The Swatch Mission To The Moon 1969 MoonSwatch: A Golden Homage

The collaboration between Swatch and Omega has consistently generated buzz, and their latest offering, the Mission To The Moon 1969 MoonSwatch, is no exception. This limited-edition timepiece pays a unique homage to the Apollo 11 Moon landing, blending Swatch's accessible approach with Omega's iconic heritage, particularly through the use of 18K Moonshine Gold.

What Makes It Special?

This particular MoonSwatch stands out as the most limited in the series, with only 1,969 pieces produced, directly referencing the year of the historic Moon landing. The watch features a matte black Bioceramic case, beautifully contrasted by significant elements crafted from Omega's 18K Moonshine Gold. This includes the dial, hands, pushers, and crown, totaling eleven grams of gold in each watch.

Interestingly, Swatch states that the gold used for this edition is melted down from spare Omega parts from that era, further strengthening the connection to the original Moonwatch's legacy. The Moonshine Gold dial boasts a vertically brushed finish, and the gold beveled applied indices are filled with black varnish, indicating no lume on the hands. A glossy Bioceramic bezel, rather than ceramic, features a tachymeter filled with gold coloring. The limited edition numbering (x/1969) is engraved on the left side of the case and infilled with gold lacquer.

Pricing and Availability

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this release is its pricing strategy. While eleven grams of 18-karat gold would currently fetch around $1,058, Swatch has priced the Mission To The Moon 1969 MoonSwatch at $570. This price point is a deliberate nod to the price of gold on July 21, 1969, the day of the Apollo 11 landing, making it significantly less than the contemporary melt value of the gold it contains.

Acquiring this highly sought-after timepiece requires prospective buyers to complete an "Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application" online, a playful mimicry of travel authorization forms. This application process, which involves answering 32 questions, ran from the article's publication date through July 21st at 23:59 CEST. Approved applicants would then be contacted for the next steps to secure the watch.

Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Swatch x Omega
Model	Mission To The Moon 1969 MoonSwatch
Reference Number	SSX01B700
Diameter	42mm
Thickness	13.25mm
Case Material	Bioceramic
Dial Color	18K Moonshine Gold
Indexes	Applied
Lume	No
Water Resistance	3 bar
Strap/Bracelet	Black rubber strap with Velcro closure and gold-colored lining
Caliber	Swatch Chronograph Caliber
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph
Price	$570
Availability	Application only, through July 21st, 23:59 CEST
Limited Edition	1,969 numbered pieces

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