Swatch has done it again! The new MoonSwatch debuted at the same time (09:32 EDT/15:32 CEST) as the Saturn V rocket launched on the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. Swatch has a keen sense of historical significance and has released another cool variation of the MoonSwatch – Mission To The Moon 1969.
Mission to the Moon 1969
The launch of MoonSwatch in 2022 was perhaps the most brilliant move in the watch industry this year. Swatch built on this success by releasing several variations of the MoonSwatch in the following years. This concept was a huge success. In my opinion, it also brought a lot of new people into the world of watch enthusiasm. I see MoonSwatches everywhere I go. Whether I’m shopping in town, on the golf course, or traveling on a plane, I notice them on the wrists of people of all ages. The Swatch Royal Pop collaboration with Audemars Piguet debuted recently. Now the brand is back with a new MoonSwatch and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Moonshine Gold 2019
Moonshine Gold
It’s no secret that the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 in Moonshine Gold is my absolute grail watch. I bought mine in 2019 and it has been, without a doubt, the most worn watch in my collection since then. This new MoonSwatch Mission To The Moon 1969 (Ref. SSX01B700) takes inspiration from the 1969 Speedmaster Professional “Tribute to Astronauts” and its 2019 Anniversary Edition. The dial is made from Omega’s signature Moonshine Gold alloy, giving it a slightly paler appearance than regular yellow gold.
1969 gold price applied
But here’s what’s cool! To create the Moonshine Gold alloy for the 1969 MoonSwatch Mission To The Moon, Swatch used real gold from Omega spare parts. Swatch used its own foundry to process them into 18k moonshine gold. In total, the new MoonSwatch contains 11 grams of this alloy. To complete the story, Swatch will use the value of 11 grams of gold in 1969 (CHF 48, approximately US$11 at the time) for this new watch. As a result, the retail price will be 500 Swiss francs for this MoonSwatch. Today’s gold price for one gram of 18k gold is approx. 75 euros.
“Mission to the Moon 1969” is full of details
Swatch didn’t stop at the dial and gave it a Moonshine Gold finish. The brand also crafted the crown and pushers from 18-karat moonshine gold. The bioceramic case and bezel frame the gold-embossed tachymeter scale, while the anti-reflective coating gives the bezel a polished appearance. Like the 2019 Speedmaster Apollo 11 Moonshine Gold, the watch uses the same distinctive tube, combining gold hour and minute hands with black filling and a black central chronograph seconds hand.
Swatch also painted the subdial hands black and engraved the dial with an Au750 gold hallmark. One of my favorite details on my Speedmaster Apollo 11 Moonshine Gold is the vertical brushed dial, and I’m glad to see that Swatch carried the same finish into the Mission To The Moon 1969.
Unique number
On the left side of the case you will find a unique number for each watch (x/1969), as Omega did with the Speedmaster Apollo 11 in 1994. This is a very nice touch! The battery back cover features a beautiful golden moon. It also displays the date of the moon landing, with “Mission to the Moon” printed in gold at the bottom. Like the Omega Speedmaster Moonphase models with a photorealistic Moon, the gold Moon on the battery compartment lid is adorned with an astronaut’s boot print. Mission to the Moon 1969 is filled with historical references and thoughtful details. Fans of MoonSwatch and Speedmaster will appreciate them.
This Mission To The Moon 1969 comes with a black rubber strap, which I find a little more comfortable than the Swatch velcro straps. On it you will find the Swatch, Omega and MoonSwatch logos printed in gold. The rubber strap also has a gold lining.
Otherwise, the new Swatch MoonSwatch has the same dimensions and movement characteristics as previous models (without the complications of earth rising and moon phases).
Fill out the ESTA form
This time, Swatch decided to release the MoonSwatch Mission To The Moon in a limited edition of 1,969 pieces. And let me tell you, getting it won’t be easy! Visit the Swatch website and fill out the ESTA form to receive this Apollo 11-inspired Moonshine Gold model. In this case, “ESTA” stands for “Electronic Watch Application.” However, avid travelers know how to fill it! It is very similar to the form used to travel to the US and you will need to answer 32 questions. Based on the completed application form, only 1,969 people will be approved by Swatch ESTA to purchase the MoonSwatch Mission To The Moon.
Swatch will provide the ESTA form from 16 July at 15:32 CEST until 21 July at 23:59 CEST. Submit your application within this period to be eligible. Selected in 1969, participants will receive instructions on how to purchase and receive their watch from the Swatch Boutique.
What else are you doing here? Go to the Swatch website and fill out this form. Fingers crossed! The retail price of the new MoonSwatch is 500 Swiss francs / 600 euros.
Let us know what you think of this latest MoonSwatch creation in the comments below.