Omega’s first Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 was released in 2018 to mark the 50th anniversary of the mission. Now we have a new variant, featuring a relief of the moon on a blackened main plate and bridges in a black ceramic case.

The 44.25mm case, polished bezel, and case back are separate pieces of black ceramic, and water resistance is 50m. The laser-engraved tachymeter scale is filled with white Grand Feu enamel. The nods to the Apollo 8 in this new watch come in the form not just of the greater level of detail in the depiction of the lunar surface (thanks to the combination of laser engraving and contrasts in surface finishing), but also the model of the launch vehicle and text relating to the lunar orbit.

Partially visible through the black anodised aluminium dial is the manually-wound chronometer-certified Co-Axial Calibre 3869 chronograph movement, with light grey coated wheels and dark grey balance wheel. It beats at 21.600 VPH and has a power reserve of 50 hours.

The central chronograph seconds hand is varnished yellow, but the fun thing (and major selling point) about this new model is the patent pending small seconds hand at 9 o’clock. Made from grade 5 titanium, it is a miniature Saturn V rocket, created by laser turning and with white varnish, ablation and laser blackening responsible for the decorative part.

Flipping over, thee case back has a series of engravings familiar from the 2018 model, including “We’ll See You On The Other Side”, the last transmission sent to ground control by Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell just before the Apollo 8 spacecraft disappeared to the far side of the moon and out of radio contact for the first time.

Coming on a black rubber perforated strap with a yellow inner layer and stitching, to colour-match to the chronograph hand, the Australian RRP for the Omega Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 is $23,650.

[Photo credit: Omega]

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