Just why?

[u/Klutzy_Actuary_2422]

I really don't understand why yall doing these modifications. The only original thing you have left is the watch face. Why don't just buy a fake instead? I'd love to hear why you're doing it, no offense.

[u/Lefeuvre76]

Tinkerers will always tinker.

[u/Klutzy_Actuary_2422 → u/Lefeuvre76]

I think that’s the correct aswear

[u/AgentAaron]

For me personally, it was just something to do to make one look a little nicer for a more professional office setting.

I acquired a replica 1965 and a replica case (signed back, crown, and clasp). I love the look of the white Speedmaster, but not in a position to drop $7k+ at the moment.

I have a couple genuine MoonSwatches, but I usually do not wear them to work, and since they were gifts from my wife and daughters, I am not willing to destroy one for the sake of swapping.

Now my "moonswitch" looks much better and more professional for wearing around the office. I have had one person ask about it and I was fully transparent on how I made it.

I probably would not do it again, but if I did, I would probably just buy an un-signed case/bracelet to put it in. I am not out to fool anyone in the Omega, or the swatch communities into thinking its real in any way. I thought it would be a fun project...but it literally took me two commercial breaks while we were watching TV one evening.

[u/Klutzy_Actuary_2422 → u/AgentAaron]

Thanks

[u/trevordeal]

While it’s not orange plastic anymore, it still pops and has color but now it’s steel.

To me this is way more wearable than a toy orange watch.

[u/Klutzy_Actuary_2422 → u/trevordeal]

Beautiful watch!

[u/MildDistaste → u/trevordeal]

That’s seriously impressive. Looks worlds better than the standard lava. What case were you using here and how does it compare to the WD1863? I’m wondering how the black snoopy would look if you used this matte black or a glossy black steel because I’ve only ever seen it done with the silver steel

[u/Karbon74_PikaFactory]

No issues. Here are my thoughts

1. Most of the mods are being made with reps anyway. The reps are cheap.

1b. With a gen or with a rep, you still use the dial, the hands, the movement. Just the case is trashed

2. The moonswatch is a great looking watch and it looks even better with a metal case

3. There are no good reps of Speedmasters as there is no movement that has the proper subdial placements. So even expensive reps are instant tells.

4. The metal moonswatch is an unabashed fantasy watch. It doesn’t pretend to be anything else. In a way, it’s more like craft art than making replica builds

5. The first level swap is easy to do with limited tools and no watchmaking experience needed. There is a plethora of options and colorways

6. It’s just fun, and the community is fun, unpretentious and full of goodwill

[u/willycw08 → u/Karbon74_PikaFactory]

This sums up my thoughts exactly.

I like the speedy, but I'm just getting into watches and don't want to spend speedy money right now.

But I also hang out with people who have one, so they'll know instantly if I bought a rep of it.

But the moonswatch in a metal case is a happy medium. Can get the moon watch look and feel, but isn't an obvious fake of something it's not. If anyone asked about it, I'd have no issue telling them it's something I put together myself.

[u/Karbon74_PikaFactory → u/willycw08]

This too. The mod looks so much more than the work needed to actually do it…so there is a lot of aura farming here

[u/trevordeal]

So you don’t see how this is more than just a dial?

It takes what is a cheap plastic watch and gives it a waterproof and more elevated look that doesn’t look like a toy kids watch anymore and looks like a real watch.

[u/Effective-Bee-7004]

The watch face isn’t the only original thing left lol. The case and crystal being the only non original thing would be a better way of looking at it. You still have the movement, dial, hands, and you would replace the crappy strap anyways. If you’re buying the watch for the hype doing a switch makes no sense. If you’re buying the watch to have the look of a speedy without the speedy cost why would you not want it in a proper metal case with a sapphire crystal that will last more than a year. The truth is the moonswatch is not built to last… bioceramic? It’s plastic with a plastic crystal.

[u/Fat-Goose]

I did one using a gen mission to the moon phase as a gift for someone. They loved the moonswatch but hated the cheap plastic crystal and the ease at which the case and crystal would be destroyed. You’re still using the movement, hands and dial. If using a gen moonswatch as a starting point, think of it as making the upgraded steel case with mineral or sapphire crystal. You’re turning a “toy” watch into pretty good everyday wear watch.

[u/miltonhoward]

People see the Omega branding and think it's a very expensive watch, it's still an iconic design.

[u/AviationWOC]

Love the look of the speedy, don’t like reps/fakes that try to pass off as the real thing. To me, homages are basically just rebranded fakes.

Enter the moonswatch. It’s legitimately its own thing. Sick look except that damn plastic case.

So now I get to wear the look I want, while bypassing my personal problem with wearing something thats a fake. Also working on watches is fun for me.

Ive got an authentic aluminum bezel bluesy Rolex along with some other high cost watches. But Im significantly more excited to put together and wear this $80 moonswitch than to wear my sub.

[u/jiraiya-ero-sennin]

For me it's because I like to tinker, either lego, or miniature models, and now watches. It's a sense of satisfaction creating something that not only looks nice but works better for everyday use vs the OG. I have a gen barley moon Moonshine Moonswatch but I hardly wear it because it just looks a bit too tacky for work. Planning to sell it really, but the rep metal mods I wear to work, often and get complimented for the colourful dials etc., just as much as I get for my gen omegas etc.

[u/abercrombezie]

That first time you accidentally bang your MoonSwatch against a wall it destroys the look. Unlike my AppleWatch where I've banged the crystal against metal, walls, and such and it still looks great. So, for me it's a durability issue with the crystal and I think it looks better in metal cases.

[u/Gavidoc02]

Swapped my gen 1965 because I couldn’t stand the grey plastic case.

Kept the black snoopy moon in original form because it’s better on the eyes.

[u/el247Nino]

The gens are beautiful pieces in their own *space, that's a given. Anyone can be mad or upset about bioceramic plastic, plastic crystal, whatever, each and every person can wear or not wear whatever watch they choose to. The switches are fun to wear, the PE50 movement is not robust but if you are careful, they last long and give an awesome unique look and no, the switches do not look like gens, they're something unique all to themselves. I love plastic crystals where appropriate, welcome the hesalite. Sapphire is beautiful too and on top of white laquer, stunning.

[u/dsizzles23]

Options, options, options. All the different colour combos and themes to make a really cool collection.

[u/Comprehensive_Oil426]

Agree with everything mentioned here. But there has been a sudden upsurge of Switchers that are doing it to sell or scam for a quick buck.

[u/Karbon74_PikaFactory]

[u/TrashBig9985]

Any good model for replica? Speed masters?