In an era where global accessibility is the norm, it’s a bold and audacious move to limit the availability of a product to select cities around the world. Yet, that’s precisely what Swatch and OMEGA did with their recent Mission to Moonshine Gold collaboration. It’s a fascinating strategy, one that invokes the element of scarcity, provokes hype, and challenges the very notion of consumerism.
The MoonSwatch’s Mission to Moonshine Gold collaboration was a masterstroke in marketing, and the luxury watch industry took notice. The watch was announced via cryptic social media messages and was only available in Tokyo, Milan, Zurich, and London—cities with thematic links to gold1. For instance, the City of London, where gold prices are set, and Zurich’s Paradeplatz, the hub of the city’s banking district, were chosen for their gold connections.
This strategy generated a frenzy of speculation and anticipation around the release. The new MoonSwatch was identical to the gray Mission to the Moon model, but the chronograph seconds-hand was given a coating in Moonshine gold, OMEGA’s proprietary hardened gold alloy. Despite the minimal change, the scarcity and exclusivity factor drove the demand sky-high.
Interestingly, this approach sparked a certain level of controversy. Some critics viewed the minor change—a gold second hand—as underwhelming and even disrespectful to the watch industry. This sentiment was exemplified by @SecondeSeconde, a watch industry creative, who critiqued the release as a “disrespectful and lazy scam“. Yet, the controversy only seemed to fuel the hype further, demonstrating Swatch’s knack for “positive provocation” as part of their brand strategy.
The scarcity of the MoonSwatch was part of its allure, with boutiques massively undersupplied and the watches unavailable online. This, paired with the limited availability in select cities, created a sense of urgency that boosted sales and resale prices. Though the resale prices have fallen since their peak, they still offer a healthy return on the original product price.
You maybe interest to read:
A new OMEGA x Swatch Mission to Moonshine Gold: Pink Full Moon, and here we go again!
Where can you still find Swatch x OMEGA SpeedMaster Moonwatch?
Swatch x Jean-Michel Basquiat: A Timeless Tribute to the Iconic Artist
Swatch’s unique approach to the MoonSwatch’s availability hints at a tantalizing prospect for future releases. In a playful press release, Swatch suggested that future sales pop-ups of the gold-hand MoonSwatch might take place in other locations around the world, likely during a full moon. The decision to never sell the MoonSwatch online was also confirmed, adding another layer of exclusivity to the product’s distribution strategy.
This strategy, while provocative, has proven to be a powerful tool in creating demand and preserving the allure of exclusivity. It’s a tactic that other luxury brands may look to emulate in the future. However, it remains to be seen whether the Mission to Moonshine Gold collaboration was a one-off event or the beginning of a new trend in Swatch’s marketing strategy. Either way, the watch world will be watching closely, ready to race to the next golden opportunity.
In the ticking race against time, Swatch and OMEGA have shown us that sometimes, scarcity and exclusivity can create a demand that even time can’t keep up with.
Click on this link to read this article in French version
