MoonSwatch Mania Continues as Swatch and OMEGA Return with a New Mission To Earthphase Variant

‘Saga’ in the world of luxury watches often refers to the storytelling, heritage, or history behind a watch brand or collection. It can greatly enhance a timepiece’s prestige, appeal, and perceived value. In other words, storytelling turns luxury watches into more than just timekeeping instruments; it makes them symbols of tradition and passion. Furthermore, in a competitive market, a strong narrative sets a brand apart. If we look at top-rated luxury timepiece models, the saga of MoonSwatch continues to hold watch buffs in thrall. After releasing its Mission to the Super Blue Moonphase (Ref. SO33N700) this year, Swatch has announced a new model within the highly successful MoonSwatch collection. The newly unveiled Mission To Earthphase (Ref. SO33M700) is a non-limited edition timepiece. 

The moonphase describes the Moon's appearance from the Earth. The earthphase depicts how the Earth appears when viewed from the Moon. An earthphase lasts 29.5 days, just like a moonphase. However, the cycles are inversely connected. A Full Moon signals a New Earth. When there is a New Moon, we have a Full Earth. The Earth's phase is opposite of the Moon's, turning anticlockwise. This is a poetic interpretation of the retrograde function seen in certain high-end watches.

The latest 42 mm Swatch x OMEGA timepiece’s case, crown, and pushers are made of light grey Bioceramic, a unique mix of two thirds ceramic and one third biosourced materials produced from castor oil. The Bioceramic bezel features a 500 km/hr black tachymeter scale and light grey markers. The watch also has a chronograph function. The grainy grey dial comes with the OMEGA X Swatch logo at 12 o’clock, the Speedmaster logo at 8:30, and the MoonSwatch logo at 3:30. 

For the first time in watchmaking history, a brand has presented a horological model with an earthphase. Never before have these two poetic complications been combined in the same watch. Just like the Bioceramic MoonSwatch Mission To Moonphase watches, the Mission To Earthphase variant sports a moonphase on the subdial at 2 o’clock. The celestial body changes based on its cycles, which can be observed using the two-Moon disc and mask (northern and southern hemispheres). 

As for the earthphase, the dial at 10 o’clock helps wearers admire the movements of our planet as seen from the Moon. The patented earthphase is coloured to pay tribute to the diversity and beauty of the blue planet. Clouds are also visible, along with the contrast between oceans, forests, and deserts. Adding an otherworldly touch, the oceans are coated with UV ink (blue emission), visible only in UV light.

The craters on the moon have been recreated using digital printing. The watch’s dial also features a unique graining that resembles lunar dust, further enhancing its resemblance to the Moon. The subdials, hands, and hour markers are coated with Grade A Super-LumiNova® (green emission). The coloured earthphase indicator and moonphase indicator with oversized moons are coated with Super-LumiNova® (white emission) as well, along with a grey mask.

The hour, minute, and the tip of the chronograph seconds hand with light grey Grade A Super-LumiNova® have green emissions; the grey tone can also be found on the 60-minute subdial at 6 o’clock that gets spiral finishing. Powering the watch is a quartz movement. Turning the watch over showcases the closed caseback. The Moon appears on the battery cover, bearing the footprint of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Earth’s satellite. The watch is finished on a black VELCRO® strap with contrasting light grey top stitching and a Bioceramic loop.