Swatch Mission to Earthphase Moonshine Gold Review: Is the $450 Snoopy MoonSwatch Worth It?

Getting this watch was an adventure in itself. We dragged ourselves out of bed at 4am and made it to the Swatch store in Dallas by 5:15am. By then, there were already 16 people camping out in the parking lot. We weren’t even allowed near the mall entrance until 5:30am. Once inside, we found ourselves at positions 17 and 18 in line. But here’s where Swatch changed the game completely. Instead of doing a head count and telling the 200+ people in line where the cutoff would be, they kept everyone guessing. A pretty selfish move just to build hype. Then came the price shock. This thing started at $380, jumped to $400 yesterday, and when we finally got to the counter today, they hit us with $450 before tax. When I asked the store manager about the increase, I got a simple “tariffs” as the explanation. Welcome to 2025, I guess.

Designer: Swatch

But after spending time with the Mission to Earthphase Moonshine Gold, I can say the drama was worth it. This is easily the most sophisticated MoonSwatch release yet, combining dual astronomical complications with premium materials and that signature Snoopy charm. The navy bioceramic case and Omega’s Moonshine Gold treatment create a watch that feels genuinely special rather than just another limited edition cash grab.

Design and Ergonomics: Navy Sophistication Meets Cosmic Storytelling

The first thing that hits you about this watch is how different it feels from other MoonSwatch releases. The navy bioceramic case completely transforms the 42mm profile. It’s still recognizably MoonSwatch, but with a maturity that the brighter colorways lack. The bioceramic material has this subtle texture that’s not perfectly smooth but feels substantial and premium. At 42mm, it wears comfortably on most wrists without feeling oversized, and the lightweight bioceramic construction means it disappears during daily wear.

The dial is where this watch really shines. The white opaline base creates this perfect canvas for the complications and Snoopy artwork. At 2 o’clock, there’s a moonphase indicator with dual discs showing the lunar cycle against a dark starry background. The moon itself gets the Moonshine Gold treatment, creating this warm honey-like finish that catches light beautifully against the deep navy starfield.

At 10 o’clock sits the earth phase complication, showing our planet as it would appear from the lunar surface. This disc rotates to show Earth’s phases in reverse to what we experience here. The continental details are clearly visible, painted in realistic blues and greens against the black space background.

The real star of the show is Snoopy himself, positioned prominently in the center left of the dial, right above the “Speedmaster” script. He’s illustrated in classic Charles Schulz style, sitting casually with Woodstock nearby, both rendered as simple black line drawings that feel timeless. Around them, you can see scattered crater marks and lunar surface details that place them clearly on the Moon’s surface.

What’s brilliant about the layout is how nothing fights for attention. The complications create a visual balance that guides your eye naturally around the dial. The chronograph seconds hand and main hour and minute hands provide clear time reading against the white dial.

The real magic happens under UV light. Hit this dial with blacklight and “I BEAT EVERYBODY” appears in bright blue comic book speech bubble style, transforming the watch’s personality from sophisticated to playful without compromising the base design. The entire dial takes on this purple-blue glow that makes all the details pop dramatically.

The new navy VELCRO strap represents a significant upgrade from previous MoonSwatch straps. The texture has this woven pattern that’s surprisingly sophisticated. It’s not flat rubber but has a textile-like weave that gives it visual interest. What’s particularly impressive is how the VELCRO connection has been redesigned. The connector where the strap comes together is now much thinner and doesn’t create that bulky protrusion that plagued earlier versions. This creates a much cleaner profile on the wrist. The VELCRO closure uses matching navy throughout, avoiding any cheap-looking contrast elements. Plus, NASA has used VELCRO in space missions since the 1960s, making it historically appropriate for a space-themed chronograph.

Performance: When Complications Actually Work

The dual complications make this the most technically ambitious MoonSwatch to date. Having both moon phase and earth phase indicators creates a unique astronomical perspective that no other watch at this price point offers. The earth phase shows our planet as it would appear from the lunar surface, rotating in reverse compared to the moon phase cycle. When Earth appears full from the Moon’s perspective, we’re experiencing a new moon from Earth. It’s this fascinating inverse relationship that actually teaches you something about celestial mechanics.

The chronograph function uses the small seconds subdial positioned at 6 o’clock, clearly marked with 60 at the top, 20 on the left, and 40 on the right. Unlike traditional Speedmaster layouts, this model focuses on the dual astronomical complications rather than multiple chronograph registers. The navy case and white dial create excellent contrast for all three subdials. The chronograph pushers work smoothly with crisp tactile feedback.

Grade A Super-LumiNova on the hour markers and hands provides solid nighttime legibility in classic green, while the UV-reactive elements create cool blue glow under blacklight. This two-tier lighting system is both functional and fun, adding personality without compromising readability.

The quartz movement keeps accurate time and makes these complications possible at this price point. While purists might prefer mechanical, the trade-off heavily favors functionality for most buyers. The 42mm case works well for most wrist sizes, though the relatively thick profile means tight shirt cuffs might be an issue. Water resistance reaches 30 meters, covering basic splash protection but nothing serious.

The dial printing quality shows impressive attention to detail. The “Speedmaster” script maintains classic font styling, while “MOONSWATCH” uses modern typeface that bridges Omega heritage with Swatch innovation. All text stays crisp and properly aligned. The complications themselves feature realistic continental shapes and ocean colors on the earth phase disc, while the moonphase discs showcase detailed crater patterns in the Moonshine Gold coating.

Sustainability: Materials That Make Sense

The bioceramic case construction puts this watch ahead of most alternatives when it comes to environmental impact. Unlike traditional plastic watches that rely heavily on petroleum-based materials, the bioceramic blend combines ceramic particles with bio-sourced materials. The ceramic component provides scratch resistance and longevity, while the bio-based elements reduce the overall carbon footprint compared to standard plastic cases.

This approach addresses the throwaway culture that plagues fashion watches. The bioceramic construction means this watch should maintain its appearance and functionality for years rather than months. The navy colorway hides minor scuffs better than lighter colors, extending the aesthetic lifespan even further.

The VELCRO strap makes sense from an environmental perspective too. Unlike leather straps that require chemical tanning processes, VELCRO straps are simpler to produce and replace when needed. For a limited edition piece that people will keep for decades, the material choices work.

Value and Should You Get One?

At $450, this is definitely the most expensive MoonSwatch yet, but the precious metal treatment, dual complications, and controlled scarcity justify the premium for those wanting something special. The single-day boutique availability created the kind of controlled scarcity that builds long-term collector interest without completely shutting out regular buyers.

This watch works on multiple levels. As a technical piece with dual astronomical complications, as a design object with thoughtful color coordination and finishing, and as a collectible celebrating both space exploration and beloved pop culture characters. The Snoopy connection, precious metal treatment, dual complications, and controlled release create scarcity factors that typically support resale values.

For collectors specifically, this offers several elements that could drive long-term value retention. Whether that translates to actual investment returns depends on broader market conditions, but the fundamentals look stronger than most MoonSwatch releases. The navy bioceramic case gives it more visual weight and premium feel compared to lighter colorways, while the Moonshine Gold treatment elevates the whole piece without feeling gaudy.

The Mission to Earthphase Moonshine Gold proves MoonSwatch can evolve beyond simple color variations into genuinely interesting horological statements. By focusing on storytelling through design and backing it up with meaningful technical features, Swatch created something that feels special rather than just different. For Snoopy fans, space enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates thoughtful design execution, this delivers on multiple levels that most fashion collaborations completely miss.

Is it worth the early morning queues and $450 price tag? If you’re already invested in the MoonSwatch ecosystem or have strong feelings about Snoopy, absolutely. For everyone else, this is still the most technically interesting and visually cohesive MoonSwatch release to date. Just be prepared for the hunt and bring cash because the watch sold out instantly, leaving people in line empty-handed. This drop could possibly be Swatch and Omega’s most exclusive drop, ever. And as the new easter-egg saying goes, “I beat everyone” that didn’t score a Snoopy Moonshine Gold MoonSwatch!

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