Credits: Article and images by Raman Kalra @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/12/29/omega-x-swatch-moonswatch-owner-review-the-good-the-bad-the-complicated/
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What Is It Like To Wear?
The first aspect of the watch you notice is how lightweight it is. Before even putting it on the wrist, you realize how tricky it is to get on. I have now learned what works best for me, but the combination of the BioCeramic case and the stiff strap does make it a challenge. When speaking about how the watch wears on the wrist, I will be speaking as of now with the strap broken in.
With the watch on the wrist, my first surprise was how much better it fit than I expected. I have tried on a regular Moonwatch before, but it felt on the large side. Maybe this is because the bracelet gives the watch more heft. On the other hand, the MoonSwatch felt great and has made me want to go take another look at the Moonwatch! Moving on from size, you also appreciate the design.
I have previously found the Speedmaster design very good, but it never wowed me. With time to now see it on my wrist daily, I can fully understand its allure. The sharpness of all the straight lines, the text font, the hands – it works and my love for the Speedmaster has grown massively.
Next is the Velcro strap. I have not owned one before but the ability to get the strap size perfect for my wrist is something I usually struggle with. I use the quick extension on the Rolex Milgauss multiple times through the day depending on the heat and my Tudor sits slightly too tight. But with this Velcro strap I was able to put it on and find the exact size for me. It then just fades into the background given the weight and you don’t notice the watch until you look at it. Wearing it has been a pleasant surprise and for what it is, I have no complaints.
How Would I Improve It?
No watch is perfect. The MoonSwatch has many areas that could be better depending on your mindset. For the price, the case quality could feel better. This does feel like a cheaper Swatch. I own 3 Swatches now and the cheapest aluminum one I have (I believe it cost $100) is more sturdy.
I understand that with the Omega branding it had to cost slightly more, and when seeing the attention to detail you also start to realize why it needed to be a £207 watch, but does it feel its worth? No. Even if the RRP was £175, I think physiologically the price starting with a “1” would improve things.
Another alternative would be to make the watch in aluminum/stainless steel and charge slightly higher. Having said that, if this were the case, you are leaving the traditional Swatch price range and it would alienate some consumers. You read stories of how fragile the watch is, and by either reducing the price or changing the BioCeramic, you combat this.
Secondly, the strap could be improved. Yes, I have worn mine in and it has become better, but if they couldn’t enhance the comfort of this strap for the price, they should have just gone with a Nato. Nato straps are also somewhat synonymous with the Moonwatch and I don’t think anyone would have cared. It would make the first impressions and ownership experience more positive while removing a lot of the negative comments out there.
Finally, the availability. This one confuses me. It is essentially a quartz plastic watch, machine-made with a printed dial.
The fact that they cannot get stock out to the people who want this watch most is baffling. This would require a whole conspiracy theory section on why this is the case, but how can a company as big as Swatch not make this happen?
It has got to the point that the MoonSwatch is becoming an eye-roll and those that were excited are now becoming frustrated. This was, and still is, me. I want to give Swatch my money for more ‘Missions’, but I can’t.
Omega potentially wanted to oppose the snobbery of Rolex, but all they have ended up doing is mimicking it. Queues outside the shop, ridiculous grey market prices and ultimately, those who want one, struggle to get one. This needs to be addressed and the longer it goes on, the sourer the whole collaboration becomes.
Thankfully, there are new stores being added to the list of where they are available and secondary market prices are coming down, so let’s hope this is resolved.
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Credits: Article and images by Raman Kalra @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/12/29/omega-x-swatch-moonswatch-owner-review-the-good-the-bad-the-complicated/