SWISS luxury watchmakers Omega and Swatch recently startled their fans with an unexpected collaboration that seems like a planetary excursion. The Bioceramic MoonSwatch collection, which integrates the legendary Omega chronograph that made it to the moon and the ground-breaking new material created by Swatch, arrived on July 14 at the Swatch store at MixC Qianhai in Nanshan District, one of four new added stores. The two brands have drawn their design inspiration from space, to create a collection of 11 Swatches named after planetary bodies, from the star at the center of the solar system to the dwarf planet at its periphery, and including the earth’s moon as the 11th Swatch. The new collection is the fusion of Swatch’s most innovative Bioceramic material with the key Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch design elements. Bioceramic is a unique mix of two-thirds ceramic and one-third material derived from castor oil. Each MoonSwatch has its own mission statement, inspirational engravings and joint OMEGA X SWATCH logos on the dial and crown. The battery cover on each watch features an image of the planetary body that inspires the design. A spacesuit-ready Velcro strap adds a final touch of astronaut chic. While these watches are special, they aren’t part of a limited edition and the stock of the collection will be replenished regularly, according to Swatch. (Zhang Yu) | 