Swatch x Omega Mission to The Moon 1969 MoonSwatch
Swatch has unveiled the most exclusive release in the MoonSwatch collection to date. Following the attention generated by its collaboration with Audemars Piguet, the brand has returned to its partnership with Omega by introducing the Mission to The Moon 1969 MoonSwatch, a limited edition inspired by the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Source: www.swatch.com
A Tribute to the Apollo 11 Mission
The watch commemorates the historic lunar landing achieved by the astronauts of Apollo 11 in July 1969. Even the launch timing of the release was symbolic. The model became available at 09:32 Eastern Time / 15:32 Central European Time, matching the launch time of the Saturn V rocket used for the Apollo 11 mission.
The watch is available exclusively through the Swatch website until 21 July at 23:59 Central European Time.
Moonshine Gold Inspired by Omega History
The most distinctive feature of the watch is the use of 18-carat Moonshine Gold. Swatch produced the gold components by recycling unused Omega spare parts made from the brand's proprietary alloy.
The Moonshine Gold is used for the dial, as well as the hands, crown and chronograph pushers.
The design also draws inspiration from the 1969 Speedmaster Professional "Tribute to Astronauts" and its 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary edition.
Gold Valued at 1969 Prices
One of the most unusual aspects of the release is its pricing strategy. The watch contains 11 grams of gold, but rather than calculating the value using today's gold price, Swatch based the calculation on the gold price from 1969.
At that time, the value of the gold amounted to CHF 48, or approximately US$11. As a result, the price of the watch has been set at CHF 500 or €600.
Classic MoonSwatch Design
Apart from its precious metal components, the watch follows the familiar MoonSwatch design. It features a 42 mm × 13.25 mm bioceramic case with a dial displaying the 750 gold hallmark alongside the Swatch x Omega branding.
The tachymeter scale on the bezel is filled with gold paint, while the recessed sections of the hands and hour markers are finished in black lacquer.
The battery compartment on the case back is covered by a cap decorated with an image of the Moon. Each watch is individually numbered as part of a limited edition of 1,969 pieces and is fitted with a rubber strap.
Purchase Process
Rather than offering the watch through conventional online ordering, Swatch requires prospective buyers to complete a dedicated online application via the company's website. The application, referred to as the ESTA form, contains 32 questions and was introduced to help avoid the chaos that followed the Swatch x Audemars Piguet releases earlier this year.
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