It has been just over two years since the release of the Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch watch.
At that time, queues outside Swatch boutiques were unheard of in the watch world. Although the hype is no longer as intense, new versions, such as the recently introduced Snoopies, continue to sustain the bioceramic phenomenon. This week, TAG Heuer and the fashion and lifestyle brand Kith have also tried their hand at collaboration, releasing reissues of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 × Kith. There are 10 in total, all made of sandblasted stainless steel. The Formula 1 watches are released in a much more limited edition than the MoonSwatches and are sold at a higher price. In today's edition of Sunday Morning Showdown, we'll find out which of the two collaborations you prefer.
Both the MoonSwatch and the new Formula 1 are presented in fun color combinations and are equipped with quartz movements. However, beyond the similarities, these watches differ in many ways. Anton and Denis will highlight these differences and use them to convince you to vote for one watch over the other. But before we get to the battle, let's take a look at what happened last week.
Last Week in the Showdown...
It was a completely different game between the Grand Seiko SLGW003 and Chopard L.U.C XPS Forest Green. These two dress models were released during the latest Watches and Wonders exhibition in Geneva. Grand Seiko offers a hand-wound movement and a beautiful dial texture, while Chopard is equipped with an attractive micro-rotor movement and an irresistible sector dial. In the end, the classic charm of the Chopard XPS received the most votes. But I don't think 62% and 38% reflect how difficult it was to choose between them. To get an idea, check out some of last week's comments.
Denis: TAG Heuer Formula 1 × Kith
Let's move on to this week's collaboration battle. I wasn't aware of these watches until the new collaboration appeared. I saw teasers on Instagram and was intrigued by what would come next. I didn't know what Kith was, so seeing this name on the dial made me even more curious. Judging by all the hints, I expected to see another collection of colorful, inexpensive, plastic watches.
We received a set of 10 watches that are all the same, except for the bright color combinations. They are made of stainless steel with sandblasted or PVD coating and feature a quartz movement. Some come on a rubber strap, others on a Jubilee-style bracelet. Each version is equipped with a 60-minute arnit (plastic) bezel and, thanks to the screw-down crown, has a water resistance of up to 200 meters. As for the price, you can purchase one of the limited models for 1,500 euros. You can also buy the entire collection for 18,000 euros.
More Durable and Functional Watches
When comparing the new Formula 1 × Kith watches with MoonSwatch, several obvious differences can be highlighted. Firstly, they are made of stainless steel, not bioplastic or bioceramic. Therefore, the Formula 1 reissues look like more reliable and durable watches. Sapphire crystals and water resistance only emphasize this, making them feel like more serious watches. MoonSwatch, on the other hand, always seems like a toy or, at least, something that won't last as long.
Yes, my MoonSwatch Mission to Saturn is still intact. Perhaps that's because I don't wear it that often. Unfortunately, I've seen many MoonSwatches with broken bezels and fallen-off buttons. I like the idea of MoonSwatch as a more affordable and fun alternative to moon watches. But the fact that they may not last long makes them a bit more whimsical. It seems TAG Heuer and Kith have opted for a more durable design, which is much more sensible, especially in a world that increasingly focuses on sustainability.
More of a Collector's Item
Next, we move on to the price and availability of these two collaborations. The MoonSwatch watches are only available in some Swatch boutiques and sell for 275 euros. Regular models are limited in the sense that they may eventually sell out. But most models are easily available now. Occasionally, Swatch releases a new series that is only available for a limited time. It's almost like a game of Pokémon - “Gotta catch 'em all!”.
But the TAG Heuer Formula 1 × Kith watches are much more limited than the MoonSwatches. Seven models will be available exclusively through Kith. Five models on rubber straps are released in 250 pieces each, and the other two on stainless steel bracelets - in 350 pieces each. Additionally, there are two models released only for TAG Heuer, both limited to 850 pieces. Finally, there is a general model with a limit of 1,350 pieces. As mentioned, all watches are sold at the same price - 1,500 euros.
You will have to make an effort to get your hands on one of these Formula 1 models when they go on sale worldwide tomorrow. Despite the fairly high price for fun quartz watches, I expect many people to try to get them. Among them, of course, will be the notorious resellers. But I also expect some enthusiasts to try to get their favorite versions. In this regard, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 × Kith is much more of a collector's item than the MoonSwatch. Combined with the more durable construction, I prefer the Formula 1 over the MoonSwatch. What do you say, Anton?
Anton: Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch
Where should we start, Denis? There's a lot to say about the Formula 1 “Kith Heuer”. Let's start from the beginning. When I first saw these new Formula 1 watches, I wasn't as excited as many watch enthusiasts. I've never liked the original TAG Heuer Formula 1 model. Even though I was young and loved colorful watches, I preferred Swatch. This brand represented revolutionary, affordable watches and a creative platform built on wild designs and interesting collaborations. The creativity of Swatch designs attracted me much more than the TAG Heuer Formula 1.
As I already mentioned in the series Buying Guide about TAG Heuer in the 1980s, to survive the quartz crisis, the brand had to copy Swatch's strategy of creating cheaper watches. This strategy worked, thank God. I wouldn't say I like TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches, but I love the brand's history and its iconic watches as much as any other watch enthusiast. I like that Formula 1 played a key role in preserving the brand after Heuer became TAG Heuer. Thanks to this, the Formula 1 series occupies an important place in the brand's history. But that doesn't make me want such watches, and I don't like their design. In the spirit of the 80s: “Never was and never will be.”
The Spirit of Collaboration - Either You Get It or You Don't.
But criticizing the new Kith Heuer Formula 1 based solely on appearance is too personal, Denis. I understand that there are things to discuss to bring strong arguments for winning this competition. Why bring back the 35mm Formula 1 as a limited collaborative series, especially in the famous colors that many watch fans love? Given the historical significance of this classic, its reissue could have been a huge success even without Kith. One can only wonder what's in store for TAG Heuer.
Many watch fans who wore Formula 1 in their youth are not familiar with Kith and are not even interested in having the brand name on the dial. As a former sneaker enthusiast, I am well aware of the Kith name. I visited its Manhattan location during a trip to New York in 2012 when Kith shared a space with Atrium NYC. There, I was lucky enough to acquire a pair of Nike Air Trainer 1 in the original colorway worn by John McEnroe and Andre Agassi on the court in the late 1980s. I was very pleased to find them at Kith, and I still wear them from time to time.
Bring Back Formula 1 for True TAG Heuer Fans
Yes, I have great memories of Kith, and I highly respect the brand created by Ronnie Fieg. But that doesn't mean I want the Kith logo on the dial of my TAG Heuer watch. I understand that this feeling becomes even stronger for people who don't know Kith and see the altered (read: dissected) TAG Heuer logo. It has value only for those who consider Kith a cool brand. And these people are usually younger and more interested in the hypebeast mentality surrounding Kith. Does this do a service to TAG Heuer fans? I think the answer to this question depends on each individual, but after reading the comments, I found it quite obvious.
For watch lovers, a truly cool Formula 1 would have the vintage TAG Heuer logo on the dial. And yet TAG Heuer will release just 4,150 individual pieces plus 75 box sets that will go to Kith fans, hypebeasts, flippers, and hopefully true watch collectors who will love them. In this regard, I move to the question of the price of the TAG Heuer Formula 1. At 1,500 euros, these are no longer just fun watches. Despite the materials being upgraded, fifteen hundred for simple quartz stainless steel watches doesn't account for the reason TAG Heuer Formula 1 was created. Knowing that original Formula 1s can be bought for 300-400 euros puts the new release in a different light.
MoonSwatch is a True Collaboration
That's the essence of MoonSwatch. I could talk all day about what happened and discuss what it brought to Omega and Swatch. But let's not drag it out, as I've already said a lot about TAG Heuer and explained my love for MoonSwatch in a previous article. Moreover, our readers know this story too well, Denis. Regarding collaboration, I like the combination of Swatch and Omega for simple reasons. First, both companies are watch brands. Therefore, both are actively involved in creating MoonSwatch. Omega “provided” the Speedmaster design, and Swatch brought it to life in typical Swatch fashion - this is a true collaboration.
The initial series is also based on a concept - our solar system - which brings a little story to each watch. This concept also allowed the story to continue with the MoonSwatch Snoopy models. The Moonshine versions in between may have been controversial, but they didn't spoil my love for MoonSwatch at all. Slapping a logo on a reissue of a classic is far from a true collaboration. It doesn't have the excitement and curiosity that characterized the MoonSwatch releases.
Only One of Them Are True "Fun Watches"
Price is another simple reason why MoonSwatch watches are more liked than Formula 1. At 275 euros for regular MoonSwatch and 315 euros for the Snoopy version, they are many times cheaper. Combined with the enjoyable collaborative concept, this makes the watches fun and creative. These are the watches Swatch aimed to create when it debuted in 1983. Thus, MoonSwatch watches largely fit the brand.
The same cannot be said for the collaborative Kith Heuer Formula 1 model. At 1,500 euros, they strip the original Formula 1 model of its meaning. Additionally, TAG Heuer has not provided any information about the movement, and despite the materials being slightly upgraded, nothing justifies the stated price. They are too expensive to be interesting. This realization makes MoonSwatch a more successful collaboration, a more beautiful series, and overall fun watches at a much more favorable price. Have a fun Sunday, people!
Cast Your Vote
That's it - TAG Heuer Formula 1 × Kith and Omega × Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch have faced off. Which one is your favorite? Cast your vote and share your reasons in the comments on our Telegram channel.