Just two weeks after unveiling the first MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase, Omega and Swatch are back at it again with a new black version that is inspired by the new moon. We all knew this one was coming, and Swatch even teased an official 4/8 launch date on its Instagram page just a couple of days ago. Just like before, the new Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase New Moon features the cartoon character Snoopy as a nod to Omega’s highly collectible Silver Snoopy Speedmaster watches, although it now features an all-black colorway and a slightly re-worked moonphase display compared to what can be found on the original all-white Mission to the Moonphase model. 

For the most part, the new Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase New Moon (ref. SO33B700) is largely identical to the original Mission to the Moonphase – Full Moon model that was announced two weeks ago, and the most significant difference between these two watches relates to their colorways, with one being the inverted version of the other. While the first MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase watch features an all-white colorway inspired by the full moon, this latest variation is predominantly black with small white details, and its inspiration comes from the dark sky of the new moon. 

Just like the original MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase model, you get a black Bioceramic case in the familiar shape of the Speedmaster that measures 42mm in diameter by 13.75mm thick, with an overall lug-to-lug profile of 47.3mm. Similarly, the top of the case receives a domed biosourced plastic crystal surrounded by the Speedmaster’s tachymeter bezel (complete with vintage dot-over-ninety markings), while the lugs are fitted with a black Velcro strap, and water resistance comes in at the same 30 meters that can be found across the rest of the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch collection. 

Just like all other MoonSwatch models, the right-hand side of the case is furnished by a set of Bioceramic pump-style pushers, along with a black Biocermaic crown that is signed with both the Omega and Swatch logos. Additionally, the user-accessible battery hatch on the caseback of the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase New Moon receives the same cartoon moon drawing that is printed on the battery hatch of the original model, complete with Snoopy’s paw print.

While the original Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase – Full Moon model was fitted with a white dial accented by small black markings, this latest version inverts the colorway of the original and receives a black dial with white hands and printing. The overall layout of the dial remains unchanged with a trio of centrally-mounted hands, a 60-minute counter at 10 o’clock, a running seconds register on the lower half of its display, and a moonphase indicator sitting at the 2 o’clock position with the Peanuts cartoon character Snoopy sleeping on the moonphase disc. 

However, while the original Mission to the Moonphase model featured a rotating disc mounted behind a fixed bridge on its dial, the new Omega x Seatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase New Moon appears to have a rotating bridge located above the moonphase disc that partially obscures the two moon drawings to correspond with the current phase of the moon. Similar to the original Mission to the Moonphase model, the moonphase disc is finished with luminous moons and stars that glow blue, while the hands and hour markers glow green, and the hidden quote “I can’t sleep without a night light” appears on the bridge in luminous markings that reveal themselves in the dark. However, if the bridge does rotate as it appears in the photos, then the quote will change position throughout the month as the bridge slowly rotates to display the phase of the moon. 

While Swatch doesn’t mention the specific movements that it uses inside its various MoonSwatch models, the caseback does include a stamp of the ETA insignia, and since both of these companies (along with Omega) are members of Swatch Group, the movement inside is guaranteed to be some type of ETA design. Based upon the layout of its sub-dials and the offerings currently available from the Swiss movement manufacturer, I have a feeling that it is a slight variation of the 4-jewel ETA Caliber G10.962 quartz chronograph moonphase movement that omits both the date display and additional hour totalizer hand. However, since the MoonSwatch’s caseback is permanently connected to the middle case, you won’t be able to open it up to get a visual confirmation of the exact caliber that powers it.

As this latest model is more-or-less a new colorway of the original version from just a couple of weeks ago, pricing is identical for the two models, and just like its white Full Moon sibling, the new Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase New Moon ref. SO33B700 has an official retail price of $310 USD, which represents a small premium compared to the standard MoonSwatch models. Given that the first model was dedicated to the full moon, and this latest version is inspired by the new moon, I could easily see Omega and Swatch creating a blue version that plays on the concept of the blue moon, and it will be interesting to see what will be next within the Mission to the Moonphase series, and if we will eventually see other complications added to the greater MoonSwatch collection. For more information on the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase – New Moon, please visit the brand’s website.