Details

Brand

Omega

Model

Speedmaster Apollo 8

Reference

31192443001001

Movement

Hand Wound cal.1869

Case

44mm ex.crown

Metal

Ceramic

Circa

2021

Dial

Lunar Texture (semi-skeletonised)

Bezel

Ceramic (Tachymetre)

Condition

Very Good

Box/Papers

Yes

About this watch

Band: Black Leather Clasp: Ceramic Pin Buckle Glass: Sapphire crystal Water Resistant: 5 bar In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission, Omega released the Speedmaster 'Dark Side of the Moon' Apollo 8 in 2018 at Baselworld. Apollo 8 was the first mission in which humans travelled beyond the pull of Earth’s gravity, orbited the Moon, and returned to Earth. It was on this mission that the famous Earthrise photograph was taken by astronaut William Anders, sparking the modern environmental movement. Its form is similar to that of a Moonwatch; however, the case diameter has increased by 2 mm to 44.25 mm. Despite its size, the ref. 31192443001001 wears and appears smaller due to its colour, slim profile, and strap pairing. The case is made from fade-proof and scratch-resistant zirconium oxide ceramic. The case begins life as a fine powder fired to temperatures of 1,500°C, where it hardens to 9 on the Mohs scale and shrinks by approximately 30 per cent. This sintering process has a notable failure rate; however, once the case is complete, it is exceptionally durable. The tachymetric scale and the Omega logo on the crown glow in lowlight conditions as lume has been in-laid into the laser cut ceramic. The dial is made from black aluminium that has been laser-ablated to resemble the lunar surface and is considered topologically accurate. The dial has been partially skeletonized, offering a view through to the specially finished Calibre 1869, based on the 1861 movement from the Speedmaster Professional. It features a tri-complex layout with yellow highlights for the chronograph functions. Protecting the luminous blackened brass handset is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment…