OMEGA is teaming up with its partner, Swiss yacht racing team Alinghi, to present a collaborative watch – the OMEGA Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi. According to Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, “The new watch is about two great Swiss brands combining their passion for innovation and sailing.”
Furthermore, the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi aims to visually demonstrate the same values and qualities that the partners share. According to Aeschlimann, “To match ALINGHI’s state-of- the-art boat creation, we’ve harnessed some truly impressive technology, along with the best materials and a very original design concept“.
Therefore, the new Speedmaster comes in a 44.25 mm black zirconium oxide ceramic case. Meanwhile, the bezel is ceramic and features a Super-LumiNova tachymeter scale. Primarily, the watch uses a black and red colour scheme. Red represents passion, while black represents the highly technological world of yachting. This colour code is also evident on numerous other features, including the perforated black and red rubber strap and the dial’s red central seconds hand. Likewise, the Alinghi logo on the stop/start pusher is also red.
Furthermore, two of the OMEGA Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi‘s subdials are particularly interesting. Firstly, the minute counter at 3 o’clock emphasizes the first 5 Minutes with a red font. This helps to improve precision on the water. Secondly, a sandblasted and anodized aluminium disc at 6 o’clock replaces the watch’s usual dial design. Here, again, the Alinghi logo is transferred in red. Moreover, it rotates whenever the chronograph function is in use.
Meanwhile, several calibre components take inspiration from Alinghi’s new TF35 catamaran. Therefore, they feature a honeycomb effect that evokes the interior of the TF35’s carbon hull. The mainplate and barrel bridge both showcase this effect, which is achieved using laser ablation. Furthermore, the same technique is used to decorate the other bridges, as well as the dial, however with a black carbon – rather than honeycomb – pattern.
Powering the OMEGA Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi is the OMEGA calibre 1865 with a hand-wound three-register chronograph with a cam and lever switching system. The 1865 is a version of the better-known caliber 1861. Dark Side of the Moon watches tend to use the 9300. However, the manual-winding movement is the calibre of choice because it is ideal for sailing crews due to its lighter, slimmer design. Most importantly, the calibre has a 48-hour power reserve and a frequency of 3 Hz. The movement is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.
Ernesto Bertarelli, Founder and President of Alinghi, states: “It’s been an immense pleasure to collaborate so closely with OMEGA on this wonderful new timepiece. Throughout our history, we’ve been very aware of the watchmaker’s incredible expertise in sports timekeeping and passion for sailing. So, it is a very special moment to have worked on a watch together and now see the exquisite results. It’s the perfect start to our relationship and a real sign of more to come in the future“.
To conclude, the OMEGA Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi presents itself on a perforated black and red rubber strap with a black ceramic pin buckle. The special (but not limited) edition watch comes in a special OMEGA box, which features a matching colour scheme and the Alinghi logo. Finally, the watch is water-resistant to 50 m and costs 9,845 euros.
| BRAND: | OMEGA |
| MODEL: | Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi |
| REFERENCE: | 311.92.44.30.01.002 |
| CASE MATERIAL: | Zirconium oxide ceramic, Ceramic bezel |
| DIMENSIONS: | Diameter: 44.25 mm Height: 13.80 mm |
| WATER RESISTANCE: | 5 bar (~ 50 m) |
| DIAL: | Black with red details, laser-etched carbon fibre pattern |
| STRAP/BRACELET: | Perforated black and red rubber strap |
| MOVEMENT: | Omega caliber 1865 |
| MOVEMENT TYPE: | Hand-wound |
| POWER RESERVE: | 48 hours |
| FREQUENCY: | 21,600 vph (3 Hz) |
| FUNCTIONS: | Hours, Minutes, Small seconds, Chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters |
| PRICE: | EUR 9,845 |
