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television presenterSpotted May 2023

Television presenter Thierry Ardisson spotted wearing a Omega

television presenter Thierry Ardisson spotted wearing a Omega
Who & what: Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon 'All Black' Ceramic Chronograph 311.92.44.51.01.004 — Thierry Ardisson

French television presenter Thierry Ardisson, the veteran interviewer and provocateur best known for his late-night shows 'Tout le monde en parle' and 'Les Terriens du samedi,' was captured on set sporting one of Omega's most visually uncompromising timepieces: the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon 'All Black,' reference 311.92.44.51.01.004. The all-black colour scheme is a natural extension of Ardisson's signature aesthetic — head-to-toe noir has been his on-screen uniform for decades.

First introduced in the Dark Side of the Moon family in 2013, the 'All Black' variant takes the already bold ceramic Speedmaster concept to its logical extreme. The 44.25mm case, bezel, crown, pushers, and dial are all crafted from black zirconia ceramic — a material prized for its extreme hardness (second only to sapphire among watch-grade ceramics), deep matte finish, and near-total resistance to scratching and fading. The dial features a tachymeter scale on the inner bezel ring, three subdials in a traditional Speedmaster layout, and applied hour markers — all executed in matching anthracite tones that make legibility a deliberate challenge.

Beneath the ceramic case beats the Omega Co-Axial calibre 9300, a manufacture movement featuring a column-wheel chronograph mechanism, silicon balance spring, and co-axial escapement — a significant technical upgrade over the legendary manually-wound calibre 321 and 861 found in vintage Speedmasters. The movement offers approximately 60 hours of power reserve and is visible through a sapphire caseback, itself a rarity on a Speedmaster.

Among collectors, the Dark Side of the Moon series occupies a specific niche: it appeals to those who appreciate the Speedmaster's cultural history — Moon landings, astronaut programme, motorsport — but want a more contemporary, tool-watch-aggressive interpretation. The 'All Black' reference is particularly sought after for its coherence and wearability against dark or formal attire.

On the grey market, well-preserved examples of reference 311.92.44.51.01.004 trade at or slightly above retail, reflecting steady demand and limited availability. For Ardisson, a man who has built an entire public identity around monochromatic elegance, this is less a fashion statement than a logical conclusion.

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