Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon Apollo 8 310.92.44.50.01.001

Small changes in watches often require examination under a magnifying glass. But sometimes the manufacturer adds significant additional updates to the watch, which no one expected. Their task is to preserve the spirit of the original and simply improve it. This is the case with Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 Edition.

The original design was released in 2018, on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission. One of the major and minor updates of the novelty is a new mechanism, Caliber 3869, which has a relief of the moon, laser-applied to the blackened base plate and bridges. Thanks to this update, the watch has retained its previous proportions — 44.25 mm in diameter, and the thickness has decreased from 13.8 mm to 13 mm.

Other changes have been made to the case, in particular, the bezel, which previously had a white tachymeter scale with a Super-LumiNova luminescent coating and a yellow inscription “tachymeter”. An all-white, non-luminous scale made of Grand Feu enamel is now placed on the polished black ceramic surface of the bezel. Similarly, the Omega logo on the crown, which used to glow, is now made of white enamel.

What doesn’t change is the use of box-shaped sapphire crystal to protect the dial. The back cover is also made of black ceramic Zr02 with sapphire crystal. The case remains classic for the Speedmaster, with matte sides and a polished chamfer on the sides. And the water resistance has not changed and is still 50 m.

The changes in the dial of the updated Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 watch are similar to the case. At first glance, it looks identical, but in fact many details have been redesigned. Firstly, the texture of the dial has become more detailed than before. The lunar surface is still obtained through the laser ablation process, but it has a higher resolution than before and greater accuracy in identifying craters and terrain. In addition, the lower part of this texture is slightly darker than before, again due to the evolution of the brass base laser ablation process.

There are minor updates on the arrows. The minute and yellow lacquered central second hands are now curved at the tip to fit them into a thinner case with a thinner sapphire crystal. Due to the updated mechanism, the textured base plate has also changed. For example, the screws are now less visible and partially hidden behind the hour markers. In addition, the luminous hour markers have been faceted to match the curve of the hands. The Omega and Speedmaster logos are highlighted in white and yellow lacquer, respectively. Yellow accents are still found next to the hour markers and on the chronograph counters. There are no changes here.

One of the main updates in the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 watch is the small second hand. Firstly, the recess under the counter has become deeper and more open than before. This gives more space and presence to the much-discussed Saturn V rocket-shaped second hand. Made of Grade 5 titanium, its three-dimensional shape is obtained by laser processing. It even has the US logo at the bottom, but you’ll need a magnifying glass to see it.

On the back cover, which is engraved with the quote “We’ll see you on the other side”, there is another important mention: a coaxial master chronometer. Perhaps this is the main update of the new DSOTM Apollo 8 watch. Indeed, the previous generation 1869 caliber, based on the classic 1861 Caliber, has been replaced by the more modern 3869 Caliber, based on the 3861 Caliber. It comes with the same improvements as the 2021 Moonwatch, while retaining the classic arrow.

The mechanism with 26 stones (previously with 18) is now equipped with a coaxial trigger and a silicon spring. Thus, it meets the Master Chronometer standard and the 15,000 Gauss magnetic resistance required by METAS. The frequency remains at 3 Hz, and the power reserve has been slightly increased from 48 hours to 50 hours. Its accuracy, determined by Omega, will be in the range of 0/+5 seconds/day.

Like the dial of the movement (the texture of which depicts the visible side of the moon), the back of the movement is decorated with a lunar texture depicting the dark side of the moon. Along with the mechanical evolution, some visual changes were made. The laser-treated texture has become more pronounced again than before, and all references (the number of stones, the name of the mechanism, etc.) are now made in positive relief. To match the dark appearance of the mechanism, the balance is covered with a dark gray coating.

The latest update of Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 is the strap. Its thickness is still 21 mm at the lugs and 18 mm at the buckle, but now it is completely made of rubber, whereas in the previous version the top layer was leather. This black and yellow perforated strap is now fastened with a folding clasp instead of the classic buckle. On the wrist, despite its large size, this watch is comfortable and well balanced – the weight of 99 grams definitely helps here, compensating for the slightly enlarged case.

WATCH

Caliber 3869 (base 3861), manufactured, Master Chronometer certification, hand-wound chronograph, 26 stones. Coaxial trigger mechanism, silicon spring, fully decorated with lunar texture, 21,600 half-vibrations/hour, power reserve of 50 hours, hours, minutes, small seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph

HOUSING

Diameter 44.25 mm, height 13 mm, distance between the ears 50 mm, black ceramic Zr02 case, brushed and polished, fixed ceramic bezel with tachymeter scale in white enamel Grand Feu, box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, sapphire back cover, weight 99 grams, water resistant 50 m

DIAL

Skeletonized black anodized aluminum dial with laser-applied Moon texture, blackened hour and minute hands with SLN – yellow second hand and additional chronograph hands, Saturn V small titanium second hand

STRAP

Double-layer black and yellow rubber strap, ceramic titanium folding clasp

REFERENCE

310.92.44.50.01.001

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