Watch from Swatch
Is the hype coming back? New Moonswatch offers previously unknown watch function
The hype has died down, but Swatch continues to rely on the Moonswatch – the “cheap” counterpart to the Omega Speedmaster. A function that didn’t exist before is supposed to be convincing.
It’s not often that a new complication is introduced in the watch world. Actually, most of the additional functions apart from the pure time display have been around for a very long time. With a new Moonswatch, Swatch is now making one of the rare exceptions.
Presumably in order to stimulate the waning hype surrounding the world-famous watches, the company once again presented a fresh model with the “Mission to Earthphase”. This is not intended to attract interested parties with a special color, a strict limitation or special hands, but rather with a unique complication.
The only clock with an earth phase
In addition to the moon phase display, which was already installed in a watch by Patek Philippe in 1925, the new Moonswatch has a so-called earth phase display. This shows how the Earth can be seen from the Moon at any given time. The display follows a simple pattern, because ultimately the visibility of both celestial bodies always runs in the opposite direction: When the moon is full, the moon is “new earth”, and when the moon is new, the moon is “full earth”.
Swatch underlines the proximity to the moon in this model with further details, such as a grainy gray texture on the dial, which is intended to be reminiscent of the lunar surface. On the back of the watch there is also an image of the earth’s satellite with Neil Armstrong’s footprint.
The rest of the new Moonswatch is identical to the previous models. The case diameter is still 42 millimeters, and Swatch continues to use so-called Bioceramic as the material, basically a refined plastic. Despite the higher price, the watch still works with a quartz movement.
The watch will be available from November 2nd in “selected Swatch stores,” writes the company. The price is even higher than the conventional Moonswatch and is 330 euros.
Moonswatch still not available online
Contrary to what was hoped, Swatch has not yet adjusted its sales strategy. The watch is still not available in the company’s online shop, and although there are no longer any queues in front of the stores, which would be a great way to indicate the popularity of the products.
About a month ago, this oft-criticized decision finally seemed to be moving – as selected models can now be ordered to your home in the USA and China. When “” reported on this in mid-September, the magazine asked whether this was also good news for Germany. So far, Swatch has not responded – and the new model is only available in eleven stores in Germany.
This may not be a problem for city dwellers, as Swatch is represented in almost every metropolis. But if you look at the location map, there is a gigantic gap between Berlin, Hanover and Munich from which people would have to travel very far to be able to buy a watch.
This is probably also the reason why the announcement of the “Mission to Earthphase” on social media is accompanied by countless questions as to why the watch is not available to buy in online shops again. In conversation with the star Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek tried to explain his intentions – but that is unlikely to be of any consolation to interested parties outside the store cities.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
