Omega Gives Speedmaster 38 mm a Moonwatch-Inspired Update
The Omega Speedmaster has been to the racetrack, the depths of space, and the surface of the moon. Nearly 70 years after its debut, the iconic chronograph continues to evolve. Now, Omega is introducing seven new versions of the Speedmaster 38 mm, giving the smaller-scale timepiece a closer connection to the Moonwatch through updated details, fresh colors, and modern bracelets.
First introduced by Omega in 1957, the model was originally designed as a racing chronograph, with a tachymeter scale placed on the bezel so drivers could measure speed. Then in 1965, NASA qualified the Speedmaster for all manned space missions, therefore becoming the watch worn by astronauts during the Apollo program. In 1969, the Speedmaster Professional 42 mm famously accompanied Buzz Aldrin onto the lunar surface, earning its enduring nickname, the "Moonwatch." It has remained closely associated with NASA and human spaceflight ever since.
Today, the Omega icon's long association with the moon and space travel continues to influence the design, as evident with the latest Speedmaster 38 mm expansion. The new designs retain the smaller, more refined proportions that define the Speedmaster 38 mm, while introducing subtle changes to the dials, bezels, bracelets, and color combinations.
The updates are perhaps most noticeable on the dial. The previous oval subdials have been replaced with rounded versions, giving the watches a sportier appearance and creating a closer visual connection to the classic Speedmaster. Omega has also pared back the amount of wording on the dial, for a clean, streamlined look. The bezels have been made slightly thicker and feature the "Dot Over Ninety" detail, a signature element of the Moonwatch.
The timepieces also share a new bracelet inspired by the Speedmaster Professional worn by Aldrin on the moon. The seven new references come in a range of styles, from classic and understated to more decorative options. The collection begins with three stainless-steel models. The black-dial version is the closest to the traditional Moonwatch, pairing a black dial and bezel with white detailing. A white-dial model introduces blue accents, including a blue bezel, while a silvery version takes a warmer approach with a gray bezel and touches of Sedna Gold.
Two two-tone watches offer a more luxurious interpretation. One combines a silvery dial with Moonshine Gold and green accents, while another builds on the Speedmaster 38 mm's familiar "cappuccino" palette with an ivory dial, brown subdials, and Sedna Gold details. Both feature gold elements within their bracelets.
For those looking for something with a little more sparkle, the collection also includes two diamond-set versions. Each has 52 diamonds on the bezel, totaling 1.53 carats. One is paired with an ice blue dial, while the other features white mother-of-pearl. Both offer a lighter, more jewelry-like take on the sporty chronograph.
Omega Speedmaster 38 mm, bezel featuring 52 diamonds (totaling at 1.53 carats) and ice blue PVD coated dial.Courtesy of Omega
With these updates, the Speedmaster 38 mm remains true to the qualities that have made the style an enduring classic; the size offers an alternative to the larger proportions of the traditional Moonwatch, while the new details strengthen its connection to Omega's spacefaring icon. The result is a collection that brings the Speedmaster's storied design into a more varied and contemporary format.
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