Omega Speedmaster Master Chronometer Chronograph Moonphase. Powered by the Co-Axial Calibre Master Chronometer 9904 automatic movement with 60 hours of power reserve. Officially certified by METAS – the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. This version features a stainless steel case with a black ceramic (zirconium oxide) bezel. Water-resistant to 100 metres. Introduced in 2016. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. BaselWorld 2016.

Omega’s Speedmaster Master Chronometer Chronograph Moonphase, launched at the 2016 BaselWorld watch fair, features the new Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9904 automatic movement which is made from 368 components.

What is significant is that the watch is certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology or METAS. Among other things, this means that the movement can withstand magnetic fields that are as strong as 15,000 Gauss. Most, if not all, other watch movements will simply cease operating in such a fierce magnetic field.

While the chronograph seconds hand remains centred, the hour and minute chronograph counters are now combined and located at the 3 o’clock sub-dial.

What’s more, Liquidmetal is used for the tachymeter scale for the very first time.

Also noteworthy are the technical improvements, the moon phase display in particular as it is now more accurate. Adjustments are required after 10 years and that probably means a full-day error will result only after such time. Most other movements incorporating the moon phase display base each cycle on 29.5 days and a full-day error will result in less than three years.

 

 

Aesthetics-wise, the moon is of higher resolution and incorporates the space boot imprint left behind by the first man on the Moon – Neil Armstrong.

Such features are meaningful as Omega’s Speedmaster forever left its mark on horological history, being the very first wristwatch that was worn on the Moon.

Resetting or recalibrating the moon phase indicator is a matter of a few turns of the crown. Yes, this is good for the new Speedmaster Master Chronometer Chronograph Moonphase as the moon phase display can be reset easily by the owner, just as it is for the calendar date pointer. Moon phase display settings are typically set via a corrector found on the side of the case.

With the new technical features and aesthetical detailing including the footprint of Neil Armstrong, Omega’s Speedmaster Master Chronometer Chronograph Moonphase leaves a deep imprint (pun definitely intended). In other words, there are many good reasons to have one.