Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 Wear Review! Imagine the universe on your wrist

This is a wear review of the new 2024 Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8. We explore the appeal of the renewed Dark Side of the Moon while touching on the many details that pay tribute to the achievement of Apollo 8.

The Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8, which will be evolved in 2024

　Omega's Speedmaster is a beloved model, not only for Omega, but also among the many masterpieces in the chronograph watch industry. Debuting in 1957 alongside the Seamaster and Railmaster, the Speedmaster was beloved by racing drivers, pilots, and engineers, eventually becoming official equipment for NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and accompanying the first manned moon landing. This feat earned the Speedmaster the nickname "Moonwatch," and it has since become a legendary watch.

　The Speedmaster was born as a manual-winding chronograph, but it is also known for spawning many derivative models. A variety of unique Speedmasters have appeared, including the "Mark Series" with its streamlined case, the "X-33" with its digital display, and the "Racing" with its sporty design.

　The watch we'll be reviewing today is the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8, released in 2024. Launched in 1968, Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon and return to Earth. This model is an updated version of the model of the same name that was released in 2018, and while there aren't many differences at first glance, the overall quality has been improved, including the finish of the laser engraving on the dial and the movement. We'd like to explore the appeal of this model by touching on each of these aspects.

Realistic moon pattern dial

　This model is packed with highlights, but let's start with the dial. The basic layout is the same as the Speedmaster Professional. It has a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock, and a small seconds at 9 o'clock, with pencil-shaped hour and minute hands and a chronograph seconds hand in the center. However, there are three main elements that make this model unique. First, there's the dial featuring the moon's surface, second, the yellow coloring, and the precisely finished Saturn V rocket-shaped seconds hand.

　The multi-layered skeleton dial is made of black anodized aluminum. It features a laser-etched pattern reminiscent of the moon's surface. The contrast between the matte finish of the flat areas and the glossy, rough areas creates a three-dimensional effect, and when viewed through the scratches, you can see every crater and crater realistically reproduced. The internal movement is exposed from 6 to 9 o'clock, allowing you to enjoy watching the lever move when the chronograph is activated.

　The dark tones of this watch are accented by the use of yellow throughout. In addition to the "Speedmaster" lettering at the 12 o'clock position, the three hands used for the chronograph function, the subdials, and the outer edges of the indices are colored bright yellow. This also has the practical benefit of making it easier to distinguish between the hands and subdials used to display the time and the chronograph.

　The sporty feel of the yellow is enhanced by the Grand Prix-style minute markers, which resemble checkered flags and add a playful touch to the dial, further enhancing its condensed look.

　A major difference in appearance from the previous Dark Side of the Moon is the design of the small seconds hand. At first glance, it appears to be just a plain white hand, but upon closer inspection, one can see that it is shaped like a rocket. This is modeled after the Saturn V rocket used in the Apollo program, which launched the spacecraft into lunar orbit. I don't have the expertise to accurately identify rockets, but comparing it to photos of the actual Saturn V rocket, it appears to be a fairly faithful reproduction. Furthermore, while most hands are flat, this second hand is perfectly cylindrical. Even when viewed from an angle, it doesn't look like a shoddy piece, and one can enjoy the appearance of a rocket floating on the surface of the moon. However, because it is so small, scratches are necessary to appreciate it closely.

Black ceramic case

　The case of this piece is made of black ceramic. Ceramics, which have become increasingly popular in luxury watches in recent years, are a material characterized by their high hardness, corrosion resistance, and anti-allergenic properties. However, their manufacturing and processing require advanced technology. Ceramics are made by mixing materials such as zirconium with a binder, molding them, and firing them. However, because the volume shrinks during firing, the firing environment, temperature, and time must be precisely controlled for parts where even the slightest dimensional error is unacceptable. Furthermore, the finished ceramic is extremely hard, making it extremely difficult to achieve a finish.

　Despite its complex case structure, this model is water resistant to 5 bar and features a polished and hairline finish. Its sharp edges maintain the Speedmaster's distinctive, rugged look. The black ceramic bezel features a tachymeter scale that was laser-engraved and then filled with white enamel.

　The rubber strap features a perforated yellow inner layer and yellow stitching, matching the dial's color. The folding clasp is made of titanium and ceramic.

　The case back appears to be a snap-back type. While most Speedmasters have screw-backs, it is difficult to directly thread ceramic, so this is likely the reason for this design. A sapphire crystal is attached in the center, allowing you to view the movement inside.

A hand-wound movement that allows you to enjoy the unique chronograph gimmicks

　The Caliber 3869 used in this watch can be roughly described as the Caliber 3861 used in the current Moonwatch, with special finishing for the Dark Side of the Moon. It features a coaxial escapement that dramatically improves maintenance intervals, a silicon balance spring with excellent anti-magnetic properties, and is Master Chronometer certified. Its roots lie in a classic chronograph movement made by Lemania, but its specifications are among the best in the modern era.

　Because it is a manual winding movement, you can enjoy the finish and movement without being hindered by the rotor. The bridge is engraved with an image of the dark side of the moon, creating a contrast with the dial. The gears and balance wheel are coated in gray, creating a unified color scheme with the bridge.

　One of the great attractions of this watch is that the entire operation of the chronograph mechanism can be viewed through the see-through caseback. When the button at 2 o'clock is pressed, its movement is transmitted to a cam via a lever. This cam slides the carrying arm, connecting the fourth wheel and the chronograph train wheel with the intermediate wheel, starting the chronograph. Pressing the button at 2 o'clock again releases the connection via the intermediate wheel, and pressing the button at 4 o'clock again causes the reset hammer to strike the counter gear, resetting it to zero.

Is the 44.25mm case too large?

　I often hear concerns about the case size of manual-wound Speedmasters. They say it's a little too big. According to the catalog, the Professional is 42mm in diameter, while the Dark Side of the Moon is 44.25mm. Admittedly, they're by no means small. So, is it really that big? I've owned a Professional in the past, and even on a 16.5cm wrist, it never felt too big. The same goes for the Dark Side of the Moon, which I reviewed this time. While the case of this model is larger than the Professional, it's uniformly dark-toned, giving it a more compact appearance. But that's not all.

　There are a few things to keep in mind when looking at size. One is the vertical length of the case from lug to lug. The Professional is 47.5mm, while the Dark Side of the Moon is 50mm, which is relatively short considering the case diameter. A shorter case length means it doesn't stick out from the wrist when worn, and it blends in naturally even on slender wrists. It's also worth noting that Speedmasters from the fourth generation onward have adopted asymmetrical cases. This is because, when adding crown guards at NASA's request, the sides of the case were expanded, allowing the crown guards to be integrated into the case design. While definitions vary by brand, while the case diameter of a typical watch is expressed as a number excluding the crown guards, the Speedmaster, which has no clear boundary between the middle case and the crown guards, includes them in the case diameter. Measuring the bezel diameter, the Professional is approximately 40mm, while the Dark Side of the Moon is approximately 42mm. Keep in mind that the actual size is slightly smaller than the catalog figure. Just because you have small wrists doesn't mean you have to give up on a Speedmaster.

　Not only is it a good size, but it also sits comfortably on the wrist. This is likely due to the lack of a rotor, resulting in a thin case back and a low center of gravity, and the thick rubber strap fits snugly to the wrist. Omega's current folding buckle has a neat appearance because the tip of the clasp does not protrude when closed.

　Unfortunately, legibility is not excellent. Although the indices are easy to read, it takes a while to find the hour and minute hands on the complex dial. That said, the dial featuring a realistic lunar surface is the greatest attraction of this watch, so if legibility is important to you, you should choose another model. It would be rude to criticize this watch in terms of legibility.

A unique Speedmaster with a high level of hobby appeal

　Despite being a niche genre of manual-winding chronograph, the Speedmaster has gained popularity as a standard luxury watch. From those just starting to become interested in luxury watches to enthusiasts, few can deny its quality. However, because it is so popular, there are likely many people who are hesitant to purchase one, or who grow bored of it. The Dark Side of the Moon is the perfect choice for such people.

　The lunar surface-themed dial, which commemorates the achievement of Apollo 8, the precisely finished rocket that functions as the small seconds hand, and the lustrous, deep black ceramic case all have a charm that professionals simply cannot appreciate. The movement, which has earned Master Chronometer certification, demonstrates high precision and magnetic resistance, making it suitable for everyday use. This model combines both hobbyism and practicality at a high level.