The Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch collection has sold out. Photo: Swatch X Omega
The Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch collection has sold out. Photo: Swatch X Omega
The Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch collection has sold out. Photo: Swatch X Omega
The Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch collection has sold out. Photo: Swatch X Omega

What is the Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch collection and why is it such a big deal?


  • English
  • Arabic

Watchmakers Omega and Swatch joined forces to launch the Swatch X Omega Bioceramic MoonSwatch collection, and although only released on March 26, it has already completely sold out.

Priced at Dh960, the new collection, containing 11 different timepieces, was inspired by the US Apollo space programme of the 1960s and '70s, and was conceived as a homage to the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, the first watch worn by astronauts on missions to the moon.

Now, rethought and reimagined in conjunction with Swatch, the high street watch company, the new MoonSwatch collection is made from bioceramic, a material originally developed for space travel, that mixes two parts zirconium dioxide ceramic with one part bio-derived plastic, usually from bio-based castor oil. It is now used across a variety of industrial and medical processes, including bonding broken bones.

Swatch X Omega 'Mission to the Moon' watch. Photo: Swatch Group
Swatch X Omega 'Mission to the Moon' watch. Photo: Swatch Group

Each watch is named after a different planet in our solar system, carries the moniker “Mission to_” etched on the caseback, and nods to its namesake with colouring.

The Mercury watch, for example, is described as being a "tribute to the fast-moving winged messenger in deep grey,” while the Earth timepiece comes in blue and green, with the lugs in a mint tone, and the Velcro strap in navy blue. The full set of watches are the Sun, Earth, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, Pluto and Neptune, and shift in colour from yellow (the sun) to a punchy red for Mars.

Of the 11, the Moonwatch is perhaps the closest to the space-race original, with a 42-millimetre case, steel grey finish and a black Velcro strap. Like the original, it has a hidden S for Speedmaster in the centre of the crystal glass.

All the watches have the hallmarks of the Apollo mission original, such as the white hands and subdials, the tachymeter scale, and the Omega signature “dot over 90” on the tachymeter bezel, and each watch has an image of its star or planet on the back, with the words "Reach for the Planets, Enjoy the Mission, Dream Big, Fly Higher, Explore the Universe" etched around the caseback.

The Swiss X Omega Bioceramic Moonswatch collection in a commemorative case, in Zurich, Switzerland. Reuters
The Swiss X Omega Bioceramic Moonswatch collection in a commemorative case, in Zurich, Switzerland. Reuters

Conceived as an entry point for those interested in both space exploration and timepieces, the Dh960 price is a snip compared to the Omega that inspired it. Today, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch starts at roughly Dh24,000, while the online portal Farfetch, for example, has an unworn Speedmaster Moonwatch Anniversary Series "Silver Snoopy Award" 42mm, for Dh139,717.

This collection marks the latest of a new trend of high/low collaborations, in which Dior joined forces with Nike on Air Force 1 trainers, Supreme tied up with Louis Vuitton on a line of clothes and accessories, and Balenciaga released a capsule collection under Yeezy Gap.

As stable mates — both Omega and Swatch are owned by the immense Swatch Group conglomerate — this new teaming makes sense, as it will draw in a new audience, while stirring up all-important social media traction. In an industry governed by strict protocols and guidelines, this unveiling is a daring new direction.

Launched on March 26, the collection was available to buy only at Swatch stores in Mall of the Emirates and The Dubai Mall, but has already sold out. Such was the hype around this launch, shoppers were camping out in front of the Dubai stores, as well as around the world. In the UK, the London store had to shut the doors after only 30 minutes because of dangerous overcrowding, while in Singapore and Australia, police were called to control the crowds.

In New York, there were queues around the block, an unheard of occurrence for something that isn't a limited-edition trainer.

Crowds outside a closed Swatch store in Carnaby Street, London, at the launch of the Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch. PA
Crowds outside a closed Swatch store in Carnaby Street, London, at the launch of the Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch. PA

Such is the frenzy, the watches are now popping up on resale sites for higher prices, with one spotted on eBay for $2,000 already.

In the UAE, the watches are being sold online for more than 20 times the original retail price. Hours after the launch of the MoonSwatch, the Dh950 timepieces were on sale for up to Dh20,000 on the Dubai-based online marketplace Dubizzle. Others were listed for Dh12,000 and Dh15,000.

This series is not limited edition, meaning that while shops and the official Swatch site have all sold out, that is only because the present stock has all been exhausted. More will be made, and shops will be restocked, although when is anyone's guess — perhaps not even Swatch figured everything would sell so quickly.

So unless bragging rights on having a first-round iteration is your thing, if you really want one, perhaps just sit tight and wait for them to come back into stores.

  • A seller advertises the MoonSwatch for Dh20,000 – more than 20 times the Dh950 retail price – on Dubizzle. Swatch said the range is not a special edition and that more stock would be available soon. Photo: Dubizzle
    A seller advertises the MoonSwatch for Dh20,000 – more than 20 times the Dh950 retail price – on Dubizzle. Swatch said the range is not a special edition and that more stock would be available soon. Photo: Dubizzle
  • Large queues outside The Dubai Mall’s Swatch store on Saturday morning. Photo: Vnoy Som
    Large queues outside The Dubai Mall’s Swatch store on Saturday morning. Photo: Vnoy Som
  • Many shoppers failed to get their hands on the new watch. Photo: Vnoy Som
    Many shoppers failed to get their hands on the new watch. Photo: Vnoy Som
  • A token system to manage queues appeared to have been abandoned early on. Photo: Vnoy Som
    A token system to manage queues appeared to have been abandoned early on. Photo: Vnoy Som
  • There are 11 colours in the range, including this one. Photo: Swatch
    There are 11 colours in the range, including this one. Photo: Swatch
  • Online demand has been significant since the launch was announced. Photo: Swatch
    Online demand has been significant since the launch was announced. Photo: Swatch
  • In some websites, the collaboration watch is reselling for more than Omega’s original $6,800 Speedmaster. Photo: Swatch
    In some websites, the collaboration watch is reselling for more than Omega’s original $6,800 Speedmaster. Photo: Swatch
  • There are 11 colours in the range, including this one. Photo: Swatch
    There are 11 colours in the range, including this one. Photo: Swatch
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

While you're here
MOTHER%20OF%20STRANGERS
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Suad%20Amiry%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Pantheon%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20304%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'The Sky is Everywhere'

Director:Josephine Decker

Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon

Rating:2/5

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

RESULTS

Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO

Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke

Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke

Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO

Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision

Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision

Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO

Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)

Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)

Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision

Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke

Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO

Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision

Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision

Correspondents

By Tim Murphy

(Grove Press)

UAE'S%20YOUNG%20GUNS
%3Cp%3E1%20Esha%20Oza%2C%20age%2026%2C%2079%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E2%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20age%2020%2C%2066%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E3%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20age%2021%2C%2065%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E4%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20age%2021%2C%2079%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E5%20Heena%20Hotchandani%2C%20age%2023%2C%2016%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E6%20Rinitha%20Rajith%2C%20age%2018%2C%2034%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E7%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20age%2017%2C%2053%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E8%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh%2C%20age%2017%2C%2068%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E9%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20age%2017%2C%2033%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E10%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20age%2018%2C%2033%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E11%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20age%2018%2C%2046%20matches%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS

2.30pm Jaguar I-Pace – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt)
1,600m 

Winner Namrood, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
(trainer) 

3.05pm Land Rover Defender – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
1,400m 

Winner Shadzadi, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar 

3.40pm Jaguar F-Type – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m 

Winner Tahdeed, Fernando Jara, Nicholas Bachalard 

4.15pm New Range Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m 

Winner Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly 

4.50pm Land Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 2,400m 

Winner Autumn Pride, Bernardo Pinheiro, Helal Al Alawi 

5.25pm Al Tayer Motor – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000  T) 1,000m 

Winner Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi 

6pm Jaguar F-Pace SVR – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m 

Winner Scabbard, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson  

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

Scores

New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs 

New Zealand win by 47 runs

Results

1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47

2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time

3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep   

4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo

5. Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates

7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03

9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep         

10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

Draw:

Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe

Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi

Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania

Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia

Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola

Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau

Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

 

Match info

Wolves 0

Arsenal 2 (Saka 43', Lacazette 85')

Man of the match: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)

Herc's Adventures

Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5

STAR%20WARS%20JEDI%3A%20SURVIVOR
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Respawn%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electronic%20Arts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20Playstation%205%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20X%20and%20S%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Updated: March 30, 2022, 3:06 PM