Omega turned heads in 2013, when it debuted the first Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon watch at Baselworld. And in 2014, the brand complemented it with a sister in gray. But for those who have wanted more variations on the Dark Side of the Moon, look no further: in 2015, your time has come. Here are four new versions of the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon that Omega presented at Baselworld.
All four of the new Speedmasters bear certain crucial similarities. They’re all certified chronometers. They all have a bicompax chronograph layout: the chronograph hours and minutes are in the 3-o’clock subdial, running seconds are at 9 o’clock and a date window is at 6. They all bear a tachymeter scale around the bezel. There are nonreflective sapphire crystals on the front and back.
Under the dial, all have Omega Co-Axial caliber 9300: an automatic, 4-Hz movement that runs in 54 jewels. It has two serially mounted barrels for a 60-hour power reserve. Its balance spring is made of silicon and it has a column-wheel chronograph mechanism. There are Geneva waves on the movement and the screws, barrels and balance wheel have all been blackened to keep to the dress code.
The first of the new watches has an extra-demonstrative name: the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Black Black.” So nice they had to say it twice, the Black Black has a polished and brushed ceramic case and a matte black ceramic dial. The brushed hands are blackened, as are the applied indexes. The chronograph subdial hands as well as the indexes have black Super-LumiNova on them. On the bezel, the scale for the tachymeter is in black lacquer. The Black Black comes on a coated nylon fabric strap with a black ceramic clasp. Price: $12,000.
Next up is the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Pitch Back.” Its case is in polished black ceramic, while the ceramic bezel has been brushed for a different finish. It has matte black subdials with varnished hands. Its distinctive feature is the Super-LumiNova coating for its indexes and on its tachymeter scale. It has a black leather strap with ecru stitching and a ceramic folding clasp. Price: $12,000.
Omega used its special proprietary alloy for the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Sedna Black.” The brushed black ceramic case is complemented by a bezel ring in 18-karat Sedna gold. Also adding that rosy accent to the Sedna Black are the applied Sedna gold indexes and hands. A laser ablation process was used to mark the text and graduations on the dial. A shade of “vintage” Super-LumiNova, not unlike that used on last year’s Omega Seamaster 300, coats the three center-mounted hands, the hour indexes, and the two dots at 12 o’clock. The Sedna Black comes on a black leather strap with a ceramic folding clasp. Price: $15,000.
Finally, there is the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Vintage Black.” The only watch in the set on a brown leather strap, the Vintage Black has brown hour indexes to match the “vintage” Super-LumiNova used on the hands and dial. The tachymeter scale is also embedded with the same color of luminous coating. It has a brushed ceramic case and a matte ceramic dial. The centrally mounted hands are blackened, while the subdial hands are brown. Price: $12,000.
All of these Dark Side of the Moon watches have a case diameter of 44.25 mm and a case thickness of 16.14 mm. They are water resistant to 50 meters. And of course, all of their caseback rings bear the name “Dark Side of the Moon.”
Beautiful black watches! Personally have a George J VonBurg III Black titanium carbide plated&is hardeat plating I’ve ever seen, shy of DLC and I Learned every facet of business, starting with sweeping floors on Saturdays at age 6 at family-owned for 55 years,electroplating,metalsmithing, Metal antique restoration, and rewiring of antique sconces and chandeliers etc. Some cases were so old never had wiring, were oil burning or candle burning, and converted to electric for customers, as well as designing and building decorative and functional items. For example, Turning old brass fire extinguishers into small table bases or umbrella stands( can’t begin to tell you how many of those we made), and each was individually handmade, Generally by one person from beginning to end, As well as custom brass leg glass top tables, etc. all becoming a disappearing art by the way ! That is one of my trades, and my understanding is, titanium carbide is used as an industrial lubricant, and I can just say this, I banged case into corner of glass, expected to see scratch on black watch and was ready to be very depressed, I even saw mark on watch, but under further look, it was broken glass scuffed on to watch and wiped off watch with my thumb and one swipe of it! With my experience in electroplating, I was floored! Was not the least bit of a mark on the watch in the end. Not even a dent in stainless under plating! No doubt if was just stainless without that plating, I would’ve nicked/scratched/dented stainless steel! With that particular plating, not the lightest scratch! Amazing stuff& much cheaper than DLC! Not big on PVD plating,on item like a watch, as it will scratch, And eventually wear and tear will wear through plating to usually stainless steel watch, under plating! In most cases, generally does not pay to have re-plated, with the exception of best of collectibles!
Geez !!
It will be interesting to see whether enthusiasts take a shine to all these models. Nice watches but I think Omega is starting to really overcook the Speedmaster with all these colour combos. Anyway I like the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Vintage Black.” model.