phase display with the Snoopy pattern, and the moon pattern on the moon phase disk is printed with UV ink, allowing it to glow in the dark (at this time, the translucent mask will also reveal the classic lines of the Peanuts comic). From August 1st to August 19th, 2024, Mission to the Moonphase launched a limited-time Mission To Thesuper Blue Moonphase with the “Blue Moon” theme. It includes a blue bioceramic case, a beige dial with blue details, and a blue moon pattern on the battery cover of the caseback, highlighting the differences from the previous year’s Blue Moon-themed Mission to Moonshine™ Gold through small details.
Mission To Thesuper Blue Moonphase, limitedly released in August 2024.
Mission on Earth with three sub-themes extended from Earth scenes such as volcanic lava, aurora, and desert.
Exclusive Earth Side Story – Mission on Earth
While launching Mission to the Moonphase, SWATCH extended three Mission on Earth MoonSwatch models with the Earth as the theme in June 2024. However, this time, it is different from the 2022 Mission on Earth. Because the design of the watch is centered on the Earth and inspired by the beautiful views of the Earth seen from space, three sub-themes are extended from volcanic lava, aurora, and desert. Among them, the Mission on Earth-Lava (Lava) has a red-orange case, a black bioceramic bezel, a VELCRO® strap, and a black dial. The Mission on Earth-Polar Lights (Aurora) has a turquoise case, paired with a dark blue bioceramic bezel and a dark blue dial. The dial is also studded with small shiny fragments, and the combined effect is comparable to aventurine. The Mission on Earth-Desert (Desert) has a sandy bioceramic case, and the VELCRO® strap, bioceramic bezel, and dial are all beige. However, the battery covers of the three Mission on Earth MoonSwatch models all have a colorful Earth pattern printed on them. Giving those who want to collect this series some new elements to pursue.
The first watch with earth phase display in the watch industry, Mission to Earthphase, represents the peak of MoonSwatch’s functions so far.
The Appearance of the Functional Flagship So Far – Mission to Earthphase
At the end of 2024, SWATCH did not plan to take a break. Instead, it launched an unprecedented “Mission to Earthphase”. At first glance, it is somewhat similar to the first wave of MoonSwatch’s Mission to the Moon, including a gray case, a black bezel, and a black VELCRO® strap, etc. However, in addition to the dual moon phase display at 2 o’clock on its gray dial, SWATCH also pioneered the development of the first-ever “Earth Phase” display in the watch industry. This function presents the view of the Earth’s rotation as seen from the Moon. The colored Earth pattern on its rotating disk rotates in the opposite direction of the moon phase display, and the cycle is also staggered from the moon phase display. So that people always have a relatively full Earth or Moon pattern to enjoy. The bold creativity once again takes MoonSwatch to a different realm.
The above are the various variations of MoonSwatch over the past two years. Counting them, there have been 29 models. If you want to collect them all, it is roughly equivalent to the price of a genuine Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. However, compared to collecting all the models, the greater pleasure that MoonSwatch brings to watch enthusiasts lies in its breakthrough and dazzling designs. When we think MoonSwatch seems to have reached a bottleneck, SWATCH always seems to respond to our expectations with more novel ideas. Although we don’t know how long this affordable Moonwatch family will last, at least over the past two years, we have felt the wonderful sparks that bold attempts can create. Among so many MoonSwatch models, is there one that you are determined to have?
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