It is a range of chronograph watches manufactured by Omega SA, and the Speedmaster is one of them.
Contrary to popular belief, Omega debuted this particular type of chronograph watch in 1957. Many alternative chronograph mechanisms have since been offered under the Speedmaster moniker.
When astronaut Walter Schirra wore one on Mercury-Atlas 8 in 1962, he became the first person to do so in space. NASA’s Gemini 4 mission was the first time an American astronaut wore a watch on the Moon, and the manual-winding Speedmaster Professional or “MoonSwatch” was the first watch worn by an astronaut while walking on the Moon during Apollo 11.
One of a few NASA-approved timepieces, the Speedmaster Professional is still the only one that may be worn during a spacewalk. Other variants in the Speedmaster series, including analog-digital and automatic mechanical watches, are also available.
Everyone’s Eye on MoonSwatch, Why?: MoonSwatch
The MoonSwatch’s casing is not constructed of stainless steel, but rather of Swatch’s BioCeramic, which is a mixture of 23% ceramic and 13% bio-derived plastic developed from castor plant seeds. Despite the fact that no one truly understands what it implies, it’s arousing and gets people excited.
Variants of MoonSwatch: MoonSwatch
The new MoonSwatch is available in 11 varieties, each of which represents a different celestial body.
Mission to Mercury, Mission to the Moon, Mission to Mars, and so on are all referred to as “Missions.”
Mission to Uranus, for example, is the name of one.
Each celestial body has its own unique composition. The dial and case of Mission to Neptune are both a striking shade of blue, evoking the color of the planet itself. Green continents are used to inspire a green casing, blue dial, and brown hands for Mission to Earth.
Some, like Mercury, have a more traditional appearance, while others, like Mars, have hands that resemble spacecraft or, like Saturn, have subdials that include depictions of planets. Each model has a unique technique of covering the battery (which is quartz-powered) with a picture of the planetary object from which its name is derived.
The dial is not a direct duplicate of Speedy’s design. Instead of being positioned on the right side of the dial as on a MoonSwatch, Speedmaster’s wordmark seems to be placed on the left. Each timepiece has a 12-o’clock co-branding on the dial and on the signature crown.
When you look at the crystal of the hesalite Moonwatch, you’ll see an engraved “S” in place of the Omega logo. A flight-style velcro strap with dual Omega and Swatch branding is also included with each watch.
Those timepieces may be yours for $260.
Specifications: MoonSwatch
- Brand: Omega x Swatch
- Model: MoonSwatch
- Diameter: 42mm
- Thickness: 13.25mm
- Case Material: BioCeramic
- Dial Color: Various colors
- Lume: Yes
- Water Resistance: 30m
- Strap/Bracelet: Velcro strap
- Caliber: Quartz chronograph movement
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph
- Price: $260
- Availability: March 26, 2022, in select Swatch locations
- Limited Edition: No
Objections of Watch: MoonSwatch
Although the “Mission to Neptune” model in dark blue is the most well-documented case, the issue has been noted in other dark blue variants as well. With wet cotton swabs, you can plainly see the blue pigment from the Neptune model turning the cotton blue in videos posted online by YouTubers.
Swatch’s Bioceramic material casing, not the battery cover, is the source of the issue, according to the company. Probably just the red and Neptune Mission to Mars models would be affected by this since these are the colors you wouldn’t want to wash with your whites.
Swatch has assured consumers, according to Bloomberg, that “The pigment is not dangerous to skin, non-toxic, therefore this effect is absolutely safe for the user,” and that it would not result in the watch casing altering itself.
“We have notified this to the quality management of our manufacturing facilities that have already taken all required actions on this topic,” they said, adding that the event is “very, very unusual.” Good to know, but it doesn’t do anything to ease the pain. Leaking dye is a sign of low-quality goods, and it’s a terrible appearance for a Swiss watch company.
Why Is It Popular?: MoonSwatch
At a price point of $260 USD, purchasers may acquire the full 11-watch collection for less than the original Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. This is the first time Swatch Group’s premium Omega brand has worked with its entry-level Swatch equivalent.
Many people have gone to Swatch boutiques throughout the world, even though the MoonSwatch isn’t being released in restricted quantities. Arrests have been recorded in Geneva, while a key London Swatch shop was forced to close owing to the chaos outside.
For more than 22 hours, a buyer from Las Vegas flew to Los Angeles to obtain the watch, which is now selling for more than 10 times its initial value on eBay and other secondary markets, according to a video interview from Hodinkee.
