New Omega Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 Watch for 2024

We’re only two weeks into the year and we are already in what I like to call New Watch Season with brands furiously launching fresh models into the market over the next handful of months. Since it no longer participates in big watch shows, we never really know when to expect something new from Omega. But today is the day: meet the Omega Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 Edition for 2024, complete with an updated decorated movement, a refreshed design, and a heftier price tag.

2024 Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8

The Apollo 8 isn’t a brand new model for Omega; this is the second generation of the Speedmaster Apollo 8 that made its debut in 2018. That said, the watch does offer plenty of updates that’ll certainly be a hit with Omega fans.

The biggest update is the movement. The Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 for 2024 runs on Caliber 3869, which boasts the Co-Axial Master Chronometer standard. It’s a manual-winding movement with 50 hours of power reserve, a magnetic resistance rating of 15,000 gauss, and it operates at 21,600bph (3Hz). Caliber 3869 is not only a partially skeletonized version of Caliber 3861 (the movement that powers the current Omega Moonwatch models) but is also superbly decorated with laser engraving to resemble the pockmarked surface of the moon. The main plate and bridges feature the blackened moon-relief texture, which complements the nickel-coated wheels and black gold-coated balance wheel flawlessly — all visible via the exhibition caseback.

The front of the 2024 Apollo 8 watch also offers a view of the lunar-decorated movement thanks to the skeletonized dial. The dial is fashioned from black anodized aluminum and Omega has added a delightful detail to the running seconds subdial at 9 o’clock —a NASA Saturn V rocket-shaped seconds hands. The patent-pending 3D rocket, built using laser tuning, is made from Grade 5 titanium and coloring was executed via a mix of white varnish, laser ablation, and laser blackening. The central chronograph hand is rendered in yellow varnish, color-matched to the other yellow details peppered throughout the watch.

The dial-side of the Apollo 8 watch represents the view of the lunar surface as seen from Earth, whereas the back of the watch displays the dark side that only astronauts have the privilege of seeing. In true Omega fashion, the caseback includes some engraved inscriptions to remind us of the creation’s origin story. One of them is “We’ll see you on the other side,” which is what Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell said to ground control before the Apollo 8 mission journeyed to the far side of the Moon and into radio silence.

Like its predecessor, the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 sports a black ceramic case that measures 44.25mm in diameter. The case is topped with a matching black ceramic bezel, laser engraved with a tachymeter scale that’s filled with white “Grand Feu” enamel. The case is furnished with a black and yellow perforated rubber strap, finished with a black ceramic foldover clasp.

Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 Specs

Model	Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8
Reference	310.92.44.50.01.001
Case Measurements	44.25mm diameter 50mm lug-to-lug 13mm thick
Case Material	Black ceramic
Caliber	Certified Master Chronometer Omega 3869 manual-winding chronograph movement. 50-hour power reserve
Crystal	Sapphire crystal on both sides
Bracelet/Strap	Black and yellow rubber strap with ceramic foldover clasp
Water Resistance	50m
2024 Retail Price (MSRP)	$14,300

What’s Different About This Apollo 8 DSotM?

If we compare this second-generation Omega Apollo 8 watch with the original model from 2018 (ref. 311.92.44.30.01.001) there are a handful of notable differences to consider.

The first is, of course, the movement. The newer Apollo 8 is equipped with Caliber 3869 whereas the older Apollo 8 runs on Caliber 1869. While both are hand-wound movements and decorated to look like the Moon’s surface, the latest movement is a Master Chronometer certified by METAS and its decoration is notably more pronounced.

Another difference is subtle but it’s the easiest way to tell the two versions apart. The original Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 watch includes a yellow “TACHYMÈTRE” inscription while the 2024 edition has it in white. Then there’s the rocket-shaped second-hand on the new Apollo 8 DSotM, which wasn’t on the first edition.

The black ceramic case diameter remains the same yet the case is slightly thinner: down from 13.8mm to 13mm. The straps have the same perforations and colorway, yet the newer version includes a full rubber strap and the older model is paired with a black leather strap with a rubber underlay.

When Omega launched the Speedmaster DSotM Apollo 8 in 2018, the watch was priced at $9,750. Conversely, the newer version will retail for $14,300. We’ll have to wait and see how the market reacts to such a steep price hike.

Timeline of “Side of the Moon” Speedmaster Chronographs

The “Side of the Moon” series within the Speedmaster line is a popular one, characterized not only by ceramic cases but most of them also only have two subdials (except for the Apollo 8 variants) instead of the more traditional three-register layout. Below is a brief timeline of the Omega Side of the Moon watches.

• 2013: The original Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon launches at Baselworld with a ceramic case and a 44.25 diameter, like all “Side of the Moon” Speedmasters to come.
• 2014: The Grey Side of the Moon features a grey plasma-treated ceramic case for the first time.
• 2015: The White Side of the Moon debuts with a white ceramic case.
• 2017: A limited edition of 99 pieces of the Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon is released for the Porsche Club of America, sporting a dark grey dial and the PCA logo on the caseback.
• 2018: The Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8, with its lunar-inspired dial design, marks the 50th anniversary of the mission.
• 2021: The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Pitch Black (ref. 311.92.44.51.01.00, also known as the “Black Black”) pushes the limits of how many black parts a watch can have.
• 2022: The Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon Meteorite is unveiled.
• 2024: New Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 released with upgraded movement.

Omega has opted for a special Speedmaster as its first watch release of 2024, and we doubt it’ll be the only new Speedy we see this year. The Olympic Games will take place in Paris this year, so expect to see a slew of new commemorative Omega watches, including a few fresh Speedmasters thrown in for good measure.

More about Omega Speedmaster watches:
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