Switzerland: Two years after the launch of the OMEGA X SWATCH collaboration, a new non-limited watch has been added to this collection. For the first time in its history, Swatch has combined a moon phase with a chronograph.
Just like the eleven Bioceramic MoonSwatch models, which depict the planets, and the eleven Mission to Moonshine Gold models, this new watch is equipped with the chronograph function, while also featuring a moon phase function. Hence its name Full Moon and its all-white colour.
The Bioceramic MoonSwatch ‘Mission to the Moonphase’ is a new nod to the OMEGA brand, with Snoopy on the moon phase disc, lying on the moon, which moves in the sub-dial at 2 o’clock. On the model’s moon phase mask and disc, a hidden quote from Snoopy’s comic strip is nestled amid crescent moons and stars, which can be seen under UV light.
Like all the models of the OMEGA X SWATCH collaboration, the Bioceramic MoonSwatch ‘Mission to the Moonphase’ is made from the brand’s patented Bioceramic, a mix of two-thirds ceramic and one-third bio-sourced materials produced from castor oil.
Main features
All of the main features of the original Speedmaster Moonwatch, the first watch to go to the moon, can be found on the Bioceramic MoonSwatch ‘Mission to the Moonphase’: the asymmetrical case, the famous tachymeter-scaled bezel with the dot over the 90 and the typical Speedmaster subdials.
The watch features its mission statement on the case back, and the OMEGA X SWATCH logos on the dial and crown. A moon inspired by the world of Snoopy can be seen on the battery cover. A spacesuit-ready VELCRO© strap adds that final touch of astronaut chic.
• Case diameter: 42.00 mm
• Case thickness: 13.75 mm
• Lug-to-lug distance: 47.30 mm
• Quartz movement: chronograph with moon phase indicator
• Water resistance: 3 bar
• Glass: box-shaped, made of bio-sourced material and treated with an anti-scratch coating; featuring an etched “S” in the centre referencing the Swatch logo
• Dial: white, featuring the OMEGA X Swatch logo and the iconic Speedmaster and MoonSwatch logos; recessed subdials and hour markers with Grade A Super-LumiNova® (green emission). Moon phase indicator with white mask and moon phase disc featuring Snoopy, NASA’s mascot, and Woodstock lying on the moon. Secret detail in UV ink (blue emission) featuring the famous quote from Snoopy’s comic strip, crescent moon, and stars. Hands: hours, minutes, and tip of the chronograph seconds hands with Grade A Super-LumiNova®
• Bezel: white tachymeter-scaled Bioceramic bezel with black markers
• Strap: white VELCRO© strap, attachment loop in white Bioceramic
Silver Snoopy
Snoopy has been NASA’s mascot since the 1960s. In fact, the Silver Snoopy Award is the most prestigious honour the US space agency awards to individuals and organisations for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success. This prize was awarded to OMEGA in 1970 for its role in the history of space exploration, including its essential contribution to bringing the crew of Apollo 13 back home safe and sound.
In 1970, an exploding oxygen tank during the Apollo 13 mission placed the astronauts’ lives in danger. One of the many challenges the crew had to face was timing the 14-second launch time that would allow them to get back to Earth. Luckily, they had an OMEGA chronograph watch, the Speedmaster Moonwatch, to get the job done.
Not only that, but in May of 1969, the Apollo 10 mission, which was tasked with carrying out the initial sweep before an attempted moon landing, had to skim the surface of the moon and ‘snoop around’ to identify the Apollo 11 landing site. As a result, the lunar module was christened Snoopy. Ever since then, the Snoopy emblem is considered a lucky charm among astronauts.
It is available from March 26, only in selected Swatch stores. As with the whole Bioceramic MoonSwatch Collection, only one watch can be purchased per person, per day and per Swatch store.
