Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon is crafted entirely of high-tech ceramic.
As promised yesterday, we said we would bring you all the news about hot watches finally making their way to the market before we move on to the 2014 unveilings that won’t hit the market for another 3-6 months. This is one you won’t want to miss – Omega’s Dark Side of the Moon. First announced at Baselworld 2013, this watch that caused quite a stir. Revolutionary in materials and presentation – and promising to go to the moon and back when it comes to delighting customer – the Dark Side of the Moon watch is finally here!
A special etching process, along with a host of high-tech steps, go into the making of the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon.
The all-black, all-ceramic (Yes – ALL ceramic – case, dial, buckle, pushers) OMEGA Speedmaster is not just emblematic of OMEGA’s bold style and forward-thinking innovation, but also is true to the brand’s rich space exploration heritage. The Apollo 8 astronauts were the first people to see the dark side of the moon with their own eyes. Now, the black ceramic Co-Axial Speedmaster – nicknamed the Dark Side of the Moon — salutes their pioneering spirit and pays homage to the Speedmaster Professional chronographs worn by Apollo astronauts.
Thanks to special coatings, the time is highly visible in dark of night.
The Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon is one high-tech space-age watch. Created fully within the Omega and Swatch Group (Omega owner) confines, the watch is the first industrially-produced timepiece made entirely from one block of black zirconium oxide ceramic via a host of processes that include diamond-wheel brushing, aluminia polishing, stage heating, laser etching and more. Redefining the concept of the Moonwatch, this new piece is as alluring as Deep Space itself – especially for Omega lovers. Complementing the 44.25mm ceramic case, the dial is also black zirconium oxide ceramic. What’s really cool about the dial – something you barely even notice at first glance – is that very discreetly in the center lie the letters: Zr02. Translation: Zirconium Oxide – just to let everyone know that the dial is ceramic, too – something very few others in the watch world can achieve. It’s a cool feature that only the wearer may truly understand –something of an “insider’s” view on innovative materials and exploration in that realm. The two polished ceramic chronograph control pushers on the case function totally independently of one another- so there is no risk of damage to the timekeeping or chronograph functions.
The Dark Side of the Moon is more expensive than most Speedmasters, but seems to be well worth the investment.
The watch features SuperLuminova on the hands and indexes to ensure easy readability even when there is no moonlight to read by. A matt chromium nitride tachymeter scale — the sure sign this is an Omega Speedmaster — is engraved via state-of-the-art laser technology that can work on the polished ceramic. This out-o-this-world visionary watch naturally houses one of the top movements ever made: the Omega Co-Axial Caliber 9300 with an innovative column wheel mechanism and Si14 silicon balance wheel that reduces friction and lengthens watch movement life. The movement is the first of the brand’s in-house calibers to incorporate the chronograph functions. The 12-hour and 60-minute counter hands are on the same subdial at 3:00 for easy reading of the time. The entire watch, together with its fabric strap and ceramic buckle weights just 91 grams – the equivalent of 3.2 ounces — less than a quarter of a pound! While the price is steep for an Omega Speedmaster – at $12,000 – I personally think it’s worth it for a true view of the Dark Side of the Moon.
