Omega has long been synonymous with chronometric precision and a spirit of adventure. Founded in 1848, the brand has built its reputation on technical innovation—from the official timekeeping of the Olympic Games to the creation of anti-magnetic movements and the Co-Axial escapement, now a benchmark in contemporary watchmaking.
Few timepieces embody this legacy like the Speedmaster. Introduced in 1957 as a high-precision chronograph designed for racing, the Speedmaster quickly transcended its sporting boundaries to become the companion of humanity's greatest explorations. In 1965, after a series of extreme tests, NASA chose the Omega Speedmaster as the official watch for manned space missions—a testament to its endurance and precision in extreme conditions.
The choice proved historic: the Speedmaster accompanied astronauts on all six lunar missions, including Apollo 11, during which it earned the legendary nickname “Moonwatch” as the first watch worn on the surface of the Moon. These milestones have indelibly intertwined Omega's history with the pursuit of accuracy and exploration, from timing Olympic athletes to guiding astronauts second by second. In every incarnation, the Speedmaster line remains a quietly heroic symbol of Omega's legacy—a tradition of precision carried from Earth to the Sea of Tranquility, and back again.
The reference 304.30.44.52.01.001 represents a sophisticated contemporary evolution of the legendary Moonwatch, combining the classic aesthetics of the Speedmaster line with cutting-edge technical complications. The stainless steel case 44.25 mm maintains the iconic asymmetrical profile with lyre lugs and alternating brushed and polished surfaces. Framing the dial is a black ceramic bezel with a tachometric scale engraved in Liquidmetal™, underlining the model's sporting and aerospace roots.
The brushed black dial features a two-counter layout: at 3 o'clock, the chronograph totalizer for 60 minutes and 12 hours; at 9 o'clock, the small seconds and a date display with a red crescent-shaped tip. At 6 o'clock, the scene is dominated by a moonphase complication A three-dimensional micro-textured disc, featuring two realistic moons set against a starry sky—a poetic yet perfectly integrated detail. Rhodium-plated indexes and hands with Super-LumiNova elegantly complement the look.
Inside beats the caliber Omega 9904, an automatic column-wheel chronograph movement with vertical clutch, featuring a Co-Axial escapement and METAS Master Chronometer certification. It offers a power reserve of 60 hours, resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, and fine finishes visible through the sapphire crystal case back: arabesque Côtes de Genève, burnished screws, polished chamfering and gilded details.
The steel bracelet features alternating polished and satin-finished links, with a signed deployment clasp. Despite its large size, the watch fits with balance thanks to the curved lugs and ergonomic construction. This piece comes from a private collection and it was worn very sparingly The case is still sharply defined, the crystals intact, and the movement runs perfectly. This is an opportunity to own a modern Moonwatch that honors the past, embraces innovation, and maintains the understated authority that has defined the Speedmaster collection for over half a century.
