By now, we’ve seen MoonSwatches in every colour, tribute, and marketing format imaginable—from glow-in-the-dark Mission to Neptune drops to once-a-month Moonshine editions that have turned store queues into street theatre. After the charming but divisive Moonphase Snoopy release last year, the 2025 question was simple: where could this go next?

Apparently, everywhere. All at once. The new Mission to Earthphase – Moonshine Gold might be the most maximalist MoonSwatch yet. Not just a new colourway or a cartoon gimmick, but a full-blown feature drop that crams two complications, gold accents, UV secrets, a revamped strap, and a truckload of thematic ambition into a 42mm Bioceramic case. It’s either the peak of the project or the beginning of its end—depending on how tired you are of standing in line.

Specs and Space Nostalgia

Let’s talk numbers. The case remains classic MoonSwatch territory: 42.00 mm across, 13.75 mm thick, and 47.30 mm lug-to-lug—mimicking the silhouette of the original Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. Made from Swatch’s proprietary Bioceramic blend (two-thirds ceramic, one-third biosourced castor oil), it debuts in a new deep navy blue meant to evoke “the endless depths of space.” It’s still quartz-powered, with a chronograph (seconds only), 3-bar water resistance, and Swatch’s box-shaped biosourced crystal topped with the tiny “S” engraving.

But the standout is the twin complication setup. At 2 o’clock, you get a moon phase disc showing two full moons—both dipped in Omega’s proprietary Moonshine™ Gold alloy. One moon features a paw print in tribute to Snoopy’s continued reign; the other is wrapped in a net, referencing the August Sturgeon Moon. Opposite that, the earth phase complication tracks Earth as seen from the Moon, moving in reverse—a playful riff on retrograde functions in haute horology. UV ink brings further surprises: a glowing speech bubble under the Earthphase illustration reads “I beat everybody…,” a quote from Snoopy’s imaginary race to the Moon.

A Strap That Finally Gets It

Swatch has finally delivered what many of us have been begging for since the first MoonSwatch launch: a proper rubber strap. Gone is the stiff, scratchy velcro of old; in comes a new navy VELCRO® rubber strap that’s softer on the wrist and—let’s be honest—just makes more sense on a watch with chronograph ambitions. It still keeps the space-race cosplay alive with a Bioceramic loop and Velcro fastener, but now feels wearable beyond the novelty hour.

Other upgrades include Super-LumiNova® (green emission) on the hour markers, hands, and seconds tip. The Earth’s oceans and certain illustration elements are also UV-reactive, giving the whole dial a multi-layered feel depending on light conditions. The battery cover continues the cosmic theme with an Earth-inspired engraving, and the watch’s mission statement is etched into the caseback.

Release Fatigue Is Real—But So Is the Watch’s Charm

There’s no doubt the MoonSwatch has become a bloated franchise. We’ve reached a point where the drops are more about marketing choreography than horological surprise. But this one’s different. The Mission to Earthphase – Moonshine Goldisn’t just another case colour or holiday tie-in—it’s Swatch’s most ambitious attempt yet to offer storytelling, technical flair, and wearability in one affordable, lightweight package. It retails for $400 (₹35,130), drops August 9th (on the full moon, of course), and is limited to one per person at select stores worldwide. 

Is it over the top? Absolutely. But it’s also the first MoonSwatch since the original drop that feels like it’s trying something new—not just reshuffling the cards. The Earthphase complication is both poetic and clever, and while I’ve never been much of a Snoopy guy, I get why collectors go rabid over this stuff. There’s a heritage to it, even in plastic. That said, I still think it’s time Swatch looks to the stars beyond this planetary system. Imagine a MoonSwatch series inspired by Mars’ twin moons—Phobos and Deimos—or any of the Greek myths attached to so many of the solar system's nomenclature. Something stranger, more esoteric. The MoonSwatch universe could use a bit of that weird back. Until then, this one’s worth a look. If you can get your hands on it.