Omega Just Dropped a Rare White Speedmaster: The Rumors Were True

So fresh, so clean.

Published March 5, 2024

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There are a handful of watches in the world where something as simple as a new dial color is considered “stop the presses!” type news. The Patek Philippe Nautilus is one such watch. The Tudor Black Bay GMT proved to be another at last year’s Watches & Wonders. Rolex, naturally, has several models on its roster capable of dominating headlines with the slightest change of shade. And now we can add the Omega Speedmaster to the list.

Already one of the most iconic watches in the world, perhaps second only in fame to the Rolex Submariner, the “Speedy” is recognized the world over as the “Moonwatch” thanks to its outsized role in space exploration. And while precious metal versions of the Moonwatch exist, the only versions available in stainless steel in recent years have been the standard and recognizable matte black dial with white print. But now, shoppers have another option in the form of striking white dial Speedmaster.

The Speedmaster “Daniel Craig”

white watch on wrist — Even on wrists that don’t belong to James Bond, the white Speedy is a stunner.

Rumors of a white Speedmaster Moonwatch began circulating last November when James Bond himself, Omega ambassador extraordinaire Daniel Craig, was spotted at an event with a never-before-seen white Speedy on his wrist. Online sleuths quickly deduced this was not something we’d seen before, given its combination of an all-white dial with black indices and red “Speedmaster” logo. But the question remained: Was Craig wearing a custom Speedy, or was he teasing a future release?

Five months later and we finally have our answer. The white-dial Speedy is indeed real, and some have already taken to nicknaming the watch the “Daniel Craig.” But there’s actually a bit more differentiating the white-dial Speedy from your standard Moonwatch than you might think.

A Sapphire Sandwich … with mayo?

watch movement through caseback — The White Moonwatch is powered by the same Calibre 3861 co-axial movement as the standard black version.

The stainless steel Moonwatch comes in two flavors, so to speak. There’s the classic hesalite version with an acrylic crystal, a closed caseback and a fully-brushed bracelet. That retails for $7,000. Then there’s the so-called “Sapphire Sandwich” that swaps the hesalite for a box sapphire crystal, adds a second sapphire crystal in the form of an exhibition caseback offering a view of the Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 movement, and polishes the second and fourth links on the five-link bracelet. For those niceties, you’ll pay an extra $1,000.

The white Speedy, reference 310.30.42.50.04.001, is a Sapphire Sandwich Speedy, but it costs $100 more than the standard black version. But you’re paying for more than just the color. First, it’s how that color is applied, as the white version boasts a lacquer dial that’s pricier to produce and more luxe than the matte black dial on the original. The white Speedy also has indices that are applied rather than printed. It all adds up to an SRP of $8,100.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional White: What We Think

white watch — With the white Speedmaster, Omega has a bona fide hit on its hands and an early candidate for watch of the year.

This watch is damn good-looking and serves as a great way to expand the Speedmaster line; it’s the exact type of thing Omega should be doing. It’s non-limited, not in a precious metal, and not absurdly sized. With its black applied indices matching the black lumed handset and the red-tipped seconds hand recalling the red “Speedmaster” printing on the dial, the new Speedy seems to have borrowed some aesthetics from the white Seamaster Diver 300M, which has become a modern classic for Omega.

The online consensus seems to be extremely positive toward this watch, and something tells me these are going to be very hard to get a hold of at retail, at least for a little while. So if you want one, prepare to be waitlisted.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional White

A clean twist on the classic Moonwatch, this version of Omega’s “Sapphire Sandwich” swaps out the printed matte black dial for a lacquered white dial with applied black indices and red accents.