A replica Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional copies the 42 mm case, 20 mm lug width, and tachymeter bezel of the Omega Moonwatch Professional. Genuine watches use the Omega 3861 movement. Replicas use Asian chronograph movements or quartz.
What the Replica Copies
The Moonwatch Professional has a 42 mm steel case. Thickness is 13.2 mm. Lug width is 20 mm. The bezel has a tachymeter scale on an aluminum insert. The dial has three subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. A central chronograph seconds hand. No date window. The crystal is hesalite or sapphire.
Replicas target these dimensions. Good replicas match the 42 mm case and 20 mm lugs. Cheap replicas often use a 40 mm case or 22 mm lugs. Check the case size first.
Movement
Genuine Moonwatch Professional uses the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer 3861. It has 26 jewels. Power reserve is 50 hours. Frequency is 21,600 vibrations per hour. The movement is manually wound. Replicas use three common movements: the Seagull ST19, a Lemania 1873 clone, or a quartz module. The ST19 is manual wind, 21,600 vph, about 40 hours of power reserve. Quartz replicas use a battery. Subdials on quartz models often do not work.
Dial and Crystal
Genuine dials have printed Omega logo and Speedmaster text. The subdials are recessed. The hands are baton style with a luminous fill. Hesalite crystal is acrylic. Sapphire crystal is scratch resistant. Replicas may use mineral glass or cheap sapphire. Check for distortion at an angle. Genuine hesalite has a warm tone. Replicas often look blue or cloudy.
Bracelet and Caseback
The genuine bracelet has 20 mm end links. It uses a push-button clasp. The caseback has a sapphire window. Engravings show 'FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA' and a seahorse medallion. Replica casebacks have shallow engraving or wrong fonts. The movement finishing on a replica is rough. Genuine 3861 has Geneva stripes and blackened screws.
How to Spot Differences
- Case size: 42 mm vs 40 mm or 44 mm.
- Lug width: 20 mm vs 22 mm.
- Subdial function: all three work vs faux subdials.
- Bezel insert: aluminum vs ceramic. Genuine is aluminum.
- Crown logo: crisp vs soft.
- Caseback text: correct spelling and depth.
Price
Genuine Moonwatch Professional prices: hesalite version about $6,650 USD. Sapphire version about $7,150 USD. Replica prices range from $50 to $800 USD. High-end replicas cost $300 to $600 USD. Low-cost replicas use quartz and cost under $100 USD.