Category Archives: Editorial

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.

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.

New: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Stainless Steel 311.30.40.30.01.001

Omega kicks off 2020 with the introduction of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Stainless Steel 311.30.40.30.01.001.

When the caliber 321 made its re-introduction back in January of 2019, the first package it was delivered in left some to be desired by purists and collectors. Rather than the historical remake many were hoping for, Omega envisioned this 321 as an ultra-luxurious take on the classic Moonwatch, dressed up in platinum, onyx, meteorite and alligator. With a price as stunning as its looks.

Now, with 2020 barely a week old, Omega is showing us a rather different personality. The new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 reference 311.30.40.30.01.001 is a stunning remake of the watch worn by Ed White during the first American spacewalk, which took place in 1965 on the Gemini 4 Mission.

It would be easy to be deceived by its looks. To the untrained eye, the 39.7mm stainless steel case, the matte, stepped dial with applied logo, the flat link bracelet all look near identical to its vintage predecessors. But of course, the new 311.30.40.30.01.001 is thoughtfully updated with modern materials where possible. As such, the reborn Calibre 321 (clad in Sedna-gold) can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back. Sapphire is found on the front as well. The tachymeter insert (DON!) is now made of ceramics. And the bracelet is a thoroughly modern affair with solid links and a push button folding clasp.

It is said Omega will only produce a limited number of these per annum. The release is still very fresh at this point; I will check back in as soon as more information presents itself.

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 reference 311.30.40.30.01.001 is available for pre-order at Ace Jewelers – the premier Authorized Dealer when it comes to new Moonwatches. The price in EURO is EUR 13.300 (incl. VAT).

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 50th Anniversary 310.20.42.50.01.001: What’s in the Box?

It’s in! One of the most hotly anticipated watches of 2019 was for sure the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 50th Anniversary. A gold model was introduced back in March, but we had to wait until May before the stainless steel version (ref. 310.20.42.50.01.001) made its debut. Earlier today we had the chance to go hands-on with one for our signature What’s in the Box series.

Our Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 311.92.44.30.01.001: What’s in the Box? was a fairly dull affair – but today we’re in for a treat as Omega went all-in to create something special for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. Let’s dive in:

Shipping Container

As always the watch is delivered to us in the shipping container. This holds the watch but also the hang tag and the red cards. Caliber 3861 is a Master Chronometer movement, and as such we have the International Warranty, the Pictograms, and the Master Chronometer cards. All of these feature both the reference number as well as the unique serial number. The Pictograms card also has the limited edition number on it.

Box

WOW – this a huge box! The outer cardboard box lists it as being 4.8kg. That’s enormous. This cardboard box is usually thrown out and as far as I am concerned it is not part of the deal – it’s just for shipping.

Next up is a white protective box. This is where the party starts.

Inside we find a box not unlike that of the regular Speedy Pro – but obviously improved upon in order to make it even cooler. It’s done in a combo of white and brown, with brass hardware. A compartment on the side offers an additional storage space for the instruction manual, card sleeve et cetera. It is now filled up with a bit of foam, the card sleeve, a white cleaning cloth and a small booklet on how to change the strap.

In the Box

In the box we find a print of the surface of the moon, an anti-moisture sachet, and a piece of foam for protection. There are two plaques that serve as a reminder of why this watch was created. We get our first glimpse of the rather unusual cushion that’s supposed to hold the watch.

The lunar surface bit folds open tot he inside to reveal more goodies:

Alright, so the cushion for the watch is actually a little Lunar Module. That’s cute. Furthermore we find two patches velcro’d to the box, an additional strap, a strap changing tool, and a loupe.

The loupe has what I suppose is a Moonshine Gold finish to match the bezel of the watch, which is a nice touch.

Booklets

Last but not least there’s two booklets – the standard-issue Operating Instructions plus a special Moonwatch 50th Anniversary booklet. The latter has the limited edition number printed on the back.

That concludes this episode of What’s in the Box. What are your thoughts on this LE, the packaging and the goodies?

This Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 311.92.44.30.01.001 was supplied by Ace Jewelers.

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 311.92.44.30.01.001: What’s in the Box?

It’s been a while! We first got the chance to handle the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 311.92.44.30.01.001 during our meeting with Omega at BaselWorld 2018, yet it wouldn’t be until earlier this week that a production piece -including all the goodies- would reach our offices, allowing us to shoot a few pics and do our What’s in the Box post.

In a world dominated by vintage-inspired watches, I find the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 311.92.44.30.01.001 to be an interesting specimen. Here we see an adaptation of the 44.25mm Dark Side of the Moon case with paired with a hand-wound, Lemania 1873-derived movement with bridges blackened and lasered to mimic the moon’s surface, all of which is visible both through the open-worked dial as well as the see-through case back – all of which is topped off by bold yellow accents on the bezel, dial, hands and strap. It looks strikingly modern and unapologetically so.

But anyway – What’s in the Box?

Shipping Container

The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 311.92.44.30.01.001 itself is delivered to us in a clear plastic shipping container.

Aside from the watch this also holds the two cards: International Warranty and Pictograms. This shipping container is not meant to be sold with the watch – it is solely for transport.

Box

First up is a cardboard box. This usually gets thrown out too, and as far as we are concerned this is not part of the actual packaged.

Next is the black box.

Once the cover is removed, we see the box proper and a space with the instruction manual, the card sleeve, and a polishing cloth.

The box proper is the standard box ref. 94109558 that comes with all Dark Side of the Moon watches . There’s no mention of Apollo 8 anywhere on the box – or the documentation that comes with it for that matter.

The tray can be removed, although the only thing underneath it is some sort of traveling pouch (?).

That concludes this episode of What’s in the Box. Perhaps the most uneventful yet? No goodies, no extra booklets – but then again the watch is not a limited edition either.

The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 311.92.44.30.01.00 is available at Ace Jewelers.