OMEGA Speedmaster:
Dark Side of the Moon
In 1968, a historic milestone was etched into history as Apollo 8 achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first human flight to orbit the Moon. Onboard this pioneering mission, each astronaut relied on the OMEGA Speedmaster, a crucial tool throughout NASA’s lunar campaign. This year, OMEGA honors this monumental journey with the new Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon, employing cutting-edge technology, a diverse range of materials, and exceptional craftsmanship.
OMEGA initially introduced the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 in 2018, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the mission. Returning to its watchmaking roots, the brand revisits this design, enhancing it with an elevated level of intricacy and refinement. The Calibre 3869, featured in the watch, showcases a laser-ablated Moon relief on the blackened main plate and bridges, creating a distinctive aesthetic. Similar to the Moon itself, this movement presents two distinct sides—the dial side, representing our terrestrial view of the lunar surface, and the back, revealing the hidden side seen only by astronauts. The latest update enhances the Moon’s definition through laser engraving and contrasting surfaces, highlighting the features against the light grey coated wheels and dark grey gold coated balance wheel.
Moreover, the manually-wound Calibre 3869 attains the Co-Axial Master Chronometer standard, ensuring the highest levels of precision, chronometric performance, and magnetic resistance within the Swiss industry. The intricately decorated Moon-themed movement is showcased through the watch’s skeletonized dial, meticulously crafted from black anodized aluminium. The journey extends to the creation of the 44.25 mm case, polished bezel, and caseback, where OMEGA employs distinct pieces of black ceramic. The tachymeter scale is filled with bright white “Grand Feu” enamel, adding a captivating finishing touch to this extraordinary timepiece.
The central chronograph second hand is coated in a vibrant yellow hue, a thematic color echoed in the watch’s perforated strap, crafted from black rubber with a yellow interior. An innovative addition is the patent-pending small-seconds hand at 9 o’clock, meticulously fashioned from Grade 5 Titanium, resembling NASA’s iconic Saturn V rocket. Achieved through laser turning, the hand exhibits a compelling 3D structure, and its colors are rendered using white varnish, ablation, and laser blackening. This small yet evocative detail pays homage to the triumph of the Apollo program.
OMEGA Speedmaster: Dark Side of the Moon
In 1968, a historic milestone was etched into history as Apollo 8 achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first human flight to orbit the Moon. Onboard this pioneering mission, each astronaut relied on the OMEGA Speedmaster, a crucial tool throughout NASA’s lunar campaign. This year, OMEGA honors this monumental journey with the new Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon, employing cutting-edge technology, a diverse range of materials, and exceptional craftsmanship.
OMEGA initially introduced the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 in 2018, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the mission. Returning to its watchmaking roots, the brand revisits this design, enhancing it with an elevated level of intricacy and refinement. The Calibre 3869, featured in the watch, showcases a laser-ablated Moon relief on the blackened main plate and bridges, creating a distinctive aesthetic. Similar to the Moon itself, this movement presents two distinct sides—the dial side, representing our terrestrial view of the lunar surface, and the back, revealing the hidden side seen only by astronauts. The latest update enhances the Moon’s definition through laser engraving and contrasting surfaces, highlighting the features against the light grey coated wheels and dark grey gold coated balance wheel.
Moreover, the manually-wound Calibre 3869 attains the Co-Axial Master Chronometer standard, ensuring the highest levels of precision, chronometric performance, and magnetic resistance within the Swiss industry. The intricately decorated Moon-themed movement is showcased through the watch’s skeletonized dial, meticulously crafted from black anodized aluminium. The journey extends to the creation of the 44.25 mm case, polished bezel, and caseback, where OMEGA employs distinct pieces of black ceramic. The tachymeter scale is filled with bright white “Grand Feu” enamel, adding a captivating finishing touch to this extraordinary timepiece.
The central chronograph second hand is coated in a vibrant yellow hue, a thematic color echoed in the watch’s perforated strap, crafted from black rubber with a yellow interior. An innovative addition is the patent-pending small-seconds hand at 9 o’clock, meticulously fashioned from Grade 5 Titanium, resembling NASA’s iconic Saturn V rocket. Achieved through laser turning, the hand exhibits a compelling 3D structure, and its colors are rendered using white varnish, ablation, and laser blackening. This small yet evocative detail pays homage to the triumph of the Apollo program.
On the caseback, a series of engravings, including the poignant phrase “WE’LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE,” immortalizes the last words uttered by Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell to ground control just before the Apollo 8 mission vanished to the far side of the Moon, entering radio silence for the first time. The Moon’s enigmatic surface, a perpetual source of fascination, is authentically linked through wearing this watch, fostering a genuine connection to our lunar companion and emphasizing OMEGA’s profound ties to space exploration.
On the caseback, a series of engravings, including the poignant phrase “WE’LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE,” immortalizes the last words uttered by Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell to ground control just before the Apollo 8 mission vanished to the far side of the Moon, entering radio silence for the first time. The Moon’s enigmatic surface, a perpetual source of fascination, is authentically linked through wearing this watch, fostering a genuine connection to our lunar companion and emphasizing OMEGA’s profound ties to space exploration.
As the world anticipates future possibilities, the Apollo 8 mission serves as a poignant reminder of the remarkable achievements attainable through collective human endeavour. Head to any Swiss Watch boutiques to view the latest Omega timepieces.
As the world anticipates future possibilities, the Apollo 8 mission serves as a poignant reminder of the remarkable achievements attainable through collective human endeavour. Head to any Swiss Watch boutiques to view the latest Omega timepieces.
