I’ve heard from 2 separate sources over the weekend that the MoonSwatch won’t be available online until the end of August or about 6 months from the “non-limited release” last month. Swatch might have had issues with the manufacture, possibly related to the dye transfer to skin or unexpected demand, but who knows?
In the meantime I think that Swatch need to expand the number of stores to which the MoonSwatch is being released, i.e. all ADs and not just the “selected stores”. The current situation of drip feeding small quantities to a limited number of stores mainly seems to be lining the pockets of the scalpers and flippers.
I agree but Swatch have backed themselves into a corner over this. Assuming that they had manufactured enough stock, I think it’s highly likely that the scalpers would use their bots to purchase all of the stock and crash the Swatch website within seconds of the watches becoming available online. To me it feels like the situation with the PS5, Yeezy trainers etc. That’s why I think Swatch need to flood the market using bricks and mortar stores to bring the market value of the MoonSwatch down to RRP before releasing them online. Hopefully then the scalpers would no longer be interested because there would be little, if any money to be made in flipping them.
I should point out that the separate sources to which I referred are not necessarily reliable, i.e. somebody knows someone who works for Swatch or someone who asked in store. Many such sources have indicated online release dates that have come and gone without success. However, these particular “ I read it on the internet so it must be true” predictions seem more realistic to me.
When Swatch released their Sistem 51, I bought one out of excitement and my jacket cuff scratched the crystal the first time out.. not a terrible scratch, but it was noticeable. I was of course super careful etc (as with any watch). It looks like not much has changed in materials.. though doubt I am put off enough from buying one when it will be available online or without a crazy queue!
Interesting to see that these are being sold in quite big quantities on Stockx, the sneaker platform. Gives a clue as to who is queuing! Less popular models like Jupiter for around £400, then Neptune around £1000. Surprisingly Earth can be had for nearer £400 and that is one of the nicer ones imo
I went to one of the stores in London at around 11am, very quiet, and no swatch omegas to buy. The sales assistant did say that they had received some earlier. I was only in there for a couple of minutes, but in that time, 3 or 4 others also asked the same question.
They had all been sold out by the time I go there. I was probably there closer to 11:30. He said they got deliveries periodically. He was not overly helpful. I assume he has had to answer the same question lots of times before.
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The current situation on Oxford street
Scalpers gona scalp!
You'd have to presume supply will soon overwhelm demand. Chrono24 has 800 Moonswatches for sale with one as low as £400. That suggests to me that people aren't prepared to buy these watches, and it won't be long until the guys buying these will realise theyre sat on stock they can't shift.
So, does anyone buying one of these automatically qualify as a scalper?
I just wonder how you can tell - Bloke in a suit, young lad in the Easter holidays with a parent, maybe they just rather fancy one of these watches at RRP?
Presumably my 'scalpdar' isn't as honed as most...
M
Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
Was in my Omega & Rolex AD with my wife, buying her a bracelet for her birthday, i.e. not trying to buy a MoonSwatch. However, during the purchase, I asked the salesman about the hype and he said they were glad the watch was 'boutique only', because Swatch Southampton had told them to be ready for unhappy customers with colourful wrists (and not only blue). The official line, apparently, is that the colour will wash off and eventually stop coming off the watch.
Really wish they would get these a bit more widely available.. it’s starting to get a bit tedious now!! Had hoped to pick one up but didn’t think this mania would be dragging on still. It’s made me hugely lose interest.
It’s not the requirement for instant gratification… I am a Speedmaster fan of many years and think they are a fun idea but it’s just the complete lack of any useful communication from Swatch about what is actually happening beyond this trickle of stock into their stores. If they could at least give people some idea of when online ordering would finally happen….
I wonder whether they are trying to solve the running colour problem, before ramping up into mass manufacture?
I made the mistake of queuing up at Oxford Street and buying a Mission to Mars.
Never been so disappointed with a watch, the hands were misaligned and it felt like a toy watch, wasn't worth the £207 in my opinion even with Omega stamped on it.
I ended up returning it for a refund.
I had a look today at the Oxford street swatch store, they had on display. Sales guy said they will have 50-100 in tomorrow morning. A few scalpers giving dodgy fist pumps to doormen and other sales people. After this, and looking at the display models, it does look kinda crap and I wouldn’t even spend £200 on one just for the fun of it.
Your observation about potential scalpers tallies with many reports I’ve read from all over the world. It suggests Swatch staff collusion and/or corruption in the supply of these watches to the scalpers. No wonder people have been complaining loudly on social media about not being able to obtain the MoonSwatch at RRP.
definitely pick one at retail , the set would be fun to own
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The madness continues.
Oxford Street 15 mins ago.
M
I still think it is ‘Mission accomplished’ by Swatch.
Most people buying probably aren’t watch enthusiasts, so they are pulling in new customers.
Have they taken a leaf from Rolex’s book, and increasing interest, demand, and values, by deliberately restricting supply?
Albeit at a lower price point, which is much more achievable to most.
I'd hazard a guess it is the same people queuing each time.
Almost 1,000 for sale on Chrono24, and now approx 60 under £500 - market will soften on these.
One or two of them look like their teacher sent them.
Wonder how long the queue takes? Must be a good few hours?
If the queue in the coffee shop is more than two people, I go somewhere else
It's April 2022, just so you know...
Have you noticed how young policemen are these days, too?
No, no, no, no - You can tell just by looking that all those people are 'scalpers' (probably taking a few hours out from their drug dealing and stolen goods handing normal business)...
M
Last edited by snowman; 27th April 2022 at 12:30.
Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?