A new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch! The latest version of the first watch worn on the moon features a white lacquered dial and black hands for the first time. A red Speedmaster lettering provides a striking contrast and is inspired by the rare Speedmaster Alaska Project. A first version was spotted on the wrist of Omega brand ambassador Daniel Craig at the Planet Omega exhibition last year. The excitement for the new model, which 007 had long known about, grew accordingly. It is now available and comes on a stainless steel bracelet as well as a new leather and rubber strap.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch has the same 42 mm stainless steel case as the classic Speedy. Accordingly, it has an asymmetrical shape that serves to protect the crown and pushers. The sides showcase a brushed finish, whilst a polished strap stretches to the lugs, which then drop sharply. The width of the lugs is 20 mm. Lug-to-lug, the watch measures 47.5 mm with a height of 13.2 mm. A box sapphire crystal protects the dial. There is no option with hesalite. The bezel with tachymeter scale is still of aluminium and the dot-over-ninety is also in the right place, true to the historical original. The case back is see-through and allows a view of the movement. The water resistance is 50 metres.
The classic Speedmaster has a black dial with white hands to ensure optimum legibility. The new white dial Moonwatch inverts this colour scheme while retaining the high-contrast display. Unlike the black dial and for the first time on a Moonwatch, Omega has given this dial a glossy lacquer finish. According to the manufacturer from Biel, this is a tribute to the spacesuits worn by astronauts. For connoisseurs, however, the dial is also reminiscent of the Speedmaster Alaska Project from 1969, a prototype that was to become the perfect space watch. The red accents on the dial, which are a reference to the red protective case that surrounded the original ALASKA I, also speak in favour of this.
Both the Speedmaster lettering and the tip of the central chronograph hand stand out in this colour, providing a contrast to the ice-cold white of the dial. The applied hour indices on this Speedmaster are, like the hands, black. However, each of them has a recess for luminous material to ensure a certain degree of legibility in the dark. The main hands meanwhile are more generously lumed.
The small seconds and the two counters are recessed in the step dial, which this Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch takes over from its sister models. However, the hands are also black here, while the inscription is printed. Also previously unseen is the black applied Omega logo, which appears polished on the sapphire sandwich versions.
Inside is the Calibre 3861, which also powers the other models in the Speedmaster Moonwatch collection. Remarkably, Omega has not yet integrated the Spirate system here, which made its debut last year with the Speedmaster Super Racing and promises a rate of 0/+2 seconds per day. However, the Calibre 3861 offers impressive performance in its own right. This is corroborated by the METAS certification, which makes the watch a Master Chronometer and attests to its precision, anti-magnetic properties and longevity. The deviation is accordingly between 0/+5 seconds per day.
The power reserve of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is 50 hours. With this generation, hacking-seconds also made it to the collection. As usual, the chronograph uses cam actuation and a horizontal clutch. The free-sprung balance integrates a silicon hairspring and beats at a frequency of 3 Hertz, which is typical for a Co-Axial. The industrial mechanics are streamlined but aesthetically pleasing with a large balance wheel, Côtes de Genève and bevelled edges.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional in steel with a white dial (Ref. 310.30.42.50.04.001) comes on three different strap options. Firstly, of course, with the collection’s stainless steel bracelet with five links per row. The bracelet tapers towards the folding clasp, which also offers on-the-fly adjustment. Two other versions are also available, including one on a black perforated leather strap with red and white stitching, and another on an antibacterial rubber strap with a moon surface pattern in positive relief on the underside. The price for the watch with stainless steel bracelet is 8,900 euros.
