Before high watchmaking takes over the Internet as it often does during Watches & Wonders (which is just four days away!), the Moonswatch comes back for an encore performance with a blacked-out Snoopy variant — the fifth one that Omega has graced us with since 2003. The W&W '24 reference here is made even more poignant by the release date of 8th April; which means that next week, we'll be seeing Swatch stores across the world brace themselves right as Geneva crowds up for its creme de la creme. Its touching, in a way. After ruffling some feathers in the watch community last year, Swatch's bioceramic project seems to have garnered growing respect; notably from actual Speedy owners who have correctly identified the MoonSwatch as Omega's greatest marketing move in ages. The result is a laser focus on the brand, the Speedmaster and its gorgeous new updates, and a further evolved definition of what makes a good watch.
The black 'Mission to Moonphase New Moon' most certainly fits that bill, and its easy to see why. I've long been a fan of bioceramic in darker shades — while the Mission to Venus and Uranus Moonswatches had their own appeal with delicate pastel colourways, there's something sleeker, more sophisticated about their darker cousins. I'd argue that the modern and minimalist design elements typically associated with these pieces stand out a lot better with a more solid silhouette, catching light across the subtly textured case surfaces. There's a reason why the Neptune and Mercury models have been so highly-sought — not impossible to find, but certainly rarer than the rest, atleast in EU markets.
While we've already gone through what's effectively the same watch last week, here's a quick lowdown on the New Moon. The all-black colourway, evocatively named to reflect the inky depths of the new moon's night sky, is distinguished by its stark contrast of white markers and hands; I think the 'hollow' black sections also add a ton of contrast to balance out the dial. These are meticulously coated with Grade A Super-LumiNova, which casts a luminous glow in shades of green and blue. Both white and black versions feature the charming addition of Snoopy and Woodstock, depicted in a serene slumber on the moon phase complication positioned at 2 o'clock, adding a whimsical touch to the timepiece's sophisticated design.
The new MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase New Moon will be available exclusively at Swatch boutiques starting April 8 and will cost approximately $310 or Rs 26,000.
