This is it – the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary watch we’ve all been waiting for since Baselworld 2018 and before, knowing full well that the 50th anniversary of the most important moon mission in human history was coming in July of 2019. Well, despite plenty of dealers seeing it just a few short days before Baselworld, whispering hints like “two-tone bezel” and “laser-engraved footprint” in hushed tones around the show, the whole design has impressively been otherwise kept under wraps until Omega lifted the lid this week, in Switzerland.

Featuring a solid flat-link stainless steel bracelet and 42mm case with few flourishes of Omega’s new Moonshine gold that debuted on the solid gold variant earlier this year, the new steel variant is limited to 6,969 pieces, carrying a number of design cues inspired by the historic Apollo 11 moon mission, including a 9 o’clock subdial exhibiting Buzz Aldrin climbing down the lunar module’s ladder, while the Naiad-locked caseback features a deep laser-engraved relief of an astronaut’s footprint juxtaposed with Neil Armstrong’s famous “one small step” quote. Back on the dial, you’ll also notice the applied “11” Arabic hour numeral replacing the baton marker at that spot. Unlike the solid gold anniversary edition, which had a red ceramic bezel ring, the stainless variant gets it in polished black ceramic with a Ceragold tachymeter scale.

Also like the solid gold variant, the new 50th Anniversary Steel version is fitted with Omega’s newest manually wound movement, caliber 3861, which gets gets the Master Chronometer certification – a first for this movement in a stainless steel-cased watch and another sign that the standard Speedmaster Professionals are likely next in line to get these upgraded movements. The whole watch is packaged in a very cool presentation case that includes a lunar module “display” model, a viewing loupe, two patches from the Apollo mission, and a spare cork-coated Velcro strap along with the requisite strap-changing tool.

Specifications

Brand: Omega
Model: Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition (ref. 310.20.42.50.01.001)
Dimensions: 42mm
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Case Material: Stainless steel with Moonshine Gold bezel
Crystal/Lens: Flat scratch‑resistant sapphire crystal with anti‑reflective treatment on both sides
Movement: Omega cal. 3861
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet, also includes black-coated cork strap with Velcro closure
Price & Availability: $9,650, July 2019

Summary

6,969 watches is an awful lot for a “limited edition,” though it’s a strategy we’ve seen time and time again from Omega – and in the instance of such a legendary brand property (the Speedmaster) and an equally legendary moment in history (the moon landing), as a pretty tasteful execution rendered in the currently en-vogue two-tone trend, it’s unlikely that these’ll languish on boutique shelves for long, once available later this summer. Again the price for the Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary in Stainless Steel is $9,650, and boutiques are expecting to see these starting in July. omegawatches.com