Omega’s Latest Black-and-White Moonwatches Recapture the Spirit of the Speedmaster’s Space Age Story

Of watchmaker Omega’s estimable, anchoring triad of cultural associations, the Speedmaster as the Moonwatch is arguably its most rich and resonant.

Now, the Winter Olympics start next week, and we will likely see something new when the next Bond film hits, rumored to be in 2018, but Omega’s Moon story is far too involved and interesting to do justice to here.

This new 42mm Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional chronograph duo encompasses too many state-of-the-art processes, materials, and construction methods to even come close to using words like “reproduction” or “revival.”

And while the original Moonwatches sported all-black dials, there is something so straightforward about the pair’s black dial/white sub-dial approach that makes them equally fitting for a crew-cut-sporting Apollo astronaut of the era as they are for a modern sports watch lover.

Both timepieces feature the Moonwatch-signature step-dial construction, with a polished, varnished, lacquered black top plate and an equally gleaming white bottom plate, revealing the three sub-dials (30 minutes at 3 o’clock, 12 hours at 6 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock).

The most advanced version of the Calibre 321 movement that accompanied Apollo-era explorers, the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, powers all stages of these rockets, with the added booster of one of industry’s most-stringent chronometric certifications.
 

In the steel version, hands and indices are rhodium-plated, and the modern white lume shines particularly nicely in what you can look at as a wonderfully legible, more workhorse-oriented timepiece to bring along on your next version of EVA (NASA-speak for “extra-vehicular activity”) or any intense activity that calls for a handsome, tough time-keeping companion.
 

The 18K Moonshine Gold execution? Well, you might want to reserve that to celebrate whatever your personal vision for going to the moon and back represents.

Sporting this modern, longer-lasting proprietary gold alloy, this timepiece sits alongside the many historical solid-gold moon watches worn by veteran NASA crews and offered to presidents and celebrities alike over the years. In addition, gold accents replace the rhodium details on its steel sister, creating an imposing wrist presence, even without a space suit.
 

These two Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional examples are available as you read this as an unlimited addition to Omega’s collection. For steel, expect to pay $10,400, with the gold execution listed at $49,300. You can learn more by making a soft landing at Omega’s website.