The Omega Speedmaster is one of the most popular watches in the world. It’s arguable whether it or the Rolex Submariner is the more iconic watch. The inherent character of being iconic and most popular also mean that these are some of the most spotted luxury watches for everyday wear on the wrists of watch enthusiasts and community. So this is a given that the Speedys and the Subs are fairly common watches, which isn’t’ necessarily a bad thing. But if you’re looking for something that is a little more special than an everyday watch and still retains the relationship with the historical piece, we have to look at something that’s a bit more special.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch -The Moonshine:
Along comes the moonshine. On paper, it is an 18K gold alloy created by Omega. Omega may want us to think that this is how things shine in the moonlight! But I think there is more to that, or at least I believe that there is an exciting historical reference here. Moonshine is an amber/pale colored high proof liquor, which has an interesting history of its own. People who made and transported them were called moonshiners. As this still remains a banned substance in a lot of places and has a special “banned” history in the US during the prohibition, men delivering these had to overcome any “delivery issues”. This meant they they naturally became excellent drivers with ordinary cars souped-up to handle the weight of the moonshine.
The Shade of Moonshine:
For me to mention the specs of a speedy is like saying water is wet. At this level of sophistication and mass appeal, what matters is how it feels and what it brings out.
If you look at the piece in review, Green Dial in 18k Gold chronograph. We have seen this setting somewhere already. That too on the very hyped piece from Rolex in the Daytona range — the John Mayer Daytona. Green and gold on paper, but both watches are so different to each other in looks, that we sometimes forget to even compare them together. If you love the hype around the John Mayer Daytona or bascially any gold Daytona, but don’t like the loud & bold feel of yellow gold, Moonshine gold has you covered. It is a warmer tone of gold but less warm than the 18k yellow gold, a bit paler and sits somewhere between Yellow Gold & Rose/Everose Gold. This color is probably perfect for a precious metal watch for people who otherwise may not like the feel of yellow gold or the pinkish shade of rose/Everose. You can see all these green dial watches by clicking here.
Speedy vs Sub:
The most iconic watches in the world, Speedy and Sub. Ask any speedy fan, or someone who is looking for a chronograph, you don’t compare a Speedmaster to a Sub when you are buying it,
You compare it with a chronograph, and that other iconic chronograph is the Rolex Daytona. Now the Daytona is hard to get and also fetches a high premium, so the Omega Speedmaster with its historical & horological significance makes excellent sense, which brings us to:
The Omega Speedmaster vs the Rolex Daytona:
Earlier we talked about the moonshiners being excellent drivers. When the prohibition ended in the US most of them found themselves jobless. These moonshine drivers started organized races, which led to the formation of NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing).
Do you know the track called home of NASCAR? It is DAYTONA. In a way, Moonshine made Daytona happen.
Omega Speedmaster was released in 1957 while the Rolex Daytona was introduced in 1963. We just talked about the John Mayer Daytona, which sells for way higher, that too if you can find one. The Green Moonshine is available for sale at almost a third of that price, in the same color scheme but a little more subtle and maybe a little more substance.
Omega Speedmaster Moonshine in Green:
Someone who wouldn’t quite appreciate the plain black dial stainless Speedmaster, can now wear the Moonshine Speedmaster featuring the spectacular green dial. It really is a gorgeous piece, more than the camera can show or screens can display. You have to see it in person to appreciate all that it has to offer. The green here is less pronounced than the money green of the John Mayer Daytona. It has a sunburst finish, but the color is so subtle that it’s hard to showcase in a picture. If you are a lover of the gorgeous green and gold combo, but are also a discreet person, this is the color/shade combination for you.
FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON:
The caseback in polished 18K Moonshine™ Gold has double bevels and the words FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON engraved in black. The Moonwatch is powered by OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 with special luxury finish. The new Caliber 3861uses a free-sprung, adjustable mass balance with a silicon balance spring and a Co-Axial escapement. This allows the Speedmaster to be entirely antimagnetic up to fields in excess of 15,000 gauss and also to achieve chronometer-rated precision of 0/+5 seconds per day.
Dome Of The Moon:
Measure the case thickness of the watch, it returns the reading of 13mm which may give a false reflection that it is a thick watch, which it isn’t. This is because the crystal on top is a domed crystal and about 2mm in size making it feel and look thin at under 11mm.
The Bracelet:
The bracelet is also something special, full solid Moonshine gold bracelet. With an aggressive taper towards the clasp, making it almost a dress watch. The clasp has a beautiful patern and comes with quick adjustment system.
Is It Worth It?
While I appreciate the Speedmaster, I personally don’t wear them very often unless it’s the silver snoopy award 50th, which I always find very interesting and a fun watch to wear. This is purely because I am not as such a speedy person, and they always seemed to be just a little underwhelming for my eyes. But then quite frankly and honestly, put the same Speedmaster in the flesh of Moonshine gold, throw an incredibly gorgeous green dial, and offer it in the new and improved bracelet with the more aesthetically pleasing clasp. And I think my opinion changes entirely and the same “a-little-underwhelming” Speedmaster suddenly becomes drop-dead gorgeous. Adding to Moonwatch’s bragging rights, the Moonshine also comes with a story worth telling.
Whether is it worth it? I honestly don’t think there’s a better solid gold watch out there in such a spectacular green dial, and while still being one of the world’s most iconic watches, it sells way below its retail. Or perhaps that’s your chance to grab the bargain before the buyers realize what they’re missing.
Checkout an incredible example of this very Omega Moonshine Gold Green dial Speedmaster, we have for sale, at the time of writing this. An opportunity that many will regret missing, once it gone!
OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL MOONSHINE GOLD GREEN SUN-BRUSHED DIAL
