Omega Moonwatch Co-Axial Master Chronometer Moonphase Watch

The Moonwatch Moonphase watch is one of Omega’s most celebrated time offerings. The Omega Moonphase watch was a part of all six lunar missions. Here is a timepiece that took the spirit of exploration a step further. More so, the new Omega Moonwatch Moonphase watch features two infinitely small yet photo-realistic moons to add to its uniqueness. Moreover, this 44.25 mm model comes with a blue sun-brushed dial and rhodium-plated indexes. When it is 6 o'clock, you see the precise Moonphase manifestation. It comes in the form of a metallic crystal disc micro-structured to achieve a high-resolution impression of the moon. In addition, there is a stainless steel case complemented by a blue ceramic bezel ring. Also, the bezel ring comes with a Liquidmetal™ tachymeter scale. These features appear on a black or blue leather strap with a polished-brushed foldover clasp. Lastly, powering the watch is the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer 9904. That’s one movement officially certified by METAS. 

Technical Details Overview

Suffice to say; the Omega Moonphase watch is all-round excellence! Below is an outline of the technical specifications of this Omega's timepiece in summary. 

• • Dial Color: Blue
  • Between lugs: 21 mm
  • Case: Steel
  • Case diameter: 44.25 mm
  • Crystal: Scratch‑resistant sapphire crystal with anti‑reflective treatment on both sides
  • Bracelet: leather strap
  • Water resistance: 10 bar (100 meters or 330 feet)
  • Strap Color: Blue
  • Movement Type: Self-winding

• Anti-magnetic Feature

The movement stays unruffled by exposure to strong magnetic fields, even those greater than 1.5 tesla (15,000 gauss).

• Chronograph Function

The chronograph function by Omega is a mechanism for calculating time intervals. Therefore, a chronograph watch helps to time events while showing the time like any regular timepiece.

• Certified Chronometer

The chronometer is a label bestowed on a watch after undergoing precision test. It comes as a certificate from an official body known as COSC.

• Date Feature

The day of the month shown in a window on a wristwatch dial at the 3 or 6 o’clock position. It might also appear within a subdial at the 9 o'clock position. 

• Certified Master Chronometer 

Here is a watch feature that ensures the Swiss industry’s highest standard of accuracy, performance and magnetic-resistance. This timepiece satisfies every requirement set by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).

• Moonphase Watch

A Moonphase watch utilizes a mechanism which trails the phases of the moon. Note that one lunar cycle is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds. This wristwatch headlines four phases which are new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter.

• Small Seconds Dial Feature

There is a hand on the sub-dial that tracks seconds. This feature comes set to complete a full rotation in one minute.

• Tachymeter Watch

A tachymeter watch comes with the ability to measure speed. The Omega Moonwatch Moonphase watch is a chronograph with a graduated dial on which speed can be read. Speed reading comes in kilometers per hour established on a 1000-meter distance.

• Transparent Sapphire Case Back

This watch comes with a transparent case back which is often a product of sapphire. That make up makes it possible to behold the movement inside the wristwatch.

• 5-YEAR Warranty

Every Omega wristwatch comes with a 5-year warranty. Thanks to this warranty, there is a provision that caters to repairing any material or production imperfections. Ensure you refer to the operating instructions for detailed information about the warranty terms and conditions.

Introducing the Omega Moonphase Watch

In 2017, the legendary Omega Moonwatch celebrated its 60th anniversary after initially launching in 1957. After a decade after its launch in 1957, it earned the nickname the “moonwatch.” Every timepiece lover understands that the Moonwatch Moonphase watch by Swiss Omega was the chosen one. That reality comes after endlessly drilling the fact into their evidently excited mind. The Moonphase watch got selected by the American NASA to be the official watch worn by Apollo mission astronauts. Later on, it made it to the moon and it did so a few times. In particular, 2019 will be the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. Meanwhile, we stay hopeful that Omega gives us something thrilling in place of that. However, before we digress, our focus here is on the Omega Moonwatch Co-Axial Master Chronometer Moonphase watch debuted in 2016.

A Brief History of the Omega Moonwatch Moonphase Watch

Following the moon missions, the onetime racing and pilot-themed watch became the timepiece related to the moon. This wristwatch also got associated with all things pertained to astronauts. Here is an impression and trend that continues to endure today. Meanwhile, at the time, Omega couldn’t decide how it will truly be a part of modern spaceflight actions. That’s how the brand sought to ensure it stayed relevant in its theme in the future. Although, one thing that truly keeps the Moonphase watch up there isn’t only a connection to the historic moon missions or NASA. In all honesty, what works for this watch is its winning design.  Besides, the Moonwatch Moonphase comes in editions that take on so many styles and several variants. The varieties are so broad that even highly trained specialists have difficulties keeping track of all the renditions of this watch.

Omega Watches and Product Naming

In addition, Omega Speedmaster product naming conventions don’t help much. Most times, they get confusing and similar to one another. At other times, they are abstract and hard to recall. A good example is the official name of this timepiece according to the Omega website. The website states it to be the “Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Moonphase Chronograph 44.25 MM.” Meanwhile, that doesn’t even contain the reference number.  More so, the name actually includes “Omega” in it twice. One reason we can give for this is that Omega has so many similarly-themed time offerings. In the real sense, the timepieces themselves come quite different. They are different enough for it to get very challenging to describe them.  Again, there have been other Omega Speedmaster editions with moonphase indicators and chronographs before now. Additionally, one of them is still available for sale, with a nearly indistinguishable case. However, it features a distinct dial layout and movement. In fact, writing about the Omega Master Chronometer Moonphase after seeing it hands-on after Baselworld 2016, there is that issue of the right name to call it. Having a ten-word name and a tricky combination of special specs, this otherwise very lovely Omega watch requires a lot of special attention. That is the only way it can stand out from the crowd.

• Omega: A Brand with Several Options

Regardless of the product naming, the Omega Moonwatch Co-Axial Master Chronometer Moonphase watch remains outstanding. Here is a beautiful watch that remains unique in its own right. Also, it is comfortable. Additionally, it would help if you were a veritable lover of Omega timepieces to comprehend the depth of its technical appeal. The same goes for how it fits into the larger line of watches. Omega is a dominant brand because it has a lot of good time offerings. Here is a solution, you could see this challenge as Omega’s weakness as a brand. Here is a brand that offers too many timepieces to allow relatively casual timepiece fans a chance to select effortlessly.

The Movements: Another Omega Variety

Many years ago, in 2011, the Omega Moonphase watch got modern as Omega launched the first new generation models. The spice in this launch was the introduction of the in-house-made caliber 9300 family movements. With these new movements, the brand got rid of the chronograph’s three-subdial layout. Now, the brand turned to a two-subdial design instead. Now, there is a right subdial with having hands where one measured hours and the other minutes. Again, the 9300 family of in-house automatic Co-Axial chronograph movements got replaced with the 9900 series family of movements. With this swap, the watchmaker introduces some developments such as non-ferrous metal parts for key elements. That made the watch more or less completely resistant to magnetic fields. Here is part of what “Master Chronometer” means. Also, it is part of the rather special METAS certification that every Master Chronometer enjoys.

• The Caliber 9904 in the Moonphase Watch

The Omega Moonwatch Co-Axial Master Chronometer Moonphase watch employs the caliber 9904 (also 9905 with gold parts for precious metal versions) movement. Here is the first movement used by Omega that offers a Co-Axial Master Chronometer to the Moonwatch collection. More so, in 2017, Omega rolled out the 9900 movement excluding the Moonphase complication for the rest of the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph line-up.  One reason this watch is unique is the Moonphase indicator. Buying this particular watch is a great bargain also for the fact that it features a Co-Axial Master Chronometer automatic movement. It is rather strange that the other presently available Omega Moonphase watch comes with the same size case (44.25mm wide). Also, they are all about the same price. Here is an upscale from the “classic” Moonwatch Professional style watch. The latter gets founded on a more regular manually wound movement. Compared to the 9900 series, this is somewhat primitive for daily wear. For us, it comes in great only when you are a huge fan of “old school charm.”  Meanwhile, the latter watch utilizes the caliber 1886 which carves from the 1861. However, it adds an upper subdial under 12 o’clock. This addition features a Moonphase indicator encircled by a pointer date indicator dial.

The Dial Layout and Specs

Both of the elements spoken of above exist in the Omega Moonwatch Co-Axial Master Chronometer Moonphase watch. However, this time, it comes with a distinct layout. More so, the somewhat empty space over 6 o’clock (where the date would typically be) houses a regular Moonphase indicator disc. There is also a life-like imitation of the moon.  In addition, the left subdial features hands for both the date as well as the running seconds. On the right, you see a subdial that still works to measure the chronograph minutes and hours. For the central hand on the main dial, it functions as the chronograph seconds measure.  Moreover, the steel versions of the wristwatch has a printed life-like manifestation of the moon in the discs. As for the gold and platinum versions, they come with textured Moonphase discs which deliver a unique appearance. Also, the platinum edition of the watch even goes so far as to feature a small magnifier disc where the date pointer hand functions.  All of these layouts are truly chic and desirable. However, we recall Omega announcing that the part was such a pain to make. The watchmaker mentioned that they would not have been able to make it for a non-limited version. 

The Construction Varieties of the Omega Moonphase Watch

This particular edition (Ref 304.33.44.52.03.001) of the watch comes in steel, and on a leather strap. Also, you can get this same timepiece in a more traditional black dial also on a strap. There is also the construction on a more “traditionally Moonwatch” steel metal bracelet.  Meanwhile, the case is 44.25mm wide. Again, it is on the thicker side with about 16mm thickness. Here is a new generation Moonwatch case that effortlessly fits among the most charming “classic-style” watch cases out there. The reason is not limited to how it gets constructed. You must consider how it appears from different angles. That impression can greatly change what it looks like in a way you can never encounter with any other watch.

Conclusion

In all, most of the appeal of this Omega Moonphase watch has to do with the sandwich-style construction of the case. More so, there is the fact that the different parts (bezel, middle case, caseback) are of distinct widths. Not minding the size, the case is generally very relaxed (if worn snugly). Again, it is attractive on the wrist. Plus, its details deserves a closer look.  There is a case with water-resistance up to 100 meters as well as a sapphire crystal on both ends. Couple this with a display caseback presenting a view of the graceful in-house-made movement. What you have around your wrist is quality in every aspect.