Since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their historic steps on the lunar surface in 1969 wearing Omega Speedmasters, the collection has been inextricably linked to space exploration. Now, Omega has expanded on that legacy, introducing a new Speedmaster that incorporates meteorites in multiple forms.

The watch’s 43mm stainless steel case houses a dial made from iron meteorite. Each dial, which is unique to each watch, features the distinctive Widmanstätten pattern, which is naturally occurring crystalline structures that form through extremely slow cooling of metallic asteroids over millions of years. Omega offers this celestial canvas in two variations: one with a dramatic black PVD coating and another with a sophisticated galvanic grey finish.

The moonphase display takes residence at 6 o’clock, which features two cabochon moons crafted from lunar meteorites. These moons rotate to show the current lunar phase as seen from both hemispheres. The starry backdrop comprises an arrangement that matches the night sky as it appeared over Omega’s headquarters in Bienne, Switzerland, when Apollo 11 reached the Moon. 

The watch is fitted with the manual-winding chronograph Caliber 9918 that’s visible through the sapphire caseback. It shows off a three-quarter plate that’s decorated with Geneva waves in arabesque, similar to the Caliber 9908 (utilized in the Chronoscope Master watches). Aside from the addition of the moonphase module, everything else remains status quo, with the signature column wheel mechanism and Co-Axial escapement. The movement is METAS-certified, demonstrating its ability to maintain precision even when exposed to magnetic fields as strong as 15,000 Gauss, thanks in part to its advanced silicon balance spring.

The power delivery system employs two barrels mounted in series, ensuring consistent energy flow throughout the movement. Besides the central hour and minute hands, a small seconds hand and date indicator share the subdial at 9 o’clock, while a combined 12-hour and 60-minute recorder occupies the position at 3.

Omega’s meteorite watches

It’s not the first time Omega has incorporated the use of extraterrestrial materials into their watches. Last year, Omega expanded its Constellation line with a series of 20 models featuring meteorite dials in various vibrant colors, including blue, green, purple, white, grey, and gold. Sourced from the Muonionalusta meteorite, these dials exhibit the distinctive Widmanstätten pattern. The collection offers sizes ranging from 25mm to 41mm, with cases in stainless steel, gold, or a combination of both. The larger models are powered by Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer-certified automatic movements, while the smaller sizes utilize quartz movements. 

Perhaps among the earliest use of meteorite was the Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon “Meteorite”. This piece featured a dial crafted from a slice of Gibeon meteorite, encasing it within a grey ceramic case, creating a monochromatic aesthetic. Then in 2019, Omega introduced the Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition in Moonshine gold that incorporated a piece of lunar meteorite along the periphery of the exhibition caseback to represent the moon.

Tech Specs: Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite

Movement: Manual-winding METAS-certified Caliber 9914; 60-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; chronograph; date; small seconds; tachymeter
Case: 43mm × 13.6mm; stainless steel; water-resistant to 50m
Dial: Meteorite with black PVD or gray galvanized finish
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with foldover clasp with comfort setting
Price: US$17,100