Already celebrated as the top stopwatch on Earth, the OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch comes out in its newest form – this time with a shiny white face inspired by space exploration and the collection’s famous history.
This exciting model has been eagerly awaited by Moonwatch fans since November 2023, when the very first version was seen on the wrist of OMEGA brand ambassador, Daniel Craig, at the Planet OMEGA Exhibition in New York. Now, the design is finally revealed and will be sold to the public.
The watch’s most noticeable feature is its uncommon white face. When the original Speedmaster was made in 1957, one of the main goals was to make a display that was easy to read with great clarity. So, the hands and numbers were white on a black face. On this new version, it’s the opposite colors with the same easy-to-read result. OMEGA has not only made this new face white with black details and new raised numbers but has also added a striking red Speedmaster name and given the whole surface a shiny lacquered finish – the first time this technique has been used on the Moonwatch’s step face.
Why white? The main inspiration for this new look is the white and black colors of astronaut spacesuits – especially those worn during spacewalks. This is a real connection because the Speedmaster Moonwatch has been officially worn by NASA astronauts since 1965 and is known as the first watch worn on the Moon. Additionally, red lines have been on the suits since Apollo 13 in 1970 to show the commander’s rank.
There’s another special reason for choosing white. In 1969, OMEGA made the ALASKA I prototype as part of their secret NASA project to make the perfect space watch. After lots of experiments, OMEGA chose a white face because it reflects heat particularly well. The red Speedmaster name on the new model also pays tribute to the protective red case that surrounded the original ALASKA I watch.
Beyond the white face, OMEGA has more to show in the watch’s making. The 42 mm stainless steel timepiece comes with a comfy and vintage-inspired stainless steel bracelet with five arched links per row. It’s a classic look with polished and brushed details. Two more versions are also available, one with a black micro-perforated leather strap with red and white stitching, and another with an anti-bacterial rubber strap with a moon surface pattern underneath for extra comfort and style.
For Moonwatch fans, the black anodized aluminum bezel of each watch has a famous “Dot over Ninety” on the speed scale, while inside, the watch is powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 – the most up-to-date version of the legendary Calibre 321 trusted by astronauts on the moon.