Omega x Swatch Moonswatch Jupiter vs. Saturn vs. Earth Desert Watch Review
I recently picked up the new Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission on Earth Desert edition. Since I had owned the other versions with tan cases, Jupiter and Saturn, I put together a comparison for those wondering which to choose.
If you're not already familiar with these watches, I recommended reading the original review of the Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission to Mars.
This article will focus on the specific differences between the Jupiter, (on the left or top in all photos), Saturn (middle), and Desert (on the right/bottom). You can also visit this link to read all other Moonswatch reviews on the StrapHabit blog.
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. And be sure the check out our new NASA straps! They look great on a Moonswatch.
Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission on Earth and Polar Lights First Impressions:
The Swatch Desert has the most sophisticated look with its taupe dial and bezel. It has a lack of bright colors or graphics on it.
Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission on Earth and Polar Lights Details:
While Jupiter has matching subdials, the other variants have contrast. Saturn has a panda look with brown upper subdials. It is also the only Moonswatch to have a planet picture on the dial (see Saturn's rings over the running seconds). Earth Desert has subdials with tan rings and the dial color in the center. The Arabic numbers are oriented in a radial format which Swatch says is "a nod to the Speedmaster Alaska II and III projects."
Desert has tan "fautina" colored hours markers while the other two are white. All three glow green at night, however (Pluto is the only version with black lume).
The case colors are similar on all three. Jupiter's is a bit warmer of a color, however, while Desert has small black flecks in it, looking like pieces of sand.
All Moonswatch versions have the same dimensions, and both of these Earths have conventional stick hands for the chronograph subdials (only Mars has the unusual Alaska Project-style hands with lume). Also like all other Moonswatches, both of these have the Swatch S engraved in the underside of the crystal, similar to the Omega Greek symbol you'd find on a "real" Moonwatch.
If you'd like some extra protection for your Moonswatch crystal, check out our Crystal Film Protection kids.
Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission on Earth and Polar Lights Wearing and Legibility:
I find the Moonswatches quite comfortable due to the ergonomic Speedmaster case shape, and lightweight construction.
The orange chronograph hands on Jupiter are the easiest to identify, but Saturn has white time-telling hands, which are the easiest to spot. Its green chronograph hands are harder to see, however. Desert is somewhere in the middle, as its chronograph rings are a bit distracting. As with all Moonswatch models, I wish the hands were thicker, but quartz movements tend to require lightweight hands.
Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission on Earth and Polar Lights Original Strap and Replacement Straps:
The strap is the same design on all Moonswatches, all in different shades of dark brown. The Desert also has color-coordinated stitching (it is installed backward in the photo below).
Both look great on a variety of straps. They have 20mm lugs, so there are lots of options.
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. You can also view our Guide to Choosing a Watch Strap.
-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
-Epsom Leather
-Elastic
-Seatbelt
Swatch x Omega Moonswatch Mission on Earth and Polar Lights Movements
All versions of the Moonswatch use the same Swatch quartz chronograph movement. It can record minutes, seconds, and tenths of a second, as well as lap timing. It does have a phantom date position despite lacking a date display.
The battery cover features images of each planet and the caseback has the same text on all models.
Conclusion:
While I like all three, if I had to choose one, I think that it would be Jupiter. I like the splash of color from the orange hands. That being said, I do like the dial design of Desert. Saturn would be a favorite with its panda subdials, but I find the rings too distracting.
You can learn more about each by visiting the Swatch Moonswatch website.
Specifications:
Name: Omega x Swatch Moonswatch Mission on Earth and Mission on Earth Polar Lights
Reference Numbers: SO33C100, SO33T100, SO33T103
MSRP: $270
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 47.2mm
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
Shop Other Straps for the Omega x Swatch Moonswatch Mission to Jupiter, Mission to Saturn, and Mission on Earth Desert and Polar Lights:
Premium Sailcloth Colorway:
Distressed Canvas:
Locking Keeper FKM Rubber:
Tropical FKM Rubber
Vented FKM Rubber:
Slim Ridge FKM Rubber:
Full Grain Epsom Style Leather:
Slim Ridge Rubber:
Tropical FKM Rubber
Smooth FKM Rubber
Waffle FKM Rubber
Distressed Canvas
Hybrid Sailcloth and FKM Rubber
Locking Keeper FKM Rubber
Vented FKM Rubber
Premium Sailcloth
Ribbed FKM Rubber Pass-Through
Deployant FKM Rubber
Tropical FKM Rubber
Elastic Straps
Ridge FKM Rubber
Slim Ridge FKM Rubber:
Full Grain Epsom Style Leather:
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