On March 1, Swatch is celebrating the Speedmaster "Ed White" (Ref. 105.103) with the release of the 30th variant of the MoonSwatch:
On March 1, 1965, the OMEGA Speedmaster was declared the only flight-qualified watch for all manned space missions by NASA.
The non-limited Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch 1965 (Ref. SO33M106) features a gray 42-mm Bioceramic case, crown and pushers as well as a gray Velcro strap with contrasting light gray stitching and Bioceramic loop (and quick-release spring bars) and an applied Omega logo on the dial.
More importantly, the latest variant of the MoonSwatch comes with a white dial, combined with a black Bioceramic bezel with white tachymeter scale. The MoonSwatch subdials at 10 and 2 o’clock indicate the number 19 (normally 60) at the top, while the other displays the number 65 (normally 10), both referencing the year 1965. The counters have been calibrated to total 19 hours (subdial at 10 o’ clock) and 65 minutes (subdial at 2 o’ clock), which is indeed "making the chronograph reading a bit different than the typical chronographs."
The numbers 19, 65 and 60 (on the subdial at 6 o’clock) glow blue under UV light, paying tribute to the Speedmaster and the flight qualification it had received from NASA, 60 years ago. An image of the Moon can be found on the battery cover (like on the SO33M100 from the initial collection or the SO33M700, but historically accurate without Neil Armstrong's footprint on it).
Interestingly, the white display box that was delivered to the stores also contains Bioceramic versions of the two contenders, the (unbranded) Ref. 6238 from Rolex (right) and the Ref. 235T from Longines (left), which marks the first time Swatch is publicly displaying a model from outside the group. Obviously, both are "for exhibiton only" and not sold as a set, the synchronized display of the current time is an indicating that at least the hands for the hours and minutes are working.
More hands-on photos:
The watch comes in a white cardboard box (with an interesting misprint, at least on the first batches) and will retail for $270. Here's the list of boutiques that are participating in the launch: Link
