Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Review 2026: Is the $6,900 Legend Still the Greatest Watch Ever Made?

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Review 2026: Is the $6,900 Legend Still the Greatest Watch Ever Made?

By Marcus Chen - Updated January 2026

There is a photograph I keep returning to. It was taken on July 21, 1969, on the surface of the Moon. Buzz Aldrin is standing in the grey lunar dust, his visor reflecting the stark emptiness of space, and on his left wrist - outside his spacesuit, strapped over the bulky EVA glove - is an Omega Speedmaster Professional. Reference 105.012. The same fundamental watch that, adjusted for incremental mechanical improvements, you can walk into an Omega boutique today and buy for $6,900.

Let that settle for a moment.

The same watch that went to the Moon - the only watch ever qualified by NASA for extravehicular activity, the only watch tested against depressurisation, extreme temperature swings, high-G forces, and the vacuum of space - costs less than a mid-spec Apple Watch Ultra with cellular. It costs less than many "luxury" quartz fashion watches from brands whose greatest engineering achievement is printing their logo on a dial. It costs approximately half of what a Rolex Submariner commands on the secondary market.

And yet the Speedmaster Moonwatch does not feel cheap. It does not feel like a compromise. It feels like one of the most significant objects humanity has ever produced, distilled into 42 millimetres of stainless steel and offered to you at a price that borders on irrational generosity.

I have been wearing one for eight months. This is my review - not just of how the watch performs on the wrist, but of what it means to strap on a piece of history every morning and whether, in a market saturated with options, the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch still deserves the reverence it receives.

It does. Let me tell you why.

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The History: Not Marketing - Actual History

Every watch brand has a story. Most of them are embellished, retroactively constructed, or outright fabricated. The Speedmaster's story is none of these things. It is documented, photographed, and verified by NASA mission transcripts.

In 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra wore his personal Speedmaster CK2998 during the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission - the first Omega in space. NASA noticed. In 1964, the agency began a formal evaluation process to select an official chronograph for the Gemini and Apollo programmes. They tested watches from multiple brands - Rolex, Longines, Hamilton, and Omega among them - subjecting each to eleven brutal tests including:

• Thermal shock: rapid cycling between +93C and -18C
• Humidity: 240 hours at +71C and 95% relative humidity
• High pressure: acceleration forces of 40G for one-sixth of a second
• Depressurisation: simulated altitude of 29,000 metres
• Vibration: 30 minutes at varying frequencies along three axes

Only the Omega Speedmaster survived all eleven tests. Every other watch failed. The Speedmaster became NASA's official flight-qualified chronograph - a designation it has held continuously ever since.

On July 21, 1969, when Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface, the Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the Moon. Neil Armstrong's Speedmaster remained inside the Lunar Module as a backup timing instrument after the onboard electronic timer failed. The watch literally helped bring the crew home.

In 1970, during the Apollo 13 disaster, Jack Swigert used his Speedmaster's chronograph to time the critical 14-second engine burn that corrected the spacecraft's trajectory for Earth re-entry. Had that timing been off by more than a few seconds, the crew would not have survived. Omega later received NASA's Snoopy Award - the agency's highest civilian honour - in recognition of the Speedmaster's role in saving three lives.

This is not marketing. This is the most consequential product-testing programme in the history of consumer goods, and the Speedmaster passed it - not once, but repeatedly, across decades, in the most hostile environment human beings have ever entered.

No other watch - not the Rolex Submariner, not the Patek Philippe Nautilus, not the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak - has a provenance remotely comparable. They are magnificent watches. But none of them helped save astronauts' lives. The Speedmaster did. At $6,900, you are not just buying a chronograph. You are buying a piece of civilisational achievement.

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The Current Reference: 310.30.42.50.01.001

The Moonwatch was updated in 2021 with a new movement and subtle design refinements. The current reference - 310.30.42.50.01.001, which I will mercifully abbreviate to "the current Moonwatch" - is the definitive version of this watch in 2026.

Specifications

What Changed From the Previous Generation

The 2021 update was significant beneath the surface, even though the external changes were deliberately subtle:

• New movement: The Calibre 3861 replaced the legendary 1861 (itself an evolution of the 861, which evolved from the original 321). The 3861 is Master Chronometer certified - meaning it meets METAS standards for accuracy, magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss, and overall performance. This is a genuine step forward in movement quality.

• Refined case: The case shape was subtly adjusted with slightly thinner, more asymmetric lugs and a polished bevel along the case edge that catches light beautifully. The changes are almost invisible unless you place old and new side by side, which is precisely the point - Omega refined without redesigning.

• Step dial: The dial now features a "step" - a slight recessed ledge around the perimeter - that references early Speedmaster dials from the 1960s. It adds visual depth without changing the essential Speedmaster aesthetic.

• Updated bracelet: The new bracelet is substantially better than its predecessor, with a five-link design, brushed and polished finishing, and a clasp that includes a micro-adjustment system. This was the single biggest improvement - previous Speedmaster bracelets were the watch's most criticised component.

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On the Wrist: 8 Months of Daily Wearing

First Impressions

The Speedmaster wears differently from what you might expect. At 42mm, the case appears mid-sized on paper, but the lug-to-lug span (approximately 47mm) and the relatively slim profile create a presence that is more substantial than a Submariner yet less imposing than, say, a Breitling Navitimer.

The immediate sensation is lightness. Where a Rolex Submariner announces itself with reassuring heft - something I described in detail in our Submariner long-term review - the Speedmaster sits on the wrist with a more delicate, almost vintage-feeling weight. Neither approach is superior. They are philosophically different. The Rolex feels like an instrument. The Omega feels like a companion.

The black dial is stark and legible in a way that few modern watches achieve. The three sub-dials - running seconds at 9, 30-minute counter at 3, 12-hour counter at 6 - are sized and positioned with a symmetry that has not changed fundamentally since 1957. The applied Omega logo (replacing the previous printed version) catches light and adds a subtle three-dimensionality that rewards close inspection.

And then there is the hesalite crystal.

The Hesalite Question

This is the most polarising aspect of the Speedmaster, and I need to address it thoroughly because it will inform your purchase decision more than any other single factor.

Hesalite is acrylic - essentially, a high-quality plastic. It is the same material NASA approved for the original Moonwatch. It scratches easily. It does not have the optical clarity of sapphire. It offers minimal shatter resistance. On paper, it is objectively inferior to the sapphire crystal found on virtually every other luxury watch in 2026, including every Rolex in production.

And I would not have this watch any other way.

The hesalite crystal gives the Speedmaster a warmth, a depth, and a vintage character that sapphire cannot replicate. It softens the dial slightly, creating a visual quality that photographers describe as "organic" - the indices and hands appear to sit within the dial rather than behind a sheet of glass. In direct sunlight, the hesalite produces almost no glare, whereas sapphire (even with anti-reflective coatings) can flash and reflect.

Yes, it scratches. My crystal has half a dozen hairline marks after eight months. And here is the secret that Speedmaster veterans know: you can polish hesalite with a tube of Polywatch compound in approximately 60 seconds. Apply, buff, and the crystal looks new. Try that with a scratched sapphire crystal on your Rolex. You will be replacing it for $200+.

The hesalite is not a compromise. It is a choice - one that prioritises character over hardness, warmth over perfection, and historical authenticity over modern convention. If that philosophy resonates with you, buy the hesalite. If it genuinely bothers you, the sapphire sandwich version (sapphire front with an exhibition caseback) is available for $700 more. Both are excellent.

For those coming from the Rolex Submariner vs Omega Seamaster debate, this is a fundamentally different Omega - the Seamaster is modern, tool-oriented, and sapphire-equipped. The Speedmaster is vintage-spirited, history-oriented, and deliberately analogue. Understanding which Omega you are buying matters enormously.

The Manual-Winding Experience

The Speedmaster Moonwatch is hand-wound. No automatic rotor. No winding with wrist movement. Every morning, you pick it up, unscrew the crown, and wind it by hand - approximately 30-40 half-turns until you feel the mainspring reach full tension.

This will either enchant you or annoy you, and your reaction says a lot about what you want from a watch.

For me, it is a ritual. Two minutes each morning of deliberate, tactile interaction with a mechanical instrument. The crown action is smooth and satisfying. The resistance builds gradually as the mainspring tightens. There is something meditative about it - a forced pause before the day begins, a moment of physical connection with an object that operates on principles of physics rather than electricity.

For someone accustomed to the "grab and go" convenience of an automatic watch - the Rolex Submariner, the Omega Seamaster, anything in the Patek Philippe or AP luxury sports watch category - the manual winding may feel like an inconvenience. If it does, this is not the watch for you. But if it does not, if the idea of winding your watch each morning feels like a small, quiet privilege, the Speedmaster rewards that mindset more than any other watch at any price.

Accuracy

The Calibre 3861, with its Master Chronometer certification, is specified to 0/+5 seconds per day. My example runs at approximately +2.3 seconds per day - well within specification and competitive with COSC-certified movements in watches costing three times as much.

Master Chronometer certification also means the movement is resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss. In practical terms, this means you can place the watch on a laptop, next to a phone, or beside the magnetic clasps of a handbag (something relevant if you are carrying a Louis Vuitton Neverfull or Goyard) without any impact on timekeeping. The previous-generation 1861 movement had no meaningful magnetic resistance, so this is a genuine functional improvement.

The Bracelet

The new bracelet is excellent - a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The five-link design sits flatter on the wrist, the end links fit the case snugly (a previous weakness), and the brushed-and-polished finishing matches the case proportions well.

The clasp includes a push-button micro-adjustment that adds approximately 2mm of extension - less range than Rolex's Glidelock system (which I praised extensively in the Submariner review), but adequate for most situations. In very hot conditions, I occasionally wish for more adjustment range, but it has never been a genuine problem.

Honestly? The bracelet is the one area where the Speedmaster still trails the Submariner. The Rolex Oyster bracelet is the finest tool-watch bracelet ever manufactured - smoother, more substantial, more finely machined. The Omega bracelet is very good. The Rolex bracelet is exceptional. At roughly half the effective price, this is not a fair criticism - but it is an honest one.

The Chronograph

I use the chronograph function approximately once a week. Timing a parking meter. Timing a cooking interval. Occasionally, timing nothing at all - just pressing the pushers for the satisfaction of watching the central seconds hand sweep around the dial with its distinctive stuttering motion.

The column-wheel chronograph mechanism in the 3861 is butter-smooth. The start/stop pusher has a crisp, defined action. The reset snaps the hand back to twelve with a satisfying immediacy. This is the Speedmaster's party trick - the chronograph is not just functional, it is pleasurable to operate. Each push is a tiny mechanical performance, and after eight months, I have not tired of it.

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The Speedmaster's Place in the 2026 Watch Market

At $6,900: Absurd Value

Let me contextualise the price. At $6,900 for the hesalite Moonwatch, here is what you get relative to the broader luxury watch market:

The Speedmaster is more historically significant than any watch on this list. Its movement is, with Master Chronometer certification, the most rigorously tested. Its design is the most iconic. And its price is lower than or competitive with every direct competitor.

In our best watches under $10,000 guide, the Speedmaster Moonwatch ranks among the most recommended pieces - and it is easy to see why. At this price point, nothing else offers the same combination of heritage, mechanical quality, and cultural significance. The Tudor and TAG alternatives are excellent watches, but they do not come with a story that includes saving astronauts' lives.

For our broader guide covering watches under $10,000, the Speedmaster consistently appears as one of the strongest recommendations across both editions.

vs Rolex Submariner: Different Legends

This comparison is inevitable, and I want to address it directly - especially because we cover the Submariner extensively on this site.

The Rolex Submariner is the world's most famous dive watch. The Omega Speedmaster is the world's most famous chronograph. Comparing them is like comparing a great novel to a great film - both are masterpieces, but they are operating in different mediums.

The Submariner wins on: build quality (marginally), bracelet, water resistance, resale value, and all-conditions versatility. Our Submariner five-year review documents these strengths in exhaustive detail.

The Speedmaster wins on: history (overwhelmingly), price (dramatically), character (subjectively), and the daily ritual of hand-winding.

For investment purposes: the Rolex is superior. Our best Rolex for investment guide provides the data - Rolex appreciation rates are structurally higher than Omega across virtually every comparable reference. The Speedmaster holds value well for an Omega, but it does not appreciate like a Submariner.

For emotional connection: this is entirely personal. Some people bond with the Submariner's imperviousness and silent authority. Others bond with the Speedmaster's vulnerability and historical weight. I own both. I reach for the Speedmaster more often than I expected to.

If you are torn between them, our Rolex Submariner vs Omega Seamaster comparison covers the dive-watch matchup in detail. The Speedmaster represents a third option entirely - the choice to prioritise story over status.

vs Rolex Daytona

The more direct competitor is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona - chronograph vs chronograph. On paper, the Daytona wins almost every category: in-house automatic movement, ceramic bezel, Oystersteel 904L case, and a secondary-market value that approaches three times retail.

But the Daytona costs $14,550 at retail (when you can get one, which you generally cannot) and $32,000-$36,000 on the secondary market. That is four to five times the price of a Speedmaster Moonwatch. Is the Daytona four times better? Absolutely not. It is refined in ways the Speedmaster is not - the automatic winding, the ceramic bezel, the superior water resistance - but the core chronograph experience is not dramatically different.

The Speedmaster at $6,900 offers 80% of the Daytona experience at 20% of the secondary-market cost. For many enthusiasts, that arithmetic is definitive.

vs The Broader Omega Lineup

It is worth noting that the Speedmaster Moonwatch sits within a broader Speedmaster family that includes dozens of variations - reduced sizes, automatic movements, co-axial escapements, ceramic cases, moonphase complications. Some are excellent. Some dilute the Moonwatch's purity. The professional reference reviewed here - manual winding, hesalite crystal, steel case - is the essential Speedmaster. Everything else is a variation on this theme. Start here.

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Who Should Buy the Speedmaster Moonwatch

Buy It If:

• You care about history. No watch tells a more important story. If provenance and heritage are meaningful to you beyond marketing - if you want to own something that was genuinely part of human achievement - the Speedmaster is the only serious choice.

• You want extraordinary value. At $6,900, the Speedmaster is the best-value watch in the luxury segment. Full stop. Nothing at this price offers this combination of in-house movement, historical significance, and design excellence.

• You enjoy the ritual of hand-winding. The daily winding is part of the experience. If it appeals to you philosophically - a deliberate, mechanical start to each day - the Speedmaster rewards that sensibility profoundly.

• You want something that complements rather than competes with a Rolex. If you already own a Submariner or a Datejust, the Speedmaster is the ideal second watch. Different function, different energy, different story. Together, they cover virtually every situation a watch enthusiast will encounter.

• You travel frequently. The Speedmaster's 50m water resistance is sufficient for hand-washing, rain, and accidental submersion - just not for swimming (see below). Its legibility, durability, and moderate size make it an excellent travel chronograph. I have worn it through Emirates First Class and Qatar Airways Qsuite without feeling that a more expensive watch was required.

Consider an Alternative If:

• You need water resistance. At 50 metres, the Speedmaster is splash-proof but not swim-proof. If you want a chronograph you can take snorkelling - at the beach hotels in our best beach hotels in Dubai guide, say, or while island-hopping in the Maldives - the Omega Seamaster 300M Chronograph or the Rolex Submariner are better choices.

• You prioritise resale value above all else. The Speedmaster holds value decently but does not appreciate like Rolex sports models. If investment return is your primary concern, our best Rolex for investment guide outlines significantly better options.

• You want automatic convenience. The Speedmaster Moonwatch requires daily winding. If you find this tedious, the Speedmaster Reduced (now discontinued) or the Seamaster line offer automatic Omega alternatives. But you lose the historical purity - and, arguably, the soul - of the Moonwatch.

• You want a status symbol. The Speedmaster is recognised by watch enthusiasts, not by the general public. At a business dinner or luxury hotel lobby - the Armani Hotel Dubai or the Four Seasons Dubai, say - a Rolex Submariner or a Patek Nautilus will be recognised more broadly. The Speedmaster speaks to a more specific, more knowledgeable audience.

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Wearing the Speedmaster: Style Guide

Eight months of daily wearing has taught me where the Speedmaster excels and where its personality fits best.

Casual

The Speedmaster's natural habitat. On a NATO strap - which Omega sells in several colour combinations, including the famous silver-and-dark-blue striped design - the Moonwatch is devastatingly cool with jeans, a white t-shirt, and a pair of clean trainers. It has a Steve McQueen quality, a Paul Newman energy, an effortless masculinity that does not need to announce itself.

This is the watch I reach for on weekends, on travel days, and on any occasion where I want to feel like the most interesting version of myself without trying.

Smart Casual

On the bracelet, the Speedmaster transitions seamlessly into smart-casual territory. A navy blazer, dark trousers, and the Moonwatch on steel is a combination that works from a Dubai brunch to an evening at one of the best rooftop bars in Dubai to a late dinner at a restaurant from our best restaurants in the world guide.

Formal

This is where honest opinions diverge. Can you wear a Speedmaster with a suit? Yes - if the suit is modern, slim, and not excessively formal. The 42mm case and the chronograph pushers give it a sporty edge that reads as confident rather than inappropriate in most business settings.

With black tie? I would not. The Speedmaster, for all its virtues, is a tool chronograph. At a formal event, a Datejust or a dress watch is the better choice. The Speedmaster says "I know watches." A dress watch says "I know the occasion." Both are valid; the distinction matters.

On a Strap

The Speedmaster is one of the few watches that genuinely transforms on different straps. The steel bracelet gives it a modern, everyday feel. A black leather rally strap gives it vintage racing energy. A NATO strap gives it military-explorer character. And a brown leather strap gives it a warmth that pairs beautifully with earth-toned outfits and autumnal settings.

I own four straps for this watch and rotate based on mood, outfit, and destination. No other watch in my collection - including the Submariner - responds this well to strap changes. The Rolex is best on its bracelet. The Omega is best on whatever makes you feel something that day.

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The Unboxing and Buying Experience

A word on the buying experience, because it is relevant to the overall proposition.

Walking into an Omega boutique and buying a Speedmaster Moonwatch is - in 2026 - a fundamentally different experience from attempting to buy a Rolex Submariner or Daytona. There is no waitlist. There is no "purchase history" requirement. There is no game-playing, no relationship-building, no implicit expectation that you will buy a Lady-Datejust for your mother before they will consider you for a GMT.

You walk in. You try it on. You buy it. You leave wearing it.

After years of navigating the absurdities of the Rolex AD system - documented in our Rolex investment guide - the Omega buying experience feels almost revolutionary in its simplicity. You are treated as a valued customer, not an applicant.

The unboxing itself is worth mentioning. The Moonwatch arrives in a presentation box that includes: the watch, the bracelet, a NATO strap, a strap-changing tool, a loupe for inspecting the movement, and an NAIAD LOCK caseback removal tool. The attention to detail in the packaging reflects Omega's understanding that the Moonwatch purchase is, for many people, a significant emotional event. They honour that. It is a small thing, but it matters.

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The Speedmaster as Part of a Watch Collection

For readers building a collection - and if you are reading this site, you likely are or aspire to - the Speedmaster occupies a unique and essential position.

The Two-Watch Collection

If you own one watch already - likely a Rolex Submariner or a Datejust - the Speedmaster is the ideal second piece. It provides everything the Rolex does not: chronograph function, manual-winding character, NASA heritage, and a fundamentally different aesthetic personality. Together, a Submariner and a Speedmaster cover 95% of all real-world watch-wearing situations.

The Three-Watch Collection

Add a dress watch - a Cartier Tank, a JLC Reverso, or a Grand Seiko from our watches under $10,000 guide - and you have a collection that handles absolutely everything, from beach holidays at the best hotels in the Maldives to formal dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris.

The Enthusiast Collection

At the upper end, the Speedmaster coexists beautifully alongside a Patek Philippe Nautilus or Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Those watches represent the pinnacle of luxury sports watch making. The Speedmaster represents the pinnacle of horological storytelling. Both have a place. Neither replaces the other.

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Resale Value and the Investment Question

I will be direct: the Speedmaster Moonwatch is not an investment-grade watch in the same way a Rolex Submariner or Daytona is. Here are the numbers:

The Speedmaster loses approximately 10-15% of its retail value on the secondary market and then stabilises. This is significantly better than most watches at this price point - a TAG Heuer or Breitling at similar pricing will lose 25-40% - but it does not appreciate like Rolex.

This is not a criticism. It is a structural reality of the Omega brand positioning. Omega produces more watches than Rolex, sells them without waitlists, and prices them accessibly. This creates a buying experience that is infinitely more pleasant - but it also means secondary-market premiums do not develop.

For those comparing luxury assets more broadly: our analysis of whether a Birkin bag is worth the investment covers a different luxury category that shares some of these dynamics. And our what $1 million buys in real estate across 10 cities guide provides context on how luxury goods compare to traditional investment assets.

The bottom line: buy the Speedmaster because you love it, not because you expect it to make you money. The return on this watch is measured in daily pleasure and historical connection, not in portfolio performance.

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Service and Maintenance

Winding

Daily. 30-40 half-turns each morning. Takes approximately 90 seconds. Becomes automatic (pun intended) within the first week.

Service Interval

Omega recommends servicing the 3861 movement every 5-8 years. The Master Chronometer certification and Co-Axial escapement (yes, the 3861 has it, unlike the previous 1861) reduce friction and wear, extending service intervals meaningfully compared to older Speedmaster movements.

Service Cost

An Omega complete service costs approximately $750-$900, which includes movement disassembly, cleaning, re-lubrication, gasket replacement, and pressure testing. This is comparable to Rolex service pricing and significantly cheaper than servicing a Patek Philippe or AP.

Hesalite Maintenance

As mentioned, the hesalite crystal can be polished with Polywatch compound in under a minute. I do this approximately every 6-8 weeks. It takes the crystal from visibly scratched to factory-new. A tube of Polywatch costs $8 and lasts years. This is, genuinely, the most cost-effective maintenance in all of luxury watchmaking.

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The Speedmaster Across the RIIIICH Lifestyle

Like the Submariner, the Speedmaster integrates across every vertical we cover - though it occupies a slightly different niche in each context.

Stay: The Speedmaster is the watch for the traveller who wants to signal taste rather than wealth. Checking into the Aman Tokyo or a boutique hotel in London with a Speedmaster on your wrist tells staff something specific: that you value substance, history, and design over brand recognition.

Eat: At the best restaurants in Dubai or the most expensive restaurants in the world, the Speedmaster holds its own without competing for attention. It is a watch that respects the environment it is in.

Explore: For city exploration - a first luxury trip to Dubai, a walking tour through the neighbourhoods covered in our luxury guide to Dubai - the Speedmaster is comfortable, legible, and secure at 42mm.

Fly: In a first-class cabin, the Speedmaster's chronograph becomes genuinely useful - timing flight segments, tracking elapsed time, or simply playing with the pushers during cruise altitude. Paired with the best noise-cancelling headphones for travel, the combination creates a personal cocoon of quality.

Drive: The chronograph has obvious connections to automotive timing, and the Speedmaster's motorsport heritage (parallel to its space heritage) makes it a natural wrist companion for the kind of driving experiences covered in our S-Class vs 7 Series comparison or the Tesla Model S vs Porsche Taycan review.

Live: At $6,900, the Speedmaster fits comfortably within the financial frameworks discussed in our live like a millionaire in Dubai guide. It is accessible luxury - the genuine article, not a compromise, at a price that does not require financial acrobatics. Paired with the right credit card, the purchase can even generate meaningful rewards points toward future travel.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch good for small wrists?

At 42mm with a 47mm lug-to-lug, the Speedmaster wears larger than many expect. For wrists below 6.25 inches, the 38.6mm Speedmaster '57 or the 39.7mm Speedmaster Reduced (pre-owned) are better options. For wrists between 6.5 and 7.5 inches, the Moonwatch is proportionally ideal.

Can I swim with the Speedmaster?

No. The 50-metre water resistance rating means it handles splashes, rain, and hand-washing, but it should not be submerged deliberately. If you need a swim-capable luxury watch, our Rolex Submariner review or our Submariner vs Seamaster comparison covers the better options.

How does the Speedmaster compare to the Seamaster 300M?

They are fundamentally different watches. The Seamaster is an automatic dive watch - robust, water-resistant to 300m, and designed for ocean use. The Speedmaster is a hand-wound chronograph designed for space. Our Submariner vs Seamaster comparison covers the Seamaster's strengths in the context of dive-watch competition.

Will the Speedmaster go up in value?

Unlikely in the short term. Unlike Rolex sports models tracked in our investment guide, the Speedmaster does not benefit from extreme supply scarcity. However, discontinued vintage Speedmasters - particularly early references with specific dial configurations - have appreciated significantly over decades. The current reference may follow a similar long-term trajectory, but buying for appreciation is not recommended.

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What I Would Change

The Power Reserve

Fifty hours is adequate but not generous. The Rolex Submariner's Calibre 3235 offers 70 hours. The Tudor Black Bay offers 70 hours. At this level of movement quality, Omega should be targeting 60+ hours. The 50-hour reserve means forgetting to wind on a Saturday morning results in a dead watch by Sunday evening. Not a dealbreaker - but a missed opportunity.

The Water Resistance

I understand the historical purist argument for 50 metres. But in 2026, asking customers to own a separate watch for swimming feels unnecessary. 100 metres - which would not require fundamental case redesign - would eliminate the single most common objection to the Moonwatch as a daily wearer.

The Clasp

The new bracelet is significantly better than the old one, but the clasp micro-adjustment mechanism remains inferior to Rolex's Glidelock and Omega's own system on the Seamaster. A toolless, multi-position micro-adjust would elevate the bracelet from very good to excellent.

Nothing Else

Those three items constitute my complete wish list. The fact that my complaints are this minor - after eight months of daily wear - tells you everything you need to know about the quality of this watch.

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Final Thoughts: $6,900 and the Weight of History

I want to end where I began - with that photograph from the Moon.

Every luxury watch brand in the world would trade their entire product line for the Speedmaster's story. Rolex would. Patek Philippe would. Audemars Piguet would. That story - a watch tested by NASA, validated in the harshest environment humans have ever entered, and proven when lives depended on it - is not replicable. It is not purchasable. It cannot be manufactured by a marketing department or a celebrity ambassador.

And yet Omega offers it to you for $6,900.

When you strap on a Speedmaster Moonwatch, you are not wearing a luxury accessory. You are wearing a link to one of the defining moments of human civilisation. You are wearing a watch that has been to the Moon and back - literally - and that sits on your wrist each morning waiting to be wound, asking nothing more of you than two minutes of deliberate attention in exchange for a day of quiet, reliable service.

In a market full of watches that cost more and do less, the Speedmaster Moonwatch remains what it has been since 1957: the most important watch ever made, offered at a price that makes its competitors look foolish.

Buy it. Wind it. Wear it to the Moon and back - or at least to work and home again. It will not disappoint you.

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The Verdict

Rating: 9.5 / 10

The Bottom Line: The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is the greatest value proposition in luxury watchmaking and one of the most historically significant objects you can buy at any price. The hand-wound Calibre 3861 is superb. The hesalite crystal is characterful and beautiful. The design is timeless in the most literal sense - it has endured for nearly 70 years and looks as relevant today as it did when it first strapped onto an astronaut's wrist. At $6,900, it is a genuine privilege to own. The minor compromises - limited water resistance, shorter power reserve, slightly inferior bracelet clasp - are exactly that: minor. What you get in return is a watch that means something, and in a world of disposable luxury, meaning is the rarest commodity of all.