Every Omega x Swatch “Mission to Moonshine Gold” MoonSwatch, Ranked

Last year, Omega and Swatch established a new paradigm for watch hype with the MoonSwatch—the color-happy, Zlatan-approved, wildly-affordable spin on the former’s iconic Speedmaster model—causing epic lines of both longtime collectors and watch neophytes to form outside stores the world over. In 2023, the duo have kept that hype train rolling by doling out a handful of new makeups of the smash-hit model, each using Moonshine Gold, Omega’s proprietary 18-karat yellow gold alloy, on the seconds hand. It’s a subtle change, sure, but there’s nothing watch fans love more than a tiny exclusive detail most folks won’t notice.

Given Swatch’s announcement of the next “Mission to Moonshine Gold” model earlier this week—via a 20-second Instagram teaser—we decided to rank all four new versions thus far. (The avid selenographers—that’s the study of the moon—among us have noticed Omega and Swatch have released a new version for each full moon since March, so expect more where these came from soon.) If you’re looking to plunk down some cash on one of the year’s hottest watches, here’s how to prioritize your wishlist.

4. Mission to the Moonshine Gold “Pink Full Moon”

While we’re as hyped about the new Barbie movie as anyone here at GQ HQ, the second edition of the Mission to Moonshine Gold series—which features a bright Barbie-approved pink Super-Lumi Nova tip on that gold seconds hand, a nod to the first full moon following the Spring Equinox—is our least favorite thus far. Coming hot on the heels of the first Moonshine Gold model, it just felt too small of a change, and fell a little flat in our estimation.

3. Mission to the Moonshine Gold “Flower