Author Archives: Dale Vito

NEW: the 2020 Calibre 3861 powered Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch!

Omega just introduced the much-anticipated new 2020 Speedmaster Moonwatch collection. As expected they’re all powered by the upgraded and updated calibre 3861 which was previously exclusive to the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary models (ref. 310.60.42.50.99.001 and 310.20.42.50.01.001). For now, there’s a total of seven variations. Let’s go over them;

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 reference 310.32.42.50.01.001

The Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 310.32.42.50.01.001 has a stainless steel case with a hesalite crystal. The dial and the aluminum bezel insert are black. It is fitted with a fabric strap with folding clasp.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 reference 310.30.42.50.01.001

Arguably the most important release, the Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 310.30.42.50.01.001 has a stainless steel case with a hesalite crystal. The dial and the aluminum bezel insert are identical to those of the 310.32.42.50.01.001. It is fitted with a stainless steel bracelet.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 reference 310.32.42.50.01.002

The Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 ref. 310.32.42.50.01.002 has a stainless steel case crowned by a sapphire crystal. The dial on this is slightly different; it features an applied Omega logo. It is fitted with a calf strap with folding clasp.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 reference 310.30.42.50.01.002

The Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 ref. 310.30.42.50.01.002 has a stainless steel case crowned by a sapphire crystal. This comes on a stainless steel bracelet.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 reference 310.63.42.50.02.001

The Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 310.63.42.50.02.001 has a case in Omega’s proprietary Canopus white gold alloy (a first for the Speedmaster), topped by a sapphire crystal. The dial is silver. It is fitted with an alligator strap with folding clasp.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 reference 310.60.42.50.02.001

The Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 310.60.42.50.02.001 has a case in Omega’s proprietary Canopus white gold alloy, topped by a sapphire crystal. The dial is silver. It is fitted with a matching white gold bracelet.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 reference 310.63.42.50.01.001

The Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 310.63.42.50.01.001 has a case in Omega’s proprietary Sedna rose gold alloy, topped by a sapphire crystal. The dial is black. It is fitted with an alligator strap with folding clasp.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 reference 310.60.42.50.01.001

Last but not least, the Speedmaster Moonwatch 3861 310.60.42.50.01.001 has a case in Omega’s proprietary Sedna rose gold alloy, topped by a sapphire crystal. The dial is black. It is fitted with a matching Sedna gold bracelet.

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch caliber 3861 is available for [pre-] order at our friends of Ace Jewelers via the links below. Ace Jewelers is authorized dealer for Omega.

View the entire historical Omega Speedmaster catalogue via our partners of WatchBase.

FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA IN 1965 FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS?!

Remember the hotly debated MANNED SPACE MISSIONS or HUMAN SPACE MISSIONS issue? Well, it appears that for the final production version of the plexi-glassed Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch caliber 3861, Omega decided to go another route altogether. The case back now reads:

FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY BNASA IN 1965 FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS

So I guess that settles it.

For now.

Press Release: Moonwatch now Master Chronometer Certified

OMEGA’s latest Moonwatch is certified at the industry’s highest level

We’re only in January, yet OMEGA is already making one of the biggest watchmaking announcements of 2021. This year, the Speedmaster Moonwatch collection will be updated with its next generation of models. For fans everywhere, it’s a chance to see the latest edition of a much-loved timepiece – including unique touches in design and a powerful Master Chronometer certified anti-magnetic movement.

Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA says, “When updating a sacred timepiece like the Speedmaster Moonwatch, every detail must be true to its original spirit. This chronograph is recognised the world over, so we’ve approached its design with the most sincere respect, while taking its movement to the next level.”

For the exciting launch, the Swiss watchmaker has taken inspiration from the 4th generation Moonwatch style, commonly referenced as the ST 105.012, and worn by Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon in 1969.

These space-era tributes include the classic asymmetrical case, the step dial, the double bevel caseback, and the famous dot over 90 (DON) and a dot diagonal to 70 on the anodised aluminium bezel ring. Small but important details in the telling of the Speedmaster story.

Perhaps the most significant update comes with the arrival of the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. The new movement ensures that the Moonwatch will now be unaffected by even the most extreme magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss. In addition, it ensures that the entire watch is certified as a Master Chronometer – the highest standard of precision, performance and magnetic-resistance in the Swiss watch industry.

Around the wrist, OMEGA has made yet more changes. An integrated, fully-brushed bracelet offers a five–arched-links-per-row design. Similar to Moonwatch styles of the past, it includes a new clasp with a polished OMEGA logo on a satin-finished cover.

Even the dial shows the attention-to-detail that OMEGA has committed to this updated collection. In accordance with the Calibre 3861’s frequency, the minute track is now split by 3 divisions, as opposed to the 5 divisions on previous models. Another example of the brand’s exacting standards when it comes to precision.

With so much to explore, it’s now over to eager Moonwatch fans to select their Master Chronometer model from eight special choices, including versions in stainless steel, 18K Sedna™ gold or 18K Canopus gold™.  All come with OMEGA’s full 5-year warranty.

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch caliber 3861 is available for [pre-] order at our friends of Ace Jewelers via the links below. Ace Jewelers is authorized dealer for Omega.

View the entire historical Omega Speedmaster catalogue via our partners of WatchBase.

MANNED SPACE MISSIONS or HUMAN SPACE MISSIONS?

So, it appears that there’s a bit of leaking going on at Omega. The new Speedmaster 3861 is out in the open. Over at SpeedyWatches.com we won’t be posting any images until it’s officially launched, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find them on your own. If you haven’t already.

For now I want to dive into a change that’s very subtle, yet topic of much discussion in on the forums: what was once FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS is now FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL HUMAN SPACE MISSIONS. Why is this?

The earlier FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS case-back

I did a bit of research and found out about the NASA style guide, which says the following on this subject;

Gender-Specific Language (e.g., Manned Space Program vs. Human Space Program)
In general, all references to the space program should be non-gender-specific (e.g., human, piloted, unpiloted, robotic, as opposed to manned or unmanned). The exception to the rule is when referring to the Manned Spaceflight Center (also known as the Manned Spacecraft Center), the predecessor of Johnson Space Center in Houston, or to any other historical program name or official title that included “manned” (e.g., Associate Administrator for Manned Spaceflight).

So it appears that Omega’s new HUMAN SPACE MISSION is in fact in accordance with the latest NASA style guide.

Discontinued: Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space 311.32.40.30.01.001

It’s official: the Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space is discontinued!

This morning Omega (NL) informed its authorized dealers that the Speedmaster FOIS is officially sold out. AD’s can no longer place new orders for this watch – and according to team Omega, there’s no guarantee that all existing backorders will be fulfilled.

The Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space was introduced in 2012. Most estimate the pieces produced over its eight year+ production span to be around 15’000. Highest number I’ve personally seen is high in the 14’700’s.