The Modern Moonwatch Speedmaster Of Today
Unboxing Review: Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch 42mm [311.33.42.30.01.001]
This is the new Moonwatch for the space race lovers who may not be able to afford an original pre-moon 105.012 or post-moon 145.012 Omega Speedmaster, being tested and certified by NASA to endure extremes in temperature, humidity, shock, pressure and vibrations. But unfortunately for some, these rare gems of timepieces also command a high asking price on the second-hand market. Costing 3 or 4 times that of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch I’m currently reviewing here (released in 2014). Or this watch could be suited to those who don’t want the hassle of buying a second-hand original. What with finding one in a good condition, with a service history, from a reputable seller, at a good price.
buy this Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch from our shop here at a discounted price.
Man on the Moon – NASA photo AS15-88-11863 – The photograph was taken by Astronaut James B. Irwin, Lunar Module pilot – Taken on the 1st August 1971. [If you look closely you can just make out the Omega Speedmaster straped to the left wrist of the austonaute in the photo, next to the corner of the USA’s flag.]Compared to the Original Moonwatch
The Omega Speedmaster 311.33.42.30.01.001 is the closest that a modern Speedmaster has got to the original (but with an Alligator leather strap rather than the bracelet version 311.30.42.30.01.005 found here) and maintains a manual wound movement, a three-dial chronograph, no date function, a black dial, a black tachymeter bezel, a Hesalite crystal and a solid case back. It makes use of the updated calibre 1861 movement that increases the accuracy and reliability of the 321 (pre-moon) movements at 18,000 v\h and the 861 movements at 21,600 v\h (post-moon).
The Speedmaster sitting on the centre of its very large boxDifferences to the current Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph 40mm
Other similar watches offered by Omega today may appear similar at a first, but include deviations from the original Moonwatch like a sapphire crystal and an automatic movement that distances them by varying degrees in their similarity to the 105.012 (pre-moon) and 145.012 (post-moon) Speedmasters of yesteryear.
Comparing it to the Omega Speedmaster Racing Co-Axial Chronograph40mm 326.30.40.50.01.001 the differences are as follows:
The Moon Watch uses a manual wind movement and not the Automatic found in the Racing Co-Axial Chronograph.
A Hesalite crystal is used on the face rather than an Anti-Reflective scratch resistant sapphire to keep it like the original.
It’s water-resistant to a pressure of 50m compared to 100m on the Co-Axial.
It uses the larger 42mm case size as opposed to a slightly smaller 40mm.
The Moonwatch does not have any Arabic numerals around the circumference of the dial to indicate elapsed minutes, with the Co-Axial having them at 5 minute intervals.
The Moonwatch has longer and more pronounced second/minute markers that are more legible to read.
Under the OMEGA Ω Speedmaster markings, they differ again. The Moonwatch applying the word PROFESTIONAL and the Co-Axial writing CO-AXIAL CHRONOGRAPH.
The Co-Axial includes more markings around the chronometers sub-dials and adds some texture and contrast to help distinguish it from the main dial
The minute and hour hands seem remarkably similar on both watches but the Moonwatch version includes a spear like tip to the end of the seconds hand with the Co-Axial being pin like
The Co-Axial’s movement is a COSC-certified automatic Omega Caliber 3330 beating at 28,800 v/h with an approximate 52 hour power reserve
The Moonwatch uses the Omega Caliber 1861 seemingly not being COSC-certified
Why does the world need another Speedmaster?
With 73 Speedmaster results from our shop (at the time of writing) it can seem confusing as to why there are so many watch models that all share the same name but each look so vastly different. Some try to appease collectors that desire a proper Moonwatch like the originals. Others like the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 try to re-imagine what a modern Moonwatch should look like and be made from. Others celebrate Omega’s heritage as having the first watch worn on the surface of the moon by Buzz Aldrin (not by Neil Armstrong as he had left his 105.012 Speedmaster inside the Apollo Lunar Module as its electronic timer had developed a malfunction) with the likes of the extremely limited ‘Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch 42mm 311.90.42.30.01.001 Apollo 11′ that has been crafted from solid Platinum and is limited to only 69 editions worldwide, or by the addition of a moon phase complication. This Speedmaster is for the Moon Landing lovers who would like a new watch as similar to the originals as possible. The Speedmaster collection varies by the following things:
The case sizing
Dial, sub-dial, bezel, strap and casing colours
Numbered editions
Limited editions
Editions celebrating their moon landing heritage
Valuable metal versions
Ceramic and Titanium case varietys
Quartz editions with ani-digital dials
Different straps from Metal bracelets, Alligator leather, Calfskin leather, Rubber, fabric and G10/NATO straps
Unboxing
This is an excellent demonstration of Omega trying to make their watches seem more luxurious by increasing the size of the boxes their watches are supplied in. Whether it makes a £3K watch seem more like a £30K one – you decide. It arrives in a huge black box that opens up like some prehistoric bird unfurling it’s wings to fly, with the outer box having two flaps that need to be pulled open (requiring not a small amount of desk space) to get access to the box within.
Inside of the outer box we have what would be better described as a ‘watch chest’, covered in a deep textured black fabric that gives a sence of durability. I personally think that it’s overly big and will just end up at the bottom of people’s wardrobes and be forgotten about until it’s time to sell it or move house. And it lacks the sophistication and simplicity of the humble iconic green Rolex box.
Inside the box we have a good selection of extras including:
An Omega branded loupe with a tachymeter bezel
An Omega spring bar replacement tool
2 additional spring bars
A G10/NATO fabric strap in black
A NASA velcro watch strap (for all aspiring astronauts)
One Speedmaster steel paperweight
Beside the inner watch chest there are:
An Omega card holder with Pictograms
A red Operating instructions manual
There is also a photographic book on the Speedmaster underneath the inner ‘watch chest’
The Omega branded loupe with a tachymeter bezel and rubber base that has been added to the mix is a nice addition to the watch package, that lets you get a bit closer to all the really small detailing on the Speedmaster. But realistically is not a very powerful loupe and certainly not of a jewelers calibre with it not magnifying nearly enough. And the tachymeter being solely aesthetic and nonfunctional gives mixed messages, luckily this skeuomorphism does not spill over to the watch itself. And in reality the people buying this watch are buying a watch, and all these additional item are a bonus.
The spring-bar removal tool is substantial, being of a solid feeling black (anodised?) handle with a section of it being stippled for additional grip. One end being used to help release spring bars to change the strap used. And on the opposing end we have a red Omega signature. There are also two additional spring bars supplied with this watch that come in a small plastic ziplock bag.
The first additional strap that this Speedmaster Moonwatch is supplied with is a black fabric G10/NATO strap with a stainless steel Omega signed tang buckle. That seems made to a high specification and feels significantly more robust than a typical generic G10 strap.
The second and far more interesting is the velcro NASA strap with its own identifying number. This type of strap is far more elusive to find than the NATO, and the Speedmaster is unique in the respect that it is the only watch to have been worn outside of a space vehicle on the surface of the moon. And will tickle the buyers who are interested in its space exploration history, it being so very different to everything els competitors are offering.
A small 6cm wide steel paperweight is also included in the box with the appearance of an oversized Speedmaster case back. With the seahorse emblem centred and six case back opening notches around the edges.
As expected the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch 42mm [311.33.42.30.01.001] comes supplied with its operating manual and Pictogram (the Omega international warranty not being supplied by us as we are not an authorised dealer)
Hands on
The Omega Speedmaster Professional’s [311.33.42.30.01.001] case is predominantly brushed with the push buttons, deployant clasp, and non-screw-down crown having a polished finish. It maintains a solid case back like the originals to maintain a high level of durability – this is a very specialised tool-watch after all.
The Omega Speedmaster held up to the front of the supplied boxIts dial is encircled by a fixed tachymetre bezel and fine white printed sub-second markings with luminous fill applied to the hour index markers as well as the white second, minute, and hour hands. The Speedmasters complications are spread over the standard 3 dials with the:12 hour counter sub-dial located at the 6 o’clock position
30 minute counter sub-dial located at the 3 o’clock position
The seconds for the chronograph being indicated by the big central seconds hand
A small continuously running seconds sub-dial is located at the 9 o’clock position
The Moonwatch uses an Omega Caliber 1861 being rhodium plated and beats at 21,600 v\h, containing 18 Jewels and has an approximate power reserve of 48 hours.
Verdict
The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is simply a watch that celebrates its rich heritage well. Doing this by paying its respect to the original pre moon 105.012 and post moon 145.012 Omega Speedmasters with how remarkably similar they are despite the distance of time between them. Its timeless iconic design can be enjoyed by people who may or may not be space fanatics, and is unlikely to go out of style any time soon. Ultimately this watch was designed for everyone who would like to buy a brand new space watch, who may not want the stress of buying a vintage second-hand original.
The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch 42mm [311.33.42.30.01.001] can be purchased from our shop at a discount of 15% off the RRP, bringing the price down to £2,770 (at the time of writing)
The back of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 311.33.42.30.01.001 with the polished crown and pusher buttons in sharp focus
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