We’ve minimized paperwork and maximized protection for your watches, so you can stop worrying about your watches and focus on enjoying them.
Your insured value per watch is up to 150% (up to the total policy value).
We’ve minimized paperwork and maximized protection for your watches, so you can stop worrying about your watches and focus on enjoying them.
Your insured value per watch is up to 150% (up to the total policy value).
We’ve minimized paperwork and maximized protection for your watches, so you can stop worrying about your watches and focus on enjoying them.
Your insured value per watch is up to 150% (up to the total policy value).
A classic space watch meets a highly regarded affordable Swiss brand in one of the most exciting collaborations of this young year.
Both Omega and Swatch have been toying with a super-secret project for less than a week, with a full-page ad in the New York Times with the tagline “It’s time to replace your Swatch” or “It’s time to replace your Omega” ”.”Until yesterday, no one knew what that meant.
The super secret has been revealed, and now we have MoonSwatch in our lives.what is that?Well, it’s basically an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, but Swatchified.Instead of a stainless steel case, the MoonSwatch is made from Swatch’s BioCeramic, which consists of a mix of ⅔ ceramic and ⅓ bio-derived plastic, using the seeds of castor bean.No one really knows what that means, but it’s provocative and it keeps people going.
In total, the new MoonSwatch comes in 11 variants — 11 colorways, actually — each corresponding to a specific planetary object.Each version is called a “mission,” so there are missions to Mercury, missions to the moon, missions to Mars, and more.There’s even one called, um, the Uranus mission.
Each combination is unique to the celestial body it represents.Mission to Neptune has an all-blue aesthetic (like the Earth) with a contrasting blue dial and a very blue case.Mission to Earth uses the green of its continents for the green case, paired with a blue dial and brown hands.Some (like Mercury) are more conservative in design, while others (like Mars) use spacecraft-like objects as pointers, or (like Saturn) integrate planetary images into subdials.
Speaking of planets, each model uses a very creative solution to cover the battery (yes, these are quartz powered), through the image of the planetary object it takes its name from.
The dial design is not a copy of the Speedy.Unlike Moonwatch, the Speedmaster wordmark is on the left side of the dial and the MoonSwatch wordmark is on the right.These watches are co-branded at the 12 o’clock position of the dial and on the signature crown.There’s even an etched “S” on the crystal, and the Omega logo often appears on the hesalite Moonwatch.
Additionally, each watch comes with a flying Velcro strap with dual Omega and Swatch branding.The watch sells for $260.There’s no info on these limits, but starting March 26th, they’ll only be available at select Swatch stores around the world.
Well, if I ever imagined what a Swatch Speedmaster would look like… this is it.I don’t recall two big brands working together in this way before.It makes more sense when you consider that they all exist under the broader Swatch Group umbrella, but still.It’s really something.The highest level of corporate synergy.
In creating this collaboration, Omega and Swatch stayed true to the Moonwatch’s case design, with its twisted lugs measuring 42mm in diameter.They even added dots to the 90 Tachymeter bezel.
All of this begs the question: what is this?Why is this happening?Well, here are two questions.Still, hardly anyone will see this release cycle on their watch list.Or forever.One way to look at it is as a very fine Swatch that serves as a gateway to a finer mechanical timepiece.The other is the sub-$300 Speedy.After all, aside from the case proportions, these watches feature embedded subdials and a SuperLumiNova treatment.It’s kind of fascinating when you think about it that way.
Sure, it’s basically a plastic watch (yes, BioCeramic), but its quartz movement doesn’t need to be wound — especially manually.Of course, compared to the $6,000 Moonwatch, there are some downsides at this price point, such as the 30m water resistance and overall dial finish.I think many buyers can ignore these shortcomings when they see the $260 sticker.That’s a great price for something that plays on the Speedmaster’s iconic design.
I happen to really like the lunar mission model because it’s almost a 1:1 replica of the real thing.Wearing the Speedy Pro made by Swatch is intellectually exciting.Instagram is already full of comments from zealots desperate to get one.We’re two days away from this product hitting select Swatch stores around the world.
Judging by the excitement around this release online, it’s clear to me that many collectors are on a mission to keep track of these watches.Even if you were able to protect all 11 models, that’s still a savings of over $3,000 over a single Moonwatch — not bad.
On the one hand, I don’t love all the models enough for a “must catch everyone” Pokemon-style hunt.The most eye-catching is undoubtedly the Mars mission, with its deep red case and spacecraft-shaped hands.The Mission to the Sun’s yellow case and sun-patterned (I see what they do there) dial is equally loud and impressive.
Then there’s the model that some of you are destined to call Tiffany MoonSwatch because of its specific powder blue color.It’s called the Uranus mission, and yes, I still laugh like a 10-year-old every time I say that.
There’s something wrong with the mission model on Earth.The mix of greens, blues and browns – on the nose – didn’t produce a particularly pleasing design.I’m also not the target audience for the Mission to Venus watch — nor because it’s pink.I think we’re pretty well established at HODINKEE that watches should (and in many ways are!) move towards a gender-free future.As such, both Omega and Swatch see the need to embellish the pink variation with what they call “a touch of feminine elegance” via auxiliary dials with diamond-like detailing, which is a drag.But I digress.Even if you don’t like Earth and Venus as much as I do, you still have nine to choose from.That’s nine more than anyone expected.
In the end, these are undeniably fun watches that provide an affordable entry point to two iconic watch designs with traditional blue-chip brands.It’s unprecedented to see a company like Omega democratize a core watch like this to make it so affordable, even if it takes a co-branding effort to make it happen.It’s best to line up at your local Swatch retailer right now, as these intergalactic collaborations will sell out at the speed of light.
Diameter: 42mm Thickness: 13.25mmCase Material: Bioceramic Dial Color: Various Streamer: Yes Water Resistance: 30M Strap/Bracelet: Velcro Strap
HODINKEE Shop is an authorized retailer of Omega and Swatch watches.For more information, visit the Swatch website.
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Post time: Jul-18-2022