OMEGA’s new Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon”, bearing reference number 311.93.44.51.99.001, is hitting stores soon. This premium Swiss watchmaker is back with a new and exclusive edition. The latest timepiece is inspired by the lunar dust that captures mankind’s first steps on the moon and the previous Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon.” Crafted from white ceramic that has been transformed to a shimmering metallic grey through a sand-blasted 950 platinum dial, The 44.25mm white case material is subjected to 20,000 degrees Celsius for three hours in the plasma heating chamber, which containing different gases, which causes it to turn grey. The case, caseback, bezel, crown, pushers and buckle are all crafted from the same ceramic material.
Further distinguishing the Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon” is the Super-LumiNova tachymetric scale on the brushed ceramic bezel – another first from OMEGA. The numbers and marks on the bezel have been engraved and filled with Super-LumiNova making it possible for the wearer to read the tachymeter scale in a variety of lighting conditions. The Ω symbol on the crown is also filled with Super-LumiNova.
The sand-blasted 950 platinum dial gives the Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon” looks absolutely killer and underscores the craftsmanship that went into creating the watch. Two integrated platinum sub-dials distinguish the timepiece from its legendary predecessor, OMEGA’s “Moonwatch”; the 12-hour and 60-minute counters on the same sub-dial at the 3 o’clock position, while the sub at 9 o’clock is the small running seconds. The red-tipped, center-set seconds hand is for the chronograph. Look closely and you will also see a small “Pt 950″ notation just above the center hands on the dial.
Though not pictured, engraved on the caseback is the name of the watch: “GREY SIDE OF THE MOON”. The Speedmaster “Grey Side of the Moon” is presented on a grey leather strap and has a rubber insert with holes on the area where the buckle is fastened for added durability. You can see also on the underside of the strap there is red stitching that complements the red accents on the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 9300 visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. The Cal 9300 is a co-axial chronograph movement with a silicon balance spring.
While it does not carry the gravitas of the original “Moonwatches”, but as for me well I love the modern look and modern technology of both the “Dark Side” and “Grey Side” of the moon. The watch comes in a special presentation box and is priced from USD11,000.
