Swatch has announced the "MISSION TO THE MOON 1969," a new Omega x Swatch model commemorating the first human landing on the moon on July 21, 1969. This special timepiece uses 18K Moonshine Gold, repurposed from spare parts Omega used at the time, and will be sold in a limited edition of only 1969 pieces worldwide at a price reflecting the gold market value at that time.
Made with 18K gold material that reuses parts from that era, and priced based on the gold market price in 1969.
Swatch unveiled "MISSION TO THE MOON 1969" as a new addition to its "Moonswatch" collection, a collaboration with Omega.
Quartz movement. Bioceramic case (42.00mm diameter, 13.25mm thickness). 3 ATM water resistance. Limited edition of 1969 pieces worldwide. 102,300 yen (tax included).
The inspiration for this timepiece comes from the 18K yellow gold Speedmaster created to commemorate the successful Apollo 11 mission on July 21, 1969. The gold dial features a vertical satin finish from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock, and the hands, crown, pushers, and gold-colored tachymeter scale are all made of the same material, creating a striking contrast with the black bioceramic case.
The battery cover on the case back features a gold-colored moon that harmonizes with the dial, along with the date July 21, 1969, commemorating the first human landing on the moon. The moon design depicts the Sea of Tranquility, the landing site of Apollo 11, and also includes a motif of footprints reminiscent of Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon.
What is particularly noteworthy about this watch is that the gold material used for the dial, hands, crown, and pushers is made from spare parts that were used by Omega at the time. These spare parts were melted down at Swatch's foundry and reborn as Omega's unique 18K Moonshine Gold, reminiscent of moonlight, and used again as components in this watch.
Furthermore, the pricing is also a noteworthy point. In 1969, the price of 18-karat gold was 1 US dollar per gram, and the total amount of 18-karat gold used in this piece, converted at the exchange rate at the time (1 US dollar = 4.31 Swiss francs), comes to approximately 48 Swiss francs. This piece is priced based on this gold market price and is being sold at a remarkably low price of 500 Swiss francs (102,300 yen including tax), compared to the current gold market price.
Furthermore, a unique online lottery system called "ESTA (Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application)" was used for the sale of this product. Modeled after the US Electronic Travel Authorization System "ESTA," it was a very unique system in which applicants had to answer 32 questions to apply, and more than 1 million applications were received between July 16th and 21st. The results were announced on July 27th, 2026, and only 1969 people who passed this rigorous "entry screening" were granted the right to purchase the watch.
