Celebrating the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the Mission to the Moon 1969 is limited to just 1,969 individually numbered pieces.
It features 11 grams of OMEGA’s 18K Moonshine™ Gold, including gold recovered from historic OMEGA spare parts dating back to the era.
Priced at CHF 500, the watch’s price is based on the value of 11 grams of 18K gold in 1969 rather than today’s gold price. Applications are now open through Swatch’s Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application, with only 1,969 applicants approved for the opportunity to purchase.
Though arguably the most massive watch launch of all time in its inaugural outing, the novelty of the MoonSwatch had undoubtedly wavered a bit with a persistent cadence of launches over the years that did not always bring a heightened novelty factor. Today, however, the powerhouse duo of Swatch and Omega may have just launched the most precious and interesting MoonSwatch ever made – and with a very democratic distribution method no less – with its new Swatch x Omega Mission to the Moon 1969.
The new Swatch x Omega Mission to the Moon 1969 finds itself in a black BioCeramic case, but the real novelty of the watch is the 11 grams of 18k gold the design utilises to pay tribute to the Apollo 11 Moon landing. The brushed dial plate (with the period-correct Omega logo), hands, crown, and chronograph pushers are forged in 18k moonshine gold crafted from reclaimed gold taken from old Omega parts from the period of the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission. That being said, as Swatch and Omega describe, the watch is “worth it’s weight in history” rather than priced according to the current weight of gold.
“In 1969, eleven grams of 18K gold cost 11 dollars and around CHF 48, with an exchange rate of CHF 4.31 to the dollar,” Swatch explains. “Mission to the Moon 1969 will be available at CHF 500, based on the price of gold on July 21, 1969 and not on today’s gold price.” For context, as of writing, 11 grams of 18k gold is worth CHF 870.37 (or CHF 79.13 per gram).
Other notable design elements include a black Velcro strap with a gold-colored lining on its underside, with a moon-inspired texture, a golden moon design battery cover on the caseback, and a 9 o’clock side of the case engraved with the piece’s individual number out of 1,969 pieces.
To be honest, I have never personally been stirred into action when it comes to a MoonSwatch – never seeking to compete with massive crowds or queues to secure one. But not only does this 1969-tributing design speak to me the most, but its launch strategy also has strong appeal as well.
“To get your hands on this model, you have to fill out an ESTA or Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application,” Swatch explains. “There will be 32 questions to answer, similar to the ESTA many travellers have to fill out to travel to the USA. Only 1969 people will get an ESTA approval from Swatch, which gives them the right to purchase the limited edition. All this is happening in the digital space, online. The Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application will be available on swatch.com from July 16 at 15:32 CEST and must be filled out and submitted by July 21 at 23:59 CEST at the latest. Selected participants will receive follow-up instructions on how to complete their purchase and pick up their watch at a Swatch store.”
All considered, today, in my opinion, presents the most interesting and attractive MoonSwatch design ever made, with 11 grams of precious metal paying tribute to not only the Apollo 11 Lunar mission, but also referencing the legendary gold Speedmaster design from 1969, and a fair distrubution through application model that may be a method for future use, at least at initial launch, to avoid mayhem like we saw when the Royal Pop launched.
Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon 1969 pricing and availability
The Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon 1969 will be limited to 1,969 pieces and available strictly via The Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application available on swatch.com beginning July 16 at 15:32 CEST and must be filled out and submitted by July 21 at 23:59 CEST at the latest. Price: CHF 500
Brand
Swatch x Omega
Model
MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon 1969
Case Dimensions
42mm (D) x 13.25mm (T) x 47.3mm (LTL)
Case Material
Black Bioceramic
Water Resistance
30 metres
Crystal(s)
Box-domed, bio-sourced material with anti-scratch coating
Dial
Brushed 18k moonshine gold
Bracelet
Black Velcro strap, gold-coloured and moon-inspired-textured under
Movement
ETA quartz
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds, moonphase, chronograph
Availability
Via Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application only
Limited to 1,969 pieces
Price
CHF 500