Celestial bodies and their cosmic dance around the universe have always been the signature inspiration for OMEGA when it comes to designing its signature watches. Though the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer has its eyes on the sky, it’s targeting something a little closer to home.
As one of OMEGA’s most popular timepieces, the Speedmaster Moonwatch is back with a brand new look. The signature watch is now donning a clean lacquered white dial, heavily inspired by the idea of space exploration as well as the collection’s own famous heritage.
First created in 1957, one of the original Speedmaster’s main goals was to have an easy-to-read display with superb legibility. Thus, it has since featured white hands and indexes against a black dial. In its latest iteration, the same ethos holds true, but it features an opposite colorway. Not only has OMEGA created this new dial in white with black detailing and new applied indexes, but the designers have also added a prominent Speedmaster name in red and given the entire surface a glossy lacquered finish – the first time this technique has been used on the Moonwatch’s step dial.
The primary inspiration for this new look is the white and black colour scheme of astronaut spacesuits, particularly those used during extravehicular activity (EVA), such as spacewalks. After all, NASA astronauts have been wearing the Speedmaster Moonwatch since 1965, making it the first watch worn on the Moon. Red lines have also been used on the suits since Apollo 13 in 1970 to indicate the commander’s rank.
Another reason for the colour change is that in 1969, OMEGA developed the ALASKA I prototype as part of a secret NASA project to design the perfect space watch. After months of experiments, OMEGA chose a white dial because it provides a particularly effective thermal reflection coefficient. The red Speedmaster name on the new model is also a nod to the protective red case that surrounded the original ALASKA I watch.
The 42 mm stainless steel timepiece is mounted on a comfortable, vintage-inspired stainless steel bracelet with five arched links per row. A classic appearance with polished and brushed details. Two additional versions are available: one with a black microperforated leather strap and red and white stitching, and another with an anti-bacterial rubber strap and a moon surface pattern in positive relief on the underside for added comfort and aesthetics.
For Moonwatch fans, the black anodized aluminium bezel of each timepiece has been given a famous “Dot over Ninety” on the tachymeter scale, while inside, the watch is driven by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 – the most up-to-date version of the legendary Calibre 321 that was trusted by astronauts on the moon.
