Omega x Swatch Moonswatch Mission Mission to Earthphase Watch Review - SO33M700

I had just gotten used to reading a moonphase on the Snoopy moonswatches when Swatch released this new Earthphase complication. It's not so practical (unless you're an astronaut), but it's fun and looks cool on the dial. Luckily, a friend bought this one and let me borrow it, so I didn't have to buy one for this review. I'm tempted, though, as its cool gray dial with black chapter ring is attractive.

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.

Moonswatch Mission To Earthphase First Impressions

When this model was first released, I was drawn to the battleship gray color that is also popular in the automotive space. It works especially well with the black accents on this watch. While an Earth phase display was not something that I needed in my life, it does make the dial even more interesting to look at.

Moonswatch Mission To Earthphase Details

The aforementioned battleship gray color is used on the case, pushers, crown, and the majority of the dial. A black chapter ring with light gray stick markers surrounds it.

Like all Speedmasters, it has an external tachymeter scale. In this case, the text is gray over black.

The grainy texture on the gray dial is said to resemble the surface of the moon (I'll have to take Swatch's word for that).

The same dual-signed crown and pump pushers are used on the Earthphase.

The chronograph running seconds is indicated by a single black stick hand inside of a black subdial ring.

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. Strangely, it is called out as a feature on the Swatch website.

I believe that Swatch added an anti-scratch coating similar to 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 kids

Wearing the Moonswatch Mission Earthphase New Moon

All Moonswatch variants are comfortable due to the ergonomic Speedmaster case shape and low weight. This model retains the same dimensions. 

Like most Moonswatch models (other than  Pluto and a few others), the centers of the black hands and hour markers are filled in with light-colored lume that glows green. Rather than pure white, it is light gray on the Earthphase, however. The moon displays also feature SuperLumiNova, which glows white. The lume is not the brightest, but it is legible in the dark.

The Earthphase reveals more when exposed to UV light (if you don't have a source for this, try one of our Lume Charging Flashlights). It doesn't have hidden text like the Mission to Moonphase models, but the oceans on the Earthphase indicator glow blue

Moonswatch Mission To Earthphase Original and Replacement Straps

All Moonswatches use the same Velcro strap design. On the Earthphase, it is black with light gray stitching corresponding to the case color.

Since the strap feels cheap and bulky, swapping is common on Moonswatches.

My favorite on this watch is the NASA Hook and Loop Elastic Watch Straps. for obvious reasons.

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.
-Deployant Rubber
-Ribbed Rubber Pass-Through
-Ridge Rubber
-Tropical Rubber
-Premium Sailcloth and Sailcloth Colorway Collection
-Smooth Rubber
-Rubber and Sailcloth Hybrid Straps
-Vented Rubber
-Slim Ridge Rubber
-Waffle Rubber
-Epsom Leather
-Elastic

Moonswatch Mission To Earthphase Movement

This model has the same upgraded chronograph module as the Mission to Moonphase models, with a faster spinning (but not mechanical) reset to the chronograph second hand. The chronograph minute counter is omitted in this model, meaning that it can only measure up to one minute.

The moon phase indicator on the Earthphase also operates in the same fashion as the Moonphase models (albeit minus the numerical day indication around the circumference of the subdial). To set it, pull the crown out two clicks (there is still a phantom date position). You can then hold down the reset pusher to advance the moon and earth displays.

That space is where the Earth phase indicator lives now, providing a display of what the Earth looks like to inhabitants of the moon. Rather than the planet itself spinning in the display as it does on the moon phase indicator a black disc rotates, blocking part of the image of the earth, corresponding to the shadow that the moon would see. It can be advanced similarly to the moon display but by using the top pusher.

It also features an image of the moon on the battery cover (in this case, a photo rather than the cartoon moon with Snoopy paw print).

If you're trying to find the current phase of the moon or Earth, the Swatch product page shows today's position. It moves in tiny increments rather than one-day jumps, so setting it up is by eyeball.

Moonswatch Mission To Earthphase Conclusion:

I appreciate that Swatch continues to add interesting new models to the Moonswatch line. It's becoming difficult to keep up with, but adding new complications and displays shows that they are putting in more effort than simple case color changes. Plus, this one is an attractive-looking combo.

The price increases to $325, which is $15 more than a Moonphase and $55 more than a standard Moonswatch. Would I recommend one at this higher price? It's a steep increase for a complication that is purely a novelty. Then again, it adds to the already strong space connection of the Moonswatch. As with the standard Moonswatch, it's not the best value, but it's a lot of fun per dollar.

Moonswatch Mission To Earthphase Specifications: 

Name: Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission to Earthphase
Reference Number: SO33M700
MSRP: $325
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 47.3mm
Thickness: 13.75mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Weight: 29g
Movement: Swatch Quartz Chronograph Movement
Water Resistance: 30m
Crystal: Acrylic
Crown:  Push-pull
Bezel: Fixed, tachymetre
Strap: Velcro

 

Shop Other Replacement Straps for the Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission To Earthphase:

NASA Hook and Loop Elastic Watch Straps

Ribbed FKM Rubber Pass-Through

Deployant FKM Rubber