The story behind this Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon
Unveiled by Omega in 2013, the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon, reference 311.92.44.51.01.003, is the first Speedmaster with a case, bezel and dial made entirely from black ceramic. The brand has taken the silhouette of the Moonwatch – the chronograph used on the Apollo missions – and recreated it in zirconium oxide, a dense material that is highly scratch-resistant and impervious to corrosion. The name refers to the far side of the Moon, which the Apollo 8 crew were the first to observe in December 1968. To accommodate the new calibre 9300, Omega has combined the chronograph’s hours and minutes into a single sub-dial at 3 o’clock, reducing the display to two sub-dials instead of the three found on the historic Moonwatch. In 2014, this model was awarded the Revival Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Several variations followed, from the Pitch Black to the Sedna Black.
Case, calibre and strap of this Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon
The 44.25 mm case is machined from a solid block of black ceramic, with lyre-shaped lugs featuring brushed sides and polished chamfers. The ceramic bezel features a matt chrome nitride tachymeter scale; the crown and two pushers are also made of ceramic, and the sapphire caseback is engraved with ‘Dark Side of the Moon’. The polished black ceramic dial features applied 18-carat white gold hour markers, luminescent white gold hands and a chronograph seconds hand with a red tip. The two black-rimmed sub-dials display the small seconds at 9 o’clock and the 12-hour totaliser at 3 o’clock, whilst the date is displayed in a window at 6 o’clock. Visible through the case back, the calibre 9300 is an automatic chronograph with a column wheel and Co-Axial escapement, certified as a chronometer. Its two barrels mounted in series ensure a power reserve of 60 hours; its balance spring is made of silicon and its rhodium-plated bridges feature arabesque Côtes de Genève decoration. Being less dense than steel, the ceramic significantly lightens this 44.25 mm case on the wrist. The watch is water-resistant to 50 metres and is worn on a 21 mm black fabric strap, lined and topstitched in red, fastened with an Omega-branded ceramic pin buckle.
Why this Omega watch
This first version has not been in the catalogue since the collection was revamped in 2025. It remains the original ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, with its Calibre 9300 and ceramic pin buckle, whereas subsequent versions feature a folding clasp. The ceramic retains its colour and polish, without the patina or scratches that accumulate on a steel case, making a second-hand purchase particularly reliable with this material. It features an all-black in-house chronograph, certified as a chronometer, in the configuration that launched the collection.
Contents and condition
The watch is supplied in its black lacquered Omega presentation box with its outer box and *The Essential Guide* booklet. It is in mint condition, with no flaws visible to the naked eye on the ceramic of the case, bezel or dial, and retains its original fabric strap and buckle.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this watch, which is covered by a 24-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand retailer and backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and in-store collection, or fully secure international delivery.
* Like new – a new watch, never worn or in exceptional condition. No defects visible to the naked eye.
