The Omega Speedmaster, a chronograph steeped in history and NASA-approved exploration, is a collection that never rests on its lunar laurels. While the classic Moonwatch is always a constant, the brand's contemporary ceramic offerings—collectively known as the "Side of the Moon" series—have just received a significant and highly anticipated technical overhaul. You might recall the initial shock and excitement when the first all-black ceramic Dark Side of the Moon debuted in 2013; that legacy is now being sharpened with four new references, all officially housed under the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon banner. Yes, that includes the grey one, as the name is used to denote the entire 44.25mm ceramic family.
This new quartet features crucial movement upgrades and, more importantly for those who prioritize daily wear, noteworthy reductions in case thickness. It’s a testament to Omega's continuous pursuit of performance and wearability, without compromising the bold, modern aesthetics that define the line.
The New Automatic Benchmark: Calibre 9900 and a Slimmer Profile
The original Dark Side of the Moon, a large but undeniably cool piece, was often criticized for its height. That issue has been decisively addressed in the two new self-winding models, which transition from the legacy Calibre 9300 to the modern Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9900. This switch alone brings the case thickness down by over a millimeter, a crucial refinement that drastically impacts how the watch sits on the wrist.
1. The Classic Refined: Dark-White
This variant, most closely linked to the original 2013 aesthetic, maintains a striking contrast against the black ceramic case.
Key Upgrade: The Calibre 9900 movement is now METAS Master Chronometer certified, assuring industry-leading resistance to magnetism and superior timekeeping precision, a massive functional leap.
Case Dimensions: The black ceramic case retains the familiar 44.25mm diameter and 50mm lug-to-lug measurement, but the thickness is now a much improved 15.09mm.
Aesthetic Details: It features a black ceramic dial with a new, subtle "pie-pan-like" architecture—the center plate is raised before sloping toward the edge. The tachymeter scale utilizes a crisp white Liquidmetal™ inlay, complemented by white Super-LumiNova on the hands and indices for optimal legibility.
Layout: It maintains the distinctive two-register chronograph with the date window discreetly placed at 6 o'clock.
2. The Stealth Operator: Black-Black Edition
For those who believe true darkness is a virtue, the Black-Black edition offers a near-total blackout aesthetic, an execution that truly requires dedication to the "Dark Side."
Movement & Dimensions: Identical technical specifications to the Dark-White version, utilizing the automatic Calibre 9900 and measuring 15.09mm thick.
Aesthetic Details: The ceramic dial uses a laser-sandblasted finish, giving it a matte texture that absorbs light. All markers, hands, and the tachymeter scale—which is filled with black Grand Feu enamel—are also blackened. The Super-LumiNova emits a green glow, providing the only real break in the darkness when in low-light conditions.
Calibre Finish: Even the visible movement through the sapphire caseback receives a special "black edition" treatment, with matte-blackened bridges and rotor to ensure the dark theme is maintained from every angle.
The Manual-Wind Revolution: Slimness for the Purist
If the automatic versions represent performance refinement, the next two models are all about achieving maximum wearability and honoring the tradition of manual winding—the core of the Speedmaster legacy.
3. The Striking Contrast: Dark-Red Manual-Wind
This new reference finally pairs the modern Dark Side case with a manually-wound movement, resulting in the most wearable black ceramic version to date.
The Crucial Reduction: By using the manual-winding Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9908, Omega has managed to shave the case thickness down to a remarkable 13.02mm. This is an almost negligible difference from the standard steel Moonwatch and a dramatic improvement over the original automatic ceramic model.
Movement Insight: The Calibre 9908 is also a 60-hour power reserve movement, and it features a blackened finish visible through the exhibition caseback, perfectly matching the dark exterior. Crucially, as a manual-wind calibre, it allows for a thinner profile but does not include a date complication.
Aesthetic Details: The black ceramic dial has a sandblasted finish like the Black-Black version but incorporates vibrant red accents on the chronograph hands and bezel text, offering a sporty and high-visibility contrast.
4. The Lighter Side: Grey Side of the Moon (Apollo 8-Inspired)
Though named "Grey Side of the Moon" and executed in a different color ceramic, this timepiece is officially categorized within the broader Dark Side of the Moon collection, serving as the lighter-hued counterpoint.
Case and Thickness: Rendered in a stunning grey ceramic case, this model is the slimmest of the new quartet at just 12.97mm thick.
Movement & Layout: It is powered by the manual-winding Calibre 3869, which is a Master Chronometer evolution of the iconic 3861 movement found in the Moonwatch Professional. This movement dictates the classic three-register chronograph layout and a 50-hour power reserve, fitting the traditional Speedmaster aesthetic.
Aesthetic Details: The dial is skeletonized and laser-ablated to depict the near side of the Moon, while the movement visible through the caseback shows the dark side of the Moon, a spectacular, three-dimensional tribute to the Apollo 8 mission and astronaut Jim Lovell’s observation that "the Moon is essentially grey." Note that the Apollo 8 design itself is not new, but this grey ceramic version with the specific movement (Calibre 3869) and thickness is the new entry here.
The Verdict on Versatility
Beyond the technical marvel of shrinking ceramic cases, Omega offers excellent strap versatility. All four new references come equipped with a fresh black or grey rubber strap featuring a newly designed, highly tactile lunar surface motif on the underside for improved comfort. The automatic models, as well as the Grey Side, also offer an alternative black or grey nylon strap option.
Ultimately, these releases are a masterclass in horological refinement. The upgrade to Master Chronometer certification across the board is expected, but the simultaneous reduction in case thickness, particularly the introduction of the 13.02mm Calibre 9908 manual-wind black ceramic model, proves that Omega is listening to its enthusiasts. If you, like many collectors, loved the bold look of the ceramic Speedmaster but hesitated at its height, the new "Side of the Moon" collection offers a compelling reason to revisit the dark side. Are these the new definitive modern Speedmasters? Only time, and wrist-testing, will tell, but they certainly set a new standard for ceramic chronographs.