ReviewExplore The Dark Side Of The Moon With The Omega Speedmaster Apollo 8 Edition
With 2018’s Speedmaster ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ Apollo 8, record-setting Swiss watchmaker Omega lets you own a piece of space history
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After celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Speedmaster in 2017, last year, Omega made a grand statement on its association with space exploration and lunar landings. Contrary to its name, the Speedmaster ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ Apollo 8 shines bright among Omega’s recent offerings.
A Blast From The Past
The NASA space mission conducted in the year 1968 had astronauts travelling to the far side of the moon, thereby going down in history as the first humans to witness the dark side of the celestial body. This watch not only celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission, but also pays tribute to every Speedmaster Professional worn by every Apollo astronaut. It all started in 1957 when Omega decided to launch the first Speedmaster under its Professional series, originally meant for motorists and racing enthusiasts. It was the CK2915 fitted with a tachymeter bezel placed outside the dial for the very first time. With the ‘broad arrow’ hour hand, the Speedmaster became an instant bestseller. The new Alpha design hands replaced the old ones in the CK2998 launched in 1959. This was also the first Speedmaster to travel to space during the Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) mission, worn by astronaut Walter M Schirra.
Meanwhile, NASA was scouting for some technically robust wrist chronographs and on their request, Omega’s North American agent, without even checking with headquarters in Switzerland, sent some Speedmaster watches to NASA, unaware of the intended use. When tested along with watches from other manufacturers, the Omega Speedmaster endured the toughest of trials and NASA declared it as the officially-certified watch for its manned space programme. It immediately became a part of America’s first spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission on June 3, 1965. With the growing popularity of the Speedmaster, Omega needed to accelerate commercial production leading to the introduction of a new-age movement, the Calibre 861, in 1968. This new calibre and its succeeding versions power the Moonwatch even today.
The Moon On Your Wrist
With its 44mm case in brushed black ceramic, a skeletonized dial, and yellow accents, the Dark Side Of The Moon Apollo 8 is a real masterpiece. While earlier versions of the series featured two sub-dials with a date window at six o’clock, the 2018 version has the traditional three sub-dials, and no date. This is mainly due to the change in the movement—the manual winding calibre 1869, a newer version of the calibre 1861. Intended for more than just nostalgia, the manual-winding movement also shaves 2.5mm off the thickness of the case. A layered design approach from the outer ring to the applied lume-filled indices and minute markings works perfectly against the skeletonised dial. The colour in the markings on the black ceramic bezel’s tachymeter scale is mirrored in the accents on the perforated black leather strap.
Around The Moon We Go
Elements of design on the front and back of the watch also pay homage to the Apollo 8 mission. Blackened to produce the look of the lunar surfaces, the dial and caseback represent the moon’s view from the Earth, and the dark side respectively. Aside from showing us the dark side, the caseback also features the words, ‘We’ll see you on the other side,’ a reference to astronaut, Jim Lovell’s final words spoken to ground control during the Apollo 8 mission.
As one of the most influential watch brands, Omega continues its stellar reputation, adding to the prestigious Speedmaster family, with a timepiece that’s truly out of this world!
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Omega Speedmaster
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