ReviewThe Golden Goose: Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch—In Moonshine Gold

There are a few icons from the history of timekeeping that enjoy such prominence that even just a new colour in a new model will spark conversations. So what then can one say about brand-new dial colours or brand-new case material—or both? This is what the Speedmaster Moonwatch did in 2022: two new versions made from 18-karat gold, and with new dial colours that injected freshness into a design that remained untouched otherwise. It wasn’t simply gold though, it was one of Omega’s proprietary gold alloys that these new editions feature. The 2022 golden Moonwatches are in Moonshine gold.

Moonshine: More In-House Gold

Among the more recent innovations in watchmaking materials from Omega, Moonshine gold was created in 2019. While Sedna is their custom red gold, and Canopus, their custom white gold—both of which were seen among 2021’s Master Chronometer Moonwatches—Moonshine is their custom 18-karat yellow gold. Moonshine carries an air of sophistication bearing a paler hue compared with regular yellow gold.

Reinforced by the metals that pure gold is combined, Moonshine will remain resistant to the fading of its colour and lustre. Reminiscent of the pale yellow glow of the rising moon just after dusk, the hue is realised by the alloy’s composition—over three-fourths gold, 14.5 percent silver, along with a little more than nine and one percent each of copper and palladium.

In this version, the Moonshine gold is seen in the dial as well, but is offset by blackened sub-dials and the ceramic of the bezel to match, presented like the black of the classic Moonwatch

It’s the panda-style treatment that infuses this rendition with freshness. Classic Moonwatch details seen here include the layered dial and the recessed and snailed sub-dials

The green version is almost just a tint of a difference form 2021’s Sedna Moonwatch in black. However, with green, the series suddenly has such a strong hue in watchmaking that it fits right in

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Gleaming pale, the Moonshine of the new Moonwatch is seen in the dial as well, but is offset by blackened sub-dials and the ceramic of the bezel to match. Presented like the black of the classic Moonwatch, it’s the panda-style treatment that infuses this rendition with freshness. On the other hand, the other new edition keeps the contrasting elements consistent with the classic. It’s almost just a tint of a difference form 2021’s Sedna Moonwatch in black. However, with green, the series suddenly has such a strong hue in watchmaking that it fits right in, while lending the watch a new look completely.

The Moonshine Interpretation Of The Golden Icon

While the green is fresh, yet familiar, the other elements of the iconic design are just as we all love them—the layered dial, the recessed and snailed sub-dials, the pencil hands and baton indexes, the dot-over-90 on the tachymeter scale, the ‘twisted’ lugs, the contrasting finishing on the three-link bracelet and so on. All the while, these new Moonwatches continue the series’ Master Chronometer offerings—the ultimate in accuracy, with the 50-hour manual-winding calibre 3861, which runs both these chronographs.

Probably the most famous chronograph ever made, the Speedmaster Moonwatch looks as new and alive as ever in these new avatars, while remaining completely and instantly identifiable. With Omega managing to reinvigorate this icon, time and again, it’s no surprise that it continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.