Over more than six decades, Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch has been on an epic journey that includes lunar landings with Nasa astronauts. Now, the iconic timepiece is rocketing into the future with an updated design that adds a Master Chronometer-certified movement. While the revamp introduces significant technical upgrades, the Swiss luxury watchmaker took care to preserve the original spirit of its revered Moonwatch in the aesthetic details. Raynald Aeschlimann, president and CEO of Omega, says: “This chronograph is recognised the world over, so we’ve approached its design with the most sincere respect.” The origins of the watch date back to 1957, when Omega sought to devise a highly precise chronograph that was also sturdy, waterproof and easy to use. It came up with the Speedmaster, which became a signature timepiece for the brand, distinguished by the tachymeter scale set on the bezel. In 1965, the Speedmaster qualified for use in Nasa’s manned space missions after surviving a barrage of intense tests conducted by the US space agency. The watch made its first official trip into space just three weeks later, worn by astronauts on the Gemini 3 mission. Later that year, Omega introduced the fourth-generation design of the watch, which would become known as the original Moonwatch. This model, commonly referenced as ST 105.012, was worn by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin for their historic first walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. The timepiece accompanied Nasa astronauts on five more lunar landings, and also played a vital role in the dramatic Apollo 13 rescue mission. After an on-board explosion crippled the spacecraft en route to the moon, the crew used their Speedmasters to time engine burns that positioned them for a safe return to Earth. The fourth-generation Speedmaster featured an asymmetrical case with twisted lugs that added protection for the crown and pushers. It served as Omega’s inspiration for the Moonwatch redesign, which includes the same classic case shape and lugs in addition to short and wide pushers. Other details carried over from the watch’s space age are a step dial and double bevel caseback. Inside the case of the new model is Omega’s Calibre 3861, which spent four years in development to improve the power reserve and enhance chronometric performance. The movement features the watchmaker’s innovative Co-Axial escapement and anti-magnetic components such as a silicon balance spring. This enables the Speedmaster Moonwatch to meet the brand’s exacting standards for Master Chronometer certification – which include tests for precision, endurance and resistance to extreme magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss – and extends its legacy into the hi-tech era. Although the updated design pays tribute to the classic Moonwatch, the brand also introduced some subtle changes. The minute track is now split by three divisions instead of the five seen on previous models, in accordance with the frequency of Calibre 3861. There is also a fully-brushed bracelet composed of five arched links per row, with a new clasp that carries a polished Omega logo on the satin-finished cover. The new Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer collection features eight 42mm models in either stainless steel or Omega’s own Canopus gold and Sedna gold. Canopus gold is an 18-carat white gold alloy, and Sedna gold is an 18-carat rose gold alloy, both specially developed by the watchmaker. Most of the watches have sapphire crystal glass on the front and caseback, but there is one stainless-steel model that uses Hesalite glass over the watch face and features an embossed seahorse medallion on the caseback. For the devoted fans of the Speedmaster Moonwatch – a group that still includes the astronauts and others at Nasa who brought the earlier models into space – the upgrade into a Master Chronometer timepiece provides many fresh innovations and details to explore. James Ragan, the Nasa engineer who back in the 1960s was tasked with testing the chronograph for use on space missions, says: “It’s great to see how Omega is able to take a classic design and continue to evolve it.”
