Let me play among the stars.
Yesterday, Omega replica announced a series of new models in Miami, including the new Ultra Deep, two new colorways of the Aqua Terra series and the new generation Speedmaster ’57. For all of this (and more), we have stories of our own experience, but I want to start with my new favorite release: Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonshine Gold.
The last time I was in Miami was in the spring of 2019, when Omega showed off the first Speedmaster, Moonshine Gold, in its proprietary 18k yellow gold alloy. It’s a jaw-dropping tribute to the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. And, as Speedy fans have pointed out, since then, Omega has updated its core steel Moonwatch collection with the 3861 Speedmaster Professional movement.
The watch you see here basically combines the above two steps of the Speedmaster series. The result is a fully bootlegged 3861 Speedmaster that joins the current ranks with Sedna and Canopus Gold Speedies. It’s easily my favorite precious metal Speedmaster trio.
For those who don’t know your proprietary brand alloy, Moonshine Gold was developed by Omega and launched in 2019 as a higher performance alternative to traditional 18k gold. Moonshine Gold uses a mixture of gold, silver, copper and palladium for a cooler and unique color than more common alloys, and its composition is designed to prevent the metal’s color and luster from fading over time.
The new Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonshine Gold (I’m going to choose the Moonshine Speedmaster because I’m not getting anything in return) is available in two dial styles with a matching gold bracelet or a lovely rubber strap. Moonshine gold dial with black subdials and decorations and black ceramic bezel, or PVD green dial with gold decorations and green ceramic bezel.
I’m a total sucker for gold when it comes to precious metal sports watches, and while I’m recorded as not being a huge Speedmaster guy, if we’re talking about gold it’s a whole different story. The Steel Speedmaster is undoubtedly an incredible watch with amazing pedigree, but for me, gold makes it all the more special, unusual and interesting.
Like the full-fledged 3861 model, the Moonshine Speedmasters are 42mm wide, 13.18mm thick and 47.5mm lug-to-lug. The 3861 is a hand-wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer that is METAS certified, runs at 3 Hz, offers a 50-hour power reserve, and has the same technical specifications as the 3861 Speedmaster we’ve seen in past iterations. Like most Speedmaster models, the Moonshine Speedmasters feature sapphire crystal on the front and sapphire glass on the back for display.
Of the two new models, if I found myself in such a wonderful predicament, I still don’t know which one I’d choose. The black and gold colorway of the Panda Edition is very classic to me, and it works just as well on a rubber strap as it does on a bracelet. But green is so dark and rich that it’s hard for me not to think it’s the more special and unique of the two. If you have a clear choice between the two, hit the comments and let me know why you prefer one or the other.
Speaking of bracelets and rubber straps, if you have the means to own one of these gold Speedies, I recommend getting both. The bracelet is simply fantastic. Mostly brushed, it’s thin, with rounded links that taper from 20mm at the lugs to 15mm at the clasp. The clasp isn’t particularly bulky, but thankfully, Omega managed to integrate a two-digit (2.3mm) extension on their buttons.
The rubber is thin and soft with minimal shape molding, it tapers to 16mm and flows nicely into the Moonshine Gold folding clasp. The tail runs underneath and the rubber feels comfortable. As an added lunar watch treat, the inside of the strap is decorated to look like the lunar surface around the lunar landing site.
What else is there to say? I’ll save the rest for these photos. Because the truth is, this Moonshine Gold is an aesthetic treatment with no real benefit over steel – it all depends on how it looks and how it makes you feel. Moonshine Speedy feels great for a collection launched against the bold and colorful backdrop of Miami.