The moderator pushed me over the edge.

Oct 08, 2014,10:40 AM
 

Sorry about the seemingly provocative subject line. But it's too long to say: "I finally got the last piece of the puzzle that would make my Omega collection complete and end the unreasonable desire to buy more Omega watches, especially when I am wearing only a few watches in rotation. Besides, the Omega Forum moderator just got one so I should follow in his footsteps."

Yes, after a couple of misses last year, I finally get to bring the Dark Side home.


The black color of the ceramic body makes it look smaller than the indicated 44.25 mm size. My wrist is only 6.5" and I can wear it no problem.


The annoying "ZrO2" designation above the center of the dial is not noticeable most of the time when the watch is worn. It is a seriously overpriced and seriously handsome timepiece. A full ceramic bracelet would have justified (at least for me) the price jump from the standard Speedmaster 9300. But I guess I have to suffice with the given fabric strap for the time being.


I remember feeling a bit awkward with the wide spacing between the two subdials when the Speedmaster 9300 came out. I didn't quite agree with the look. That's why I find it weird that I am complaining about the same when the watch is delivered in black.


This is not my first Omega with ceramic bezel but first without a stainless steel rim on the outside. The all-black look is intriguing in a way ... mysterious.


Sapphire crystal is treated with anti-reflective coating on both inside and outside. It works wonderfully you can feel like touching the white gold hands and indexes above the black ceramic dial here. Note that the central chronograph hand is the only one not made in white gold according to the spec sheet. This pic also serves to highlight what I feel is a shortcoming of the Dark Side. The two small hands in the chronograph counter at 3 o'clock are quite similar. Telling the two apart in a quick glance is not always possible. And sometimes they are both blackened by the car's roof, for example, or when your head is directly over the watch and the dial facing you squarely. You would need to rotate the wrist a little so these hands reflect some light and you can read them. With that said, I believe most people buying this piece wants it for the good looks and do not intend to use the chronograph function in a serious way. It's a cool watch and that's it for the observers.


As I said, a full ceramic bracelet would have justified the price difference for me. I will report later how this fabric strap fares over time.


This is the back of it and I don't think it likes water.


Replacing the strap with an aftermarket one should be easy enough. It takes a 21/18 strap and this tang buckle it also ceramic. It is in fact black but the flash makes it look somewhat grayish.


I have very little experience with ceramic watches in general. I'm not sure how the others are finished. This one has both polished and brushed surfaces like most Omega watches. The crown is a bit stiff to pull out compared to the regular Moonwatches with Caliber 186X. I asked and was told that it is normal for Speedmaster 9300. Maybe the other owners can share with me their experience? I don't want to yank at it too hard only to have the crown come flying out. Or maybe I need to grow some nails. Pulling the crown out looked effortless with the lady at the boutique.


Not sure if this icon is on the caseback or on the lug for the regular Speedmaster 9300. The Dark Side has it here.


All my other Omega watches are bought and worn on a bracelet. I didn't have a chance to take good photographs of the movement until now because the bracelet and the clasp were always blocking.


You may see very faintly the "Si14" designation on the balance spring deep down.


The two barrels that provide 60 hours of power reserve on this watch with 4-year warranty.


Standard Omega lume


Above standard handsomeness biggrin


And that's it for my highly emotional and minimally factual review of the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon. This is going to be my last unveiling of Omega purchase in maybe a few years. But surely I will stick around because you my friends are here.

I will report back in some months how the watch handles daily wear, whether or not it is really scratchproof and so on. So far I think it is great with jeans but not with business attire because of the strap. One would want to replace it with a black alligator strap to really wear the watch in a formal business environment. I have no such intention and will wear this watch on other occasions. It is cool and stealthy only those in the know like you guys would be able to tell its price. I like that.

Thanks for looking.

Ruckdee


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More non-Dark Side pics from Sunday

 
 By: Ruckdee : October 8th, 2014-10:42
My local Omega boutique had a small get-together event with customers last Sunday. Main course is served. The new pieces this year are shown but only the white gold Tresor is a production piece and ready for sale. You must have seen these before from the ...  

It's better to say that it was a "cross push" ...

 
 By: nilomis : October 8th, 2014-10:55
Ruckdee, It was YOU, with your post: amp;fi=677&pi=5876023&ti=863458&msid=&s= That put me "salivating" to have a GoodPlanet. Wonderful review, my friend, gorgeous pictures of a wonderful watch. Enjoy your Dark Side, as much I'm enjoying mi... 

Far too often, a new watch is proclaimed . . .

 
 By: Dr No : October 8th, 2014-11:11
. . . an 'instant classic'; a year goes by, and we wonder what all the fuss was about. This time, the appellation is well deserved. The Dark Side is destined to be a classic. Congratulations, Ruckdee. And here's hoping your watch funds are replenished by ... 

Oh ... what you suggest for the next stop is very desirable indeed.

 
 By: Ruckdee : October 9th, 2014-18:09
Thank you for your well wish. Ruckdee

Congrats, Ruckdee!!!

 
 By: AlexSunrise : October 8th, 2014-15:27
Fantastic acquisition of what is shaping up to be the next community watch. Thanks for showing us the pictures of the novelties, as well. All the best, Alex

Drooling!

 
 By: rnaden : October 8th, 2014-17:02
Handsome watch it is, and I'm actually even more surprised that your wrist carries this so well despite the size. My wrist is about the same size and I've always been of the opinion that this would be too big and never bothered too much to try it on....Yo... 

We can all do with a little nudge sometime. :)

 
 By: fernando : October 9th, 2014-03:54
A very tempting proposition and surely a very fine piece in all. Congrats on landing one! I want to make a comparison with the LSOTM when I get the chance. cheers fernando

Thank you, Fernando. I have never seen the gray side in person.

 
 By: Ruckdee : October 9th, 2014-18:20
But when I do I surely will take comparative pics to share. That one is also a bit more expensive than the Dark Side, probably due to dial material. Ruckdee

congrats Ruckdee!!!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : October 11th, 2014-03:44
Beautiful pics of such a handsome watch! Looks great on you too my friend. Wear with joy Ruckdee and thanks for sharing here with us Cheers Robin

You will love the strap ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : October 24th, 2014-09:33
As I have written here: amp;fi=677&pi=6527578&ti=943473&msid=&s= I have attached this strap onto my Co-axial Speedmaster and (ab)used it under all conditions: salt water, dirt, mud, dog teeth, sweat ... After I feared it had developed some... 

I underestimated the strap totally. Now that I have read your experience...

 
 By: Ruckdee : October 24th, 2014-10:40
...I am more comfortable to be more adventurous with it. I didn't even know it can be washed. Regarding the difficulty in finding an Omega buckle that fits, do you think the buckle from Planet Ocean rubber strap will work? I remember it has very similar s... 

I only checked the specifications online ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : October 24th, 2014-11:51
... and it seems that the tang part is wider on the rubber straps than on the DSOM buckle. Marcus

Ahh.. I knew that tang is wide but didn't realize it is even wider than needed.

 
 By: Ruckdee : October 24th, 2014-19:57
Let me do some research with my local boutique. That buckle I am referring to is relatively cheap. I will be happy for you if size fits. But before I know for sure I must find a ruler to measure Dark Side strap hole width first! Will PM you later. Ruckdee... 

Dark Side tang hole is 5mm NT

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : October 24th, 2014-23:49

Very sorry. No luck. Even without tang or hole size issue, the buckle I was thinking of..

 
 By: Ruckdee : October 25th, 2014-02:51
...is available in 22 mm. and 20 mm. only. I thought there was one in 18 mm. but I am proven wrong. There is no such size for the design I mentioned. Hope you come across a generic buckle that fits and doesn't have a wrong logo to bother you one of these ... 

That would be nice! However, ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : October 25th, 2014-12:09
... when wearing the watch on that strap for a month now I never had the feeling that the anger of cosmos is coming over me because that TAG Heuer engraving on the buckle ... ;) Marcus