Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is now Master Chronometer certified
The bedrock of the Omega family of collections, the Speedmaster holds an unrivalled position in the Swiss watch brand’s catalogue of timepieces. Hence, when the time came to refresh the next chapter of the crown jewel Speedmaster Moonwatch, the task had to be fully considered to ensure the perfect continuity of its revered lineage.
“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,” says Omega president and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann.
For those not acquainted with the legacy of the Speedmaster Moonwatch, a brief history lesson will rectify that. Immortalised as the watch synonymous with space travel and exploration, it has more than lived up to its mantle of over five decades. Born in 1957, the robust Omega chronograph started out ticking all the requisite boxes in performance: waterproof, legible, user-friendly and exceedingly precise, besides being the first watch in the world to feature a tachymeter scale on its bezel— powered by the Calibre 321, a column-wheel movement.
It was also the reliable watch—of a batch of third-generation Speedmaster chronographs (105.003)—submitted by Omega (together with four other brands) in response to NASA’s request in 1964 for “high-quality chronographs” to accompany their manned missions into space. To qualify for the NASA challenge, each watch company sent in “three wrist-worn chronographs” to be examined under the most gruelling conditions involving thermal, shock, vibration and vacuum tests. The Omega Speedmaster was the only one to triumphantly withstand all these challenges and so it was bestowed “Flight Qualified for all Manned Space Missions” status on 1st March 1965. The chronograph, strapped on the wrists of Virgil “Gus” Grissom and John Young, went on board the Gemini 3 mission a mere three weeks later.
In the same year, the Omega Speedmaster 105.003 went on the first American spacewalk strapped on the wrist of Edward White. But it was the fourth-generation Speedmaster that strongly defined the chronograph’s design that is associated to this day as the original “Moonwatch”. It was the first Speedmaster to feature an asymmetrical case with twisted lugs that gave extra protection to the crown and pushers. The text “Professional” was also printed on the dial for the very first time. Its 105.012 and 145.012 models are renowned for being worn by Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon.
Most famously, the Omega Speedmaster was worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first humans in history to set foot on the moon. As a result, the courage, innovation and unparalleled expertise that led to this unprecedented achievement is eternally connected to the spirit reflected in the Omega watches worn by the astronauts. Between 1969 to 1972, the Speedmaster was worn by the crews of all six lunar landings on Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 missions. Even for Apollo 13, which didn’t make it to its intended landing on the moon, the Speedmaster played a pivotal rescue role of precisely timing a series of engine burns to redirect the craft safely back to Earth.
And this brings us back to 2020—after four years of development to produce the next powerful calibre, the Moonwatch is now officially Master Chronometer-certified. The new Calibre 3861, released in 2019, testifies to the highest standard in the industry in terms of precision, chronometric performance and magnetic resistance of up to 15,000 gauss, having undergone eight rigorous tests before leaving the Omega factory which are overseen by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). Not just that, the iconic movement’s power reserve is improved on top of innovative features such as Omega’s revolutionary Co-Axial escapement as well as the silicon Si14 balance spring with inclusions of protective non-ferrous materials, enabling the calibre to pass the eight Master Chronometer tests.
Appearance-wise, the revamp borrows inspiration from the style of the fourth-generation Moonwatch, otherwise known as the ST 105.012, admired as one of the watches worn by the Apollo 11 astronauts. What this translates to currently for the prestigious chronograph is a case bearing its classic asymmetrical form with twisted lugs, alongside short and wide pushers. Subtle but not inconspicuous is the attractive step dial in black as a backdrop that sets off the domed minute and seconds chronograph hands, echoing the bevel of the step dial. Other details include the double-bevel case back, and the famous dot over 90 (DON) and a dot diagonal to 70 on the anodised aluminium bezel ring.
The evolution continues with the minute track which is now split by three divisions, compared to the previous five, in sync with the frequency of Calibre 3861, which powers the small seconds sub-dial, 30-minute recorder and 12-hour recorder, along with the central chronograph function. As finishing touches to one of the world’s most iconic timepieces are an integrated, fully- brushed bracelet boasting a five–arched-links-per-row design with a new clasp whose satin-finished cover is stamped with a polished Omega logo.
Finally, to own a piece of the adventurous pioneering attitude worthy of a trip to the moon, a selection of eight new Speedmaster Moonwatch versions is available—in stainless steel, 18k Sedna™ gold or 18k Canopus gold™, all covered with a five-year warranty.
Visit omegawatches.com to find out more.
