I thought I was taking a break from Moonswatches, but then a friend texted me. Earlier in the year, I had brought back a pair of shoes for him from Japan. He asked me if I wanted anything from the Swatch store in Paris, so I asked if he could bring me back the Moonswatch 1965 that was released earlier this year. Despite still owning the Mars and New Moon versions (both with white dials), I loved the look of the 1965.
If you're new to the Omega x Swatch Moonswatch, I recommend reading the intro of the Mission to Mars review. You can also visit this link to read other Moonswatch reviews on StrapHabit. If you'd like to learn about some other great watches under $500, you can read the StrapHabit Top 10 list or view other reviews of watches under $500.
Moonswatch 1965 First Impressions
The 1965 is named for the year that the Omega Speedmaster was officially qualified for all manned missions. It features a vintage-style applied Omega logo, and at first glance, the 1965 looks like the current white dial Omega Speedmaster Professional.
It features a bright white dial, black hands and markers, a tachymeter scale, and a light gray case that resembles stainless steel at first glance. This is a distinctive Moonswatch variant, but one that you could wear without attracting as much attention as some of the other variants.
Moonswatch 1965 Details
Easter eggs referencing the year 1965 are the two unique counters at 10 and 2 o’clock. Their display, and the movement itself, have been calibrated to total 19 hours (at 10 o’clock) and 65 minutes (at 2 o’clock).
I thought this would make it tricky to read, but Swatch did a nice job spacing out the indices. The 1/10 second counter from the standard Moonswatch is lost, but now you can time events longer than 60 minutes.
The same dual-signed crown and pump pushers are used.
The Swatch S engraved on the underside of the acrylic crystal is absent from the Earthphase, as it was on the Moonphase models that I reviewed. I believe that Swatch added an anti-scratch coating similar to the one used on the Blancpain x Swatch Fifty Fathoms crystals. It is a recent change to all of them. If you'd like some extra protection for your Moonswatch crystal, check out our Crystal Film Protection Kits.
Wearing the Moonswatch 1965
All Moonswatch variants are comfortable due to the ergonomic Speedmaster case shape and low weight. This model retains the original dimensions.
This model has excellent legibility thanks to the black hands and matte white dial.
Like most Moonswatch models (other than Pluto and a few others), the centers of the black hands are filled in with white lume that glows green. The hour markers, however, are not fully lumed, but have small lume dots at the edges.
When exposed to UV light, the numbers 19, 65, and 60 (signifying 60 years) will also glow blue (if you don't have a source for this, try one of our Lume Charging Flashlights).
Moonswatch 1965 Original and Replacement Straps
All Moonswatches use the same Velcro strap design. On the 1965 version, it is light gray with white stitching.
Since the strap feels cheap and bulky, swapping is common on Moonswatches. Luckily, Swatch has started adding quick-release spring bars now. This made it easy to remove the strap without needing a springbar tool.
I was originally sure that I'd want to wear this on a gray Deployant Rubber strap, as it's a perfect match for the case.
After trying a few combinations, however, my favorite on this watch is the black Deployant Sailcloth with white stitching.
Men Wear Pink Straps also look great on it, and are for a good cause.
Here is a list of some of the straps that would fit and look great with this watch. At the end of the article, you'll also find photos of some of our favorite combinations. Or check out our Guide to Watch Straps.
-Ribbed Rubber Pass-Through
-Ridge Rubber
-Tropical Rubber
-Premium Sailcloth
-Smooth Rubber
-Rubber and Sailcloth Hybrid Straps
-Vented Rubber
-Slim Ridge Rubber
-Waffle Rubber
-Epsom Leather
-Elastic
Moonswatch 1965 Movement
The Earthphase and Moonphase models added those new complications. Instead, the 1965's counters make a "lap of honor" at the end of 64 minutes. The top two hands make a quick rotation before advancing.
It also features "mission to the moon" on the back, and an image of the moon on the battery cover (in this case, a photo rather than the cartoon moon with Snoopy's paw print).
Moonswatch 1965 Conclusion:
This is a variant that I will keep (for a while anyway) and wear often. The white dial with black accents looks attractive, especially with the gray case. I'm surprised how much that Swatch has been able to find ways to keep this line interesting.
Moonswatch 1965 Specifications:
Name: Swatch x Omega Moonswatch 1965
Reference Number: SO33M106
MSRP: $270
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 47.3mm
Thickness: 13.25mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Weight: 29g
Movement: Swatch Quartz Chronograph Movement
Water Resistance: 30m
Crystal: Acrylic
Crown: Push-pull
Bezel: Fixed, tachymetre
Strap: Velcro (Hook and Loop)
Shop Other Replacement Straps for the Swatch x Omega Moonswatch 1965:
Men Wear Pink Straps
Deployant Sailcloth
Deployant FKM Rubber
Hook and Loop Elastic
Ribbed FKM Rubber Pass-Through
