Model Spotlight: The OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Chronograph
Since 1969, when Neil Armstrong first stepped foot on the moon, the Omega Speedmaster Professional has been known fondly to collectors as “The Moonwatch.” Watches from the Speedmaster collection have accompanied generations of astronauts on their expeditions of our solar system. Although the Speedmaster Professional is most commonly associated with the Apollo Missions to the moon, the watch’s orgins date back to more that a decade prior in 1957. This Speedmaster was originally designed for motor racing where sturdiness and accuracy were of utmost importance. In 1964 when NASA opened a contest to find the best watch to send to space for the first missions to the moon, it was clear that the Speedmaster Professional was up to the task. At the conclusion of NASA’s extensive testing, the Speedmaster Professional prevailed and was selected over chronographs submitted by the likes of Longines, Hamilton, and even Rolex. The Speedmaster Professional further gained a reputation for reliability in 1970 as it saved the lives of the three astronauts aboard Apollo 13, being used to time fuel burns in order to guide the spacecraft back to earth. In the nearly six decades since the Moonwatch first touched outer space, the Speedmaster has been further adapted and innovated in keeping with the spirit of the adventure and ruggedness originally associated with the watch.
Timeless Design
With the most recent update, OMEGA has taken as inspiration the timeless design of the original Speedmaster Moonwatches—the 42mm asymmetrical stainless steel case features the archetypal fourth generation style that harkens back to the timepiece that accompanied Apollo 11 on the first moon landing. Each new model features three subdials, black step dial, domed minute and seconds chronograph hands, an anodized aluminum bezel ring with the dot over the 90 well-known and loved by true Speedmaster Moonwatch aficianados, and a newly designed bracelet clasp with an integrated, polished OMEGA logo.
Calibre OMEGA 3861
The previous Speedmaster Moonwatch models had as their beating heart OMEGA’s mechanical Calibre 1861, a descendent of the celebrated manual-winding movement that traveled to the moon. The watches of the new collection feature the new, improved Calibre OMEGA 3861. The master horologists at OMEGA labored for four years to develop the Calibre 3861, so that it could achieve the exacting precision and accuracy necessary to be certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) with Master Chronometer certification, while also matching the dimensions of the Calibre 1861. In addition, the Calibre 3861 improves on its ancestor, with a 50 hour power reserve, better chronometric performance, and exemplary magnetic resistance.
Hesalite or Sapphire Crystal
The newest OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Chronographs are available with either a Hesalite or Sapphire crystal.
Hesalite crystal has been an important part of the Speedmaster Moonwatch story since the very beginning, which is one of the many reasons it’s often the choice of watch enthusiasts searching for a nostalgic link to the earliest of Moonwatches. That retro allure and historical accuracy is not the only reason to choose Hesalite crystal, however. It’s shatter-proof and can be easily repaired if scratched.
Sapphire crystal is also a fine choice. A synthetic material made from crystalline aluminum oxide, Sapphire crystal is even tougher than Hesalite, with excellent scratch resistance that stands up to the wear and tear of daily life. It also has exceptional clarity.
Hesalite or Sapphire crystal? The choice is yours, and you can’t go wrong either way.
The New White Dial Variants
OMEGA introduced these white-dialed variants of the black-dialed classics earlier this year to great acclaim. Inspired by the spacesuits worn by generations of American astronauts, these Moonwatch models are bold, unique, and altogether out of this world.
The white-dialed OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional features a white lacquer dial accented with red “Speedmaster” text, a red-tipped seconds hand, and the “dot over 90” marking found on vintage references printed on the aluminum tachymeter bezel insert. Powered by the Co-Axial Caliber 3861 manual-wind movement.
The “Dark Side of the Moon” and Other Color Variants
In recent years, OMEGA has experimented with colorful variations of the Moonwatch featuring innovative materials. The Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” collection utilizes colored ceramic cases and stone dials to echo the surfaces of interstellar objects.
The Speedmaster Black Side of the Moon is every low-profile professional’s dream. The black ceramic case and bezel mixed with the black laquered tachymeter scale, matte black dial and black dial rides below the radar yet keeps the iconic silhouette of the Speedmaster Professional.
Looking likes a Speedmaster carved right out of an asteroid, the Grey Side of the Moon features a grey ceramic case with a18K Sedna gold bezel, Ceragold tachymeter scale, and stunning meteorite dial. This dial is cut straight from the Gideon meteorite discovered in Namibia. The natural criss-cross pattern of the meteorite dial evokes the remarkableness of space that will never be recreated naturally on earth.
In stark contrast to the subtleness of the Black Side of the Moon, the White Side of the Moon, featured in a white ceramic case with a white dial and strap stands out like nothing else. The all-white Speedmaster is a perfect compliment to any weekend outing or night out.
Yet again, OMEGA experimented with dial material and complication in the Speedmaster Blue Side of the Moon. The Speedy feature a blue ceramic case and bezel ring as well as a Ceragold tachymeter scale. By far and away the most stunning part of this watch is the blue aventurine dial. This shimmering stone parallels the stars in the night sky. In addition to the stunning dial, the moonphase makes you feel like an Apollo Astronaut everytime you gaze into this dreamy dial. This watch also features a date and GMT complication
Finally, the Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 translates a dial modelled after the surface of the moon. Cased in black ceramic with engraved case back, black ceramic bezel ring, and white Super-LumiNova tachymeter scale, the Apollo 8 resembles a three-dimensional representation of the moon. Although you could take this Speedmaster 239,000 miles to the moon, you need not as this dial teleports you there every time you check the time.
All that Glitters…
…can also take OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Chronographs to even greater heights of luxury. A collection of 18K gold variants is available in your choice of 18K Sedna™ red gold, 18K Canopus white gold, and 18K Moonshine gold. Omega’s proprietary blends of precious metals truly shine like no other. There are also brand new bi-color variants. All the elegance, sophistication, and technological innovation, of the Speedmaster Professional, crafted in gold.
Features such as ceramic bezel ring with tachymeter scale, engraved case back with sapphire crystal, Master Chronometer Certification, and hands and hour markers with Super-LumiNova, make these extraordinary timepieces opulence personified.
Other Speedmaster Variants
Ed White
As a homage to the late astronaut, this Speedmaster bearing his name was released in early 2020. The Ed White Speedmaster featured in a stainless steel case and the legendary Caliber 321 movement from the original Moonwatch is a perfect melding of vintage and modern Speedmasters. Those astute readers may have observed a deviation of the classic Speedmaster case and bracelt that have observed throughout this blog. The Ed White’s case is a recreation of the original watch worn by the man himself. This timeless Speedmaster is perfect for any collector who seeks something different from the traditional Speedmaster, while maintaining a connection to the legendary Moonwatch heritage.
Speedmaster Chronoscope
The Speedmaster Chronoscope is a play on the original purpose of the Speedmaster. This is a Speedy… made for speed. The chronoscope was designed by Omega as a racing watch. This watch features two spiral scales. The pulsometer and telemeter on the dial, paired with the classic Speedmaster tachymeter bezel are available for all of your timing needs. This exceptionally durable Speedmaster houses the Caliber 9908 which is METAS certified and resistant up to 15,000 gauss of magnetism.
Chrono Chime
Harking back to yet more Omega Heritage, the Speedmaster Chrono Chime features a unique complication in the iconic Speedmaster case. In 1932, for the Olympics, Omega produced a pocket watch with a repeater complication. In a traditional repeater watch, the time is chimed out on command by gongs within the movement. Omega paired this complication with chronograph, opting to have the gongs chime the elapsed chronograph time instead of the time of day. In 2023, over 90 years later, the complication was revived, but in a contemporary Speedmaster case. This Sedna gold speedmaster features a black aventurine dial and bezel with guilloche subdials. This extremely rare Speedmaster is the peak of technical capability and craftsmanship.
Skywalker X-33
Innovation has always been part of the Speedmaster DNA. In order to keep up with the needs of NASA and their astronauts in the modern day, Omega ditched the mechanical movement in favor of a precise, thermo-compensated quartz movement for the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33. In addition to the hour, minute, and second hands, this all titanium Speedy features an LCD display measuring mission elasped time, phase elapsed time, three time zones, three alarms, and a perpetual calendar. For any needs on earth or in space, the Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 is up to the task.
And Now for Something Extremely Rare and Wonderful…
Introducing “The Snoopy”. Or rather, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 50th Anniversary – Silver Snoopy Award. A truly revolutionary timepiece, crafted with a stainless steel case that features an animated Snoopy on the case back rotating with chrono function, blue ceramic bezel with white enamel tachymeter scale, Earth disc on case back rotating with small seconds hand, sapphire crystal case back with micro-structured metallisation decor.
This Speedmaster was introduced to commemorate the granting of NASA’s Silver Snoopy award to Omega during the Apollo Missions to the moon. The Silver Snoopy is a watch that encapsulates the superior technical abilities of Omega and childlike wonder for exploration.
The silver dial includes chronograph counters, blue PVD hands and hour markers, and silver Snoopy medallion on sundial at 9 o’clock.
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About The Author: Spencer Rodman
