Watches: Omega Unveils Reverse Panda Speedmaster Moonwatch For 2026

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Few watches can claim the cultural weight, technical pedigree, and emotional pull of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. Born for motorsport, immortalised by space exploration, and trusted on the Moon itself, the Speedmaster has long transcended product status to become a symbol of human ambition and pioneering spirit. Any new Moonwatch, therefore, arrives carrying the burden of legend, and the responsibility to move that story forward without dilution.

For 2026, Omega has unveiled two Speedmaster Moonwatch references that lean towards refinement rather than reinvention. The brand introduces a striking black-and-white dial configuration - what collectors recognise as a reverse panda - executed with depth and modern finesse. Reverse panda dials have long occupied a special place in the chronograph canon. Rarer than their panda counterparts, they offer heightened contrast, visual drama, and a discreetly subversive edge. On the Moonwatch, this aesthetic feels both fresh and long overdue.

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The dial construction is where these new references truly distinguish themselves. Omega employs a stepped, double-layer architecture: a polished black upper dial finished with lacquer and varnish for a liquid-like sheen, paired with white subdials rendered in the same glossy treatment beneath.

Both watches measure 42 mm and are offered in two distinct personalities. The stainless steel version feels purposeful and classic, with rhodium-plated hands and hour markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. The 18K Moonshine Gold edition elevates the experience further, employing Omega's proprietary yellow gold alloy for the case, markers and hands, complemented by a PVD Moonshine Gold chronograph seconds hand. On the wrist, both are paired with the familiar polished-brushed Moonwatch bracelet, equipped with Omega's patented comfort release adjustment - an everyday luxury seasoned wearers will appreciate.

Powering these chronographs is the hand-wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, the latest evolution of the Speedmaster's celebrated movement lineage.

In the black-and-white Speedmasters, Omega doesn't seek to rewrite history. By introducing overdue visual variety while remaining reverent to the original, the brand reinforces why the Moonwatch remains peerless. For collectors who revere the Speedmaster but seek something subtly distinctive, this reverse panda execution feels like a natural, confident next chapter in an extraordinary story.

Retail & Availability

Permanent collection.

Available from Omega boutiques and authorised retailers from late January.

Price

Steel variant: Dh40,950

Gold variant: Dh194,150

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