SpotlightWelcome To My Dark Side: Introducing The New Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon Apollo 8 Timepiece

“We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained,” American president John F Kennedy said of the Apollo 8 lunar mission orbiting the moon in 1968. Over 55 years since the first ‘earthrise’ photos were taken from the Apollo 8 lunar module, Omega present their newest tribute to that expedition with their latest Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 timepiece. Only, this time, the moon on the watch is visible in higher definition than ever. However, this latest watch is more than just a tribute to humankind’s first trip around the moon—it’s a nod to space exploration in general, as subtle design cues reveal.

‘Earthrise’ From The Dark Side Of The Moon—View From Apollo 8

The Apollo 8 expedition was sort of like a reconnaissance mission for a lunar landing in the future. It was the first successful spaceflight to leave the earth’s atmosphere and orbit the moon. Astronauts on board captured a view of the Earth ‘rising’ from the other side—the dark side, if you will—of the moon. The Apollo 9 mission remained in the earth’s orbit, and the Apollo 10 was also sort of a precursor for a lunar landing, which was finally accomplished by the Apollo 11 on July 30, 1969.

The Apollo 8 expedition was the first successful spaceflight to leave the earth’s atmosphere and orbit the moon. Astronauts on board captured a view of the earth ‘rising’

The 2018 Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 timepiece displayed the moon as viewed from earth on the dial while the display caseback revealed the ‘dark side of the moon’

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Omega’s Speedmaster was an integral part of all NASA’s Apollo missions, although it only earned the moniker ‘Moonwatch’ after the Apollo 11 landing. The brand have since created various tributes to the commemorate mankind’s various ‘giant leaps’. The 2018 Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 timepiece with the watch-face representing the moon as viewed from earth while the display caseback revealed the ‘dark side of the moon’, visible only to astronauts. With advances in technology, the effects of laser ablation are extremely enhanced now, and the black anodised aluminium dial of the latest Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 timepiece displays the moon in a way that has never been seen before.

Omega Speedmaster: Space Exploration’s Trusty Companion

Besides the HD display of the moon and its dark side, the latest Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 timepiece pays tribute to space exploration with a unique small seconds hand on the sub-dial at nine o’clock. Shaped like the Saturn V launch vehicle that sent all of NASA’s Apollo missions into space, the small seconds ‘rocket’ hand is engineered from grade-5 titanium. Its rocket-like structure was created by laser turning, and its realistic colours achieved through white varnish, ablation, and laser blackening.

The effects of laser ablation are extremely enhanced now, and the black anodized aluminium dial of the latest Speedmaster displays the moon in ultra-high definition

The latest Speedmaster timepiece pays tribute to space exploration with a unique small seconds hand on the sub-dial at nine o’clock shaped like the Saturn V launch vehicle

Yellow accents on the dial seamlessly blend with the perforated rubber strap with a yellow interior. Crafted from separate pieces of black ceramic, the 44.25mm case features a tachymeter scale on the bezel filled with white grand feu enamel. The manually-wound calibre 3869 sits inside, its laser-ablated moon stark against a blackened main plate and bridges, while light grey coated wheels and pink rubies provide contrast. This dark side of the moon is beautifully displayed through the open caseback of the watch.

The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 timepiece is by far the best tribute by the brand to the Apollo 8 mission and space exploration. The cool small seconds hand and the extremely detailed view of the moon make this ‘moon on the wrist’ timepiece so much more—almost as if space was within one’s reach. Then again, perhaps that too is just a matter of time.