When the Swatch Group dropped the MoonSwatch in March 2022, the world collectively lost its mind. You probably remember the grainy phone footage of people literally brawling in front of Swatch boutiques in London, Singapore, and New York. Among the eleven original planetary models, the MoonSwatch Mission to Mars stood out immediately. It wasn't just the bright "Fire Engine" red color. It was those weird, rocket-shaped sub-dial hands.
Collectors call them "Alaska Project" hands.
If you aren't a hardcore watch nerd, that name might not mean much, but for the Speedmaster obsessed, it was a massive "Easter Egg" from Omega’s history. Most people just see a cool red watch. They don't realize they're wearing a direct tribute to a 1969 prototype designed to survive the -148°C temperatures of the lunar dark side.
Honestly, the Mission to Mars is the most polarizing piece in the entire collection. Some people think it looks like a toy from a cereal box. Others see it as the only affordable way to touch the DNA of the rarest Omega ever made.
Why the Mission to Mars design actually matters
The "Alaska Project" wasn't actually about Alaska. It was a secret NASA codename. Omega wanted to build the perfect space watch, so they created a massive, removable red aluminum heat shield to protect the movement. The MoonSwatch Mission to Mars borrows its vibrant red case from that protective housing.
Then there are the hands.
Look closely at the sub-dials at 3 and 9 o'clock. They aren't standard sticks. They are shaped like tiny white Gemini capsules or "flamers." In the original 1970s prototypes, these were designed this way to be more legible under extreme vibration or during a high-G launch. Swatch didn't have to include that detail. They could have used the same hands found on the Mission to the Moon or Mission to Mercury. By choosing the Alaska Project aesthetic, they turned a $300 bioceramic watch into a piece of deep-cut horological trivia.
It's bioceramic, not plastic. Sorta.
Swatch is very defensive about this. Bioceramic is a mix of two-thirds ceramic and one-third castor-oil-derived plastic. In the hand, the Mission to Mars feels incredibly light. It weighs about 29 grams. Compare that to a stainless steel Speedmaster Professional which clocks in at around 150 grams. If you're used to "heft" equaling "quality," the Mars will feel cheap at first. But that's the point. It's meant to be fun. It’s a weekend watch.
The Reality of Owning a MoonSwatch Mission to Mars
Let's talk about the strap. The white VELCRO© brand fastener is... a lot.
🔗 Read more: The Real Story Behind the Texas A\&M University Ring and Why It Isn't Just Jewelry
It’s stiff. It’s loud. It makes the watch sit oddly high on the wrist. Most owners swap it out within the first 24 hours. If you put a Mission to Mars on a red rubber strap or a grey NATO, it completely changes the vibe. It goes from "NASA astronaut suit" to "high-end Italian sports watch" instantly.
Common issues and what to expect
- The Acrylic Crystal: This isn't sapphire. It's hesalite-style plastic. It will scratch if you even look at it wrong. The good news? Swatch boutiques usually offer free polishing if you walk in with a scuffed crystal. Or just buy a tube of Polywatch for five bucks.
- The Battery Hatch: Flip the watch over. You’ll see a picture of Mars on the battery cover. It’s a cool touch. You can pop it off with a coin when the quartz movement eventually dies, which is way easier than sending a mechanical watch in for a $600 service.
- The "Bleeding" Myth: Early on, there were reports that the red pigment from the Mission to Mars case was staining people’s wrists when they sweated. This turned out to be a very limited issue with early batches, but it's worth keeping an eye on if you're buying a used 2022 model.
The movement inside is a four-jewel ETA quartz. It isn't a masterpiece of engineering. It’s a reliable, mass-produced engine that keeps better time than a $7,000 mechanical Speedmaster ever will. That’s the irony of the whole project.
Dealing with the "Fakes" and the Resale Market
The MoonSwatch Mission to Mars is one of the most counterfeited watches on the planet right now. Because the original is made of a lightweight composite, the fakes are getting scarily close to the real thing.
If you’re buying on the secondary market, check the "S" etched into the center of the crystal. It’s hidden. You have to tilt the watch under a light to see it. Also, look at the sub-dials. On many cheap replicas, the 2 o’clock sub-dial just mimics the main hour hand instead of acting as a true 1/10th of a second chronograph counter.
Price-wise, the hype has cooled significantly. In 2022, people were flipping these for $1,000. Today? You should be paying retail or just slightly above. Swatch has stated repeatedly that these are not limited editions. If a store is out of stock, wait a week. They’ll get more.
Is it actually a "Real" Speedmaster?
This is the question that starts fights on Reddit.
Purists argue that a Speedmaster must be mechanical and made in Switzerland by Omega. Technically, the MoonSwatch is Made in Switzerland, and it says "Omega" on the dial. But it’s a Swatch product.
Think of it like a collaboration between a high-end fashion house and a street-wear brand. It’s a "gateway drug." Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann famously defended the collaboration, noting that it brought millions of younger eyes to a brand that was starting to feel a bit "dad-core." It worked. Sales of the actual Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch surged after the MoonSwatch launched.
👉 See also: Roger Wheeler Rhode Island: What Most People Get Wrong
Taking care of your Mission to Mars
If you just picked one up, don't baby it too much, but don't treat it like a G-Shock either. The bioceramic is tough but it can crack if dropped on a hard tile floor. It’s water-resistant to 3 bar, which basically means "don't take it swimming." It can handle a splash while you're washing your hands, but that’s about it.
The Mission to Mars is arguably the boldest choice in the lineup. While the "Moon" and "Mercury" models try to look like the real thing, the "Mars" screams that it's a Swatch. It’s unapologetic. It’s bright. It’s a conversation starter.
Essential Next Steps for New Owners
- Audit the crystal: If you see small micro-scratches, don't panic. Buy a microfiber cloth and keep it handy.
- Ditch the Velcro: Look for a 20mm curved-end rubber strap in white or red. It makes the watch feel ten times more expensive and much more comfortable for daily wear.
- Check the Chrono: Make sure your hands are aligned. If the large chronograph seconds hand isn't hitting 12 exactly, you can calibrate it yourself. Pull the crown out to the second position and use the top and bottom pushers to "jog" the hands back to zero.
- Verify the Source: Only buy from official Swatch boutiques or highly rated sellers with original receipts. The "Mission to Mars" has a very specific matte texture that fakes often fail to replicate, appearing too shiny or "plasticky."
The MoonSwatch Mission to Mars represents a weird, chaotic moment in watch history where high-luxury and mass-market fun collided. It isn't a replacement for a "Moonwatch," but as a tribute to the Alaska Project and a piece of wearable pop culture, it's a blast to own. Just keep it away from the pool.