A Review Of The Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch 1965
And when you consider that the price of a genuine Speedmaster is simply unattainable for most, the Moonswatch 1965 presents a unique value proposition for those who want to enjoy classic Omega styling at an entry level price point.
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Although I haven't yet been afforded the luxury of owning one, I've always been partial to Omega timepieces. My fondness for the heritage Swiss watchmaker has been deeply engrained from a young age, which admittedly stems from my earliest memories of the James Bond 007 films. Specifically, the 1995 motion picture Goldeneye in which Pierce Brosnan wore a breathtaking Omega Seamaster has always stuck with me as the epitome of understated sophistication.
When Swatch announced their unexpected Moonswatch partnership with Omega a couple of years ago, it took not only watch industry insiders by surprise but also the public at large, as the excitement of such an unconventional pairing quickly spilled over into mainstream media to become a pop culture phenomenon. Without question, those early releases were creative, playful, and extremely in demand. Part and parcel of Swatch models in general, most of the designs were also quite eccentric which is somewhat of a contradiction to Omega's meticulous luxury offerings.
That all changed on March 1, 2025, when the Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch 1965 was announced. This non-limited edition release marked the 60th anniversary of Omega being awarded the prestigious NASA mission to the moon contract back on March 1, 1965. The story goes that Omega's Speedmaster was the only watch out of four brands up for consideration during the Request For Proposal process which passed NASA's 11 rigorous tests for accuracy, readability, and functionality.
With such a storied historical importance, the new Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch 1965 piqued the interest of even the most jaded watch enthusiasts. I'd also argue that it's the most elegant and refined of all the Moonswatch releases to date, which is precisely why I decided to make the trip to my local Swatch store (as it isn't available online). And when you consider that the price of a genuine Speedmaster is simply unattainable for most, the Moonswatch 1965 presents a unique value proposition for those who want to enjoy classic Omega styling at an entry level price point.
This of course inevitably begs the question: with this Moonswatch collaboration, are we actually getting an affordable Omega or merely an overpriced Swatch?
Build Quality & Size
The Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch 1965 is what I consider to be the ideal watch size with a case diameter of 42mm, a thickness of 13.25mm, and a lug-to-lug distance of 47.3mm. Its proportions are perfectly balanced on my wrist, and it feels super lightweight at a mere 29 grams.
The case, crown, and pushers are comprised of Swatch's proprietary Bioceramic material which is technically a blend of plastic and castor oil, although the company claims that it is a superior grade from run-of-the-mill plastics. The Bioceramic case does indeed feel quite solid for plastic, however I suspect that care is still needed to avoid scratches. I certainly wouldn't want to risk changing the battery myself for risk of damaging it, but luckily Swatch offers free battery changes for life in-store.
Similarly, the watch crystal is acrylic, and though it possesses an anti-scratch coating you'll still need to be careful not to bump up against any abrasive surfaces. The takeaway here is that it definitely doesn't have the near indestructible build quality of a Casio G-Shock, so you'd be wise to baby it as much as possible.
By far the biggest shortcoming of the Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch 1965 is the lacklustre strap. This nylon velcro band is uninspiring to say the least, with a cheap quality to it that is easily surpassed by even the most entry level watches on the market. Frankly, a $270 USD watch deserves more than a mediocre nylon strap.
This is why after wearing the watch only a couple of times did I begrudgingly decide to upgrade to Swatch's official Moonswatch rubber strap which drastically improves the feel and overall appeal of the MoonSwatch 1965. This simple change is an absolutely worthwhile upgrade for everyone interested in this watch, but I can't help but think that it should've been included in the first place.
© Nicklaus Walter
Features
While the earliest Omega Speedmaster showcased a black dial, the Moonswatch 1965 sports an exquisite white dial encased in a black bezel / white tachymeter scale which has been carried over from the premium Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional that launched in March 2024. However, the Moonswatch 1965 does retain the same Omega logo, hands, and typeface as the original model which is very much a good thing. This easy to read dial really is a triumph of tasteful utility and I'm skeptical that it could even be improved upon.
The Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch 1965 is dead simple with straightforward operation that makes it thoroughly enjoyable to use. The Omega x Swatch logo is embossed on the crown which is push pull design for setting the time. The top button serves as the start / stop function, while its bottom counterpart is a designated reset button.
The most prominent feature on the watch face are the three subdials. The 10 o'clock subdial is for hour tracking, the 2 o'clock subdial displays minute tracking, and the 6 o'clock subdial is reserved for seconds. What's special about the top two dials is that the hour subdial tracks 19 hours total (instead of 24), while the minute subdial indicates 65 minutes total (instead of 60) so that when paired together both subdials combined read as 1965. The practical implementation is a little bit complicated, but it's a welcome easter egg nonetheless that you won't find on on other Moonswatch models.
The Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch 1965 remains functional even when the lights go down thanks to the glow in the dark Super-LumiNova coating on the watch hands, indices, as well as the 19 and 65 numbers on the top subdials which is as useful as it is aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, one of the loveliest details on the Moonswatch 1965 is found on the back where you'll find a grainy inlay image of the moon along with the Mission To Moon mission statement engraving.
As beautiful as the dial is, there are a few aspects of the watch's feature set that I'm not overly thrilled with. For instance, the battery only lasts 2-3 years before needing to be changed, while the 30 meter water resistance rating doesn't exactly inspire confidence for daily use. And going back to the aforementioned nylon strap, I've found that although it isn't exactly difficult to put on, it's definitely the most cumbersome implementation out of all the watches that I currently own. But on the bright side, the velcro does allow for a near perfect custom fit once it's on your wrist. Lastly, I really do wish this was a true mechanical design and not a battery powered timepiece.
Pros
- Beautiful vintage design
- Retains the same gorgeous Omega logo, hands, and typeface as the original Speedmaster
- Unique subdial features are exclusive to the 1965 edition
- Lightweight
- Glow in the dark Super-LumiNova coating
- Simple and straightforward operation
- Free battery changes for life at Swatch stores
- The most elegant of all Moonswatch models available
Cons
- 30 meters of water resistance is unimpressive
- Watch strap is mediocre at best
- Battery only lasts 2-3 years
- Plastic case and crystal require care to avoid scratches
- Value for money is debatable
Verdict
To answer my initial question, the MoonSwatch 1965 is not a true Omega Speedmaster in terms of build or craftsmanship, but it does retain the gorgeous style cues and spirit of the original model. You're essentially paying for a perfected vintage design which one could argue is still worth a premium over other more conventional Swatch offerings.
There are a few aspects of the watch which make it a questionable value, such as its limited water resistance, merely average battery life, Bioceramic build, and most importantly the nylon watch strap that begs to be switched out immediately for a superior band. But as much as my brain wants to dislike the Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch 1965 for those reasons, I'm completely smitten by the handsome vintage dial and classic small seconds movements. Quite simply, the original Omega Speedmaster is a perfected design and I want a piece of it even if this Swatch is only its distant cousin.
