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The Royal Debut
Bold, technical, and rich with lunar heritage, the Omega Speedmaster "Dark Side of the Moon" Apollo 8 blends contemporary ceramic engineering with historical reverence. Featuring a striking skeletonized dial revealing a laser-ablated lunar surface, this chronograph is a tribute to the first mission to orbit the moon in 1968. The bold yellow accents offer a dramatic contrast to the matte black ceramic case, making it an unmistakable and conversation-worthy Speedmaster.
No other chronograph enjoys the cultural significance and spacefaring credentials of the Omega Speedmaster. Originally developed in the late 1950s as a racing chronograph, it quickly rose to celestial fame when it was worn on the wrists of NASA astronauts during the Apollo missions, including the 1969 moon landing. The "Dark Side of the Moon" collection—launched in 2013—expanded the Speedmaster’s legend with modern materials, and the Apollo 8 edition is perhaps the most emotionally resonant of them all.
Introduced in 2018, the Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” Apollo 8 pays homage to the pioneering 1968 mission that first flew around the moon and broadcast humanity’s first view of its far side. This watch departs from the traditional Moonwatch formula by embracing an openworked aesthetic. Through the fully skeletonized dial and transparent caseback, the manually wound Caliber 1869 takes center stage. Uniquely, the bridges and plates of the movement have been laser-ablated to represent the moon’s surface, rendering each timepiece subtly different—like a lunar fingerprint.
The use of yellow throughout the design—the chronograph hands, minute track highlights, “Tachymètre” text, and inner strap lining—creates a dramatic contrast against the black ceramic case and dial. It also references the bold yellow color used in Omega’s vintage racing chronographs, tying the design to both space and speed.
The case itself, crafted from a single block of black zirconium oxide ceramic, is a technical feat. It measures 44.25mm in diameter and is both lightweight and highly scratch-resistant. The perforated leather strap with yellow rubber lining adds a sporty flair and reinforces the overall theme of performance and endurance.
Caliber 1869, a specially decorated variant of the legendary 1861 movement, is hand-wound and visible from both the dial side and exhibition caseback. Omega’s master engravers have given each movement a unique appearance, replicating both the near and far sides of the moon—near side visible from Earth through the front, and far side through the back, just as the Apollo 8 astronauts saw it.
Whether for the enthusiast of space exploration, high-concept design, or haute horlogerie, the Apollo 8 “Dark Side of the Moon” is one of the most compelling modern Speedmasters ever created.
This example of the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 8 is in excellent pre-owned condition, reflecting only the most minimal signs of use:
Case: Near-mint condition with no visible dings, chips, or scuffs to the ceramic surfaces
Bezel: Sharp and clean with no fading to the yellow tachymeter scale
Crystal: Flawless front and rear sapphire crystals with no scratches, clouding, or coating wear
Dial: Perfect condition; openworked design displays crisp edges and undisturbed decoration
Strap: Light wear to the outer leather surface; yellow inner rubber lining is bright and free of damage
Clasp: Excellent with no marks to the ceramic buckle
Movement: Winding smoothly; chronograph starts, stops, and resets precisely; timekeeping within expected tolerance
Omega branded inner presentation box
Omega outer cardboard box
Original Omega international warranty card (dated 2022)
Omega pictogram card
Omega manual / instruction booklet
Red hang tag with reference and serial
Original Omega black ceramic tang buckle
Full-length factory strap (uncut)
Soft polishing cloth
The Apollo 8 edition stands out not only within the “Dark Side of the Moon” series, but also in the broader Speedmaster lineage. Unlike the standard Moonwatch or even the earlier all-ceramic variants, this model offers a more intimate and artistic connection to lunar exploration. The laser-etched depiction of the moon’s surface across the movement is not just decorative—it’s storytelling in mechanical form.
Collectors prize this reference for its unique combination of materials (lightweight ceramic), finish (skeletonized, but legible), and emotional resonance (Apollo 8 tribute). The manual-wind movement appeals to enthusiasts who want a tactile, hands-on experience reminiscent of vintage chronographs. And the quotation engraved on the back—“We’ll see you on the other side”—offers a poignant connection to the bravery of the Apollo 8 astronauts as they ventured beyond radio contact.
As Omega continues to expand the Speedmaster range, this model remains a standout due to its depth of concept and execution. It is not only wearable daily but destined to become increasingly collectible with time.
Brand
Omega
Model
Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” Apollo 8
Reference Number
311.92.44.30.01.001
Collection
Speedmaster Professional / Dark Side of the Moon series
Case Material
High-tech black zirconium oxide ceramic, fully brushed and polished
Case Diameter
44.25 mm
Case Thickness
13.8 mm
Lug Width
21 mm
Lug-to-Lug Measurement
49.8 mm
Bezel
Fixed black ceramic bezel with tachymeter scale in yellow lacquer — inspired by Omega's vintage racing dials
Crystal
Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Caseback
Sapphire crystal exhibition caseback, laser-engraved with “WE’LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE” — quoting Apollo 8 astronaut Jim Lovell
Dial
Openworked skeleton dial showcasing laser-ablated mainplate and bridges designed to replicate the lunar surface, with two-sided moon imagery: near side (dial view), far side (caseback view)
Dial Details
Blackened hands and indices with Super-LumiNova, yellow chronograph hands and accents for enhanced legibility and contrast
Movement
Omega Caliber 1869 — manual-winding chronograph movement specially decorated for the Apollo 8
Base Movement
Derived from the legendary Omega Caliber 1861 (Lemania 1873 base), famously used in the Moonwatch
Power Reserve
Approximately 48 hours
Frequency
3 Hz / 21,600 vibrations per hour
Jewels
18
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, chronograph with central seconds, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock
Chronograph Details
Column-less horizontal clutch architecture with robust cam-switch operation; hand-wound for mechanical engagement
Water Resistance
50 meters / 5 ATM — splash-resistant, not intended for submersion
Strap
Black perforated calfskin leather strap with yellow rubber inner lining and stitching — sporty yet elegant
Clasp
Black ceramic pin buckle with Omega branding — lightweight and scratch-resistant
Weight
Approximately 91 grams (with strap and buckle)
Country of Manufacture
Switzerland
Year of Original Release
2018 — commemorating the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 8 mission (1968)
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