MoonSwatch Misunderstood
I think people misunderstand the moonswatch.
Is it a fake, is it an homage, is it not a true Omega…. Is it a marketing ploy to make more people strive for a proper speedy one day? Well, the speedy was never on my radar, but now it’s one of my grails…. So yeah, quite possibly. Wouldn’t be the first time some clever marketing worked, would it?!
But, I think the moonswatch is an “educational device” for new watch collectors. It gives the look, but not the feel. The excitement a new owner will get just from the look will probably spur them on to buy more watches in the future. These next watches will probably have a better movement, then a sapphire crystal, then possibly a ceramic bezel, then maybe a different complication etc etc and they’ll really appreciate and understand the different watches materials and specs as they go through their watch journey from the moonswatch starting point. We all need to start somewhere and let’s be honest with ourselves, lots of the seiko’s from yesteryear people gush over aren’t all that great in todays world either without the rose tinted spectacles.
We all know wealthy people that own nice things, be it a Rolex, a Ferrari or whatever, but have no appreciation of what they’ve got. No understanding of the history or the engineering. They literally just own it because it’s a status symbol to them and they think other people will perceive them as cool and give them some sort of credibility. (Even though many never see the light of day, very often being kept in safes or in garages, in terms of the prancing horses)
These little plastic…sorry…bio ceramic bundles of joy will teach owners to appreciate their next watches.
Some might even venture into “watch tinkering” as the quality of the swatch is so notoriously bad. (Took my first back as the hands on the chrono didn’t line up properly, to where the shop assistant says “what do you expect, it’s a swatch” my reply is “well sir, I expect the hands to line up properly on any new watch I buy at any price thank you very much!” But I digress)
Seasoned watch nerds like me can also come to party and just enjoy having something close to a moon watch on their wrist. I can enjoy the romanticism of it. You know, in the same way that owners of actual speedies feel a closer affinity to being part of the great human endeavour and being an astronaut. Or like those that wear other Omegas and enjoy (secretly or not so secretly) feeling a little bit more like James Bond.
Anyways, don’t hate on a moonswatch, enjoy it for the fact that it is what it is and it’s something purchased with a passion or that creates a passion. A passion that we all have on this forum.
The Omega Moonswatch is an educational device, a placeholder and just a bit of not exactly cheap fun. Plus, it has the added benefit of making some more watch nerds like us to come and join our community and write far more interesting posts than this for us to read.
Happy weekend Crunchers!
Just another watch nerd
Most (normal) people do not hate the moonswatch. It’s watch snobbery and the fact that flippers were buying and flipping that made the whole thing go crazy and make some in the watch community hate it even more.
I love mine no matter what anyone’s opinion negative or positive.
I knew exactly what I was getting when I went for it so yea.
Love this … what a refreshing take. I agree that most things begin with baby steps. My approach to this great hobby is simple: your wrist, your money, your taste, your happiness and above all, your business 🤙❤️🤙
What is often glossed over is that it's the true definition of an homage. They've taken the original and playfully updated with many colours, and a clever theme behind it.
It's not a jump on the bandwagon "this year's colour is purple". It's not a simple cash grab like Omega's annual "limited edition". And it's not as ridiculous as the Rolex "playful" multicoloured tat. Both the latter are overpriced by 4 figures, yet they get a free pass on that front.
I'm wearing mine today on my fake original band (it's softer than the original), a couple of days before it was on leather and I also have a nylon.
Mine was bought as a gift after I disposed of my Speedy, and I have to say this makes me smile a heck of a lot more than that did over the last few years.
I think people hate the moonswatch for the bad press. Also Swatch is pretty much very blind or putting the brand as a sacrificial goat to have Omega get some hype (which it worked). For them to think that all those sales when to loyal watch fans is them smoking crack. I would say probably 50% of those watches were bought by scalpers. Many probably sitting in someone's basement to release at 2x or 3x+ the price when the time is right. Personally I want to buy it online no line and the color I want. Unless there a store very close to me then maybe. If size is no issue I think the Bulova Lunar pilot is a better moon watch.
I would have liked one last year, but I don’t do lines to buy shit. I don’t think I’ll get one now unless I randomly bump into a Swatch store that has one.
But. My take was always that it was a nice way to get a colorful speedy at prices mortals can afford. I’ve got a speedy, but just the “regular” one. I don’t have the kinks of cash to get a Snoopy, or gold, or special addition. So I think the MoonSwatch allows regular folks to get a Speedmaster in interesting colors that Omega will never make. So it’s not really a copy or homage, because Omega won’t make a yellow Speedmaster. Which is a long winded way of saying I’ve always thought of it as it’s own thing.
What ruined it for me was the marketing. Telling us we'd be able to buy online, then changing their minds. No way I'm going to some sh*tehole city to get one, queueing for yonks only to discover there's only colours I don't want available.
Cool idea, spoilt by flippers and Swatches own marketing. 😢
I maintain that I liked the idea, and for the most part, like the watches.
I also maintain that they should be priced somewhere between 60 and 100 quid, and far easier to get your hands one — make the ones handcrafted by virgin witches, on the sabbat of the lunar goddesses, and imbued with the sacred gold of Fairuza or wherever it is, exclusive to boutiques by all means — than it is ever likely to be.
Oh, and fix the weird QC issues that have been widely reported.
They’re nice, and am glad people enjoy them. They’re just a bit… Happy Meal, for the price.
I don’t think people have to be treated so simplistically. I remember buying my first Seiko dive watch. What a chunk of metal sitting on my wrist that was. I didn’t need a plastic watch first to graduate from. So I find the concept that someone does need that kind of thing, before graduating to a real watch, a bit alien.
To start I like the watch, but in my opinion its a huge marketing ploy. You can only applaud Swatch group for the interest (and queues) it has generated. As said its a nice watch BUT the only question for me would I buy one if it didn't have the Omega on the dial. Maybe as they have some nice colours and if the price was cheaper, but not sure hence I don't own one.
I just think it’s a clever way for a large multi brand business to hit a price point in the market combining two of the iconic brands / products within their portfolio, to clean up in a price point and customer base they might not have had the same impact on before
I'd be on board with the educational angle if it was 30 EUR instead of 300 EUR.
As someone who doesn’t spend a lot on watches, because I can’t not because I wont — I look beyond the opinions and see what suits me. It’s the most satisfaction derived per dollar for me. If the dial, strap etc suit me then no questions asked it’s something I want to put on my wrist. Don’t care about the brand, the heritage, the snobbery, the perception. It’s what the watch makes me—complete.
When I see a moonswatch - I instantly assume the wearer also owns a Hublot (In the worst way).
What could have been an absolutely joyful little easter egg for the watch community, has become a symbol of baseless hype, profiteering and privilege.
I’m sure it has been great for Swatch and for flippers, but due to catastrophic mismanagement of supply, this comes at the expense of we, the watch enthusiast community.
It’s left such a bitter taste in my mouth, I couldn’t bring myself to buy one at retail.
I think the moonswatch itself is ok but what I not entirely sure about is the association with omega, its nothing like an omega but thousands of people who got one probably figured they were getting a cut price omega
I love them, absolutely love them, but I'm conscious they are toy watches. I also love Lego and Star Wars toys, Swatch's, Omega and watches in general.
For me they tick all the boxes except one. I'm in Ireland and they don't sell them here to get mine I've had no choice but to pay scalpers prices and try to pick them up when I'm traveling. I don't understand why we can't just order them online. 🤬
I was visiting Berlin for work last week, in the departures terminal there’s a Swatch shop - they had pretty much all the models available (except the grey scale ones). Maybe a cheeky Ryan air flight could bag you one for less than a scalpers profit..
Fair enough, if that’s the way it comes across. Not really what I was aiming for to be honest. Was only intended as a bit of fun and observation, not snobbery. I guess I will proof read things more thoroughly in future.
Hi James, I hope I didn’t come across as gruff or a pr**k. If so, sincere apologies. Your topic was great and I was thinking only swatch co could pull this off without tarnishing either brand’s rep. Thx and have a great weekend.
I'm trying hard not to call bullshit on self proclaimed experts clutching their pearls in horror about a fun $260 Swatch while (for example) trying to get you to drink the kool-aide about what a solid value proposition the $12K IWC Ingenieur is.
I'm very grateful when shown a watch I may not have seen before but don't tell me how to feel about it.
My take... Moonswatches are Swatch watches that commemorate planets, Moon and sun in a known case. I do like them a lot for the colors, not too bright like most swatches, can be paired with everyday clothing. I was never in My mind buying an Omega, just a cool looking watch. Here's my collection so far.
Not even close, but if it adds to the bank balance of Swatch they won't mind. It's a low cost cheaply made item - I don't quite get the association with Omega
So you’re saying this…
Looks nothing like this
Even just a little? Nope? Alright
So you’re saying this…
Looks nothing like this
Even just a little? Nope? Alright
If you are uneducated in watches you probably won't know the difference, I can't help but think people buying moon Swatches feel duped somewhat but then again it could be a stepping stone to getting an actual Omega in which case it probably was a masterstroke by omega doing a collaboration with Swatch
RM it's a plastic thing too, and the steel used on every watch it's word a few bucks too. A lot of people don't get it, like it or not, this is a Omega and a Swatch, watch.
The only part of the MoonSwatch that is Omega Is the Omega logo on the dial. The connection ends there. Swatch OWNS the Omega brand and is free to whore it out as they see fit. Don't fool yourself into thinking this plastic "happy meal" watch is in any way connected to Omega
I went through the full spectrum of emotion with these.
When they were first announced I was unbelievably excited. I'm a Speedy owner and I always keep a Swatch in my collection because it was the first watch I ever remember wanting as a kid (and I never got). It was like it was made just for me.
After the launch and all of the associated hype and hate, it really turned me off from it and I lost all interest. A few weeks ago a friend sent me a picture from a boutique and said some colors were in-stock, including the one I want, and asked if he should grab it. I said no, still on my "I'm over it" kick, but I haven't stopped thinking about it since. I'm now fully back in on it and I want one badly.
I will say though, I think the majority of my interest in it revolves around a single model, Mission to Mars, because of the nod to the Alaska Project.
I appreciate your points. I own expensive watches but was delighted to get a Moonswatch (I happened to walk past the store ten minutes after they arrived, so no queue). I have a watch that legitimately bears the words Omega and Speedmaster! I thought.
All they had to do was just make them a little better, and everyone would have been super happy.
But after the "crystal" got scratched by its own cardboard box, I thought: FFS 🫣
I was visiting Berlin for work last week, in the departures terminal there’s a Swatch shop - they had pretty much all the models available (except the grey scale ones). Maybe a cheeky Ryan air flight could bag you one for less than a scalpers profit..
Thanks, sounds like as good a reason as any for a history trip to see the Berlin wall.🙏
I have a Jupiter and like it. However, it does look like a toy and fragile
My sister (non-watch person) texted me that she was at a Swatch store. I immediately asked her if they had the Moon Swatch and she asked the rep while on the phone with me, though she sounded very confused while asking the rep. The rep then showed her all the different colored Moonswatches available, and she fell in love and picked up a couple for herself (plus my Mission to the Moon.) Now she's thinking of getting an Omega and she and her husband now talk watches with me on a regular basis when beforehand they'd never even knew about the hobby.
TLDR: Say what you want about Moonswatch, but it's a great way to get non-watch people a foot in the door. It also gives us watch people a chance to own another fun, lightweight piece.
Thanks, sounds like as good a reason as any for a history trip to see the Berlin wall.🙏
I lived there for a while - but I'd forgotten how fun and interesting Berlin is. A great weekender.
Can’t believe this still generates such ire!
I think it’s a win for Swatch to remain controversial and discussed. No thanks for me, but no shade for the proud owners 👍
Lol, good post. I own a Moonswatch, and agree with you that it’s misunderstood, and yes, it’s a great gateway into watches. But I def know I’m not wearing a Speedmaster, bc I lowkey don’t even like chronographs, but I did this bc of the hype. I actually called my bro in Amman, Jordan bc he was visiting and I knew he was close to the Swatch store and told him which models to get (this wasn’t one of them) and that if they didn’t have any of those, just grab me whatever. AND…he didn’t even accept my money. It’s decent. I’ve probably only worn it in public twice, three times max. And now I can’t sell it bc it was a gift 🤣