On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became world-famous with the first Moon landing, and with him a timepiece from Switzerland. The so-called Speedy made it on board thanks to its outstanding materials and engineering. Omega builds on that legacy with its Speedmaster ceramic watches, which are nothing short of galactically beautiful.
The Dark Side as a Bright Spot – Omega "Dark Side of the Moon"
In the early 1960s, the US president made a decision: we would conquer the most popular celestial body after sundown. NASA immediately set to work on the project and searched for equipment that could withstand the challenges of space. Out of the line-up of wristwatches, Omega's Speedmaster won the race. Several years passed before the actual mission, during which the Swiss timepiece flew as a private item and, after its official qualification as a space wristwatch, was substantially refined.
The astronauts, too, had to approach their great goal in small steps. In December 1968, they flew around the Moon for the first time and saw its far side. Omega dedicates the Speedmaster "Dark Side of the Moon" to this revolutionary expedition. Fittingly, its case is made of black ceramic, matched by the strap. The clean dial design nods to its illustrious history and puts flawless legibility front and center.
Dark Side of the Moon Sedna Black
Conquering the universe is not really what the manufacture had in mind with this watch family, whose first model debuted in 2014. Rather, with these ceramic watches Omega aims to honor the courage of the Apollo 8 crew and carry its pioneering spirit into the future. Beyond that, the Speedmaster "Dark Side of the Moon" in its Sedna Black version captures the mystical side of the night and of seemingly endless space. This Speedy model stays true to the black case of the ceramic watches but delights with its vintage aura, which comes from the matte gray dial and the Sedna-toned hands.
A Brilliant White Tribute to the Moon and Progress
In the summer of 1969, the spectacular Apollo 11 mission succeeded: the three astronauts landed on the Moon and even stepped out onto its surface. The images of the crew in their white spacesuits, venturing their first steps on another world, have become a symbol of civilization. Right there with them was Omega's professional timepiece, known ever since as the Professional Moonwatch.
The "White Side of the Moon" ceramic watches brilliantly celebrate this milestone in human history, which has lost none of its luster to this day. The leather strap comes in pure white, as do the ceramic bezel, case, and dial. Rounding out the look are hands in 18-karat white gold and the tachymeter scale, characterized by matte chromium nitride. This is an extremely hard special coating, prized for its excellent protection against abrasion, corrosion, and wear.
The First Ceramic Moonwatch
The first Moonwatch was made from the most advanced materials of its day, but ceramic played no part yet. Even so, it feels authentic that Omega brings this antimagnetic material into play with the Speedmaster "Dark Side of the Moon" series. It scores with an advantageous combination of lightness and robustness, even under fluctuating temperatures, high pressure, and exposure to radiation.
High-performance ceramic is widely used in aerospace today. This industrial material would probably have defined the legendary Moonwatch as well, but in 1969 it simply wasn't on the table. For around ten years now, the Swiss manufacture has successfully relied on ceramic components in watchmaking, exploiting both the technical advantages and the aesthetic merits of the material, which offers plenty of freedom in terms of color. The "White Side of the Moon" ceramic watches are fine examples of this.
Dark Moments with a Happy Ending – Thanks to Outstanding Watch Technology
The world-famous NASA Moon expedition went off without a hitch. In 1970, however, a crew narrowly escaped disaster. After an explosion, the return had to be improvised as quickly as possible – without onboard electronics. Space fans may be reminded by the "Grey Side of the Moon" of this tightrope act in space, which ended well. The Speedmaster (still without ceramic back then) took center stage: the engines had to be fired to the exact second to hit the right trajectory and land safely. This was achieved with the precise watch, which suddenly became vital in the middle of space.
That episode sparks curiosity about which movement powers the "Grey Side of the Moon" and its siblings today. Inside these ceramic watches beats the caliber 9300 with Co-Axial escapement. It reduces friction and thus ensures precision over a long period. The excellence of this self-winding movement is also reflected in the free-sprung silicon balance spring and the two barrels mounted in series. The chronograph's power reserve is 60 hours. Such watchmaking craftsmanship deserves some attention, which the transparent caseback grants the inner workings.
A Space Watch with a Piece of Meteorite: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Co-Axial Chronograph 44.25mm
Speedmaster ceramic watches are all about momentous moments in space history, so the design may be a little more spectacular. If you agree, the Moonwatch Co-Axial Chronograph with its 44.25mm case and meteorite is a perfect landing.
On this "Grey Side of the Moon" version, genuine extraterrestrial rock shapes the dial. The rare material is painstakingly processed to create a distinctive pattern, making every piece of these gray ceramic luxury watches one of a kind. Accents in 18-karat gold complete the fascinating aura. They adorn the hands and bezel in a hue that doesn't come across as glamorous but instead charms with retro appeal.
As Captivating as the Full Moon: Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonphase Ceramic
Speedy models were on board all six Moon landing missions. This history inspired the watchmaker to create a masterpiece that romantics will find hard to resist. The deep blue embraced by the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonphase Chronograph with a 44.25mm diameter evokes a clear, starry night sky. It defines the bezel ring as well as the case and strap.
The white gold indices and hands stand out beautifully against the dark background. The same goes for the integrated moon phase display, which ensures you never miss a chance to admire the full moon. This luxury watch with a ceramic case deserves just as much attention as its source of inspiration. That makes the generous 44.25mm case, shared by all Omega Speedmaster models in the "Dark Side of the Moon" collection, seem entirely appropriate. It ensures the Moonwatch won't go unnoticed on the wrist.