Swatch commemorates the Apollo 11 Moon landing of 21 July 1969 with the launch of the limited-edition Mission to the Moon 1969, produced in just 1,969 pieces.
More than four years have passed since the historic Omega x Swatch collaboration introduced the first MoonSwatch, redefining the conversation around accessible watchmaking. Since then, the collection has expanded with dozens of references, each built around distinctive themes and stories that continue to excite watch enthusiasts. Now, the journey continues with a new addition: the Mission to the Moon 1969.
The Mission to the Moon 1969 pays tribute to the legendary Apollo 11 mission, which successfully landed on the lunar surface on 21 July 1969. Produced in a limited edition of 1,969 pieces, the watch references the landmark year of humanity’s first crewed Moon landing. One of its most distinctive features is the use of 11 grams of gold. The dial, hands, crown and pushers are crafted from 18K OMEGA Moonshine™ Gold.
The choice of gold itself is rooted in history. In 1969, the year of the Apollo 11 mission, 11 grams of 18K gold were worth US$11, or approximately CHF 48. Rather than being priced according to today’s gold market, the Mission to the Moon 1969 will be offered for CHF 500, a figure calculated using the value of gold on 21 July 1969.
Purchasing the watch, however, requires more than simply visiting a boutique. Prospective buyers must first complete the ESTA (Electronic Swatch Timepiece Application) and answer all 32 questions included in the application. Only 1,969 applicants who receive ESTA approval from Swatch will earn the opportunity to purchase one of the limited-edition timepieces. The application opened on 16 July and will remain available until 21 July at 11:59 p.m.
Turning to the watch itself, its 11 grams of 18K OMEGA Moonshine™ Gold are used for the dial, hands, crown and pushers. The design also pays tribute to the iconic Speedmaster worn during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Highlights include a vertically satin-brushed dial, a black Bioceramic bezel with a gold-coloured scale, and gold hour markers featuring black lacquer-filled centres.
Another noteworthy detail is concealed on the case back. The battery cover takes the form of a gold-coloured Moon and features the inscription “July 21, 1969,” commemorating the date of the lunar landing. It also bears a footprint symbolizing humanity’s first steps in the Sea of Tranquillity, the Apollo 11 landing site.
For more information about the watch, please visit Swatch’s official website.
