In 1968, a significant historical milestone was achieved when Apollo 8 undertook the inaugural human flight to orbit the Moon. During this pioneering mission, each astronaut was equipped with an OMEGA Speedmaster—a tool integral to NASA’s lunar campaign. In commemoration of this historic event, OMEGA has introduced the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon, leveraging cutting-edge technology, a diverse array of materials, and exceptional craftsmanship.
OMEGA initially released the first Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 timepiece in 2018, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the mission. In its latest iteration, the brand revisits its watchmaking legacy, enhancing the original design with a heightened level of intricacy and refinement.
A distinctive aesthetic characterizes the design, with the Calibre 3869 showcasing a laser-ablated Moon relief on the blackened main plate and bridges. This movement, reminiscent of the Moon itself, unveils two distinct sides. The dial-side mirrors our terrestrial view of the lunar surface, while the reverse side offers a glimpse of the dark side visible only to astronauts. The updated version enhances the Moon’s definition through laser engraving and contrasting surfaces, accentuated by clearly pronounced features alongside light grey coated wheels and a dark grey gold coated balance wheel.
Moreover, the manual-winding Calibre 3869 attains the Co-Axial Master Chronometer standard, signifying the highest precision, chronometric performance, and magnetic resistance within the Swiss watch industry.
The Moon-themed movement is visible through the watch’s skeletonized dial, crafted from black anodized aluminium. The 44.25 mm case, polished bezel, and caseback are meticulously constructed from separate pieces of black ceramic, with the tachymeter scale filled with bright white “Grand Feu” enamel.
The central chronograph seconds hand is varnished yellow, a motif extended to the watch’s perforated strap, made from black rubber with a yellow interior.
A novel addition is the patent-pending small-seconds hand at 9 o’clock, fashioned from Grade 5 Titanium and resembling NASA’s iconic Saturn V rocket. The intricate 3D structure is achieved through laser turning, while colors are applied using white varnish, ablation, and laser blackening—a subtle yet inspiring detail celebrating the Apollo program’s success.
Engravings on the caseback include the poignant words “WE’LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE,” uttered by Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell just before Apollo 8 vanished to the Moon’s far side, losing radio contact for the first time.
The Moon, with its distant and enigmatic surface, has perpetually intrigued humanity. Wearing this watch establishes a genuine connection with our lunar neighbor and reflects OMEGA’s profound ties to space exploration. As the world gazes toward future possibilities, the Apollo 8 mission remains a testament to the collective capabilities of humanity.
