Replica Omega Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” is the most visually aggressive and technologically sophisticated chronograph of Omega. Its epic name, refers to the hemisphere of the Moon that always faces away from Earth, also called the “far side of the moon.”
A single block of “zirconium oxide” (ZrO2) ceramic, also referred to as “zirconia” or “zirconium dioxide,” is heated to scorching hot 1400 degrees Celsius (or 2552 degrees Fahrenheit), hardening it and reducing it to the right size to transform it into a watch case.
Made of pure black ceramic, the tachymeter scale on the bezel has been engraved using laser technology and is filled with a matt chrome-nitride coating, which perfectly contrasts with the polished surface of the bezel.
Not only are the monobloc case and bezel made of pure black ceramic, which others have done before, but also the chronograph pushers and crown, which are fully polished, are solid ceramic as well. Moreover, the dial, buckle, and caseback are made of pure ceramic, as well.
The case, which has a beautiful combination of satin-brushed and polished surfaces, measures 44.25 mm in diameter by 16 mm thick and 49.50 mm in length.
My wrist is approximately seven inches around, and while the case looks large, it is not massive. If you have smaller wrists than mine, it is going to look big.
The dial is crafted from the same zirconium oxide ceramic alloy as the case, and is fully polished, perfectly matching the polished bezel, crown, pushers and lug edges. At some angles, the finish looks like steel the has been treated with PVD. But when the light hits the polished surfaces just right, you know you are looking at something totally unique.
If you are wondering if the reflection of the polished ceramic surfaces can be too bright to look at in certain instance, particularly the dial, as we were. Then don’t worry, we took it out in New York on some very bright sunny days, and while it does have a glow to it, the readability was always excellent.
Protecting the dial, and protruding above the bezel is a highly domed box-type sapphire crystal that has a double anti-glare treatment for clear visibility in all lighting conditions.
A minute track is printed in white on the outer chapter ring. An aperture at 6 indicates the date. The dial reads “Omega Speedmaster” at the top, and “Co-Axial Chronometer” at the bottom. Only the caseback is marked with the “DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.”
