Swatch Group appears keen to dial down the hype that has built up around the launch of its MoonSwatch version of the Speedmaster, produced from a collaboration between Swatch and Omega.
There were frantic scenes at Swatch shops around the world on Saturday as the first drop of MoonSwatches went on sale.
Shoppers were informed in the stores that they had limited quantities — in most cases 100 to 200 watches — available that day, but that they would be restocked.
That news did the rounds on social media and was confirmed by Swatch Group, which told WATCHPRO today that: “The Bioceramic MoonSwatch collection is not limited and more products will be available in the next days, weeks and months. With this in mind, all our customers will be able to purchase the model(s) they wish.”
That is a bold statement given the unprecedented demand for the MoonSwatch that has seen new and boxed watches being offered on the secondary market for several thousand pounds.
Swatch Group did not confirm whether MoonSwatch watches would be sold online.
Swatch’s website currently says: “We are overwhelmed by your fantastic support and by your extraordinary enthusiasm for the Bioceramic MoonSwatch Collection.
“We do our best to fulfill demand and we hope that anyone who is moonstruck by this Omega x Swatch collaboration will soon be able to lay their hands on one of these watches.
“The Bioceramic MoonSwatch Collection is not available for the time being for purchase online. We remind you that it is not a limited-edition and will soon be available again in selected Swatch stores.”
I was disappointed to see this on their website. (in FAQ) Some other sources had claimed that the watches would soon be available online, but Swatch has not said this but only indicated further restocking in stores. Since the nearest Swatch store is more than an hours plane trip away, this arrangement is not convenient for many enthusiasts. I was going to fly up to Vegas the day before the release, but after seeing the crowds, I’m glad I didn’t. For the person who paid more than $7,300 on ebay, I’m not so sure it was worth jumping the gun.
I think this is great! I am a pretty patient individual, so I can wait for them to arrive online. I live right on the Mississippi in Iowa, so there are no stores in my area that sell this – (I am not sure if Chicago is one), but I don’t want to drive across Illinois for it anyway. I am just getting into watches, I have always been a “Classic []arms” collector, but with ammo prices, I see this as a more viable and fun hobby. Although, the watch community is not as welcoming as the other community I spoke about for someone who doesn’t have the scratch to go above the $1k mark. Maybe I am just misinterpreting it, idk.
I just bought my first automatic -Tissot 40 mm Visodate and love it. Next is the PRX! Then the MoonSwatch! I really like what Swatch is doing right now (except the move to bigger watches – I just couldn’t do the 42mm Visodate).
Anyway, I am rambling now. Thanks for keeping us up to date, and it will be nice to own a MoonSwatch one of these days – I think it says a lot about Swatch and Omega for offering this, as a Marketing Major in grad school, I think it is almost genius.
I drove from Orlando to Miami Beach swatch location. Miami had a curfew from midnight until 6:30am. I called swatch a day prior they said to be there by 6:30am due to the curfew. I’d figure I leave Orlando to get to Miami at 6:30am in which I did sharp. The line was two blocks long(wrapped around line). As soon as I got on line the manager said all the tickets were given, and they had 200 watches… she specifically said it will be sold “online” and in store at a later date… I don’t believe the online part anymore… i was not mad but a bit turned down just for traveling.. thereafter I asked people at the beginning of the line what time they got there. They said 8pm yesterday… so much for the curfew.. and what threw me off is that it’s two watches a person. People came with a family of 10+ of what I seen… I thought this was a bit unfair for a person/s who wanted a watch to wear and not resell. I hope swatch recognizes this. Ironically I bought my first swatch two weeks prior to this event not knowing about the release until seeing a YouTuber talking about it. They are really nice indeed. Hopefully swatch would make it available for people who want to buy and not for profit.
For $7000, you can get a real omega moonwatch any time of the day. Ps the boutique treats you like a queen.;- )
These were never going to be limited edition. Once the scalpers and fools exchange money it will normalise and we’ll probably see them sold for less than RRP.
Patience padowan.
Plastic quartz rubbish not worth it? Good for youngsters who wear and throwaway watches regularly, and who will one day aspire to buy the genuine. All fake hype nonsense playing out, as Rolex is playing hard to get crap. There are plenty of high quality brands out there at great prices and this is where I look for my next watch.