Watch Review: Omega Speedmaster Moonphase
This meme captures how I felt about the Moonphase Speedmaster when I first bought it.
Now looking back, I still feel exactly the same. However I went through a period of wearing it a lot less. Over the years I have been through many different Speedmasters. I have owned and worn everything from all three Snoopy Speedmasters, to the steel Ed White 321, and even the super rare platinum Speedmaster with meteorite subdials. All have had their various charms and at times I even considered selling my Moonphase edition because it seemed obsolete. I am glad I resisted the urge. After many years and many Speedy’s, this version still has a very special place in my heart.
So what exactly makes it ‘perfect’? It starts with that dial. The Moonphase Speedy comes in many colors, but for my money the blue/black dial stands alone as the best. That shifting sunburst color gorgeously suggests the transition of sky into space like a rocket flying to the moon. And speaking of the moon, the moonphase complication itself is stupendous. The photorealistic moon image is unique and beautifully executed. The white gold trim on the indices, the date and multihand chronograph subdials, the handset, the ceramic bezel — the watch just gets all of the dial details right.
Beyond the dial you come to that splendid case. The voluptuous shape and polished bevels combined with the matte brushed finishing on the flanks make for an incredibly smart looking watch. The crown is nicely signed and easy to use. The pusher tactile feel is delicious. The strap and clasp are also both excellent. You get a nice snappy signed deployant with twin trigger locks on a dark blue alligator leather strap with contrasting stitching. It fits snugly, comfortably, and looks amazing.
A common complaint from collectors of Speedmasters is that their usability isn’t ideal for daily wear. The manual winding, the not super accurate movement, and the poor water resistance make them suboptimal as a GADA (go anywhere do anything) watch. The most recent version of the official Moonwatch has improved things with its METAS certified movement. We now get a highly accurate movement with strong resistance to shock and magnetism. The Moonphase Speedy with its caliber 9904 has all of these benefits and goes a step further. Being an automatic, if you wear it, you don’t need to wind it. Even better, you get 100 meters of water resistance meaning this is one of the few Speedmasters you could potentially go swimming with if you were so inclined. (I wouldn’t recommend it though given the push down crown…)
Also featuring a delightful display caseback and very comfy strap, the Moonphase Speedy is, from a quality of life perspective, one of the best iterations of the model. More so than any other Speedmaster I have owned this watch is just totally no fuss and effortlessly wearable.
Many watches have come and gone over the years in my collection, but the Moonphase Speedy has stood the test of time as my favorite watch to wear. The design simultaneously captures the moods of luxury, science, and spirituality. The details and finishing make this piece a true flex above the typical Speedy. That fantastic movement and chronograph give it excellent tech bonafides and allow it to serve as a proper work watch. And finally something in that dial, maybe only to me, speaks to something transcendent and ethereal. I may not ever make it to the moon, but at the very least this watch gives me some connection with that feeling of going to space. Besides, what better watch to have a moonphase complication than a Speedmaster? It fits the watch like a glove just as this watch fits me.
