Watch reference library
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional 310.30.42.50.01.001 “Moonwatch”
In production 2021 to present.
Specifications
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Bezel
- Black anodized aluminum with tachymeter scale
- Dial
- Black
- Movement
- Omega calibre 3861, Co-Axial Master Chronometer, manual winding
- Power reserve
- About 50 hours
- Water resistance
- 50 meters
- Crystal
- Hesalite
- Bracelet
- Stainless steel bracelet with fold-over clasp
The story
The Speedmaster launched in 1957 as a motorsport chronograph, but it earned its lasting fame after NASA qualified it for spaceflight and Buzz Aldrin wore one on the surface of the Moon during Apollo 11 in 1969. The Moonwatch has stayed close to the fourth generation case worn on that mission ever since, keeping its asymmetrical case, black step dial and hesalite crystal as a deliberate link to the original.
In January 2021, Omega updated the Moonwatch with calibre 3861, a manually wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement certified by METAS and resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, a significant step up from the older calibre 1861 it replaced. Alongside the movement change, Omega split the Moonwatch into two crystal options carrying different reference numbers: ref. 310.30.42.50.01.001, which keeps the traditional hesalite crystal on the front and a solid steel caseback engraved with the Seahorse medallion, and ref. 310.30.42.50.01.002, which uses a sapphire crystal on both the front and the caseback so the calibre 3861 movement is visible.
Ref. 310.30.42.50.01.001, the watch covered here, is the hesalite version, not the sapphire sandwich version. It is the direct continuation of the classic Moonwatch look, with the same acrylic-like crystal, solid caseback and manual wind operation that generations of Speedmaster owners are used to, now built around the more accurate and more magnetically resistant calibre 3861.
What to check before you buy
Current production Moonwatches from authorized Omega dealers and boutiques come as full sets with box and warranty card, so a used 310.30.42.50.01.001 without papers is worth a second look before buying in Moda's groups. The most common point of confusion in trading conversations is mixing up this reference with 310.30.42.50.01.002, the sapphire sandwich version with a display back. They share the same case size and movement family but differ in crystal, caseback and typically price, so always confirm the full reference number rather than assuming from a photo of the dial alone.
Because hesalite is an acrylic-type crystal, it scratches more easily than sapphire but can be buffed out with polish rather than replaced, which is a normal and inexpensive part of owning this reference rather than a defect. As a manual wind chronograph, it needs to be wound regularly and the pushers should only be operated with the crown fully wound in, standard Speedmaster etiquette worth passing along to a first time buyer. Ask when it was last serviced, since Omega's own service network handles the calibre 3861 and a documented service history holds up better in a private sale than an undocumented one.
Buying or selling a 310.30.42.50.01.001?
Moda is always buying. Text photos to (605) 521-2821 for a fast offer, or start on the Moda Watches page. Looking for one instead? Post it on the want list and the community and Moda's dealers will hunt for it. For any deal with a stranger, Moda's middleman service inspects the watch before money changes hands.
Common questions
Is the 310.30.42.50.01.001 the sapphire sandwich Speedmaster?
No. This exact reference is the hesalite version, with a hesalite crystal up front and a solid steel caseback showing the Seahorse medallion. The sapphire sandwich version, with sapphire crystal on both the front and the caseback, is a separate reference, 310.30.42.50.01.002.
What movement powers this reference?
Calibre 3861, a manually wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement certified by METAS, resistant to magnetic fields up to about 15,000 gauss.
Why does Omega still use hesalite instead of sapphire on this version?
Hesalite is the same type of crystal NASA specified for the Moonwatch worn on the Apollo missions, and Omega keeps it on this reference specifically to preserve that historical look and feel, while offering a sapphire version alongside it for buyers who prefer a scratch resistant crystal and a view of the movement.
Can hesalite scratches be fixed?
Yes. Hesalite is an acrylic-type material that can be polished to remove light scratches, which is routine maintenance rather than a sign of damage.
What replaced the older 1861 movement hesalite Moonwatch?
This reference, 310.30.42.50.01.001, replaced the previous calibre 1861 hesalite Moonwatch, ref. 311.30.42.30.01.005, when Omega introduced the Master Chronometer certified calibre 3861 across the line in January 2021.