The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch collaboration continues to generate buzz, this time with a model commemorating a pivotal year in space exploration history: 1965. This particular MoonSwatch directly references the year the Omega Speedmaster received its official flight qualification from NASA, a distinction that would forever link the Speedmaster to lunar missions.
This chronograph is constructed with a gray Bioceramic case, extending to the crown and pushers. Bioceramic, a Swatch-developed material, blends ceramic with bio-sourced plastic derived from castor oil. The result is a lightweight yet surprisingly robust material, with a unique tactile quality that's both smooth and matte. The gray hue of the Bioceramic in this model subtly evokes the look of stainless steel, lending the watch a slightly more tool-watch aesthetic. This particular model is not a limited edition.
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The dial of the MoonSwatch 1965 is a crisp white, offering excellent legibility against the gray case and black Bioceramic bezel. This bezel features a white tachymeter scale, a classic Speedmaster design element used for calculating speed over a known distance. A notable departure from standard MoonSwatch models can be found in the chronograph subdials. Located at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions are two uniquely calibrated counters. The counter at 10 o'clock is marked with the number 19 (where one would typically find 60), and the counter at 2 o'clock displays the number 65 (instead of the usual 10).
These unconventional markings directly reference the year 1965. The counter at 10 o'clock is calibrated to measure a total of 19 hours, while the counter at 2 o'clock measures 65 minutes. This adjustment gives the chronograph function a distinct character, setting it apart from typical chronograph readouts. The subdial at 6 o'clock is more conventional, displaying the number 60.
A subtle, yet compelling detail is the use of UV-reactive paint. The numbers 19, 65, and 60 on the subdials glow a distinct blue under ultraviolet light. This feature serves as a playful nod to the Speedmaster's flight qualification by NASA in 1965, 60 years ago. It adds a touch of whimsy to an otherwise historically significant tribute. Another homage to this historical achievement is the battery cover.
The battery cover, located on the caseback, also features a printed image of the Moon. This detail, though hidden during normal wear, provides a constant reminder of the watch's connection to lunar exploration and serves as an "easter egg" for the wearer.
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The strap continues the gray theme, crafted from Velcro with contrasting light gray stitching. A gray Bioceramic loop secures the strap, matching the case material and providing a cohesive look. The Velcro closure, practical and easily adjustable, further reinforces the watch's tool-watch vibe, reminiscent of the straps used by astronauts to secure their watches over bulky spacesuits.
The dimensions of the MoonSwatch 1965 are in line with the broader MoonSwatch collection. It features a 42.00 mm case diameter, a thickness of 13.25 mm, and a lug-to-lug distance of 47.30 mm. These proportions provide a substantial presence on the wrist without being overly bulky, making it suitable for a variety of wrist sizes. The strap, made from robust fabric, complements this sizing and contributes to a comfortable, secure fit.
The movement powering the MoonSwatch 1965 is a quartz chronograph, a decision consistent across the MoonSwatch line. While some purists might prefer a mechanical movement, the quartz caliber offers accuracy, reliability, and affordability, aligning with the MoonSwatch's accessible positioning. This choice also helps keep the watch relatively slim, contributing to its overall wearability.
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As with all MoonSwatch models, this watch has a water resistance of 3 bar, meaning it can withstand splashes and brief immersion in water, but it is not suitable for swimming or diving. This level of water resistance is perfectly adequate for everyday wear.
The MoonSwatch 1965 retains several design hallmarks of the broader collection, further tying it to the iconic Speedmaster lineage. The dials of every watch, is marked with the OMEGA X Swatch branding, the recognizable Speedmaster logo and the MoonSwatch logo. The box-shaped glass is constructed from a biosourced material, and a subtle, etched "S," referencing the Swatch logo, is integrated into its center. A finely detailed circular pattern adorns the dial's outer ring, framing the recessed subdials. The case construction features sharp, smooth lugs, and the entire watch exhibits the distinctive tactile quality of Bioceramic.
The watch's hands and hour markers are coated with Grade A Super-LumiNova. This luminescent material provides a bright, long-lasting green glow in low-light conditions, ensuring excellent legibility even in darkness. This practical feature further enhances the watch's tool-watch credentials and is a direct nod to the Speedmaster's original purpose as a reliable instrument for astronauts. The Omega x Swatch collaboration is to be noted, a blending of OMEGA's heritage in space exploration and Swatch's expertise.
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The back of the watch has several phrases. At the very top you can find "Dream Big", then lower on the back is "Fly Higher". Moving to the bottom of that phrase, the text says "Enjoy The Mission", which completes the circular phrase. In the middle of the back is a circle with the text "Mission To The Moon", and in the circle is a depiction of Earth's Moon.
In the broader context of horological history, the OMEGA Speedmaster's journey to becoming the "Moonwatch" is a fascinating one. In the early 1960s, during the burgeoning Space Race, NASA began searching for a reliable and robust chronograph to equip its astronauts. The agency issued a call to various watch brands, inviting them to submit their timepieces for rigorous testing. OMEGA responded with its Speedmaster model ST105.003, originally introduced in 1957. This model, along with submissions from other brands, underwent a battery of extreme trials.
These tests were designed to simulate the harsh conditions of space travel, pushing the watches to their absolute limits. They included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum environments, high G-forces, intense vibrations, and shock resistance tests. The OMEGA Speedmaster, powered by the legendary caliber 321 movement, proved its mettle, outperforming the competition in all eleven tests.
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As a result, on March 1, 1965, NASA officially declared the OMEGA Speedmaster "Flight Qualified for all Manned Space Missions." This certification solidified the Speedmaster's association with space exploration and paved the way for its historic role in the Apollo missions. The Speedmaster accompanied astronauts on all six lunar landings, earning its nickname "Moonwatch" and cementing its place as a true icon of horology. The chronograph function of the watch was used for mission-critical timing and continues to stand as a functional tool, although modern alternatives can be used.
The MoonSwatch 1965 is a commemorative piece. It is available for purchase exclusively at selected Swatch stores worldwide. Purchases are limited to one watch per person, per day, per store. The retail price of the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch 1965 is set at $270.00, maintaining the collection's position as an accessible entry point into the world of space-themed chronographs.
Case: Gray Bioceramic case, crown, and pushers. 42.00 mm diameter. 13.25 mm thickness. 47.30 mm lug-to-lug distance. 3 bar water resistance. Black Bioceramic bezel with a white tachymeter scale.
Movement: Quartz chronograph.
Dial: White dial. Unique counters at 10 and 2 o'clock calibrated to 19 hours and 65 minutes, respectively. Numbers 19, 65, and 60 glow blue under UV light. OMEGA X Swatch branding, Speedmaster logo, and MoonSwatch logo. Grade A Super-LumiNova® on hour markers, hour and minute hands, and the tip of the chronograph seconds hand.
Strap: Gray VELCRO® strap. Light gray contrasting stitching. Gray Bioceramic loop.
Price: $270.00
Reference Number: 1965 SO33M106
Notes: Commemorates the OMEGA Speedmaster's flight qualification by NASA in 1965. Features a Moon image on the battery cover. Not a limited edition watch.