Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch

Quick specs Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch
Price: € 260 | CHF 250 | $ 270 | £ 228
Size: 42 mm
Reference: see below

Is the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch a brilliant move by the Swatch Group, where Omega and Swatch belong to, or is it an assessment of the original Speedmaster Moonwatch? Looking at the queues in front of the Swatch stores, it might be a brilliant move. Who would ever think of a semi-plastic Speedmaster quartz for a few bucks? Well, for quartz money… And hasn’t Omega already launched a trillion variants of the watch from which they even didn’t know it would go to the Moon? So this new Moonswatch model would be number trillion-and-one. What’s not to like?

First, we will update this article every now and then, when there is some news about the Moonswatch hype. But first let’s take a look at the design. The case is 42 millimeters, just like the real Speedmaster Moonwatch. Although that model is also available in other sizes. The Swatch even has similar features and a similar profile, like the case, it’s lugs, the stepped dial and domed crystal. Even the strap is space suite ready. Too bad the glass is crystal, not sapphire, so it scratches and breaks easily. But remember the price, you cannot have it all for less than 300.

What is the movement of the Moonswatch?

While the original Moonwatch has a hand-wound movement, an evolved version of the Lemania 1873, the Swatch has a basic ETA quartz chronograph. That’s why there is a difference in the registers on the dial when you compare the real one with the Swatch model. Swatch doesn’t specify which quartz movement is inside, but it is probably an ETA (owned by the Swatch Group as well) G10.212 without date, looking at the setup and battery location. Please take a look for us when yours brakes down. Because, when the movement breaks down, it’s probably the end of the watch as the case and case back are just one part.

The only thing that is replaceable, is the battery. The battery of the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch lasts about 38 month if you don’t use the chronograph too often. It can be changed by unscrewing the small battery plate at the back. Which is decorated with a photorealistic print of the planet corresponding with the name of each model. Which are, but you already noticed that, the planets in our solar system.

What is bioceramic?

The case of the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch is from bioceramic, the back probably too – Swatch does not specify that. Swatch defines bioceramic as a mixture of plastic and ceramic. A blend of one third of bio-sourced plastic with two-thirds of ceramic.

Now, bio and plastic is a rather unusual combination as plastic is not really bio, but the source for the plastic Swatch uses, is castor oil. Which is oil from beans, beans is nature, so there you have the bio part. Hopefully the processes of turning those beans into plastic are bio too.

All the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch models and the reference numbers

All those plastic (and ceramic) materials help to create a wide variety of colors. So hang on because the these are the 11 different Moonswatches, with 11 different colors. And the longer you look, the more cool they become:

• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Mercury – ref. SO33A100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Jupiter – ref. SO33C100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Earth – ref. SO33G100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Sun – ref. SO33J100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Uranus – ref. SO33L100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Moon – ref. SO33M100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Neptune – ref. SO33N100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Venus – ref. SO33P100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Mars – ref. SO33R100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Saturn – ref. SO33T100
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Pluto – ref. SO33M101

Update: the run on the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch is enormous, people keep on queuing up, Swatch stores have limited stocks, and prices rise. Swatch tells everyone that you can only buy one watch per day per person, to give the idea that the watch is available for everyone. But it’s not. On internet marketplaces people pay easily 400 dollars / euros for a model and the Neptune – the blue one – hits the 1,000 dollars / euros. It seems like people are collecting them all. Does anyone have a Neptune for us at an acceptable price level?

Special editions of the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch

The Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch is an instant hit, and it even boosts the sales of the real Moonwatch by 50 percent. A model which is about 30 times more expensive. In 2022 Swatch sold 1 million copies if the Moonswatch, a sales record. So, Swatch decides to go for some additional variants of the Moonswatch, all only with an adjusted chrono-seconds hand.

There are two models with a gold hand, and three models with a motive or alternative color. These are the special editions of the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch, so far:

• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to Neptune Moonshine Gold – ref. SO33N101-108
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Moon Moonshine Gold – ref. SO33M102-104
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Moon Moonshine Pink – ref. SO33M102-105
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Moon Moonshine Floral – ref. SO33M102-106
• Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch Mission to the Moon Swiss Lantern – ref. SO33M102-108

With these 5 additional variants of the Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch the total comes to 16. So if you have bought the special presentation case that Swatch stores have (these are not for sale), buy another one as they can only store 11 watches.

Spice-up your Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch

All the models come on a Velcro strap, in one size, which is way too long if you have small wrists. And it wears very uncomfortable as it rigid and doesn’t bend very well. The light colored  versions easily get dirty as well.

But change the Velcro with a regular, not too expensive NATO strap, and it will transform this very good looking copy of the original in a nice every day watch. Just try a black NATO on your Mission to the Sun. Or a James Bond striped one on the Mission to Earth. It’s easy to create your own special editions…

Technical data Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch

Reference: see above

Movement: Probably an ETA G10.212 without date | Quartz | Diameter: 29.8 mm (13¼ lignes) | Thickness: 5.12 mm | Frequency: 32,768 hz | Jewels: 4 | Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph | Battery life: 38 months

Case and dial: 42 mm | Bioceramic (ceramic with plastic) | Thickness: 13.2 mm | Raised and domed crystal | Black bezel with tachy meter scale | Stepped dial in several colors | Hour and minute hands with luminova | Bioceramic crown | Bioceramic case back | Water resistance: 3 ATM / 3 bar / 30 meters / 100 feet

Strap: Velcro (one size)

Price Omega x Swatch Bioceramic Moonswatch: € 260 | CHF 250 | $ 270 | £ 228

Website: www.swatch.com