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Omega x Swatch Moonswatch Mission To The Moonphase New Moon "Black Snoopy" Watch Review - SO33B700

October 22, 2024 Nick Lehner

When Swatch released the Mission to Moonphase models this past spring, it was a fun update to the Moonswatch lineup. The white Full Moon was quickly followed up by the all-black New Moon variant and added a new module to the Moonswatch lineup. You can see the New Moon and our friend Snoopy here. To see its darker cousin, keep reading!

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. The blog will soon have coverage of every model except for the rare mission Moonshine versions.

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 Mission To The Moonphase New Moon First Impressions

Despite having produced so many variants, Swatch hadn't made a black-cased Moonswatch prior to the New Moon. The original Mission to the Moon has a black dial, but the case is gray. The Blancpain x Swatch Ocean of Storms is all-black, but that's a different play on a Swatch brand collaboration.

I like black watches and I'm a Moonswatch fan, so it's a no-brainer that I find this one attractive. Like its inverse-colored brother, it has a higher-end look than the other, more colorful Moonswatch models.

Moonswatch Mission To The Moonphase New Moon Details

So why is Snoopy on the dial? Omega earned the “Silver Snoopy Award” from NASA in recognition of the brand’s contributions to space exploration. To celebrate (and sell more watches), the brand has released a number of Snoopy-themed limited edition watches. While there hasn't been an all-black one yet, this one is an affordable alternative. Much more affordable, in fact, as those models have appreciated significantly. This model reminds me more of the ceramic Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon.

The case dimensions are the same as regular Moonswatches. The chronograph uses stick hands without lume (minus one lost to the moonphase subdial). It also has the same dual-signed crown.

Like on my New Moon, the Swatch S engraved on the underside of the acrylic crystal is absent. Strangely it is shown on the Swatch Mission to Moonphase page.

This seems to be because Swatch added an anti-scratch coating similar to the Blancpain x Swatch Fifty Fathoms crystals. Even though my recent Polar Lights and Desert had this, I confirmed that a newer Lava doesn't. It seems to be a recent change to all of them.

Regardless of its scratch-resistance, if you'd like some extra protection for your Moonswatch crystal, check out our Crystal Film Protection kids.

The moonphase display is also rotated 90 degrees on the black New Moon version.

Like all Speedmasters, it has an external tachymeter scale in white on black like a real Moonwatch.

Wearing the Moonswatch Mission To The Moonphase New Moon

All Moonswatch variants are quite comfortable due to the ergonomic Speedmaster case shape and low weight. The Moonphase weighs the same but is half a millimeter thicker due to the crystal.

The centers of the hands are filled in with black lume. It looks more interesting and gives a skeletonized look.long

Unfortunately, black lume stinks in the dark. It's neither bright nor long-lasting. It does, however, make this watch entirely the inverse of the full moon.

Like the Full Moon, the Mission to Moonphase New Mooon reveals an easter egg when exposed to UV light (if you don't have a source for this, try one of our Lume Charging Flashlights). The moon and stars glow blue as well as a hidden message: "I can't sleep without a night light." The words can't be seen with the naked eye (although you can make them out in some of these macro shots).

Moonswatch Mission To The Moonphase New Moon Original and Replacement Straps

All Moonswatches use the same Velcro strap design. On the New Moon, the all-black theme is continued.

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

My favorite on this watch is a black Deployant Rubber.

A Ribbed Rubber Pass-Through is also a good pairing.

Here is a list of some of the straps that would fit and we think 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.
-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 The Moonphase New Moon Movement

As you've surely figured out, this model adds a moonphase indicator. The top of the moon indicates the number of days past the full moon.

To set it, pull the crown out two clicks (there is still a phantom date position). If the chronograph was running, the center hand spins back to zero. You can then hold down the reset pusher to advance the moon phase.

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

Not only does it add a complication, but the chronograph operation is upgraded. The second hand resets much quicker than on standard Moonswatch models. Additionally, the subdial minute hand spins around a few times! It's lost the tenth of a second indicator, but that's arguably useful anyway.

A different, more cartoonish moon is used to cover the battery. It also has a cute dog footprint on it.

Conclusion:

I like this move by Swatch. Some collectors were getting tired of seeing only superficial updates to the line and regarding them as cash grabs (i.e. the Mission to Moonshine models). I'm happy to see Swatch continue to expand the Moonswatch line with additional functions. Plus I get to experience my first moonphase complication.

The price increases to $310, which is $30 more than a standard Moonswatch (which has also gone up by $10). A small increase that comes with additional features. If you weren't put off by the questionable value of this plastic watch in the first place, then the small bump shouldn't put you off.

Specifications:

Name: Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission to the Moonphase New Moon
Reference Number: SO33B700
MSRP: $310
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