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Swatch x omega moonswatch mission to saturn on wrist

Swatch x OMEGA MoonSwatch Review: Honest Thoughts After Buying One


The Swatch x OMEGA MoonSwatch transcends niches, divides watch lovers, and causes arguments on the internet, but now it’s easier to buy than ever before. At launch, it caused a fuss across Australia. Further limited editions led to long queues at the Swatch boutique in Sydney CBD this year. However, the mainline of MoonSwatches (particularly those with colour) are easier to buy than ever. So I went ahead and bought my long-time favourite MoonSwatch, the Mission to Saturn.

And before you even hit me with “great another MoonSwatch article, they’re so 2022”. Our data shows that the Swatch x OMEGA ‘MoonSwatch’ is still the most talked about watch on the planet, so I’m here to share my thoughts after paying the full price of $395 AUD.

RELATED: We went hands-on with the full range of MoonSwatches last year, these were our favourites.

Swatch x omega moonswatch what you get in the box
Here’s what you get in the box with your Swatch x OMEGA MoonSwatch | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many

Why I Bought a Swatch x OMEGA MoonSwatch

I was sitting at a Korean Fried Chicken joint in Sydney CBD on a cold Saturday afternoon when a burning sensation hit my right pant pocket. That awful feeling watch people get when they get a sudden urge to go buy another stupid thing that tells the time the same way as a mobile phone. I quickly reminded myself that this is the exact reason why Aussie millennials are stuck in a rental cycle, before walking over to the Swatch store to see if they had any MoonSwatches in stock. Tickle me pink, they did.

I’m too impulsive of a human being to turn away. The lovely people at the Swatch Store in Sydney brought out the MoonSwatches on a little tray for my partner and I to look at, but my heart was set on the Mission to Saturn. Her eye was on the Mission to Venus with the reflective sub-dials and shorter strap to fit her wrist.

Priced at $395 AUD, it’s not a cheap quartz Swatch. But it’s a watch I’ve had my eye on ever since I first covered the release back in March of 2022. I think it best sums up the energy behind the entire collection, it’s fun, it’s not trying too hard to be a real Speedmaster Moonwatch, and the Saturn sub-dial speaks to the galactic nature of the range better than any other. The colours are perfect and they encourage you to work harder on your specific outfit choice when wearing the watch. Again, it’s not trying to be a $10,000 watch.

Swatch x omega moonswatch mission to saturn detailing on strap 2
The strap is a Velcro type so it feels quite bulky the first time you put it on. | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many

How Does the MoonSwatch Feel On the Wrist?

The first thing you’ll notice when you hold the MoonSwatch is the weight of the BioCeramic case. I’m going to be honest, it doesn’t feel anywhere near the price you pay for it. In a vacuum you can get better watches for $400, I’m wearing one as I write this very review, but you have to realise it’s the look that you’re paying for when you buy a MoonSwatch. And it does look awesome.

On the wrist, the strap is a Velcro type so it feels quite bulky the first time you put it on before it eventually moulds to the shape of your wrist. Hilariously, the store assistant didn’t want my partner to “bend the strap” when she tried the watch on her wrist. Newsflash, it’s Velcro.

I’ll further note that it doesn’t fit particularly well under suit jackets as the strap doubles over to be secured down, but my plan is to swap it out for a Horus strap in the near future. The case back is smooth, rounded, and comfortable. And while the weight doesn’t lend itself to a feeling of ‘quality’ it is very comfortable for daily wear. Some of my friends use their MoonSwatches for tennis and sport, and I can see why.

Swatch x omega moonswatch close up on bezel and pushers
A closer look at those pushers and co-branded detailing on the crown. | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many

Does the MoonSwatch Function Well?

It’s a battery-powered quartz Swatch under the skin with an ETA movement so you’d expect it to last a lifetime. The pushers for the chronograph feel sturdy, and the hands on the sub-dial don’t bounce around, but you’re never going to impress anyone with the notchy sweeping of the second hand. Most of all, you won’t want to sleep next to it as it’s a very loud watch. Does it tell the time? Yes.

Swatch x omega moonswatch review
Swatch x OMEGA MoonSwatch out of the box | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many

Should You Buy the Swatch x OMEGA MoonSwatch?

The MoonSwatch is getting easier and easier to acquire. I walked into the Sydney boutique (no line) and bought the watch within five minutes of walking in the door. At the time they didn’t have the two OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch look-a-likes in stock, being the Mission to the Moon and Mission to Mercury.

Speaking of the real thing, outside of the looks, the MoonSwatch has nothing substantially in common with the real-deal OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch. And that’s OK because we’re talking about one of the nerdiest and most respected watches of all time. When you talk about ‘watch collecting’ and general ‘nerdery’, Speedmaster people are on another level, and the MoonSwatch isn’t here trying to please them. I think that’s for the better because the end result is a fun collection of watches that looks great and tell the time.

As the secondary market for the MoonSwatch dies off and stock levels increase, more and more people will be able to get their hands on a MoonSwatch. You absolutely should buy one if you like the way they look, and that was a good enough reason for me.

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Swatch x omega moonswatch strap protrudes
Here’s a closer look at that chunky strap, not great for going under jackets. | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
Swatch x omega moonswatch mission to saturn detailing on strap
The only thing holding me back from replacing the strap, how good does that Speedmaster logo look? | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many
Swatch x omega moonswatch mission to saturn detailing on strap 2
A nice touch with the OMEGA branding on the side facing the wearer. | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many

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