Omega Speedmaster 38: A Moonwatch for Smaller Wrists

The 2026 Omega Speedmaster 38 is a smaller, automatic version of the Speedmaster redesigned to look much more like the classic Moonwatch. Omega released seven new references on August 25, 2026, with a Moonwatch-style dial, the dot-over-90 bezel and a five-link bracelet. Prices start at $6,500 for the black no-date ref. 324.30.38.50.01.002, which is now the most affordable Speedmaster in the range.

The Small Speedmaster People Kept Asking For

For years, Speedmaster fans with smaller wrists had two options. Wear a 42mm Moonwatch that overhangs a little. Or hunt down a used Speedmaster Reduced, the discontinued 39mm automatic that collectors have been quietly snapping up.

The old Speedmaster 38 never really solved that. It was pretty, but it looked like its own thing: oval subdials, fashion-led colours, a softer vibe. It wasn't the Moonwatch, just smaller.

The 2026 Omega Speedmaster 38 changes that. Omega has redrawn it to look like a proper Moonwatch in a 38mm case, and the result is the closest thing to a modern Speedmaster Reduced we've had in years. Here's what changed, which reference to buy, and whether it's actually the right Speedmaster for your wrist.

What Changed in the 2026 Speedmaster 38

Omega released seven new Speedmaster 38 references and retired most of the 2017 generation. The big changes are all about bringing it closer to the Moonwatch:

• A Moonwatch-style dial. The old oval subdials are gone. The layout, handset and indices now closely match the Moonwatch.
• The famous bezel details. The tachymeter scale uses Moonwatch typography, including the "dot over 90" collectors look for.
• A new bracelet. It gets a five-link bracelet modelled on the Moonwatch's, with Omega's Comfort-Fit clasp.
• A no-date option. The black ref. 324.30.38.50.01.002 drops the date entirely, for the cleanest Moonwatch look.
• Sporty details kept. Classic mushroom pushers, 100m water resistance and a screw-down caseback with the Speedmaster seahorse emblem.

Put simply: before, it was a smaller Speedmaster-flavoured watch. Now it's a smaller Speedmaster.

Every 2026 Speedmaster 38 Reference and Price

Here's the new lineup, with US retail prices:

Steel Models

• 324.30.38.50.01.002: black dial, no date, $6,500. The entry point and the most Moonwatch-like of the lot.
• 324.30.38.50.02.003: silvery opaline dial with a warm grey bezel and Sedna Gold-toned subdial hands, $6,700.
• 324.30.38.50.04.001: white dial with a blue bezel, $7,100.

Two-Tone Models

• 324.20.38.50.02.001: steel with 18k Moonshine Gold bezel, crown and pushers, silvery opaline dial and green bezel, $11,700.
• 324.20.38.50.02.002: steel with 18k Sedna Gold, an ivory dial and light brown subdials and bezel. Fans call this "cappuccino" look a latte for the wrist. $11,700.

Gem-Set Models

Two further references add diamonds, including ref. 324.15.38.50.03.001 with a diamond bezel and blue dial. These sit at the top of the range and are aimed more at dressier buyers.

In Europe, the black model costs €6,400, the opaline €6,600 and the white-and-blue €7,000, with the two-tone versions at €11,500.

Speedmaster 38 Specs

• Case: 38mm stainless steel (or steel and gold), about 14.75mm thick
• Lug width: 18mm
• Movement: Omega Co-Axial automatic chronograph, calibre 3332 (no-date) or calibre 3330 (date), COSC-certified chronometer
• Water resistance: 100m
• Bezel: aluminium tachymeter insert with Moonwatch typography
• Bracelet: five-link steel bracelet with Comfort-Fit clasp
• Warranty: 5 years

Speedmaster 38 vs the Moonwatch

This is the comparison most buyers are really making. They look much more alike now, but they're still very different watches underneath.

• Size: 38mm vs 42mm. That 4mm makes a big difference on a 6- to 6.5-inch wrist.
• Movement: the Speedmaster 38 is automatic, so it winds itself as you wear it. The Moonwatch uses the hand-wound calibre 3861, which you wind every day or two.
• Certification: the Moonwatch is a METAS Master Chronometer. The Speedmaster 38 is COSC-certified, which is a high standard but one step below.
• Thickness: both are fairly chunky. The 38's 14.75mm height means it isn't a slim watch, even though it's narrow.
• Heritage: only the Moonwatch is flight-qualified by NASA and carries the full space-history story. (For that story, see the Speedmaster's Moon landing story and why it still sells watches.)
• Price: the black Speedmaster 38 at $6,500 costs less than a steel Moonwatch. Our Speedmaster Moonwatch price guide has the current Moonwatch numbers.

So which is "better"? Neither. If your wrist is under about 6.75 inches, or you want an automatic you can grab and go, the 38 makes more sense. If you want the real NASA watch and don't mind winding it, the Moonwatch is still the Moonwatch.

Is It a Modern Speedmaster Reduced?

Pretty much, yes. The black no-date ref. 324.30.38.50.01.002 is close to a direct successor to the Speedmaster Reduced, with a matte black dial and an aluminium bezel insert.

The Reduced was 39mm and used an older automatic movement with a chronograph module, and it's now a used-market favourite. The new 38 gives you that same "small, automatic, Moonwatch-looking" recipe, but with a modern Co-Axial movement, a sapphire crystal, a 5-year warranty and better finishing.

If you've been hunting a good Reduced, it's worth comparing prices before you commit. A clean Reduced is cheaper, but a brand-new 38 comes without the guesswork of an older watch. If you do go used, read our guide on 3 questions to ask before buying a used Omega Speedmaster first.

How the Speedmaster 38 Wears

A 38mm chronograph sounds small, but the dial layout and bezel give it plenty of presence. On a 6- to 6.75-inch wrist, it sits right where a Moonwatch would feel a bit wide. On larger wrists, it reads as a vintage-sized watch, which is very much in fashion right now.

The one thing to know is the height. At about 14.75mm, it's taller than its width suggests, because automatic chronograph movements are thick. It won't slip under a tight shirt cuff as easily as a dress watch. That said, it's a sports chronograph, and most owners find that perfectly normal.

The new five-link bracelet helps a lot. It tapers nicely, drapes better than the old design, and the Comfort-Fit clasp lets you fine-tune the fit without tools. That's handy on a warm day when your wrist swells a little.

Which Speedmaster 38 Should You Buy?

Buy the black no-date (324.30.38.50.01.002) if you want the closest thing to a small Moonwatch. It's the cheapest, the cleanest and, in our view, the best of the new lineup.

Buy the white-and-blue (324.30.38.50.04.001) if you want something brighter and more summery. The blue bezel gives it a sporty, vintage-racing feel.

Buy the opaline (324.30.38.50.02.003) if you want a softer, dressier steel version with a date.

Buy a two-tone (324.20.38.50.02.001 or .002) if you love gold accents and the "cappuccino" style. Just know you're paying $5,000 more for the precious metal.

Not sure the Speedmaster is your family at all? Our Speedmaster vs Seamaster comparison helps you decide between chronograph and diver. And if you'd rather start with the full range, see the best Omega Speedmaster models right now.

What About the MoonSwatch?

If you're mainly after the Moonwatch look on a smaller budget, the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch is the obvious alternative. It's 42mm, quartz and made of bioceramic, and it costs a fraction of the price. But it's a fun design piece, not a mechanical Omega. Here's our honest take on whether the MoonSwatch has real Omega DNA.

Is the Speedmaster 38 Worth It?

For the right wrist, yes. It finally gives smaller-wristed buyers a Speedmaster that looks like the real thing, with an automatic movement, a 5-year warranty and 100m of water resistance.

The main drawbacks are the height and the price gap to the Moonwatch. At $6,500, you're not saving a huge amount, and you're giving up the Master Chronometer movement and the NASA story. But if a 42mm watch has never felt right on you, that trade is easy to make.

One last tip: buy from an authorised dealer or Omega boutique, especially with a new release. Fakes follow popular models fast, so our guide on how to spot a fake Omega watch is worth a read if you're shopping elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the new Omega Speedmaster 38?

The 2026 Omega Speedmaster 38 starts at $6,500 for the black no-date ref. 324.30.38.50.01.002. Other steel models cost $6,700 and $7,100, and the two-tone Moonshine Gold and Sedna Gold versions cost $11,700.

When was the new Speedmaster 38 released?

Omega released seven new Speedmaster 38 references on August 25, 2026, replacing most of the previous 2017 generation. The new models are part of the permanent collection.

Is the Speedmaster 38 automatic?

Yes. The Speedmaster 38 uses an Omega Co-Axial automatic chronograph movement, the calibre 3332 in the no-date model and the calibre 3330 in date models. Both are COSC-certified chronometers.

Is the Speedmaster 38 a Moonwatch?

No. The Speedmaster 38 is styled like the Moonwatch, but the Moonwatch Professional is a 42mm hand-wound watch with the NASA-qualified heritage and Master Chronometer calibre 3861. The 38 is a smaller automatic alternative.

Is the Speedmaster 38 good for small wrists?

Yes. At 38mm with 18mm lugs, it suits wrists from about 6 to 6.75 inches especially well. Its 14.75mm height means it wears taller than its width, so try it on if you prefer slim watches.

Is the Speedmaster 38 the new Speedmaster Reduced?

The black no-date Speedmaster 38 is the closest modern successor to the discontinued Speedmaster Reduced. It offers a similar small automatic Moonwatch look with a newer Co-Axial movement and a 5-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

The new Speedmaster 38 is the small Speedmaster Omega should have made years ago. It looks like the Moonwatch, winds itself, and finally fits the wrists that a 42mm watch never suited.

If that's you, start with the black no-date. It's the purest, the most affordable, and the one most likely to feel like a Moonwatch every time you look down.