Omega Speedmaster 38 mm: Seven Familiar Faces

Omega is giving its smaller Speedmaster seven new faces. The 38-millimeter model keeps the identity of one of the company’s most recognizable watches while offering a broader range of colors and finishes.

Speedmaster began in the 1950s as a watch designed for motor racing. Its NASA certification later opened the way for Omega watches to accompany astronauts on Apollo missions to the Moon. The familiar 42-millimeter case remains better suited to larger wrists, while the 38-millimeter version was created for enthusiasts seeking a more compact watch.

The refreshed models replace the previous oval subdials with round ones and add a distinctive five-link bracelet. They also feature the “Dot over 90” tachymeter detail, a small but important reference for Speedmaster collectors.

The most traditional version has a black dial, a black aluminum bezel and white hands filled with Super-LumiNova. It echoes the Moonwatch worn on Apollo missions and does not include a date display. Another classic combination pairs a white dial with a light-blue bezel and matching hands, recalling the famous Snoopy models.

The remaining five versions take a looser approach. They include a steel-dial model with an 18-karat Moonshine gold bezel, a green aluminum insert and a yellow-gold scale. Another combines a dark-gray bezel with a silver-colored dial and brown and gold subdial hands. The cappuccino version uses an ivory dial with contrasting brown PVD-coated subdials and a stainless-steel case.