Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Apollo 8” Replica
The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Apollo 8” by VS Factory represents one of the finest achievements in the super-clone category — a faithful recreation of Omega’s most technically daring chronograph.
This watch pays tribute to the 1968 Apollo 8 mission, the first crewed spacecraft to orbit the Moon, capturing both its engineering brilliance and emotional depth.
Design Overview
The skeletonized dial is the visual centerpiece — revealing the mechanical beauty within while maintaining Omega’s iconic tri-compax layout. Every bridge and gear is finished in matte black with laser-engraved textures that evoke the lunar surface — a detail that mirrors the genuine “Apollo 8” aesthetic.
Yellow accents breathe life into the design: the chronograph seconds hand, subdial rings, and stitching on the black perforated leather strap all nod to Omega’s original racing-inspired heritage. Together, these touches create a perfect balance between space-age innovation and sporting spirit.
The ceramic case has been faithfully recreated using VS Factory’s precision molding and CNC finishing process, giving it the same deep, satin-black sheen as the authentic Omega. It feels solid yet lightweight on the wrist — a hallmark of modern ceramic chronographs.
Movement & Function
At the heart of this piece is the VS Cal. 1869 clone, an impressive manual-winding chronograph movement based on the architecture of Omega’s legendary Cal. 1861. The bridges are decorated with realistic laser textures to replicate the “lunar surface” engraving seen on the original Apollo 8 caseback. The chronograph operates smoothly, with tactile pushers that deliver clean mechanical feedback.
The transparent caseback features the engraved words:
“We’ll see you on the other side” — the message radioed from Apollo 8 astronauts as they passed behind the Moon. It’s a reminder that this isn’t just a watch — it’s a story of exploration, courage, and precision engineering.
Technical Comparison
| Feature | VS Factory Apollo 8 Super Clone | Genuine Omega Apollo 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Case Material | Ceramic (matte black finish) | Ceramic (matte black) |
| Case Size | 44.25 mm | 44.25 mm |
| Dial | Skeletonized with lunar texture | Skeletonized with lunar texture |
| Hands & Accents | Yellow chronograph hands | Yellow chronograph hands |
| Movement | VS Cal. 1869 manual clone | Omega Cal. 1869 manual |
| Crystal | Sapphire, dual AR coating | Sapphire, dual AR coating |
| Strap | Black leather with yellow stitching | Black leather with yellow stitching |
| Water Resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Price | ≈ $620 USD | ≈ $12,000 USD |
