3570.50

Overview

Introduced in 1996 and produced until July 2014, the 3570.50 is the longest-running modern Moonwatch reference — nearly two decades of essentially the same watch. It is the definitive “hesalite Moonwatch” of the modern era: visually almost identical to the Apollo-era watches, mechanically updated, and available in enough quantity to be buyable rather than merely admirable.

The calibre 1861

A direct development of the 861 on the same Lemania base. The stated differences: the 1861's plates and bridges are rhodium-plated (the 861 was gilt/yellow-finished) and it carries 18 jewels versus the 861's 17. Functionally near-identical — same architecture, same manual-wind chronograph, 48-hour reserve, high parts commonality. Nuance: late gilt 861s from 1995–97 already ran 18 jewels, so jewel count alone doesn't identify the movement; the rhodium finish does.

Case

Identical in silhouette to the late 145.0022: 42 mm asymmetrical steel case, lyre lugs, 20 mm lug width, about 14 mm thick, solid screw-down caseback with the Seahorse medallion and the NASA / first-watch-on-the-moon engravings. Pump pushers, small crown, 50 m on paper.

Dial variants — the two-act structure

Tritium era (1996–~1997)

Matte black dials marked T SWISS MADE T, with tritium plots that patinate to cream/yellow. These first-year watches are physically almost indistinguishable from late 3590.50s and could carry either the gilt 18-jewel 861 or the new rhodium 1861 — the tritium-plus-1861 combination is the short-overlap rarity collectors chase. Tritium dials that still glow strongly after light exposure deserve scrutiny — they may be service replacements or relumed.

LumiNova era (~1997 onward)

Dials marked simply SWISS MADE, with white luminous plots that stay white. The 1997 change is corroborated by independent reference sources and collector observation. The Omega logo is printed (flat, not applied) across both eras; indices are applied white batons with lume inserts.

Bezel, hands, crystal

Black aluminium tachymeter bezel, tritium- or LumiNova-filled baton hands matched to the dial era, and the domed hesalite crystal with the etched Omega logo at center. Hesalite scratches polish out with acrylic polish; deep cracks mean replacement, which Omega service centres still supply.

Bracelet

Early 1996–97 tritium examples left the factory on the 1499 with 842 endlinks; later production moved to the 1998 bracelet with 840 endlinks. All 20 mm, solid-link-era steel with a signed folding deployant clasp. Bracelet swaps across the 18-year run are routine — verify stamped numbers.

What to check before buying

• The tritium-vs-service-dial question — the most financially significant trap on early 3570.50s. A tritium-era watch with a LumiNova service dial loses the patina premium. Check dial text (“T SWISS MADE T” vs “SWISS MADE”) against hand color and serial era; be suspicious of bright-white plots on a 1996 watch.
• Relume and redial. Inspect plots under magnification for uneven application and under UV for inconsistent glow.
• Polished cases. The lyre lugs' bevels are the first casualty; prefer honest wear over mirror-soft edges.
• Movement correctness. A 1996–97 watch should have a gilt 18-jewel 861 or a rhodium 1861; a copper-finished 17-jewel 861 inside a 3570.50 is likely a swapped-in older movement.
• Box/papers. Red box, pictogram card, warranty card, hang tag move the price materially; the reference is plentiful enough that waiting for a full set is usually worthwhile.
• Bezel and crystal. Replacement bezels are common and acceptable if disclosed; check the hesalite for the etched logo — its absence suggests a generic replacement.