I just started the video, but to answer this. No. I do not want one anymore. This was a really cool concept, but I’m sick and tired of companies expecting their customers to jump through hoops to give them money. They should be begging us to spend our money with them, but somehow they have a bizarre idea that we should feel like the luckiest duck in the world to have to drive across the country to MAYBE be able to buy one of these watches. This put me off big time.
I think initially everyone got caught in the hype but in the cold light of day it is just a plastic watch albeit with a classic design. the straps are trash though and I think it would be better to spend or put the money towards something else.
Yeah sure. I like the idea of owning a toy version of an iconic space tool. I don’t get why people get so heated over these, Swatch chronographs already cost a couple hundred bucks, so it’s not like they’re doing something insane. Plus, anybody complaining about this watch should be complaining about many things as well. “OH NO! How could they sell parents $100 astronaut costumes for their kids!? Outrageous, they should just buy the real space suit instead, what a rip-off that costume is!” and whatnot. Like damn, it’s not like everyone can find 6k under a rock, if they want the look and like the history this is the best alternative, possibly MUCH better value than underpaying a used, malfunctioning Speedmaster reduced with a billion mechanical issues that will rip another thousand out of your pocket. Why settle for the butt end of the real thing when you can temporarily settle for the top end of the “real” thing?
@@PocketUau I don't think people buying these are aspiring young astronauts though. They're hype beast Supreme wearing millennials. The market that even knows about a real Speedmaster also wanting one of these is incredibly small.
Solid alternatives! For people who like the Speedtimer, there's an upcoming cheaper alternative being released at the end of May, the SBPY165. This is the solar panda version, among a few other variations with really great specs for 320$ or so. I hope it's not just a JDM model.
I just got myself a Casio 5610 instead of this overpriced and hyped toy. The Casio costs less than half, is deadly accurate, certified for space travel by nasa and rugged as hell. I wanted a watch that is affordable and has its history with space travel but of course I understand why people love the moonXswatch, but I guess it would probably fall apart just thinking of space 😅
When it just came out I decided to buy it instead of that octagonal g shock as a casual everyday watch. But after seeing the reviews, the g shock seems better in every way.
Buy yourself a GW-M5610 and call it a day. I’ve owned one for years as my “tool” watch or beater, looks brand new still. Atomic time no less… incredible value.
I was initially intrigued. Now, I don’t think I would pay even MSRP for one. I see about $99 as fair. But that’s just me. I’m happy an analogue wristwatch has caused such excitement.
I might eventually get one if it's available online for a reasonable price, but I already have a Bulova Lunar Pilot which scratches the Moon Watch need
I’ve got a Bulova moon watch , and I just love it, I highly recommend getting this one ….. As worn by Dave Scott when his Speedmaster failed him on Apollo 15 . The Moon Swatch is a bit of fun if you can obtain one because they are always sold out …. Alternatively save up and get an Omega Speedmaster instead….. This is a bit of expensive fun
Good options! For the same price as the MoonSwatch I would also add the Dan Henry 1962 that is better build quality and comes with a Seiko VK63 movement. Thanks for the suggestions!
Was really excited about this thing but bummed when I couldn't buy online. No chance for a boutique buy in my part of the US so I ended up looking at sea gull 1963s again and eventually settled on a HKED ED63. Super happy with it.
Totally get your point - i got one for travels abroad, looks stylish and if it gets lost / stolen it doesnt put as much of a dent in my bank account as the loss of my sea Dweller would.
I had the Bulova moon watch. Loved loved loved it. Kept crazy accurate time. The reason I returned it is because the face/lug ratio was way out of whack for me. With that size face, the band should've been at least 42mm. It looks great in photos and in your video, but when you get it home, you'll see what I'm talking about. IDK. Maybe I'll revisit it one day again. But after seeing several videos on this new Omega Swatch and how cheap it is, no way am I paying $600 on the secondary market for one.
I’ve had one for ages, don’t know what you’re talking about, 42 mm band? Surely your gripe is that the lug width should be 22 mm on what is a 45 mm watch? Either way I don’t see it as a problem.
The Orient is gorgeous, after trying a few I think it looks best on a black leather rally strap, I'd have liked it to have a tachymeter bezel for a sportier look so I picked up a Seiko panda also. Probably doesn't make a lot of sense to own two solar pandas but there's just enough difference to justify it.
Just got the same black&red seiko, now looking for a similar nato strap. Your video convinced me a few month back. I absolutly do not regret my moonswatch !
Another alternative - Dan Henry! I owned a 1964 and it was one of my favourite watches, costing only $300 CAD despite owning $10k+ watches. I forgot the reference but they have one that looks like a Speedy too.
After seeing the crazy resale prices I’ve decided if I come across a swatch store I’ll take a look and if I see one I like I might pick one up. Until that day I’m going to continue saving for the real moon watch.
I still quite fancy a MoonSwatch (the Mission to Mars as it happens), but I'll get one used when the hype dies away. I had a Bulova Lunar Pilot, but it's an oddly proportioned watch that wears big for its size. I really wanted to love it, but it just looked wrong on me (and I have plenty of big watches that don't).
Got my (polished, no date) Lunar Pilot last week before seeing this video. Excellent in every way, especially for the price, which was only a little more than a moonswatch at retail, if you could even get one at retail, and scalped prices are just stupidly ridiculous. The Lunar Pilot has a cool back story, arguably *more* interesting than the dozen gov’t issue speedies that also went to the moon (yeah, blasphemy…), and is engraved with Dave Scott’s EVA details on the back. Really, an excellent choice! Currently at 350 and change on Amazon. The OCD could get it bead blasted to get closer to the historical version, but I’m liking the polished one just fine…
This is one of the best videos I've seen on this subject, well done. I was looking for a new cheap Chrono when the moonswatch was announced, and after the hype died down, I decided on a Seiko mecca-quartz instead. Still very tempted by the Orient and Lunar Pilot though 😂
Love your comment that the Moon Swatch could be a Happy Meal toy. I am living and working in Europe and virtually no one is flocking to the stores to buy the Moon Swatch.
A lot of us work for a living we can’t afford an omega Speedmaster they’re pretty who wouldn’t want one however A lot of folks just cannot afford it I know omega actually makes some Quartz watches it would’ve been really nice if they could’ve made an affordable Quartz moon watch when I say Affordable I don’t mean no darn three or $4000 watch they could’ve made a real nice Quartz watch for about $1200. There’s always the Bulova lunar pilot the other moon watch and very nice for the money and all your other choices for alternative watches are ideal very nice watches for the money👍❤️👍
Its a great watch, this swatch spdmstr !! In many countries you can not walk in the street with the real deal... keep it at home in great condition. Its very sympathic, you can show up anywhere with a swatch. Especially this one. Thank you for showing it...
The Swatch version of the Speedmaster is a regular type tachometer type quartz watch. I myself are wearing an authentic Speedmaster Mark II that I bought back in 1974. I was in my early 20s when I bought this watch. I kept this watch well maintained. It has been cleaned and maintained about every 4 to 5 years by an Omega service center. I am still wearing this watch. It can keep to within a few seconds per day average. I also have an Omega Planet Ocean. These are great watches.
I kinda gave up and decided on better and cheaper watches from my favorite brand Tissot, still under the Swatch Group so I guess I’m still indirectly giving Swatch my money
Patrick I am also Patrick. I picked up the Mission to Mars Omega Swatch Moonswatch. Loving the Collaboration but Love ❤ the Watch and the Alaska Project story. Thanks for a good video.
Have to agree with the Orient, i bought the neo panda a few years back and still to this day its one of my favorites in my collection, i have it on a brown leather strap and it just looks and feels more premium than it is. Such a great watch
I didn't know a Swatch is not a real watch. I have and had several watches from Swatch, all working perfectly, no issues. And please, no mineral crystal. The Moonwatch has acrylic, so should the moonSwatch.
the moonwatch is stainless steel so the moonswatch should be stainless steel. the logic doesnt make sense - hessalite was used so it wouldn't shatter and make a mess in zero gravity. we live on earth and nobody with a moonswatch is going to the moon, they're gonna wear them to the beach and to work. there's $40 watches with mineral crystal out now. it serves no function other than to be cheap. this is why I dont like swatch at all. too many better watches for the same or cheaper prices.
@@sloppysteaks I can understand what you mean but after over 20 years of watch collecting, over 100 watches owned or sold, I just don't take this too seriously anymore. 250$ for a Swiss Made (yes it means a lot to me) quartz chrono with 1/5 sec. measure is not bad at all. In stainless steel it's easily double the price, witg sapphire and a more precise movement triple the price of the Swatch. Sorry, mineral is the worst choice for a crystal, one little scratch and you can't remove it. Plexi, no problem with Polywatch.
I bought the bulova lunar pilot last year. I wear it on a black and grey (James bond) nato and it is superb. It has increasingly become my daily wearer. I wanted to buy all 11 moonswatch variants but swatch have made it almost impossible for me to get them and I will not pay over retail. The final nail in the coffin for moonswatch came earlier this week when I found out that the plastic crystal is non replaceable and fused to the body of the watch making it a throwaway item if you damage it more than polishing can cure.
@@sloppysteaks my nearest swatch AD which sells these is over 200 miles away. You have no way to know when they are in stock and even if you did they will not hold one for you. I don’t fancy a more than 400 mile round trip to get nothing.
I was recently in Paris, and decided to stop into the Swatch boutique one evening to see by chance if they had any in stock. They did not, but informed me that they “get a shipment every morning”. Seems like they’re trying to keep the hype train going.
My theory as to why Swatch is making this difficult to buy is that the hype helps them, but a lot of people owning one does not. Collectors, who take care of their watches, will go out of their way to buy one, but a lot of non-watch afficionados buying moonswatches, using them every day and the watches breaking would not.
This is actually about the most accurate strategy analysis I've seen. For those of us who love watches -- especially if we already own some nicer pieces -- spending $250 on a fun, cheap watch seems essentially free ... and ... we have appropriately-low expectations for the thing. (Honestly, I was just happy that it didn't stain my wrist after early reports.) However, for a casual watch wearer who buys this as their daily wearer, it'd be a bloody disaster: The thing isn't robust enough to handle that level of wear, and it'd probably be their *last* watch. So, in summary: You've somehow managed to *increase* my estimations of Omega's marketing genius ... which I was already terribly impressed by.
I just got back into watches and Seikos and actually on my way to get some of my watches new batteries, I walked by the swatch store in San Francisco and saw the Omega display in the window. I had no idea these were out and it’s been out for 5 to 6 months. So when I got home, I looked into them and saw in Ebay that they were going for 2X to 3X and I was like what?! So I went back the next day to see if I could get one for retail and if they even had any. And they did and had earth, Venus and sun, so I got the earth version. Then i RU-vidd the watch and found out the crystal scratch very easy and the pusher button come off easy. Which turned me off about the watch and also hated the Velcro cheap looking band. So I could’ve flipped it and made about $100. More than I paid but Ebay has been charging me 20% percent bc they said my selling performance was low. So I decided to just take it back like 3-4 days after buying. Yeah, I rather used that $260. towards a Seiko panda or another reliable Seiko that I don’t have to worry about falling apart.
I wanted and just learned about the Seiko SSB01, but could only find one on eBay and they wanted $280, for one that had scratches on the case. So yeah, they’re hard to find now and I’ll still keep looking.
The moonswatch was the push I needed; It ended my doubts about buying a PD 1701... I immediately bought 2: Alaska and the classic (black dial and white hands and indexes).
I got one for my birthday ( mission to pluto ), not everyone likes it, i get that. But i love it, i personally like the fact it is light, makes it feel more natural when it is on my wrist and i have been told the colours on it suit me very well😂.
Just bought the Bulova before seeing this video. I’m surprised Bulova isn’t considered a luxury brand. It’s classic American. Paul Newman, Elvis, Sinatra, Bugsy Siegel, Clyde Borrow, DiMaggio and much more rocked the Bulovas. For goodness sake it’s the watch that won WW2. Plus they aren’t all had to get and overpriced.
Sadly, most of bulovas products are junk. They make a really impressive movement that they put in like 5 of their watches. Their back catalogue of watches is very impressive but their modern watches are hit or miss, mostly miss.
Very informative video...I'm now interested in the Bulova, I've been a Seiko 5 fan for many years. You speak well and with great detail. Thanks for your effort. Peace!
Couple of your points really stand out plastic toy watch something you would probably not be surprised to get in a happy meal box you’re right on the money there you hit the nail right on the head 100% and they’re fun they look fun but I think that’s how we’re taking in they knew that we would feel that way when we saw them(swatches)I would say let the buyer beware
What could have been a huge watch release was quickly turned into a Replica sought after watch. Some of the replicas are a quarter of the price and have things even the originals don’t have, like an actual crystal glass.
Great you spoke out in the video. I feel the same from excitment three months ago has turned to totally disappointment. I visited swatch store many times but no salesperson can tell when is the next shipment. I lose the passion and I found other swiss made watch more attractive with value of money that I recently bought a really nice watch of other brand. Thank you swatch!
Swatch can't use a mineral crystal on the MoonSwatch because then they couldn't fuse the crystal to the case like they do with polycarbonate. Yes, that's right - they fused the polycarbonate crystal to the case so it is not replaceable. But they do have a free annual buffing service...
I bought three Omega Swatch's and they are great. I do admit they were hard to get had to line up in New York to buy for me and another for the wife but when i was in Austria we just walked into a store and bought one no line nothing. Granted its 2 years later now. Anyways pretty good options for an alternative but the Speedmaster is a fantastic watch if you can swing for it. The Bulova is massive - were the dimensions listed? It would not fit most peoples wrist- just a word of warning.
The Chinese clone of this watch is only $30 on Alibaba and has a stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal. It also has a swooping chronograph movement.
Scalpers are everywhere. No matter which hobby, whether it be tech, keyboards, watches, etc., where there are people who want to buy and enjoy something, there will always be others taking advantage of that and making what could have been attainable out of reach for many people.
I bought the Bulova in the same exact configuration for the same reason. I can't believe Bulova is not considered a luxury brand. I do like that Orient Panda, though.
I still think the moonswatches look cool, but definitely happy with my Seagull chronograph for now. Maybe down the line I’ll get one of these, but the current supply shortage is so disappointing.
If they just make it out of glass this thing would be very cool and worth collecting, cheaper swatch comes with stainless steel and glass why can’t this just come with glass??
What are y’all’s opinions on Pagani Design watches? They’re relatively cheap, have seiko movements, and even their quarts movements have sweeping hands But not sure what the quality of the watch is like
Great video. Nice recommendations for the alternatives and I definitely agree that you can get better alternatives for the money you might shell out for the Omega X Swatch.
Hey Patrick! Really enjoyed this video! I came for the watch coz I've been wanting to get one too, but man, your video is always, always, always such a visual treat! really on a different level! thanks for making this! :)
@@sloppysteaks thank you! btw, love that you have the bambino! I've been a fan of orient ever since "I got into the hobby", I bought myself a Gen2 V1 bambino for my wedding day! 😍
I got lucky and got 2 of these in Zermatt Switzerland while on vacation. Otherwise, it's impossible to get one here in the U.S. It's a fun watch, it's not meant to be a luxury watch to show off. It's now my daily watch.
I was looking forward to owning a Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch, but they look so cheap and plastic. When I read about how some are falling apart for some owners. I gave it a miss. But I think the concept was awesome.
I don’t think you are doing it justice with comparing it with a happy meal toy. It is a disqualifying remark that leaves the stench of snobbery... which is sad, because I do concur with the points you are making.
Honestly folks I wouldn’t pay no $300 for these moon swatches they’re not worth 50 bucks that is a plastic toy watch that somebody put an omega sticker on
A great low budget alternative to the Omega Speedmaster is the Fossil Decker. Looks just like it for $50, and built like a tank. Threw a NATO strap on it and love it. Probably the best watch Fossil ever made.
LOVE TO HATE, I fell in love with the Mars version but there are only two stores in the UK that carry these London and Glasgow I live in the Midlands so that's a 300 mile trip to stand in a cue No thanks, but I heard that they will be selling them online later, but now that's gone. Then I saw the scalpers and now I'm pissed at swatch for encouraging this by not selling it online F swatch.
I was super annoyed they shut the Nottingham shop so I just think I'm gonna pass on the watch personally. Not going to drive down to London for a plastic watch
your comments on the bulova are spot on, that version is the closest to the original. i am not a fan of quartz watches but i have that one and it's fantastic in every way. the swatch is just junk
Have to admit I first thought I wouldn’t even consider. I started to come around to the idea of grabbing one, but as the complaints, quality and realizing the price, and what I could get for that which isn’t bioceramic. I’ve passed. Still a neat release, also read it’s helped the og speedmaster sales, props omega/swatch
Solid alternatives for sure. Question about the Bulova regarding size. Many reviews mention the size as a turn-off (that’s what she said). What are your thoughts and also what’s your wrist size? I picture it on a leather NATO and I think I’m in love.
3:40 it's not a ghost date, eventhough the standard movement has date on first position, it also serve to calibrate all the indicators on the watch when you changed the battery. So even though the date function is removed, they can't remove the first crown position otherwise when you changed the battery, the chrono hands just can't align correctly. Kinda like japanese movement that you got to keep pressing down the pusher and the second hand kept turning to make the minute counter hand turned to 0, not with this one
@@sloppysteaks if it's a ghost date, whenever you turned the crown on 1st position you'll hear audible clicks as the date changes, but no fact it doesn't. I'm working with these movement for quite awhile and it is using the older ETA G10.211 variant that has no date, but in order to recalibrate the chronograph indicators it still needs the first crown position to realign the chronograph central second by pushing the bottom button and the 1/10th by pushing the top button, while in second crown position used to serve setting the time but also recalibrate the 60 minute indication by pushing the top button.
Great Video, my first time here. Good down to earth commentary. I'm still in love with my Seiko Series 5 green dial military watch. I lost my first one because the band broke off, so I bought a new one and just got a green NATO strap for safety !
Hey Patrick I got your first choice, a Seiko SSB 031 Purchased in May 2020 for only AUD $247 dollars .It was reduced from $550. Greetings from Australia.
I was thinking about buying one. But But when I heard people's reactions and how the watch doesn't worth playing. I rethought and got to the next idea. save the money for two or three years and buy the real deal.
I compared the watch band in a omega Store with an employee to the original Velcro they sell for around 200€… it’s literally the same! The stiching, the material … the only difference is that the OG one has some Metall parts instead of the plastic/ BC rings. This was quite the surprise for me. Given this 250€ does not feel that much anymore.
The Moonswatch may be total phenomenon, especially for the Swatch fans. But being realistic it seems more like a "toy with a big brand name endorsement". Take away the Omega logo and what are you left with? Not criticizing all those MoonSwatch owners who love it and feel that it was worth what they payed for; power to you. But at the end of the day the only thought that goes through my head is what other quality watches I can buy for the same price or less. Instead I purchased a Seiko SRPD55 and Pagani Design's Moonwatch homage; total cost for both was just below the price of the MoonSwatch.
I went to the swatch boutique at king of Prussia mall here in PA. They only had limited stock of the sun, venus and uranus. I got the mission to uranus and i was a lil disappointed. I hate the strap so I ordered a new one. It felt plastic and the I can't adjust the time properly. Even tho the tachometer works, the crown only has 1 level instead of 2. Really annoyed
The Seiko and Orient are great alternatives but I have to call you on the Bulova Lunar Pilot. It’s $500 on a good day and it’s the size of a dinner plate. Not a great alternative.
Great Video, keep going! I really enjoyed it! First i wanted the misson to moon but icant get one so i bought the PRX Tissot, and now i will not buy a moonswatch, they lost a customer
Pagani are doing a Speedy homage with a Seiko meca quartz movement. OK you don't get Omega on the dial and homage watches tend to polarise opinion but reviews of them are great and you do get a more realistic feel of the real thing. Oh and it's a third the price of the swatch one. Oh and speaking of the panda, consider the Seagull 1963 panda which is a manual wind column wheel mechanical chrono. These watches have gained big respect amongst watch enthusiasts and can be had for around £130 used to around £200 new.