There are only a handful of watch brands that can create a noteworthy release by simply making a white-dial version of a model that has been around for years, and Omega is certainly one of those brands. Ever since Daniel Craig was spotted wearing an unreleased Moonwatch with a white dial at the Planet Omega exhibition in New York last November, we all knew that some type of white-dial Speedy would likely be headed our way, although the big questions that remained were what exactly this new watch would be, and when it would make its formal appearance. Well, the watch we first saw on Daniel Craig’s wrist is now officially available to the public, and rather than being crafted from precious metal or bestowed with some exotic complication, this latest addition to Omega’s lineup is very much the same Speedmaster Moonwatch that we all know and love; however, it is now available with a crisp white lacquer dial.
From an overall design and construction standpoint, the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with a white lacquered dial is largely identical to the current generation of the stainless steel model that first debuted in 2021 and marked the transition to Co-Axial calibers for the classic manual-wind Moonwatch. However, rather than being available with the choice of either Hesalite or sapphire crystals like the classic black-dial Moonwatch, the new white lacquer dial version is exclusively offered in the modern “sapphire sandwich” configuration, and you can find our full hands-on review of the original black dial version of the model right here.
Just like its black-dial sibling, the case of the new white lacquered dial Moonwatch is crafted from stainless steel with a brushed and polished finish, and it measures 42mm in diameter by 13.2mm thick, with 20mm lugs and an overall lug-to-lug profile of 47.5mm. Just as the “sapphire sandwich” nickname suggests, a pair of sapphire crystals are fitted to both the dial side of the watch and its screw-on caseback, while water resistance comes in at the current-generation Moonwatch’s standard depth rating of 50 meters. Additionally, similar to the other models from this latest generation of the classic manual-wind Speedmaster, the new white lacquered dial version receives a black tachymeter bezel with an anodized aluminum insert that features the fan-favorite style of “Dot Over Ninety” markings that can be found on vintage Speedmaster references.
Although this latest release may have a slightly similar appearance to the 18k “Canopus Gold” version of the Moonwatch (which is the absolute most expensive version of the manual-wind Moonwatch that is currently available), that luxury-oriented model actually features a silver dial with a polished finish on its hands and hour markers. Meanwhile, the step dial fitted to this latest version features a bright white surface with black-finished hands and indices to create additional at-a-glance contrast. Additionally, rather than opting for an entirety monochromatic color profile, the “Speedmaster” name appears in bright red letters on this latest white lacquered dial Moonwatch, and the overall effect creates a similar aesthetic to what can be observed on the white-dial version of the Seamaster Diver 300M.
Omega states that the white and black colorway is primarily inspired by astronaut spacesuits, while the red text is a nod to the red lines that appear on the suits to signify the commander’s rank. That said, the brand also acknowledges that the white and red details recall the colors of the Alaska project prototype, which featured a white dial due to the superior thermal reflection coefficient of the color. It included a giant bright red protective case intended to shield the watch during EVA activities. Additionally, while Omega has produced various white dial Speedmaster models throughout the years, the vast majority of those watches were either created as limited editions or based on other Speedmaster references that were not the classic NASA-approved Moonwatch.
Just like all of the other current-production Moonwatch models, the new Omega Speedmaster with a white lacquered dial is powered by the brand’s Co-Axial Caliber 3861 manual-wind movement, which runs at a frequency of 21,600vph (3 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. While these on-paper specs are fairly middle-of-the-road by today’s standards, the Omega Cal. 3861 actually represents a significant step forward compared to what can be found inside previous generations. Although it runs at a lower frequency than many of Omega’s other movements and doesn’t offer all that impressive of a power reserve, the Cal. 3861 is one of the brand’s Master Chronometers, which means that it is resistant to magnetic forces in excess of 15,000 gauss and guaranteed to keep time within -0/+5 seconds per day — plus you get the convenience of hacking seconds, which was something that the classic manual-wind Moonwatch lacked until just a few years ago.
The new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with a white lacquered dial will be available in three different configurations, and alongside the classic version that is fitted with a five-link stainless steel bracelet, the new model will also be available with a black micro-perforated leather strap that has red and white stitching, and buyers will also have the option of purchasing the watch on a black anti-bacterial rubber strap that has a moon pattern in positive relief on its underside surface. The bracelet is identical to what can be found on the black dial version of the model, which means that it offers a noticeably more refined design compared to previous bracelet generations, and it features tapered links, brushed and polished surfaces, and a machined clasp that features an integrated incremental extension system.
At the time of writing, Omega appears to only have the bracelet-equipped version of the white lacquered dial Moonwatch listed on its official website (ref. 310.30.42.50.04.001), and this version is accompanied by an official retail price of $8,100 USD, which makes it exactly a hundred bucks more expensive than its black-dial counterpart. Given that the standard Speedmaster dial is simply matte black with all-white printing, this fairly modest premium is likely due to the more involved production process of the white lacquer dial, and based upon Omega’s current pricing structure, opting for one of the strap-fitted versions should save you somewhere in the neighborhood of a few hundred dollars. Additionally, unlike other white-dial Speedys produced as limited editions, this new white lacquered dial Moonwatch appears to be joining the catalog as a standard-production offering alongside its classic black dial counterpart. For more information on the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with a white lacquered dial, please visit the brand’s website.
