Swiss powerhouse Swatch has embarked on their latest mission to the moon! This time, there’s a twist – and a special someone will be absent from the dial.
Swatch’s notoriety in the watch world has exploded as of late. These days, opinions are a little divisive, but I say that those who despise their reputation aren’t seeing the big picture: Swatch is as big as they are because they know how to play the game.
They knew it when the Quartz Crisis came around, with many proclaiming them as the ‘saviours’ of the Swiss watch industry, and they still know it now. Yes, the level of craftsmanship between other brands and Swatch is drastically different, but any watch brand would kill to have those lines wrapping around their stores.
So, as part of their MoonSwatch collection alongside Omega, Swatch is releasing yet another piece in their Mission to the Moonphase collection. As stated before, though, there’s a twist – this watch will only be available from August 1 to August 19.
Why, you may ask? Well, it’s because this latest MoonSwatch Mission is titled the ‘Super Blue Moonphase,’ encased in blue Bioceramic as such. This is not just a tribute to summer (for the Northern Hemisphere, anyway), but also because August 19 marks the appearance of a seasonal blue moon.
While not necessarily a blue colour, a seasonal blue moon marks the third time in a season that a full moon is in the sky. While this may not sound extremely rare, remember that a lunar cycle is every 29.5 days, which means it doesn’t sync with the Gregorian calendar most of the world uses.
Thus, most seasons only have three full moons. But if the third full moon appears within the span of another 29.5 days, it’s usually called a blue moon – an outlier – to keep the traditional names of the other full moons in place. If that all sounds confusing, don’t worry! Just know that blue moons are extremely rare, with the next blue moon not scheduled until May 31, 2026.
The absence of cartoon dog Snoopy is evident but not heartbreaking, as the Mission to the Super Blue Moonphase permits the celebration of a cosmic rarity. The white dial features blue accents and chronograph registers, save for the 2 o’clock register being replaced with a multi-shade double blue moonphase complication, painted with luminescent ink.
Swatch has also replaced the tachymeter of the original design with a pulsometer, which allows users to calculate their heart rate based on 30 pulsations – arguably more practical than the standard alternative. Finally, the astronaut chic is complete thanks to the integration of a colour-matched VELCRO® strap, allowing for ideal adjustments with a touch of whimsy.
Final Thoughts
While some may think that it’s overdone, I believe that this new Swatch release proves that there’s still plenty more left in the tank for the brand. Always at the forefront of zany, wild, and wacky designs, Swatch’s Mission to the Super Blue Moonphase is yet another piece in their growing arsenal that’s bound to turn heads.
The luminescent blue moonphase, alongside its illuminated dial text, marks a fun way to celebrate both the pinnacle of humanity’s adventurous spirit and the wonders of astrology, accessible to everyone! Well, not everyone – Here in Australia, this will only be available from the Pitt Street Swatch store in Sydney Collins Street Swatch store in Melbourne, and you can bet your bottom dollar that people will be lining up for this one. After all, a release like this only happens once in a blue moon…
Reference: SO33N700
Specifications
- Case: 42mm case diameter x 47.3mm lug-to-lug x 13.75mm thickness
- Case Material: Blue Bioceramic
- Dial: White with blue accents
- Water resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: Quartz
- Complications: Chronograph, moonphase
- Bracelet: Blue VELCRO® strap
