The Most Exclusive MoonSwatch: The New Mission To The Moon 1969

Swatch did it again! A new MoonSwatch just debuted at the same time (09:32 AM EDT / 15:32 CEST) as the Saturn V rocket from the Apollo 11 mission lifted off in 1969. Swatch has a good feel for historical relevance and released yet another cool MoonSwatch variation, the Mission To The Moon 1969.

Mission To The Moon 1969

The MoonSwatch launch in 2022 was probably the watch industry’s most brilliant move of the year. Swatch built on that success with several MoonSwatch variations in the years that followed. The concept became a huge success. In my view, it also introduced many new people to the world of watch enthusiasm. I see MoonSwatches everywhere I go. Whether I’m shopping in the city, on the golf course, or traveling by plane, I spot them on the wrists of people of all ages. Swatch’s Royal Pop collaboration with Audemars Piguet only recently debuted. Now, the brand is back with a new MoonSwatch, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

2019 Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary in Moonshine Gold

Moonshine Gold

It is no secret that the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 in Moonshine Gold is my absolute grail watch. I bought mine in 2019, and it has been, without a doubt, the most frequently worn watch in my collection since. This new MoonSwatch Mission To The Moon 1969 (reference SSX01B700) draws inspiration from the Speedmaster Professional “Tribute to Astronauts” from 1969 and its 50th-anniversary edition from 2019. The dial is made of Omega’s proprietary Moonshine Gold alloy, giving it a slightly paler appearance than regular yellow gold.

1969 gold price applied

But here’s the cool thing! To create the Moonshine Gold alloy for the MoonSwatch Mission To The Moon 1969 edition, Swatch used actual gold from Omega spare parts. Swatch used its in-house foundry to recycle it into 18K Moonshine Gold. In total, this new MoonSwatch contains 11 grams of this alloy. To complete the story, Swatch will use the cost of 11 grams of gold in 1969 (CHF 48, approx. US$11 at the time) for this new watch. It results in a retail price of CHF 500 for this MoonSwatch. Today’s gold price for one gram of 18K gold is approx. €75.

The Mission To The Moon 1969 packs in the details

Swatch didn’t stop at giving the dial and hands the Moonshine Gold treatment. The brand also crafted the crown and pushers from 18K Moonshine Gold. The Bioceramic case and bezel frame a gold-printed tachymeter scale, while an antireflective coating gives the bezel a polished appearance. As on the 2019 Speedmaster Apollo 11 Moonshine Gold, the watch uses the same distinctive handset, combining black-filled gold hour and minute hands with a black central chronograph seconds hand.

Swatch also finished the sub-dial hands in black and engraved the dial with the Au750 gold hallmark. One of my favorite details on my Speedmaster Apollo 11 Moonshine Gold is its vertically brushed dial, and I’m pleased to see Swatch carry that same finish over to the Mission To The Moon 1969.

Uniquely numbered

On the left side of the case, you will find each watch’s unique number (x/1969), just as Omega did with the Speedmaster Apollo 11 editions in 1994, for example. This is a very nice touch! On the case back, the battery cover features a beautiful gold Moon. It also displays the date of the lunar landing, with “Mission To The Moon” printed in gold below. Like Omega’s Speedmaster Moonphase models with their photorealistic Moon, the golden Moon on the battery cover includes the footprint of an astronaut’s boot. The Mission To The Moon 1969 packs in historical references and thoughtful details. MoonSwatch and Speedmaster enthusiasts alike will appreciate them.

This Mission To The Moon 1969 comes with a black rubber strap, which I find slightly more comfortable than the Swatch Velcro straps. You will find the Swatch, Omega, and MoonSwatch logos printed in gold on it. The rubber strap also has a gold lining.

Otherwise, this new Swatch MoonSwatch shares the same dimensions and movement specifications as the previous models (without earthrise/moonphase complications).

Fill out an ESTA form

This time, Swatch decided to make the MoonSwatch Mission To The Moon a limited edition of 1,969 pieces. And let me tell you, it won’t be easy to get one! Visit the Swatch website and complete an ESTA form to get your hands on this Apollo 11-themed Moonshine Gold model. In this case, “ESTA” stands for Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application. However, frequent travelers know how to fill one out! It is very similar to the form used when traveling to the USA, and you’ll need to answer 32 questions. Based on the completed application form, only 1,969 people will receive Swatch’s ESTA approval to buy this MoonSwatch Mission To The Moon.

Swatch will make the ESTA form available from July 16th at 15:32 CEST until July 21st at 23:59 CEST. Submit your application during that period to be eligible. The 1969 selected participants will receive follow-up instructions on completing the purchase and picking up their watch from a Swatch boutique.

What are you still doing here? Head over to the Swatch website and fill out that form. Fingers crossed! The retail price of this new MoonSwatch is CHF 500 / €600.

Let us know what you think about this latest MoonSwatch creation in the comments below.