A fake Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon is a replica of Omega's grey ceramic chronograph, reference 311.93.44.51.99.001, released in 2014. The best replicas match the 44.25mm case size and the dial layout, but they use grey-coated steel instead of zirconium oxide ceramic and a modified third-party chronograph movement instead of Omega's calibre 9300. Those two differences show up in weight, in finish, and under a loupe.
What makes the real Grey Side of the Moon different?
The genuine watch belongs to Omega's ceramic Speedmaster family, which started with the Dark Side of the Moon in 2013. Omega built the case from grey zirconium oxide ceramic, a material that resists scratches better than steel and holds a matte grey tone that no coating copies well.
The bezel carries a tachymeter scale made with Liquidmetal, a platinum-based alloy that Omega presses into the ceramic. The scale sits flush with the bezel surface. On replicas, printed or laser-etched scales sit on top of the material, and you can feel the step with a fingernail.
- Case: 44.25mm grey ceramic on the original, coated steel on most fakes
- Movement: Omega calibre 9300, automatic, coaxial escapement, Si14 balance spring, 60-hour power reserve
- Dial: two sub-dials (small seconds at 9, 12-hour counter with date at 3), 18K white gold hands and indexes
- Crystal: sapphire on both sides of the genuine watch
- Strap: grey leather with a ceramic folding clasp
- Water resistance: 50 meters
How do you spot a fake Grey Side of the Moon?
Check the case material
Ceramic feels cool and light in the hand. Coated steel feels cold at first, then warms up, and it carries more weight than a ceramic watch of the same size. Run a fingernail along the case flank. Ceramic gives a hard, glassy response. Paint or PVD coating can chip at a sharp edge.
Look at the bezel tachymeter
Liquidmetal fills engraved recesses in the ceramic, so the numerals and the bezel surface sit on one plane. Replicas print the scale or laser-etch it, which leaves a ledge you can catch with a nail. On cheap versions the scale fades within a few months of daily wear.
Inspect the dial and hands
The real dial has a deep grey tone with a fine grainy texture, and the applied indexes are white gold with sharp edges. Replica dials often show a flat, purple or brown grey. Check the date window: the genuine aperture has a polished frame and sits inside the 12-hour counter at 3 o'clock.
Turn the watch over
The genuine watch has a sapphire caseback that shows the calibre 9300, its two-level bridge finishing, and the balance wheel under a Si14 spring. Most replicas use a solid back or show a decorated plate that hides a stock chronograph movement. Compare engraving depth and font against reference photos of the real watch.
Weigh the strap and clasp
Omega shipped this reference on a grey leather strap with a ceramic folding clasp and a metal inner frame. Replica clasps feel thin, the folding action is loose, and the branding is stamped rather than engraved.
What do replica Grey Side of the Moon watches get right?
- Overall size and wrist presence at 44mm
- Sub-dial positions and the general dial layout
- Grey color family, at a distance
- Working chronograph on automatic versions
- Sapphire crystal on the better tiers
From a normal conversation distance, a mid-tier or high-tier replica reads as the real thing. Close up, the tells are the ceramic finish, the bezel scale, and the movement behind the caseback.
Which movement do replica versions use?
Most automatic replicas run on a modified Valjoux 7750 layout or a Chinese chronograph movement with an added date module. These keep the sub-dial positions close to the original, but the pusher feel is heavier and the reset is less crisp.
Hand-wound replicas use a Seagull ST19 column wheel movement. It looks more like a classic chronograph inside, though the original is automatic, so a hand-wound movement is itself a tell.
Cheap versions use quartz. The seconds hand ticks instead of sweeping, which anyone can spot across a table.
How much does a fake Grey Side of the Moon cost?
- Budget tier ($50 to $120): quartz or basic automatic, mineral glass, printed bezel scale
- Mid tier ($150 to $300): automatic chronograph, sapphire crystal, coated steel case, better dial print
- High tier ($350 to $800): ceramic or ceramic-coated case, clone chronograph movement, sapphire on both sides, closer strap and clasp
The real ref. 311.93.44.51.99.001 sold for five figures at retail before Omega discontinued it, and used examples trade in a wide range that depends on condition, box, and papers.
What should you check before buying?
- Ask for photos of the caseback and movement, not stock images.
- Ask for a wrist shot and a scale photo to judge weight and size.
- Confirm the movement type: quartz, hand-wound, or automatic.
- Check the return window and the payment method.
- Compare the bezel scale against reference photos of the genuine watch.
Care and maintenance tips
Keep a coated steel case away from abrasive cleaners, which strip the grey finish at corners. Rinse the case with fresh water after contact with sweat or salt water, then dry it with a soft cloth.
Avoid pressing the chronograph pushers underwater. Even on the genuine watch, water resistance is 50 meters, which covers splashes and rain, not swimming.
Service the movement every three to five years if you wear the watch often. Chronograph movements collect dirt in the pusher tubes and start to drag.
FAQ
Is a fake Grey Side of the Moon worth buying?
It depends on what you want. If you like the look and the budget is tight, a high-tier replica gives you the size and the grey ceramic style for a fraction of the cost. If you want the real ceramic case and the calibre 9300, no replica delivers either.
Can a jeweler tell a fake Grey Side of the Moon from the real one?
Yes, and fast. A jeweler checks the caseback, the movement, and the bezel scale. Ceramic against coated steel is obvious once the watch is in hand.
Do replica Grey Side of the Moon watches have a working chronograph?
Automatic and hand-wound replicas do. Quartz replicas often do too, but the pushers feel stiff and the sub-dials may be decorative rather than functional.
How can I tell if the ceramic is real?
Tap the case with a fingernail. Ceramic rings with a hard, high pitch. Coated steel gives a duller sound. A scratch test is more reliable, but no seller will let you try it.
Bottom line
The Grey Side of the Moon is one of the harder Speedmasters to copy because the case material is the whole point. Replicas can match the shape, the dial, and the strap, and high-tier versions get close on color. The ceramic, the Liquidmetal bezel, and the calibre 9300 stay out of reach.