OMEGA Speedmaster Moonphase: The Moon in 0.02 mm

The OMEGA Speedmaster Moonphase answers a question serious watch buyers ask constantly: can a moonphase complication be both scientifically accurate and visually striking without crossing into gimmick territory? At $16,500 CAD, this 44.25 mm steel watch makes a specific technical argument for yes, and the details hold up under scrutiny.

How the Caliber 9904 Tracks the Lunar Cycle

The OMEGA Caliber 9904 is a self-winding movement (meaning the rotor spins with wrist motion to wind the mainspring automatically) that drives a moonphase display accurate to one full day's error every 29.5 years. According to OMEGA's published movement specifications, the 9904 beats at 25,200 vibrations per hour (3.5 Hz) and offers a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. The gear train governing the moonphase is engineered to complete one full rotation every 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.9 seconds - matching the actual synodic lunar month (the time from one new moon to the next) to a degree that most moonphase watches sold at any price do not approach. The deviation of one day every 29.5 years means you would need to manually correct the display roughly once per generation.

The movement is also METAS-certified as a Master Chronometer. METAS (the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology) tests certified movements across eight criteria, including performance in magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss. That certification distinguishes the 9904 from COSC-only chronometers (COSC certifies rate accuracy alone) and is a meaningful differentiator for buyers who wear their watch near electronic devices or medical equipment.

The Metallic Crystal Disc That Makes the Moon Photo-Realistic

The moonphase display at 6 o'clock uses a metallic crystal disc microstructured to produce a high-resolution image of the moon's surface rather than a painted or printed approximation. OMEGA describes the disc as featuring two representations of the moon, one for each hemisphere's view, produced through a microstructuring process that creates surface relief at scales below 0.02 mm. The result under magnification is a topographically detailed lunar surface with visible craters rather than the flat, stylized moon common on dress watches at this price and well above it.

The black sun-brushed dial provides the contrast that makes the display legible. Sun-brushing (a finishing technique where radial lines emanate from the dial's center outward) catches light differently at various angles, which means the dial reads as deep black in shade and shifts to a subtly luminous surface in direct light. Rhodium-plated indexes (rhodium is a platinum-group metal used as a protective and reflective coating) and hands sit above the dial surface, creating depth without adding color that would compete with the moonphase window.

For further context on how OMEGA applies distinctive dial treatments across the Speedmaster family, the Exploring the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon: A Ceramic Chronograph Masterpiece piece covers the ceramic case variant and its own finishing approach.

Where This Sits in the Speedmaster Lineup in 2026

The Speedmaster collection now spans roughly a dozen distinct references, from the original Moonwatch Professional at around $9,700 CAD to Grand Seiko-competing skeletonized pieces above $40,000 CAD. The Moonphase at $16,500 CAD occupies the middle tier: more complex than the base Moonwatch (which runs the hand-wound Caliber 3861 with no additional complications), but less specialized than the Speedmaster Chronoscope or the tourbillon variants.

The 44.25 mm case size positions this watch at the larger end of the Speedmaster range. The stainless steel bracelet uses the same five-link design seen across the professional Speedmaster line, with a folding clasp and micro-adjustment links. Water resistance is rated to 100 meters (10 bar), which is above average for a dress-influenced watch and consistent with OMEGA's across-the-board specification for the Speedmaster family. By comparison, the brand's Seamaster Planet Ocean - a dedicated dive watch covered in depth in our Exploring the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean: Buyer's Guide - is rated to 600 meters, but for most buyers the Moonphase's 100-meter rating is more than sufficient for daily wear including rain, swimming, and occasional surface snorkeling.

Buyers exploring the broader OMEGA collection will find the Moonphase is the only current production Speedmaster to combine the moonphase complication with the Master Chronometer certification in a stainless steel case.

The Collector Who Actually Wears This Every Day

The Speedmaster Moonphase is built for the buyer who wants a single watch that functions as a daily driver, a conversation piece, and a genuine astronomical instrument. The 44.25 mm case is large enough to read in low light with the luminous hands and indexes, robust enough at 100-meter water resistance to survive without deliberate care, and connected enough to the Speedmaster's six-Apollo-mission history to carry real narrative weight.

The moonphase complication itself rewards daily attention in a way that a standard three-hand watch does not. Glancing at 6 o'clock gives you the current lunar phase at a glance - useful for photographers who plan outdoor shoots around full moon lighting, sailors and anglers who track tidal cycles (tides are driven by lunar gravity), or simply anyone who pays attention to the natural calendar. The fact that you will not need to correct the display until approximately 2055 makes it genuinely practical rather than decorative.

For buyers who travel between Canada and the United States, La Maison Monaco ships the Moonphase across Canada and to the US, with purchase support available at our stores across Quebec and Ontario, including Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, LaSalle, St-Jerome, St-Bruno, and Ste-Foy. Our team at our services page can also help with after-sale care and movement servicing for OMEGA watches.

For additional reading on OMEGA's legacy with the Speedmaster specifically, the detailed background in The Legacy of Omega's Speedmaster: A Watch That Defined History covers how the Moonwatch became the foundation for every Speedmaster variant produced since 1969.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the OMEGA Speedmaster Moonphase display?

The moonphase display on the Speedmaster Moonphase gains or loses one full day every 29.5 years. This is significantly more accurate than a standard moonphase mechanism, which typically drifts one day every 2.5 to 3 years.

What movement does the Speedmaster Moonphase use?

The watch runs the OMEGA Caliber 9904, a self-winding movement certified as a Master Chronometer by METAS. It beats at 25,200 vibrations per hour and delivers approximately 60 hours of power reserve.

What makes the moon disc look photo-realistic?

OMEGA uses a metallic crystal disc microstructured at sub-0.02 mm resolution to reproduce the actual surface texture of the moon, including crater detail. This is a manufacturing process specific to OMEGA rather than a standard printed or enameled display.

Is the Speedmaster Moonphase available in Canada and the US?

Yes. La Maison Monaco carries the OMEGA Speedmaster Moonphase (SKU 304.30.44.52.01.001) at $16,500 CAD across its Quebec and Ontario stores, and ships to both Canadian and American addresses. Visit the OMEGA Speedmaster Moonphase product page to check current availability.

How does the Speedmaster Moonphase compare to other Speedmaster references?

It sits above the base Moonwatch Professional (Caliber 3861, no complications, approximately $9,700 CAD) in terms of both price and mechanical complexity. It is the only current steel Speedmaster combining the moonphase indication with METAS Master Chronometer certification. Buyers comparing across the Men's Selection will find it occupies a distinct position in the lineup.