OMEGA Goes Dark: A New Chapter Begins For The Speedmaster

For over half a century, the OMEGA Speedmaster has been more than a chronograph it’s been a witness to humanity’s greatest adventures. From the first lunar orbit to every moon mission since, its legacy is forever tied to exploration, innovation, and endurance. Now, in 2025, OMEGA turns another chapter in that story with the next evolution of its celebrated Dark and Grey Side of the Moon collection seven new models that push the limits of ceramic craftsmanship, precision engineering, and aesthetic sophistication.

In 1968, the Apollo 8 mission made history as the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon. Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell’s words “We’ll see you on the other side” echoed through the radio before the spacecraft disappeared behind the lunar horizon. Each astronaut on board wore an OMEGA Speedmaster, a tool trusted to perform in the most unforgiving environment imaginable. It’s that spirit of exploration bold, fearless, and human that continues to guide OMEGA’s watchmaking today.

“The Dark Side of the Moon collection embodies OMEGA's pioneering spirit that has guided us to the Moon,” said Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA. “These new models champion that extraordinary legacy while introducing innovations that will define chronographs for generations to come.”

Twelve years after the original Dark Side of the Moon captivated collectors, this new generation marks the most comprehensive evolution of the line to date. Across seven new models and four distinctive dial variations, OMEGA brings together everything it has learned from decades of material research, movement development, and design refinement.

A New Era of Ceramic Craftsmanship

The evolution begins with the heart of the collection: OMEGA’s unparalleled mastery of ceramic watchmaking. Over four years of dedicated development have resulted in a new level of precision, introducing a bevelled polished ceramic process that gives each surface remarkable depth and brilliance. The result is a case that feels sleeker, lighter, and more refined while still retaining the powerful 44.25 mm silhouette that defines the Dark Side aesthetic.

Each model features enhanced case proportions, offering a slimmer profile that sits more comfortably on the wrist. OMEGA’s Liquidmetal™ technology used across the bezels and crowns adds superior durability and resistance to wear, ensuring the watches remain as pristine as the day they’re crafted. The use of advanced ceramic not only gives the collection its striking monochrome aesthetic but also underscores OMEGA’s continued leadership in material innovation. The dials, too, have evolved. Each watch now features a two-layer ceramic dial construction that delivers an exceptional sense of depth. Laser-brushed finishes transform light in ever-changing ways, while polished bevels and subtle surface contrasts bring a new dynamic to the familiar Speedmaster layout.

New Interpretations of a Lunar Legacy

The seven new models within the Dark and Grey Side of the Moon line represent both reinvention and reverence. Some reinterpret beloved classics; others introduce entirely new configurations designed for the modern collector. Among the standout creations is the new Black Edition Co-Axial Master Chronometer 9908, a manual-winding model that captures the raw, purposeful character of early Speedmasters. Its full matte dial, accented with transferred grey and red markings and a vivid red central chronograph hand, gives it a bold and technical aesthetic—modern, yet deeply connected to OMEGA’s heritage in professional timing instruments.

Another highlight is the reworked version of the original Dark Side of the Moon, now powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer 9900 calibre. This edition refines the proportions and introduces a Liquidmetal™ tachymeter scale, alongside the two-plate ceramic dial with laser-brushed finishing. Every detail, down to the lugs and chronograph pushers has been refined for improved ergonomics and balance.

For those drawn to the purest expression of stealth and precision, the all-black model stands apart. Housing the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9900, it features darkened movement components visible through the caseback and an enamel tachymeter scale. Its laser-sandblasted ceramic dial, paired with diamond-polished bevelled indexes filled with Super-LumiNova, gives the watch a technical yet ethereal appearance like moonlight on obsidian.

A Tribute to Apollo 8: The Grey Side of the Moon

No story of the Speedmaster would be complete without a nod to the mission that inspired it all. The new Apollo 8 edition honours the astronauts who first saw the far side of the Moon an experience immortalised by Jim Lovell’s words, “the Moon is essentially grey.” This timepiece translates that moment into mechanical artistry.

Its dial reveals a laser-ablated lunar surface motif, meticulously rendered to distinguish between the near side and the far side of the Moon. Through the skeletonised grey dial, wearers can see the “near side” in stunning detail, while flipping the watch reveals the “far side” through the sapphire caseback an immersive lunar landscape brought to life by OMEGA’s master artisans. At its heart beats the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3869, a movement that combines traditional chronograph architecture with cutting-edge anti-magnetic technology and precision standards.

Innovation in Every Detail

Beyond the case and movement, OMEGA’s designers have rethought every tactile element of the Dark and Grey Side experience. The strap options often overlooked in technical chronographs have been significantly upgraded. Nylon fabric straps now include a rubber lining for improved comfort and durability, while new rubber straps feature lunar surface patterns on their underside, a subtle yet symbolic nod to space exploration heritage. Whether paired with ceramic, titanium, or steel hardware, the straps underscore the seamless fusion of form and function that defines the entire collection.

The Next Chapter in Speedmaster’s Space-Bound Journey

From the original Speedmaster’s role in NASA’s lunar missions to the avant-garde ceramic innovations of today, OMEGA’s story has always been one of progress. The new Dark and Grey Side of the Moon collection not only celebrates that legacy but also points toward the future where watchmaking artistry, material science, and human curiosity continue to intersect.

Twelve years on from the debut of the first Dark Side of the Moon, OMEGA has once again proven that evolution in watchmaking doesn’t mean reinventing icons it means refining them with purpose. With these seven new references, the brand has created not just a continuation of a legacy, but a testament to what happens when precision meets imagination on Earth, and beyond.

Price: 

Black Edition Dark Side Of The Moon- Rs 14,97,200

Cermaic- Rs 15,34,000

Grey Side Of The Moon- Rs 15,70,900