Two watch brands have collaborated a project that is out of this world. Each brand is well established in the horological world, and their coming together can only mean greatness.
The Omega Speedmaster is an excellent watch, one that lays claim to being the first wristwatch on a space walk. In the 1960s, NASA was planning several space missions and needed a watch that could withstand the challenges. Unbeknownst to OMEGA until after the fact, three of their chronographs had been purchased and rigorously tested (against acceleration, vibration, and temperature-pressure, to name a few of the criteria). The OMEGA Speedmaster’s place in history was cemented when Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon, with the watch on his wrist.
Swatch has a similar stellar history too – it is the watch brand with the guts to step ahead of others and break through the barriers of the quartz revolution. Without that confidence, and daring, who knows what where the horological industry would be now. Swatch watches have always been fun and playful, and it’s good to recall that behind that light image is a brand with strength and fortitude.
As OMEGA President and CEO Mr. Raynald Aeschlimann says, “OMEGA’s long and distinguished history may have been cut short if it wasn’t for the vision and the courage taken by Swatch. The MoonSwatch collection salutes the saviours of our industry in a witty and accessible way.”
The current collaboration of OMEGA and Swatch brings together that chronograph tech from the Speedmaster and the youthfulness and lightheartedness of a Swatch in the MoonSwatch. Yes, that’s a play on the OMEGA Moonwatch. But as we take a closer look at some of the 11 watches in this collection, you’ll see the collaboration can be tagged as a successful mission.
Mission to the Sun (model no. SO33J100)
The center of our universe gets special treatment in this collection, with this bright and bubbly sun-brushed gold model. The watch is white and yellow, with a bright white strap.
Mission on Earth (model no. SO33G100)
Our daily lives might be thought of as a mission too; note how this model is a ‘mission on’ instead of a ‘mission to.’ This blue and green model is a creative representation of our home planet. The navy blue dial and strap represent the oceans and sea, while the green case represents the soil and plants.
Mission to the Moon (model no. SO33M100)
This MoonSwatch is an elegant grey color watch, with the hands and tachymeter scale in white, just like the MoonWatch. The black strap complements the dark side of this MoonSwatch quite well.
Mission to Mars (model no. SO33R100)
The fiery red planet is brightly represented in this MoonSwatch. The brilliant red case and details are partnered with a pristine white dial and strap. This Mars model stands out just enough to get noticed.
Mission to Saturn (model no. SO33T100)
For a more sedate color combination, check out the Saturn MoonSwatch. The brown bezel, subdial hands, and tachymeter scale go well with the beige dial. Another benefit of the light colored dial? You can see the image of Saturn and its rings more clearly on the seconds subdial.
Mission to Pluto (model no. SO33M101)
Pluto may have been relegated to dwarf planet status but it still deserves its own MoonSwatch model. The light grey tones with the burgundy subdials and bezel make for an elegant aesthetic. The grey strap and black hands bring the whole look together.
MoonSwatch
All of the 11 MoonSwatch models are in BIOCERAMIC material, which is a combination of 2/3 ceramic and 1/3 bio-sourced plastic. The resulting material is silky smooth yet still resistant to daily wear and tear. Each dial has the OMEGA and Swatch branding beneath the 12 o’clock, and the Speedmaster and MoonSwatch names below the subdials at 3 and 9. Check out the crown too, for the double logos. Each MoonSwatch has a VELCRO© strap, to help you feel like a real astronaut. The mission text for each model (Mission to Neptune, Mission to Mars, for example) appears on the caseback, and the battery cover has an image of the featured planetary body. The MoonSwatch is available at selected Swatch stores, as of March 26.
