Speed master Apollo 8 Dark Side of the Moon Vs Seamaster Deep Black - your opinion?

[Morrison0]

Hello

I have a friend planning to buy his first Omega and is confused between the Apollo 8 Dark side of the moon and the Seamaster Deep black.

My personal recommendation to him is the Apollo 8, however, I don’t know enough about Omegas.

What are your views?



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[DaninFlorida]

both are really nice, the seamaster is 45.5mm though and pretty thick as well.

the moonwatch is also quite a bit more $$ but will hold its value more.

if he is planning on being around water with it, the moonwatch shouldnt be submersed

just really down to personal preference.

[GolfJunkie]

Those are two very different watches IMO and a decision only your friend can make.

Does he want a manual wind Chronograph or a Automatic dive watch with a GMT function?

[Morrison0]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

Those are two very different watches IMO and a decision only your friend can make.

Does he want a manual wind Chronograph or a Automatic dive watch with a GMT function?

I agree, I think he is a even on both, it more a question of aesthetics and what collectors like yourself value more.


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[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by Morrison0

I agree, I think he is a even on both, it more a question of aesthetics and what collectors like yourself value more.


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Again it’s a matter of personal preference between these two (and all watches for that matter).

This would be a very difficult choice for me. I like the looks of the PO but the demensions + the HEV might bother me, although I’ve never tried it on so can’t say for sure. But then again Omega does rubber straps and deployant claps very well and can make a large watch wear very comfortable.

In regards to the Speedmaster, I think it’s a great watch and I’ve been very close to buying it the last 3-4 months but I just can’t get past the yellow accents. I really don’t like the color yellow and know it would really bother me on a watch so this one is a no-go for me personally. If it weren’t for the yellow I’d already own this watch. Love the manual wind and semi skelotonized dial!

Those are my views on both watches. Opinions will vary and I suggest your friend tries them both on and decides based on his likes and dislikes

[42itus]

Hopefully he tried them on. I have small wrists but the PO Deep Black looks good on me. At least I think so. I’ve tried on the Apollo 8 and I think it’s a great looking watch and I love Speedmaster but it doesn’t do anything for me.

[Andad]

Move to the Dark Side.

[1William]

Both are nice watches but I would be more interested in the Moon watch. The NATO strap game is very strong for the Moon watch. Neither of these watches hold the value in the secondary market compared to retail. I believe you could have both pre-owned for the retail of the Moon watch. DavidSW has the Moon watch on his site and it is currently on sale with more of a discount.

[Stevec14]

I’d definitely go Apollo 8 as an owner of one. It’s a great watch and surprisingly versatile if you change the strap. It wears smaller than you think and is nice and thin due to the manual wind movement.

Contrary to above, I actually like the yellow - but as with all these things beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Also, again different to above but I’ve never stuck with speedmasters as I tend to get bored with them. This is the first one that I really love. Maybe it’s just the fact that it’s completely different to everything else I own, but it gets all of my casual time.

No wrong choices however. The Seamaster is terrific too!

[Chrislec]

Deep Black

I love wearing my Deep Black, which is exceptional even for a small wrist like mine, and surprisingly light for that size due to ceramic, but still not too light like a usual DSOTM so it is still substantial on the wrist.

The GMT function of the Deep black is un-readable (24hours fonts too small), though the GMT version is the best of all Deep Blacks as it looks the purest and the most shiny black polished of all.

It wears big on the wrist, but it absorbs the light beautifully so it doesn't feel big, giving the look of a badass Darth Vader's watch.


I long hesitated with the Speedmaster Dark Side of The Moon with co-axial movement (the sandwich case) which is absolutely stunning in flesh, but I was shocked by the light weight of the Speedmaster. It doesn't feel substantial on the wrist, judging by the weight. I suppose the Apollo8 has the same issue - which will be an advantage for those who prefer light watches.

Apollo8:

I saw the Apollo 8 once and once stunned by the black beauty combined with a captivating moon dial. Maybe I will go for it one day. That yellow second hand super-visible is the perfect balance of the watch which recalls the racing aspect of space race, where Apollo8 was the first to reach the lunar orbit. Perfect design idea.

I also love the 1861... well.. 1869 here.. movement (the same but with skeletonized decoration). This is the true Speedy pro movement, the real one, manual wound. This make the Apollo 8 the only true Dark-Side-Of-The-Moon Moonwatch, because technically, the other DSOTM are all Coaxial Speedmaster and therefore not Professional Speedy, and not spaceflight certified (the 1861 movement has the space flight certification).
This is an important point to mention if you are in the Speedy / Space fan game.

And by the way, this is the only manual wound Speedy in a 44mm case, as normal Speedmaster Pro Moonwatch are in 42mm. This is the only downside in my opinion because a true manual wound Speedy should be in 42mm.. Anyway, Omega did it this way.
The only advantage of it is the crown which is longer and sits a little bit more outside than on a 42mm Speedy Pro, therefore making it much easier to wind manually.


Conclusion:

So these are 2 different watches. One is historical (higher value retention), the other one is more a beautiful tool watch. But both are stunning good looking.

I won't recommend wearing the Apollo8 on Nato. The Nato elevate the lugs from the wrist, making it more vulnerable to shocks. In case of shock the lug will not be able to dissipate the energy in the wrist... And ceramic watch lugs hate shocks. They break and shatter into pieces like a ceramic mug. And you are go for a 5000 USD case replacement...
Keep it in mind.


I hope this helps.

[Morrison0]

Many thanks all!!

[ap1]

Chrono wins here

[EGrunt]

I am currently considering both watches and just when I think I made my decision on the Deep Black I look at the Apollo 8 and I am undecided. Decisions, decisions.

[Morrison0]

Same here folks, I thought my friend had locked in on the Apollo 8, he is not sure. Here are two wrist pics...


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[myporsche]

Originally Posted by Chrislec

Deep Black

I love wearing my Deep Black, which is exceptional even for a small wrist like mine, and surprisingly light for that size due to ceramic, but still not too light like a usual DSOTM so it is still substantial on the wrist.

The GMT function of the Deep black is un-readable (24hours fonts too small), though the GMT version is the best of all Deep Blacks as it looks the purest and the most shiny black polished of all.

It wears big on the wrist, but it absorbs the light beautifully so it doesn't feel big, giving the look of a badass Darth Vader's watch.


I long hesitated with the Speedmaster Dark Side of The Moon with co-axial movement (the sandwich case) which is absolutely stunning in flesh, but I was shocked by the light weight of the Speedmaster. It doesn't feel substantial on the wrist, judging by the weight. I suppose the Apollo8 has the same issue - which will be an advantage for those who prefer light watches.

Apollo8:

I saw the Apollo 8 once and once stunned by the black beauty combined with a captivating moon dial. Maybe I will go for it one day. That yellow second hand super-visible is the perfect balance of the watch which recalls the racing aspect of space race, where Apollo8 was the first to reach the lunar orbit. Perfect design idea.

I also love the 1861... well.. 1869 here.. movement (the same but with skeletonized decoration). This is the true Speedy pro movement, the real one, manual wound. This make the Apollo 8 the only true Dark-Side-Of-The-Moon Moonwatch, because technically, the other DSOTM are all Coaxial Speedmaster and therefore not Professional Speedy, and not spaceflight certified (the 1861 movement has the space flight certification).
This is an important point to mention if you are in the Speedy / Space fan game.

And by the way, this is the only manual wound Speedy in a 44mm case, as normal Speedmaster Pro Moonwatch are in 42mm. This is the only downside in my opinion because a true manual wound Speedy should be in 42mm.. Anyway, Omega did it this way.
The only advantage of it is the crown which is longer and sits a little bit more outside than on a 42mm Speedy Pro, therefore making it much easier to wind manually.


Conclusion:

So these are 2 different watches. One is historical (higher value retention), the other one is more a beautiful tool watch. But both are stunning good looking.

I won't recommend wearing the Apollo8 on Nato. The Nato elevate the lugs from the wrist, making it more vulnerable to shocks. In case of shock the lug will not be able to dissipate the energy in the wrist... And ceramic watch lugs hate shocks. They break and shatter into pieces like a ceramic mug. And you are go for a 5000 USD case replacement...
Keep it in mind.


I hope this helps.

Very helpful and informative, great post!

[Morrison0]

Yes, the inputs have been super helpful. As a Rolex, AP, PAM guy for years this thread is turning me into an Omega fan! Hope to add one soon. Hopefully my friend can take the decision that works best for him.


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[Stevec14]

A bit of enabling





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[Morrison0]

Nice!


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[Morrison0]

Thank you! The enabling helped. My friend is going for Apollo 8!!


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[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by Morrison0

Thank you! The enabling helped. My friend is going for Apollo 8!!


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Awesome. They are both great watches. If he like it as much as I like mine he will be very happy.

See if they will chuck in a black black strap too if buying at an OB as it changes the look. The omega NATO’s suit this very well too as there is no taper and it makes it look a little more rugged.

[forsakenfury]

He made a good choice going for the apollo 8, it's just the smarter buy financially and astethicly IMO

[Toony]

Good choice by your friend. I tried an Apollo 8 yesterday and loved it. Most likely my next watch.

[Johnnyho87]

I was also torn between the two, ultimately...I'm going with the Apollo 8

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[NatiLad79]

I like the dark side

[Chromosome]

Apollo 8 is super nice!

[1William]

The Apollo 8 for looks and wear.

[shalako]

Much prefer the cleaner looks of the PO Deep Black.

[trippinjimmy]

Apollo 8 big time...although this thread is a little old.

[Johnnyho87]

Old thread but forgot I never followed up with pics (or it didn't happen)!

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[m3fanatic75]

The Apollo 8 is an excellent choice!