Omega Speedmaster Moonphase: Putting the Moon in Moonwatch
The Moonwatch is the most iconic version of the Speedmaster since they put one on the moon in 1969, so why not put the moon on the watch?
History of the Moonwatch
The Omega Speedmaster needs no introduction. Famously chosen by NASA, it became the first watch worn on the Moon when Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface during Apollo 11. Later, its role in Apollo 13 became legendary: astronauts used it to time a critical 14-second engine burn that ensured their safe return to Earth - earning Omega the silver Snoopy Award which would go on to inspire other special edition Omega Speedmasters.
From its robust movement to its stark black-and-white dial, the Speedmaster was built with one purpose: functionality. Its design has always been driven by that focus on functionality - even with today’s modern 3861 Speedmaster Moonwatches following that ethos.
Introducing the Moonphase
1985 Omega Speedmaster ST-345.0809
And yet, in 1985, Omega chose to add something completely out of character for a tool watch: a Moonphase complication on the ST 345.0809. While it offered no practical use in space, it brought a new dimension to the Moonwatch - one of poetry, romance, and emotion.
With the introduction of the Broad Arrow Moonphase in 2001 (ref. 3575.20.00), Omega doubled down on this idea, creating a Speedmaster that asked not “what can it do?” but rather “how does it make you feel?”
| Omega Speedmaster Moonphase 3575.20.00 | |
|---|---|
| Case/Bracelet Material | Stainless Steel |
| Bezel Material | White Gold |
| Case Diameter | 42mm |
| Thickness | 13.5mm |
| Lug to Lug (Case Only/Endlink to Endlink) | 48.5mm/53mm |
| Water Resistance | 30M |
| Calibre 1866 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacture | Omega |
| Movement Type | Manual Wind |
| Power Reserve | 48 Hours |
| Complications | Chronograph, Moonphase, Pointer Date |
| Chronograph Type | Cam with Horizontal Clutch |
Not your standard Speedy Pro
Unlike the familiar black-dial Speedmaster Professional, this model sported a crisp white dial years before the Tokyo editions, Snoopy tributes, or the 2024 white-dial release. The effect was striking, instantly setting it apart from the standard Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. The blued rhodium hands and indices added a flourish of refinement, calling to mind the elegance of Cartier’s blued steel details. These touches didn’t add to legibility, but they gave the watch a personality its predecessors lacked. Gone is the dark monochrome, replaced by vibrant
At 12 o’clock, the Moonphase and pointer date display — powered by the caliber 1866 — introduced both charm and symmetry. This was the same workhorse architecture as the caliber 1861, but with a complication that spoke less to astronauts and more to dreamers. Following the waxing and waning of the moon on your wrist was a reminder that the Speedmaster’s story isn’t only about NASA and history; it’s also about the romance of the night sky.
Technical Details in a New Light
On paper, the Broad Arrow Moonphase stayed true to the Speedmaster’s DNA. The case measured 42mm, with 50 meters of water resistance and the familiar crown guards that have always made the crown a little tricky to operate. But the design changes altered the wearing experience.
The white gold bezel and pale dial contained the watch visually, giving it a more restrained wrist presence compared to the expansive look of a black bezel and dial. While legibility took a slight hit, the additional register and blued accents provided a pleasing symmetry and a splash of color. Together, these choices gave the watch an elegance that leaned away from pure utility toward quiet sophistication.
Interestingly, Omega opted not to include a see-through caseback on this model, despite offering it on some black-dial variants of the same era. It feels like a missed opportunity — especially for a watch that already broke from the Speedmaster’s tool-watch tradition in favor of beauty and emotion.
For the Dreamer
The standard Moonwatch is versatile, historically significant, and universally appealing. But this Broad Arrow Moonphase is something else entirely. It’s not the Speedmaster for everyone — and that’s precisely its charm. It appeals to those who see watches as more than tools, who are drawn to the romance of the moon itself rather than the checklist of spaceflight achievements.
Because it trades some practicality for individuality, it remains more affordable than many Speedmaster references, giving collectors the chance to own something distinctive without paying the premium often attached to the “must-have” models. For the dreamer who wants a Speedmaster that reflects emotion as much as history, this watch offers a unique proposition.
