Omega Launches Black And White Speedmaster Moonwatch Duo in Moonshine Gold And Steel

Omega is kicking off the new year with two Professional models. The Swatch Group brand uses the term ‘Professional’ to denote particularly robust and reliable timepieces, such as the Speedmaster Moonwatch. The new duo features black and white dials and stainless steel and Moonshine gold cases. Of course, the look of Omega’s new Moonwatch duo references its space heritage as the first NASA-certified watch, which was present at all six moon landings.

References to this era include the classic asymmetrical case design with integrated crown and push-piece guards, as well as the two-layer dial. Since its redesign in 2021, the historic DON (dot over ninety) design – a small dot above the 90 on the bezel – has also been reinstated as one of the Moonwatch’s features.

Raynald Aeschlimann, CEO of Omega, explained at the time: ‘When redesigning an iconic watch like the Speedmaster Moonwatch, every detail must remain true to the original spirit of the watch. This chronograph is known all over the world, which is why we approached the design with great respect, while at the same time taking the movement to the next level of watchmaking.’

Incidentally, Omega watches are still certified by NASA as space-worthy and are part of the standard equipment of astronauts. These are the Speedmaster Professional 3570.50.00 and the Speedmaster Professional X-33.

The birth of Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch

The first Speedmaster (reference 2998) completed its first space flight on 3 October 1962 during the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission, worn on the wrist of American astronaut Walter M. Schirra. However, the legendary Moonwatch is considered to have been born on 20 July 1969, when the reference 105.012 took off for the moon as the official NASA watch on board Apollo 11. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the moon, wore the timepiece on his wrist.

You can find out everything about the history of this Speedmaster, which went down in Omega’s annals as the Moonwatch, in the detailed article on the history of the Speedmaster by my colleague Philipp Riehr.

Dial of the new Moonwatch-Duos: very classic in black and white

The characteristic stepped dial of the new Speedmaster Moonwatch chronographs consists of a double plate. The lower plate bears the subdials, is white and has a lacquer finish. The totalisers are visible through the cut-outs in the upper plate. It is black, polished and also has a glossy lacquer finish.

This inverted aesthetic is also reflected in the minute divisions, which are white on the upper dial and black on the subdials for the small seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour counters.

Similar to the case material, the new Moonwatch models also differ in terms of their appearance. The stainless steel version features rhodium-plated hands and hour markers coated with white Super-LumiNova. The gold version, on the other hand, features hands and hour markers in Moonshine Gold. White Super-LumiNova is also used here. The central chronograph hand, which is coated with Moonshine gold PVD, is an exception.

Reliable movement in a distinctive case format

The Moonwatch’s appearance includes the asymmetrical case shape of the historic reference 105.012, which protects the crown and pushers on the right side from impact. As with all Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional models, the new duo measures 42 millimetres in diameter.

The choice is between shimmering Moonshine gold (reference 310.60.42.50.01.002) – Omega’s own yellow gold alloy – and cool stainless steel (reference 310.30.42.50.01.004). These are complemented by three-row metal bracelets with folding clasps and comfort adjustments.

It houses the Co-Axial Master calibre 3861 with manual winding and a 50-hour power reserve, which was first used in the Speedmaster Moonwatch in 2021. Thanks to this mechanical quality, watches equipped with this calibre come with a 5-year warranty and Master Chronometer certification.

Price & Availability

The new Speedmaster Moonwatch models are now available online and from authorised Omega retailers. The stainless steel version is priced at €10,100, while the gold version costs €47,800.

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