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A white-dial Moonwatch is now available in continuous production, and the internet has a lot to say.

An Overview

The watch first seen on the wrist of Daniel Craig last year is now on the market. With the March release, Omega has answered the prayers of the many fans of the Speedmaster who have been calling for a white dial for years. Previous white-dial models like the Alaska Project and Silver Snoopy Award were limited edition. The new model will see regular production, and its reception has been overwhelmingly positive.

What's New?

Almost everything about the new model is identical to the iconic black-dial Moonwatch other than the white dial. The watch features the same aluminum bezel, manual-wound Caliber 3861, and sapphire crystals on the front and back. The 13.2mm height, 42mm diameter, and 47.5mm lug-to-lug distance are also indistinguishable.

That leaves us with the source of so much excitement on social media. The white dial is executed with a glossy, lacquered finish. Instead of simple plots of lume, the new dial features diamond-polished applied indexes finished with a black PVD coating. The hands are also black PVD coated. Omega has opted to fit the seconds hand with a red tip–according to Omega, this is a tribute to the red case of the Alaska Project Speedmaster and the red stripes on astronaut suits. The color of the tip matches the red Speedmaster text under the Omega logo. Both the hands and markers still feature Super-LumiNova.

The new dial is less legible, less classic, and more noticeable than the iconic original. Generally, the watch is less like the tool watch it was designed to be. On the other hand, the dial gives the watch elegance the original may have lacked. The color also may make the dial seem slightly larger. Omega has done an excellent job of adding depth with the recessed sub-dials, red accents, applied indexes, and use of contrasting black PVD coating. The only other change is the price. At $8,100 on a bracelet, the new release is $100 more expensive than the standard "sapphire sandwich" Moonwatch.

Implications

It might seem absurd that one new dial color could generate this much excitement. Nevertheless, the white-dial Speedmaster might be hard to get at retail due to the hype surrounding the release. The model is likely to trade for a premium over the retail price at least in the short term, especially given that the watch will only be available in Omega boutiques and retailers at first. On the plus side, the appetite for the new piece will shift demand away from the black-dial model, making it easier to get. At the very least, the release shows that Omega is making an effort to give its customers what they want.