The pure white Speedmaster Moonwatch brings luxury to Omega's iconic watch! [Deep dive into the new 2024 watches]

In March 2024, Omega added a new model to its Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer collection. This is the first model in the collection to feature a glossy white lacquered dial. We had the opportunity to borrow an actual model from Omega. While retaining the iconic Moonwatch style, the pure white lacquered dial and applied indexes reduce the sense of a tool, bringing a new luxurious feel to this model, which we will introduce with newly taken photos.

A new star player has arrived in the white dial category, which is surprisingly rare!

　Today, watch brands offer a wide variety of dials, especially in terms of color. Thanks to advances in manufacturing techniques, it is now possible to consistently produce colors that were previously difficult to achieve. As a result, the dial colors offered by each brand are now proliferating, including green, salmon pink, ice blue, and neutral colors.

　In the midst of all this, I've always thought, "There aren't many white dials, surprisingly." White dials have existed for a long time. However, when you look at luxury watches, the options are surprisingly limited, excluding white enamel and white mother-of-pearl. (I've often thought the dial was white in the photo, only to find that the actual dial was silver.)

　White is an eye-catching color, and when used on the dial, it gives off a sense of presence on the wrist, has a different atmosphere from silver and is refreshing, and also does not clash with other colors and is easy to match with various fashions, so I personally think it goes well with watches, which are decorative items. However, it is not a color that is available in every brand or every collection.

　Omega offers a wide variety of collections and variations within those collections, and offers a relatively wide range of white dials, including ceramic dials on the Seamaster Diver 300M, Seamaster Planet Ocean, and Constellation, and a lacquer dial on the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep. However, this year saw the addition of a lacquered white dial to the Speedmaster Moonwatch, one of Omega's most famous watches, marking a first for the collection.

While it is available on the Speedmaster Racing and Speedmaster White Side of the Moon, white dials have been rare for the most iconic Moonwatch (the Canopus Gold model has a silver dial).

　By the way, before the release of this watch, Daniel Craig, well known for his role in the movie "007," wore this watch at the "Planet Omega" event held in New York in November 2011. At the time, it had not yet been published in the catalog, so there was a lot of talk about what kind of Speedmaster it was. At the time, I thought, "Watches are small from a distance, so I'm surprised I noticed it," but yes, white really does stand out.

　The new Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer features a new white dial. While the term "white" can mean many different shades, this model is truly "pure white," and we hope you'll pay attention to the luxurious feel that pure white brings.

The glossy white dial reduces the feeling of a tool.

　The most distinctive feature of the new Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer is its white lacquered dial. As mentioned above, this is a variation not previously seen in this collection. Regarding the release of this model, Omega stated that it was inspired by the prototype of the "Alaska Project." The Alaska Project was a project launched by Omega to develop a watch that could withstand extreme temperature changes. This prototype was created in 1969. A reissue of this model was produced in 2008 and sold in a limited run of 1970 pieces. Additionally, the new Speedmaster features red accents on the chronograph second hand and the Speedmaster logo. Omega chose this color scheme because the Alaska Project included a red protective case and because, since the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, spacesuits have featured a red stripe indicating the captain's rank.

　The white of this model is not silvery or ivory-like, but truly "pure white." It also features a glossy finish thanks to the polished lacquer that polishes the surface. It's fun to see the smooth white surface when exposed to strong light, as in the photo. At first glance, it looks like a white ceramic dial. However, because the gloss is so pronounced, the way the light hits it changes under indoor lighting, causing the logo and scales to shine with a lustrous glow, reminiscent of an enamel dial.

　A glossy dial gives off a sense of luxury. The current Moonwatch's black dial has a roughened base, giving it a tool-like feel reminiscent of the Speedmaster's history as a watch used in space exploration. However, the glossy white dial transforms this icon into a luxurious style.

Applied indexes also contribute to a luxurious feel

　Another feature of the new Speedmaster is the black applied indexes. While the indexes on the existing black dials are printed, this model has an applied index, giving it a three-dimensional look.

　The raised indexes are unexpectedly large, creating a striking contrast with the white dial. Printed indexes on a white dial tend to give a flat impression. By adding a three-dimensional effect, the watch has a distinctly luxurious feel.

　This three-dimensional effect also contributes to high visibility and legibility. The white-and-black combination makes it unlikely for the indices to be lost in strong light, but the inset dial also features a stepped design, making the white areas easy to read and creating a three-dimensional effect. This step is a feature of the current Moonwatch. This design, seen in previous collections, was revived in the current model, which has been running since 2021. The "step dial," with a step bordered by the minute scale on the outer edge of the dial, was also a feature of the classic Speedmaster and has been revived in the current generation. The applied indices on the white Speedmaster are arranged to follow this step, demonstrating Omega's meticulous craftsmanship.

　Additionally, while the black dial has luminous paint applied to the entire index, in this model the area of ​​the luminous paint has been reduced and applied to the tips of the indexes on the outer periphery, perhaps to avoid interfering with the contrast between white and black.

The case and movement are the same as the regular Moonwatch.

　Other than the dial, it is the same as the existing Speedmaster Moonwatch. The current Moonwatch was released in 2021, and the updates at that time are reflected.

　The movement is also the same, the Cal. 3861, a manual-wound chronograph that has been Master Chronometer certified since 2021. The black dial is available with two crystals: Hesalite (hardened plastic) and sapphire crystal, the former with a solid case back and the latter with a transparent case back. The white dial is only available with a sapphire crystal crystal and a transparent case back.

　This high-performance movement boasts ultra-magnetic resistance of 15,000 gauss and excellent accuracy despite its low beat of 21,600 vibrations per hour, allowing this watch to combine luxury with utility. Incidentally, while Master Chronometer-certified models have the "MASTER CHRONOMETER" inscription on the dial, this is not the case for the Speedmaster Moonwatch. This is likely to preserve the style of the Moonwatch. The movement bridge is engraved with "MASTER CO-AXIAL."

For now, let's go to Omega to see the actual machine!

　Sales of the new Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer have already begun, and users can be seen purchasing it through social media.

　The lineup includes three types: a bracelet model, a perforated leather strap, and a rubber strap, with the list price being 1,254,000 yen for the bracelet model and 1,199,000 yen for the others (both including tax), which is slightly more expensive than the black dial model.

　That said, the price difference isn't huge, and the specs are the same, so the choice comes down to your favorite dial. You can choose the traditional black dial, or you can enjoy a different look with a luxurious white dial. Both are masterpieces, so why not visit Omega to compare the two in person?