Illustrative image of a classic black-dial chronograph. For real photos of the Speedmaster models available now, browse our OMEGA collection.
For most buyers, the Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional is the right Speedmaster: it is the NASA-qualified original, manual-wind, 42mm, and endlessly versatile. Choose the Speedmaster ’57 for a dressier vintage look, the Dark Side of the Moon for a bold black-ceramic case, the Speedmaster 38 for smaller wrists, and the Chronoscope if you love dial detail and historic timing scales.
The Speedmaster family has grown large enough to confuse even experienced collectors. This guide sorts the five models people ask me about most.
Why the Speedmaster matters
OMEGA launched the Speedmaster in 1957. Its space legacy began when NASA qualified it for piloted missions in 1965, and it flew on Gemini 3 in March of that year, according to OMEGA. OMEGA also says the Speedmaster was part of all six lunar landings. Few watches have a story this well documented.
Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
This is the core of the line. Current Moonwatch models use a 42mm steel case and OMEGA’s manual-winding Calibre 3861 with a Co-Axial escapement and silicon balance spring. OMEGA lists a 50-hour power reserve, 50 meters of water resistance, METAS certification, and resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, per its Moonwatch specifications. In 2024, OMEGA added a white-dial version.
- Best for: anyone who wants the historic Speedmaster and enjoys winding a watch each morning.
- Buying tip: decide between the sapphire and Hesalite crystal versions; collectors debate the look and feel of each.
Speedmaster ’57
Inspired by the original 1957 model, the ’57 has straight lugs, a broad-arrow hour hand, and a slightly smaller 40.5mm case. It uses manual-winding Calibre 9906, a column-wheel Co-Axial chronograph with a 60-hour power reserve and a date, according to OMEGA.
- Best for: buyers who want a dressier, more vintage Speedmaster with modern technical upgrades.
Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon puts the Speedmaster in a 44.25mm ceramic case. OMEGA lists the self-winding Calibre 9900 with a 60-hour power reserve and METAS Master Chronometer certification on current models, per its Dark Side of the Moon page. In 2025, OMEGA introduced seven new models across four dials, according to Swatch Group.
- Best for: larger wrists and buyers who want a modern, lightweight, scratch-resistant statement watch.
- Buying tip: try it on. The case is wide, and lug-to-lug length matters.
Speedmaster 38
The Speedmaster 38 brings the look to smaller wrists. OMEGA lists a 38mm case and self-winding Co-Axial Calibre 3330 with a 52-hour power reserve, per its Speedmaster 38 page. Many versions feature colorful or gem-set details, though plain dials exist too.
- Best for: wrists under about 16.5cm, or anyone who prefers an automatic Speedmaster in a compact size.
Speedmaster Chronoscope
The Chronoscope is the dial lover’s Speedmaster. It is a 43mm watch with tachymeter, pulsometer, and telemeter scales, powered by manual-winding Calibre 9908, a METAS-certified column-wheel chronograph with a 60-hour power reserve, according to OMEGA.
- Best for: collectors who already appreciate the Moonwatch and want something more vintage and detailed.
Quick comparison
- Moonwatch Professional: 42mm steel, manual Calibre 3861, the historic reference point.
- Speedmaster ’57: 40.5mm steel, manual Calibre 9906 with date, vintage design.
- Dark Side of the Moon: 44.25mm ceramic, automatic Calibre 9900, bold and modern.
- Speedmaster 38: 38mm, automatic Calibre 3330, compact.
- Chronoscope: 43mm, manual Calibre 9908, three timing scales.
Buying a pre-owned Speedmaster
- Confirm the reference. Movements and details vary by reference, so check that the watch matches its listed model.
- Check chronograph function. Start, stop, and reset should all feel crisp, and hands should reset to zero.
- Keep expectations realistic on value. Speedmasters are widely produced, which makes them great to buy pre-owned and reasonable to own, but they are not usually short-term investments.
- Consider service history. Chronographs are more complex than three-hand watches, so documented service matters.
Speedmaster questions
Is the Speedmaster Moonwatch a good first luxury watch?
Yes, if you are comfortable with manual winding. It is versatile, historic, and widely available. See our first luxury watch guide for alternatives.
Which Speedmaster is most like the moon-landing watch?
The Moonwatch Professional. OMEGA says the 2020 update drew on the fourth-generation Speedmaster style worn by Apollo 11 astronauts.
Is the Speedmaster waterproof?
Current Moonwatch models are rated to 50 meters. They handle rain and handwashing, but they are not dive watches. Look at the Seamaster line if you swim with your watch.
Find your Speedmaster
Browse the OMEGA watches in our collection, including Seamaster alternatives like our Seamaster 300 Bronze Gold. Looking for a specific reference? Ask us to source it.
