Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Review: A Master Chronometer Chronograph
Omega Speedmaster Moonphase watches have been introduced around 1985 but had since been given a major overhaul. Let’s get up close and personal with it, shall we?
As an addition to the same family of watches that brought about what is arguably the most historically significant and most iconic of all Omega watches, this addition is expected to be out of this world.
Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Review
Let us begin this detailed review with a nice feature which is the radial date sub-dial in the 9 o’clock position. It uses a polished hand with a red crescent tip which encircles the date. This is a simple calendar that needs to be adjusted 5 times annually using a quick-set feature. This is done via the crown while in the intermediate position. When you turn the crown one way it sets the date, and when the crown is turned the other way, it sets the moon phase.
Possibly the most spoken-of feature is the incredibly high-resolution moon phase disc which boasts an ultra-high-definition and photorealistic lunar surface. It is claimed to have a (most likely not-to-scale) NASA astronaut footprint on the lunar surface. Seeing as one Speedmaster watch or another was on each of NASA’s lunar missions it makes sense that the moon phase disc is as prominent as it is. Make no mistake though, this is not a Speedmaster Moonwatch but rather, a Speedmaster chronograph watch with a moon phase complication.
As per the going trend, this watch uses a larger case at 44.25mm and about 17mm thick which makes it a bit tough to tuck beneath a cuff. However, this larger size is something about which many up-to-the-minute watch enthusiasts are happy. It accommodates a twin-barrel design which gives the watch a longer power reserve.
What runs under the hood of the Speedmaster Moonphase Master Chronometer? The Speedmaster Moonphase chronograph from the mid-1980s was traditionally powered by a different type of caliber which was a manual-wind movement. The new edition, on the other hand, had been given an entirely new engine which is not only self-winding but boasts some never seen before features in a Speedmaster moon phase watch.
Let’s start with what had already become a standard feature in all modern mechanical Omega watches which is the Co-Axial escapement which reduces the need for lubricating many points of contact but also increases the duration between regular service intervals. This allowed Omega to also offer a longer warranty period of 4 years.
The twin-barrel Omega 9904 automatic caliber comes with a COSC chronometer designation and a METAS Master Chronometer certification and boasts a 60-hour power reserve. The COSC certification attests to the base precision of the caliber and this testing is conducted on the caliber in a 3rd party Swiss facility while the movement is uncased. When a base accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day is achieved, the caliber is then sent to another 3rd party facility in Switzerland called METAS.
The caliber is then placed in the case and tested further in simulations that recreate many different real-life wearing conditions which include temperature fluctuations, water immersion up to advertised water resistance, magnetic frequency exposure up to 15,000 gauss and many more.
Another new and welcomed edition is the Si14 silicon balance spring which is impervious to electromagnetic frequencies and is now used in the new METAS certified Omega Speedmaster Moon Phase Chronograph.
The Omega 9904 movement contains 54 jewels, oscillates at 4Hz or 28,800 vibrations per hour and is beautifully decorated with a unique wavy “arabesque” pattern and can be seen through the transparent sapphire case back.
The bezel is made of a highly scratch-resistant satin-finished ceramic with a Liquidmetal tachymeter scale. From the side profile of the watch case, you’ll notice a tasteful and balanced combination of both polished and satin finishing on the beveled edges of the case and a polished finish beneath the bezel.
The lugs are both polished and satin-finished giving it a multifaceted look. This watch comes on a pristine quality alligator leather strap which is fastened with a twin trigger, single-fold clasp.
A few years ago, when this collection was unveiled, there were no stainless-steel bracelet options, but the collection has been slowly growing. Today, this watch is available in several different styles and color combinations including a model with a stainless-steel bracelet, another with a grey alligator strap and green/yellow gold bezel. Another model with a brown dial, bezel and matching alligator strap with Sedna gold (Omega’s rose gold) numerals, indices, crown, and chronograph pushers and another model with a blue ceramic case and blue dial.
Click on the button below to view all of the currently available 44.25mm Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Master Chronometer Chronograph watches.
