Did Omega Just Quietly Debut the Ultimate Speedmaster?

The Moonwatch, dialed up to (Apollo) 11.

a closeup of the bezel on an omega speedmaster watch

Published January 10, 2025

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Updated January 10, 2025

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The Omega Speedmaster‘s status as an iconic watch is unquestioned. Holding the distinction of being the first watch worn on the moon tends to have that effect.

Omega certainly knows this, too, which is why the brand offers countless versions of the Moonwatch today in a variety of materials and colors. Still, most people, when it comes down to it, tend to prefer the classic Speedy: a black-on-black dial with a stainless steel asymmetric case and bracelet.

For those who want that iconic Moonwatch look but a feel that’s quite a bit more special, Omega has quietly just debuted the watch for you.

Known by the reference number 311.90.42.30.99.002, Omega’s latest Speedy is perhaps the ultimate expression of the Moonwatch — and one of the best examples of the “quiet luxury” trend I’ve ever seen in a watch.

an Omega speedmaster watch floating in outer space — Omega’s latest Speedy is, for lack of a better phrase, out of this world.

Nothing But the Best

At a quick glance, this new Speedy looks like your standard Moonwatch. It has the classic asymmetric case and a three-link bracelet, both made of silver-colored metal, a black tachymeter bezel and a black-on-black dial. But it doesn’t take too much investigation to see that this is far more special than the entry-level Speedy.

Let’s start with the dial. The deep black color is the result of onyx, which Omega uses in two layers here to create the classic stepped dial. Next, we have meteorite subdials. This material is probably overused in the industry at this point, but I’ve always felt it belongs on a Speedy, the definitive space watch, more than any other watch. What’s more, the meteorite used here is from a lunar meteorite, directly tying this Moonwatch to the moon.

a closeup of an Omega speedmaster watch dial — The dial is decked out in high-end materials, including onyx, white gold and lunar metorite.

Staying on the dial, the applied logo, indices and central hands have a bit more sparkle than usual. That’s because they’re all made of 18K white gold. There’s more shine on the bezel, too, as this version swaps out the standard aluminum insert for one made of polished ceramic filled with white enamel.

Flip the watch over, and you’ll find a sapphire display caseback — but immediately you’ll realize this isn’t your run-of-the-mill Sapphire Sandwich. Behind the glass is the Calibre 321 movement, the same engine that powered the Speedys worn during the Apollo missions. Omega has a few references using the reborn classic movement, which boasts an 18K Sedna gold PVD finish, but it’s always a special occasion when it shows up in a watch.

Finally, we have the case and bracelet. It’s a classic Moonwatch case on the flat link bracelet that Omega uses for its vintage-inspired Speedys like the 321-powered “Ed White.” But unlike that watch, the case and bracelet here are not made of stainless steel but rather are rendered in solid platinum.

the mechanical chronograph movement of an Omega speedmaster watch seen through its display caseback — Inside the all-platinum Speedmaster is the Calibre 321, the same movement worn by astronauts on the moon.

Pricing and Availability

The platinum bracelet is what really sets this watch apart, as it adds a serious amount of luxury (and, undoubtedly, weight) to what was already a special watch. Technically, the bracelet is the only thing that’s new here — this exact watch sans bracelet was previously introduced on an alligator leather strap as ref. 311.93.42.30.99.001 way back in 2019.

But the addition of a bracelet in full platinum is a pretty big deal. How big? Big enough to increase the price of the watch by nearly 50 percent. On the leather strap, the platinum meteorite Speedmaster 321 goes for $65,200. On the platinum bracelet, that price jumps to $96,900 — an increase of more than $30,000.

That is quite significant, and why I think the addition of the bracelet makes this the ultimate Speedmaster. From the luxed-out materials making up the dial, hands and bezel to the most precious of metals being used for the case and bracelet to the most desirable Speedmaster movement powering the watch, it’s hard to imagine Omega ever coming up with a Moonwatch that can outdo this one.

Omega Speedmaster 321 Platinum

A Moonwatch dialed up to (Apollo) 11, this ultimate take on the Speedy boasts white gold hands and incides, meteorite subdials, a ceramic bezel insert, a case and bracelet made of solid platinum and the iconic Calibre 321 movement inside.