Moonswatch: Marvellous creation or just a cash cow?
When Moonswatch first released it received a lot of hype and attention because watch enthusiasts could now technically own an Omega without spending thousands of pounds, and with these cool new designs of the classic speed master, what wasn’t to love?
However as people started wearing these they quickly realised the lack-luster quality of the Bioceramic material used and sometimes even having problems with the chronograph hand. This made people question whether it was all just a cleverly-planned money grabbing strategy rather than an opportunity to give the people what they want. With the cheap price of course it’s not going to be on par with the quality of the real speed master, but most people can agree it could still be improved.
I personally still enjoy owning a Moonswatch as it’s something unique to add to the collection. What do you think?
Avid watch enthusiast who’s been collecting since 2022. Five watches collected so far and hoping to expand in coming years. Especially interested in Omega, Rolex, Tudor and Grand Seiko. 😀
If we look at the MoonSwatch strictly as a timepiece it is an overpriced one for the specs, materials and construction it offers. The execution is poor and the strap is just garbage. Most of the MoonSwatches we see on the Crunch are on 3rd party straps and that is not surprising.
This doesn’t mean that non-enthusiasts don’t enjoy it. I constantly see MoonSwatches in people’s wrists when I’m out and about, from bar workers to engineering directors. It is very curious, and it proves once again that the watch enthusiasts are very much out of touch with the reality on the streets. But we knew that already.
As a marketing operation, this can be one of the best marketing stunts pulled in watchmaking history. The prices of the Speedy Professionals are rising sharply to the point that many enthusiasts are priced out even from pre-owned hesalite models. New models go for more than €6000 at retail! Just look at the price evolution graphs on pre-owned hesalite models in Chrono24:
The Swatch Group are making money both by rising prices on the real Speedy at retail and with the MoonSwatch. Absolutely brilliant move. And not only that but they increased the visibility of the Omega brand on release by slapping it in everybody’s faces (enthusiasts or not) even in the newspapers, while not having strictly paid for an ad page.
The release of the MoonSwatches appeared to be chaotic and most of people who wanted one on release couldn’t get one. But that was a perfectly calculated strategy, copied one to one from the world of sneakers or brands like Supreme, that do an artificially limited “drop” of items for those that can afford to stay in a line for 2 days, increasing therefore the desirability of the item by playing with our FOMO senses. Classic drop culture tactic.
I despise drop culture and thought “whatever, I’ll get one when they’re available”. I handled a couple at a Swatch store (not the Mission to the Moon, which is the one I considered buying), and I couldn’t bring myself to spend money on it. Maybe some day when/if the prices drop below retail and it’s an offer I can’t resist. But not at retail.
To me its just cheap bioceramic(glorified plastic) amd a velcro strap is just taking the Mik in my opinion.
For the beginner, budget collector I would say don't buy. For $270 at MSRP you can buy way better watches that would last way longer. Especially in the used market. For a more mature collector with missing a fun piece or color why not?
I think a used Lunar Pilot is a much better buy if you don't mind the 45mm
Bought Mine on the 28th December 23 and it's been on my wrist every day,ok sometimes just the evenings as I don't wear it for work due to it being a manual job, and I love it.So far it's not lost 1 second and I find the strap very comfortable.Who can blame a company for wanting to make some money at the end of the day it's up to people if they buy it
Want one, but not paying over retail or going to cesspit London to get one.
Personally think it was a genius move by the Swatch group, but shop only sales after promising online was a really shitty thing to do, & I'm sure has made Swatch unpopular with many.
I'm an Omega fan but far more drawn to the Blancpain x Swatch tbh, but only the white or new black ones.
Agree they're not a good buy for newer collectors (my Lunar Pilot is far better) but for folks with larger collections or more experienced/older/wealthier folks they're a bit of harmless fun.
To me its the originality of the watches, I personally love them. In fact the Moonswatch is the cause of my addiction to watches.
Great toy and hopefully entices more newbies to become watch nerds
Both answers are true! Moonswatch is great, don't buy it!
Why would anyone think any company is giving the people what they want? It’s all a cash grab. #justsayiing
I prefer my £2.35 homage. 😎
I just hope one day it will no longer a topic anymore 😂. Those who like it buy it, those who don't don't.
Well, I would answer both. They are great but don't buy.
Great for what they did for watch industry getting attention from those that never looked at watches. But don't buy because they are crap for the price. If they were priced as regular Swatch watches at around € 100, ok, I would spend some cash to have one on my collection. More than that on a plastic watch that will break on regular use, no go for me.
I always like it on other people’s wrist but would never own one myself
The Moonswatches do look cool, but if someone bought one just because they wanted an Omega I think they will be let down. Yes, it says Omega on the dial, but it's nothing, and I mean NOTHING like a real Omega. A real Omega costs 10-20x watch these Moonwatches cost.
I ended up with four of the moonswatch collection (jupiter, mars, uranus, & mercury), and most of them are from my now wife.
They are my favorite toy watchs, and a fun summer watch.
Personally not opposed to the concept, but these products feel overpriced for what you get
I think they're overpriced for sure, but they are great fun if you're a Speedy nerd like yours truly.
First of all, I love my moonswatch. It looks great on an aftermarket strap and it works well. But it clearly isn't worth 260€, I'm not even going to start with the grey market bullshit. It's a very very light plastic watch. And that's about it.
It still seems to be a talking point, so obviously it was a killer move.
I bought one from swatch a couple of months ago. It’s a toy. I daren’t use it as an every day watch in case the pusher falls off, or crown snaps.
I do think it was a smart move by swatch, and I don’t think there was a plan to make it crappy. But regardless that is how it ended up.
They’re unique, and certainly have that mass appeal. Would I like it if they were cheaper?? Yes, I’d like anything to cost less than it does.
Hating and bashing MoonSwatches is pretty cliche stuff at this point. A sort of curmudgeon virtue signal. If you don’t want a plastic watch that looks like an omega there are options for you. If you do want one, good luck getting to a swatch store but they got one for you when you too.
I also think it’s worth considering Swatch has a heritage. Swatch is a tradition, and a strong brand. I don’t only see an omega logo. I see a great looking swatch more than a cheap omega.
After a year and a half mine works great and keeps remarkably accurate time even for a quartz.
They’re unique, and certainly have that mass appeal. Would I like it if they were cheaper?? Yes, I’d like anything to cost less than it does.
Hating and bashing MoonSwatches is pretty cliche stuff at this point. A sort of curmudgeon virtue signal. If you don’t want a plastic watch that looks like an omega there are options for you. If you do want one, good luck getting to a swatch store but they got one for you when you too.
I also think it’s worth considering Swatch has a heritage. Swatch is a tradition, and a strong brand. I don’t only see an omega logo. I see a great looking swatch more than a cheap omega.
After a year and a half mine works great and keeps remarkably accurate time even for a quartz.
I agree 👌
Cash cow for sure 👍🏻
Should be worth about 1/3 less in my opinion but I love the ones I have
I didn’t vote…you need a third middle ground option. It’s a fun cheap (but overpriced) watch. It’s okay if you understand what you’re getting. Yes, there are better values for your money but it’s fine for a fun splash of color. You are right, though, it really can’t compare to a real speedy.
I bought one as a souvenir on a trip last year. What I don’t understand, though, is the guys who buy the whole series…
Here's my #hottake: it can be both
It still seems to be a talking point, so obviously it was a killer move.
So was the Black Death.
So was the Black Death.
Yes, and it did quite well for itself too, about 30 million bought into that.
So was the Black Death.
Yes, and it did quite well for itself too, about 30 million bought into that.
I’m very curious about Omega Speedmaster sales numbers after the Moonswatch drop. Of course, the Moonswatch may well also be a gate for enthusiasts who won’t enter the luxury space for years.