Swatch is giving the MoonSwatch its most substantial dose of precious metal yet. The Mission to the Moon 1969 combines a matte-black Bioceramic case with 11 grams of Omega’s proprietary 18K Moonshine Gold, produced by melting down spare Omega components dating from 1969.
The gold forms the vertically brushed dial, hour and minute hands, crown, and chronograph pushers. Its weight references Apollo 11, while the source material connects the watch directly to the year of the first Moon landing. Gold-beveled hour markers with black lacquer, period-correct Omega typography, recessed subdials, and a gold-colored tachymeter scale further reference the commemorative gold Speedmasters presented to NASA astronauts following the Apollo 11 mission.
The familiar MoonSwatch platform remains underneath. A 42mm black Bioceramic case measures 13.25mm thick and houses a quartz chronograph movement, with water resistance rated to 3 bar. A box-shaped biosourced crystal covers the dial, while a black rubber strap uses a Velcro closure and gold-colored, lunar-textured lining. Each case is individually numbered.
Production is limited to 1,969 pieces worldwide, but purchasing one requires more than arriving early at a store. Applicants must complete Swatch’s Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application, or ESTA, between July 16 and July 21 at 11:59 p.m. CEST. Questions must be completed within two hours and 15 minutes, matching the time Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin spent exploring the lunar surface.
An internal jury will select 1,969 applicants who answer correctly. Approved buyers must collect the watch in person from their selected Swatch store within 32 days. The Mission to the Moon 1969 is priced at $570.
