Is It Time For A New Omega Speedmaster? What About A New Mini-Moonwatch?

Last year, Omega treated us (Speedmaster enthusiasts and collectors) to a generous selection of new models. The brand introduced the white-dial Speedmaster Professional, a new Speedmaster FOiS, two bicolor Moonwatch variations, and the Speedmaster Pilot. And let’s not forget about the first introduction in 2024, the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 update. Omega included all of them in the regular collection, which means these were not special or limited editions. So far in 2025, we’ve only seen the Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite.

Omega highlights every new introduction

I find myself yearning for the Baselworld days when Omega would unveil everything for the year all at once, with perhaps a few exceptions, allowing you to focus on the pieces you liked best. All the other watches that weren’t of interest could just be neglected. Nowadays, brands under the Swatch Group are absent from these large exhibitions. Omega now introduces each model update or new watch individually. This approach has its pros and cons, of course. One advantage is that every release receives the brand’s fullest attention and a dedicated marketing campaign. The downside is that you don’t know when to expect new watches, especially those you anticipate. And when Omega instead introduces a watch or model you weren’t exactly waiting for, it can become frustrating.

The current Omega Speedmaster collection

While Omega introduced its new Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite models earlier this year, I don’t think the typical Moonwatch collector has a keen eye for those. So, is it time for a new Omega Speedmaster (Professional) Moonwatch variation? There once was a time when the brand would treat us to some limited-edition models, but that ended in 2019. There might have been a few too many of those, but dropping them completely was a very drastic decision. The “additional” models in the Moonwatch collection are permanent, such as the white-dial Moonwatch, the bicolor versions, and so on, while in the past, they would’ve been temporary/limited editions. The Moonwatch was mainly the black-dial version with either a Hesalite or sapphire crystal and, for a long time, a full-gold model with a black dial (until 2012).

Let’s examine whether the Speedmaster collection requires more variation. Today’s Speedmaster family has 115 references, while the Moonwatch line has 21. However, the white-dial version already has three references due to the different bracelet/strap options. If we neglect those for every model, it’s down to nine Speedmaster Professional versions. This includes the two traditional Speedmaster Professional watches with black dials, one with sapphire and the other with a Hesalite crystal.

That seems like enough to choose from, so why are we still always waiting for Omega to announce the next Speedmaster? It’s the never-ending hunger of collectors, I guess.

Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz 35th Anniversary

Celebrations and anniversaries

Omega likes to celebrate all of NASA’s Apollo achievements. There’s a Speedmaster for practically every NASA space mission. Some even have several per mission — Apollo 11, Apollo 13 (including the Snoopy models), Apollo 15, Apollo 17, Apollo-Soyuz, etc. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission, and although the waitlists for the Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary edition are not fulfilled yet, some of us are craving the next one.

Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary

I advocate slimming down the Speedmaster family, but I don’t have a clear view on which models sell best aside from the Moonwatch collection. It doesn’t make sense to kill a line that sells. However, I think there’s some low-hanging fruit in the Speedmaster Two Counter family.

Speedmaster Reduced ref. 3510.50.00

As Omega decided to stop producing limited editions, the brand wants to add models that will stay in the collection permanently, or at least for a while. However, the Speedmaster Reduced (3510.50.00) never received a proper replacement. This 39mm automatic version of the classic Moonwatch was in production for many years (1988–2009). When I had just started collecting Speedmasters, the Reduced was available on the pre-owned market for a fraction of the price of a new Moonwatch. Today, a Speedmaster 3510.50.00 in good and original condition can easily set you back €2,500.

Speedmaster Reduced

A new Omega Speedmaster Reduced

In 2024, Omega introduced an extension of its Speedmaster 38 collection, but a true successor to the Speedmaster Reduced was not among them. It’s a rather feminine collection except for the black-dial reference 324.30.38.50.01.001.

Speedmaster 38 ref. 324.30.38.50.01.001

Omega could easily turn this new reference into a successor to the famous 3510.50.00 by using a full-black bezel (rather than black and silver), white baton hands, printed markers, etc. With an increasing demand for smaller watches, a mini-Moonwatch could do very well. The First Omega in Space models — and to a lesser extent, the Calibre 321 (high demand but low production) — are a testament to that.

Image: Xupes

A new Omega Speedmaster Reduced or mini-Moonwatch with a self-winding movement (and a date) could be a long-term member of the Speedmaster collection, just as the reference 3510.50 was for approximately 20 years.

I have not purchased one of last year’s Speedmaster releases yet, but the white-dial Moonwatch and new FOiS are still on my wish list of watches to get at some point. If I did not have the Speedmaster in Moonshine Gold, the new bicolor model (steel and Moonshine) would be rather attractive,

What are your wishes for a new Speedmaster model, if you have any at all? If you own a Speedmaster Reduced, would you like a new version? Let me know in the comments below.