The legendary Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, a direct descendant of the watch that went to the Moon with the Apollo 11 crew, is an iconic timepiece with a rich history. But the Moonwatch family is more diverse than you might think. Beyond the classic steel model, Omega offers over 20 variations of this legendary chronograph. And now, in 2026, the brand introduces two new additions to the Moonwatch Professional collection, featuring a unique twist: black and white 'reverse panda' dials.
But what exactly is a 'reverse panda' dial? In watch terminology, a panda dial refers to a chronograph with a white face and black sub-dials, while a reverse panda flips this design, showcasing a black dial with white sub-dials. Omega has released several panda dial Moonwatches in the past, including the 2004 Apollo XI 35th Anniversary and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Collection. However, reverse panda dials on the Moonwatch Professional are less common, with only one previous edition coming to mind: the 2017 Speedy Tuesday model.
These new 2026 editions, available in steel or Moonshine Gold, are classic Speedmaster Moonwatches at their core. They feature the iconic 'sapphire sandwich' design, with sapphire crystals protecting both the front and back. The 42mm asymmetrical case, extended crown and pusher protection, lyre-shaped lugs, and external tachymeter bezels are all signature elements of the Moonwatch. The case is crafted in stainless steel or 18k Moonshine gold, Omega's proprietary yellow gold alloy, and measures 13.18mm in thickness with a 47.5mm lug-to-lug distance.
The highlight of these new models is undoubtedly the dials. The base dial is polished black with a varnished and lacquered finish, while the sub-dials are varnished and lacquered in white. The hands and markers are where these watches truly stand out. On the steel version, the rhodium-plated hands and markers feature white Super-LumiNova inserts, while the Moonshine gold edition boasts solid gold hands and markers, with the central seconds hand in PVD Moonshine Gold. This combination creates a striking contrast, ensuring optimal legibility.
Underneath the dial beats the in-house calibre 3861 movement, an evolution of the iconic hand-wound calibres 1861 and 861 that have powered the Moonwatch for over half a century. This movement has been modernized with Omega's co-axial escapement and a silicon hairspring, enabling it to be Master Chronometer-certified and resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss. It operates at a frequency of 3Hz and offers a power reserve of approximately 50 hours when fully wound.
These new black and white Moonwatches are not limited editions but part of the permanent collection. The stainless steel model is priced at EUR 10,200 (incl. taxes) or CHF 8,100 (excl. taxes), while the Moonshine gold edition retails for EUR 48,600 (incl. taxes) or CHF 38,400 (excl. taxes).
And here's a fun fact: the gold version of this watch made a discreet appearance at the 2025 Met Gala, worn by actor Colman Domingo. It's a subtle teaser that adds to the allure of these new Moonwatches.
But here's where it gets interesting: Are these new editions a refreshing take on a classic, or do they stray too far from the original Moonwatch design? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Do you prefer the classic steel model, or do these new variations spark your interest? The world of watch enthusiasts is known for its diverse opinions, and we'd love to hear yours!
