A Touch of Green from Omega: The Speedmaster Blue Side of the Moon Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph in Gold and Steel with a Green Ceramic Bezel

　　Many people felt that the Globemaster Annual Calendar watch introduced by Omega this year was unusually unattractive, though perhaps this is due to a difference in domestic aesthetic tastes. However, some of Omega's models are still quite excellent, such as the Speedmaster Moonphase Master Chronometer Chronograph in gold and steel with a green ceramic bezel, which is absolutely delightful.

　　If at the start of 2016 you had told me that my favourite watch this yearOmega watchwould be a Speedmaster made of gold and steel with a green bezel, I would have laughed in your face. Everyone knows that the classic Speedmaster Moonwatch is a stainless steel model in black and grey tones, and I had never seen Omega make a beautiful gold and steel watch before.

　　However, at Baselworld, when the new green ceramic bezel and steel-gold Speedmaster Moonphase Master Chronometer chronograph was strapped to my wrist, I realised that I had to eat my words. The new Speedmaster Moonphase chronographs were launched simultaneously in 8 models, featuring stainless steel, steel-gold, Sedna gold, yellow gold, and even platinum versions, but the most stunning of all is this stainless steel and yellow gold bi-colour case paired with a leather strap version, 304.23.44.52.06.001

　　The grey sunburst dial, vibrant green ceramic bezel, and yellow gold crown, chronograph pushers, and bezel base create an astonishingly harmonious blend of these three colours. The stainless steel version is perhaps too cold, while the solid gold watch is overly flashy; blending gold and green against a grey backdrop truly enhances the look on your wrist. This also features a rather vintage dial design, reminiscent of the so-called "pasta" dial Speedmasters from the 80s, many of which were bi-colour steel-and-gold versions produced specifically for the Italian and German markets.

　　However, the appeal of this timepiece extends far beyond its exceptional colour scheme. This marks the first time an Omega Moonwatch has featured a moonphase complication. The moon disc directly transfers a high-definition photograph of the moon taken by NASA (the moon on the gold model features a gold-engraved design), and if you inspect it with a jeweler's loupe, you will find a footprint printed in the Sea of Tranquility region: on 1969 7 20, the American Apollo 11 spacecraft successfully landed in the Sea of Tranquility on the moon, and astronaut Neil Armstrong left the first human footprint on the lunar surface. Armstrong famously stated, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

　　Inside the watch beats the Omega 9904 Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement, officially certified by METAS. Because the new functions are located entirely on the dial side, the case back view looks completely identical to the 9300 version housing the 9300 movement; apart from the column wheel aperture and the silicon balance spring, the other components are concealed beneath a large bridge decorated with Geneva waves in arabesque. The new co-axial escapement movement consists of 368 components, operates at a frequency of 4Hz, features twin barrels mounted in series, and boasts a power reserve of 60 hours. It is resistant to magnetic fields up to 15000 gauss and comes with a 4-year warranty.

　　Omega has undoubtedly been in a period of turbulence over the past couple of years, with the departure of the veteran CEO and major global personnel changes, leading to some eccentric aesthetic choices in certain product lines. Nevertheless, thanks to the profound historical heritage of the major brand, we can still witness breathtaking timepieces like this green ceramic bezel steel-gold Speedmaster Moonphase chronograph.

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　　Omega Speedmaster series 311.32.42.30.04.003 mechanical watch Snoopy Special Edition

　　This Speedmaster Snoopy special edition holds special significance. Apollo 10 (1969) was the first time humanity carried a complete Apollo spacecraft (Apollo 8 did not carry a lunar module) to orbit the moon, which could be called the final 'rehearsal' for the moon landing (Apollo 11 successfully landed on the moon within the following two months). The lunar module piloted by astronauts Stafford and Cernan came within just 15.6 kilometres of the moon. Apart from the final landing process (the lunar module of Apollo 10 could not actually land), Apollo 10 executed every step required for a real moon landing, from the astronauts carrying out the mission to the control personnel at the command centre, all of whom conducted a drill of the moon landing process.

　　The mission of Apollo 10 was to "snoop around", which is why its lunar module was nicknamed "Snoopy" by the astronauts, and its command module naturally became known as "Charlie Brown" (after Snoopy's owner in the Peanuts comic strip). That same year, NASA established the "Silver Snoopy Award" as a personal commendation for astronauts, recognising individuals who made outstanding contributions to the success of human space flight missions. Recipients are awarded a sterling silver Snoopy lapel pin along with a letter of appreciation and a certificate from NASA astronauts.

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The universally anticipated Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Master Chronometer

Shenzhou eleven launch successful: Let's talk about those watches that have been to space.

Returning to the lunar surface, the Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon Meteorite