Random Ranting (147) · Gadgets & Tech (14) · Anime & Otaku (11) · Watches & Horology (42) · Movies & TV (6) · Photography (3)


Ads

Latest Posts Recent Comments Comrades


My blog is worth $4,516.32.
How much is your blog worth?


Review: Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33

by Michael de Silva (Bsodmike) and Ryan Rooney (Rrryan), v0.5 10.01.2008

This article is also hosted by Ryan Rooney and can be found here.

X-33 with shuttle in bkgnd
X-33 with contrails from Space Shuttle Atlantis launch in background. Note that the X-33’s Mission Time function has been properly activated. :)
Photo by Rrryan


Photograph courtesy of ausrandoman @ Ω TZ

Believe it or not, the following article was actually written somewhat… accidentally, at least in the sense that its authors never really set out to create a feature of such length and depth. In fact, the X-33 and space watches are not really central to the watch collecting interests of either author. Mike has since moved on to collecting more and more Rolex watches, while Ryan remains primarily focused on vintage Omegas and vintage military watches.

In the beginning it began as a fairly simple and unambitious “first impressions” post and summary of basic features by Mike, to which Ryan just added some images and background. Then through some searches and comments on internet forums we were quickly able to add a lot of information in farily short order with fairly little effort. And then through Mike’s website we made contact with some very unique and knowledgeable sources with detailed information previously all but unknown to the collector community. We simultaneously began to realize that not only would it be rather wasteful and selfish to keep this information to ourselves, but while there was a good deal of information dispersed among the members of the various forums there had really been no effort to centralize information about the X-33 into a "keystone" work (in English, at least) like there has been for so many other prominent models. So we began compiling the various facts and contributions that never seemed to stop coming. Indeed, even as the final draft was being prepared the Military Pilot Program was finally confirmed to still be active and the unlikely presence of a photo of the very rare "America’s Cup" X-33 in the Omega Vintage Database came to light. It required months of work and research, many trans-continenatal email exchanges, numerous fourm threads, and at least one complete rework of the HTML code by Mike after Ryan did a pretty fair job of butchering it with a crummy visual editor. But in the end, while its conception may have been somewhat accidental, we’re rather proud of what we’ve managed to come up with and we hope you enjoy it.

This article makes use of images taken by many members of various watch fora. We have attempted to to contact each contributor when possible for permission to use their images and have given credit whenever possible. If anyone objects to their image being used here, please contact the authors and it will be promptly, if somewhat sadly, removed.

We would like to take the time to thank all the forum contributors and the Omega TZ community especially; your information, insight and great company make this hobby so much more enjoyable! Last but definitely not least, we would like to thank the many forum members who have contributed images, information, suggestions, and inspiration for this article such as Fatpants (Alex), MartynJC(UK), HercDriver(Andy), CR (Craig), Kieron and all the rest. This article would certainly have been quite short and uninteresting without your contributions!

Table of Contents
Overview
      Technical Specifications
      X-33 Functions

      X-33 Pros & Cons
1st Generation X-33
2nd Generation X-33
Bracelet & Straps
X-33 History

      Model Development History
      Military Pilot Program
      X-33 in Space
Movie Appearances
X-33 Facts & Trivia

Common Problems & Complaints
Rogues’ Gallery of X-33 Fakes
Links and Further Reading

An Overview of the X-33

The X-33 was launched in 1998 by Omega and was designed in conjunction with aviators and astronauts alike to meet their exacting demands. It was followed by an improved and updated version in 2001. The original version (ref 3290.50.00) is informally known among enthusiasts as the “1st Generation” and the replacement 3291.50.00 is known as the 2nd Gen; the internals and operation of both models are essentially identical. The crown design was changed to a design with vertical grooves or concentric grip rings for easier operation since the X-33’s crown is pushed/pulled rather than turned. As well, Omega is believed to have strengthened the crown design to address a specific “collapsing crown” vulnerability that affected early 1st generation units.

The X-33 features the in-house developed 9-jewel quartz crystal controlled calibre 1666 movement. This movement was designed especially for the X-33 and has never been used in any other model. Though various brands like Breitling, Bell & Ross and others have used ETA-made multifunction movements similiar to those in the earlier Seamaster Multifunction, the 4-pusher cal.1666 and its unique display layout remain exclusive to the X-33. The 1666 is a non-temperature compensated movement. In a temperature compensated movement, the frequency of oscillation [pulses per second in this case] stays practically the same, at whatever temperature the quartz crystal is subjected to [within limits]. A typical watch crystal tends to operate at 32,768Hz with a frequency period of 30.52uS, however regular watch crystals will deviate from this operational frequency depending on the temperature - this is another reason why atomic clocks, which count the cycles of radiation corresponding to the transition between two energy levels within a caesium-133 atom, are still the most reliable with an uncertainty of less than 0.1nS/day.

Technical Specifications:

To put some of these details into perspective:

(i) One lux is approximately as bright as the lighting from a candle 1 meter away in a dark room. 8 lux would represent 8-times that intensity, i.e. you would be 1/8th of a meter away (0.125m), which in pitch darkness is VERY bright, easily comparable to the lux-output of a mobile phone considering that most mobile phone LCDs output around 5 lux+.

(ii) dB is the abbreviation for “decibel”. One decibel is one tenth of a Bel, named for Alexander Graham Bell. The measurement quoted in dB describes the ratio (10 log power difference, 20 log voltage difference, etc.) between the quantity of two levels, the level being measured and a reference. To put 80dB SPL into perspective, it is about as loud as a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner or 100 times as loud as a normal conversation (60dB). To understand sound properties and perception, further reading is advised.

(iii) To some the stated water resistance rating might seem somewhat basic but is more than sufficient for light water exposure and everyday activities like dishwashing. More on water resistance below

(iv) Shock ratings are often misinterpreted and over-represented. Do not let the 3,500 g rating mislead you into thinking that the watch can withstand a 3500 times gravity impact or a drop from the upper reaches of the stratosphere. In short, while the X-33 is entirely rugged its shock resistance rating is actually less than the 5,000 g of the mechanical Speedmaster Professional, as is true for most Quartz/LCD watches. In any case, a 100g watch of either mechanical or digital design dropped from a height of 1m will likely experience shock-related damage on impact if we consider a very hard surface like granite or marble floor. For a much more through examination of the g forces involved at impact on a hard surface, see Mike’s detailed explanation.

Basic Functions:

Special Functions designed for NASA Mission Requirements:

The Manual & Packing

Compared to the usual packing one would find an Omega watch inside – the ubiquitous red ‘pleather’ box – the X-33 surpasses in all departments when one considers the NASA ’spacesuit material’ box the X-33 ships in. The watch is also accompanied by a detailed manual, which has been graciously scanned and uploaded to Chuck Maddox’s website for your viewing pleasure. Now certainly the packaging has little to do with the quality and functionality of the watch itself, but the distinctiveness of the packaging certainly makes for a pleasant "out of box experience" one would expect when buying a high-quality watch.


Photograph courtesy of Kieron @ Omega TZ

 

The 1st Generation X-33 (Gen1, ref 3290.50.00)

Dial


Gen 1 X-33. Note the polished pushers, polished bezel with red marker at :00, and traditional knurled crown design.

Photograph courtesy of Fatpants (Alex) @ Omega TZ

Note the polished steel bezel and pushers, conventional knurled crown design, and red bezel marker instead of a luminous bezel pearl.

 

Caseback


Gen 1 Caseback. Note the absence of “Flight Qualified” engraving. The serial number is also shown on the back of the seven o’clock lug as with most modern Omega models.
Photograph courtesy of Fatpants (Alex) @ Omega TZ

The 2nd Generation X-33 (Gen2, ref 3291.50.00)

Dial


Note the new crown design, satin-finish brushed pushers and bi-directional (it’s not a dive watch, after all) bezel with luminous bezel pearl.
Photograph by Rrryan

Caseback


Gen 2 Caseback - Note the addition of the “Flight Qualified by NASA for Space Missions” engraving.
Photograph courtesy of MartynJC(UK)


Photograph courtesy of MartynJC(UK)

Note how Martyn’s excellent time exposure photo shows the individual “ticks” of the second hand as well as how the X-33’s “jumping” minute hand jumps in discrete half-minute increments. While fake X-33’s are uncommon this is an easy way to spot them as the fakes typically don’t bother to mimic this unusual and difficult-to-replicate feature. The hour hand is continuous.

Backlight


Note: the backlight is somewhat difficult to photograph and the color balance is often distorted. In person the backlight color is more of a blue-green than blue.

Photograph courtesy of Ron Engels @ WUS

Lume Performance


Note how the lumed portions of the hour and minute hands are of similar shape and length, which can make legibility a problem in low-light situations. Regardless, the Superluminova luminous material is satisfyingly bright and visible.
Photograph courtesy of MartynJC(UK)

Inside the Case


Caseback, dustcover, and battery removed.
Photograph courtesy of Frank_be & Chuck Maddox


Movement partially extracted from the case for better viewing - note the basic decoration, seldom seen on quartz movements.
Photograph courtesy of Frank_be & Chuck Maddox

X-33 Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cons:

Neutral:

Water Resistance

A common criticism of the X-33 is that it has a water resistance rating of a "mere" 30m, but it can be somewhat misguided to criticise an astronaut’s watch for its failings as a diver’s watch. It’s important to keep the intended applications in mind.

While it may be wise to avoid unnecessary water contact with the X-33 and to never use the pushers or pull out the crown under water, the relatively limited 30m water resistance rating was only predicated on testing showing that the pressure at greater depths risked deforming the hollow double caseback required amplify the alarm. When it comes to alarm volume and water resistance in a watch, apparently we cannot have our cake and eat it too.

Previously, data provided by Marco Richon of the Omega Museum indicated a more robust 50m WR rating. It is not clear if this is a mistake/oversight or if Omega may have later understated/downgraded the WR when concerns like caseback deformation risk emerged. Sources who contacted the authors of this article with firsthand knowledge of model development told us that the watch itself without the hollow caseback had even been successfully tested to a respectable 100m.

In short, while Omega makes many other watches that are much better suited to swimming and diving, the water resistance of the X-33 is more than suitable for its intended flight applications, for most any everyday task, and light water exposure. Owners have even reported swimming and snorkeling with no ill effects, but individuals’ tolerance for risk may vary. In any case, as one US Coast Guard pilot once related, if an aviator has driven his plane into the drink and suddenly finds himself swimming, he has many graver and more pressing concerns than his wristwatch. ;)

Bracelet and Straps


Photograph courtesy of Fatpants (Alex) @ Ω TZ


Omega Red Kevlar strap
Photograph courtesy of HercDriver @ Ω TZ


Black Omega Kevlar strap
Photograph courtesy of John Wilson (JW) @ Ω TZ

 

Potential Strap Options


X-33 on Omega SMP rubber
Photograph courtesy of Fatpants (Alex) @ Ω TZ

X-33 on aftermarket black kevlar
Photograph courtesy of ancaru30 @ Ω TZ

X-33 Model Development

The watch was conceived and shepherded through development largely by General Tom Stafford, the former NASA Apollo X astronaut who sat on Omega’s corporate board at the time.* It was intended as a necessary supplement and update to the original Speedmaster Professional, which had been arguably outpaced by the potential of emerging quartz and digital technologies and was inadequate to address current NASA mission needs. However, the X-33 was specifically not intended to wholly replace the Speedy Pro in EVA “spacewalk” roles. In addition to by nature being more resistant to shocks (5,000 g’s as opposed to 3,500) the mechanical movement of the original Speedmaster is much better suited to the austerity of space for a variety of reasons. Among others, at extremely low temperatures battery chemistry and LCD (liquid crystal) displays can be detrimentally affected and/or permanently damaged by the effects of freezing, to say nothing of the effects of extreme temperatures on the accuracy of a quartz oscillator.

* General Stafford’s Speedmaster Professional [NASA s/n# 027] from the Apollo X mission is also on display in the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC, USA.

The X-33’s multifunction analogue/digital design was by no means a wholly new concept to Omega. They already had a very suitable basis for the X-33’s multifunction design and had long been making watches with a similar capability, though with a simpler interface and without the sophisticated mission-specific functions of the X-33. They had been making the Seamaster Multifunction since 1986:


First-Generation Seamaster Multifunction, ~1986.
Photograph courtesy Omega Museum.


Second-Generation Seamaster Multifunction 120

Photo courtesy of jmsrolls @ Ω TZ

The name “X-33” was originally chosen as the internal project codename for development and then retained as the commercial model name. The moniker was borrowed from the since-cancelled NASA X-33 program. The NASA X-33 program was unfortunately by various accounts somewhat poorly conceived from inception, plagued by excesses of wishful thinking and poor engineering. The program would have ostensibly demonstrated the viability of a Single Stage To Orbit Reusable Launch Vehicle (SSTO RLV) intended to eventually replace the aging space shuttle fleet and make launches cheaper and more frequent. Collaboratively developed in conjunction with aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin’s famous Skunk Works, the X-33 was intended to be commercially owned and operated with NASA as one of many customers. And though NASA’s X-33 was never intended to be capable of interplanetary flight, perhaps because of the watch’s inclusion in the movie “Mission to Mars,” the watch was marketed by Omega as the "Mars Watch" for a brief period for some inscrutable reason. In March 2001 NASA decided not to renew funding for the X-33 program after having invested $912M in the project before cancellation, with a further $357M invested by Lockheed Martin.

 

X-33 Orbiter - Artist's Conception

At points early in development the new model was named “Flightmaster” after the earlier 1970s Omega chronographs designed especially for pilots. And after all, the name made plenty of sense for the new watch that was to be designed by pilots for pilots. Shown below is one of these early “Flightmaster X-33” prototypes from approximately 1996. This particular example was sold in Antiquorum’s “Omegamania” thematic auction (Lot # 271) in April 2007 for 16,520.- CHF (about US$13,600):

X-33 "Flightmaster"
Early “Flightmaster X-33″ Prototype.

Photograph courtesy of Antiquorum “Omegamania”

Note the “feathered” hands designed to prevent the obscuring the digital LCD readout, the (titanium?) “Bond”-style bracelet, and Seamaster Professional Chronograph-esque case and pushers. One field tester related to the authors that this hand design was well-liked by pilots, but Omega eventually chose the arrow design seen on later prototypes. Also notice the “T SWISS MADE T” marking at the bottom of the dial which would indicate the use of tritium luminous material. This would have been very unusual for the period since the industry-wide transition to Luminova strontium-based and similar non-radioisotope luminous materials was largely complete by this point. However, tritium is/was still used in certain specialized industrial and military applications for its superior “self-charging” performance during extended periods of darkness. Tritium might arguably have been a better choice aboard spacecraft when the wearer might not see much sunlight for extended periods, but the final version was offered only with Superluminova. Also notice the comma-separated instead of colon-separated LCD readout. Like the original Speedmaster Professional, the original X-33 design did not have a rotating bezel; early in the design phase this was deemed a feature more appropriate for analog divers’ watches that was redundant on a sophisticated, high-tech pilot/astronaut watch already equipped with digital chronograph and countdown timer.

And though the Flightmaster name might seem a little out of place for a watch intended for use in space, it was not without precedent – Soviet Cosmonaut Aleksey Leonev had worn a Flightmaster during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP):

Cosmonaut with X-33
Cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonev practices with a training mock-up of the ASTP commemorative medal during Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). His distinctive Omega Flightmaster is clearly visible in the foreground.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

Throughout development Omega made extensive use of NASA and military pilot feedback to refine and improve the design, even going so far as to send prototypes to the field for real-world testing in their intended application and environment. The design team could then consider feedback and implement suggestions from actual pilots and astronauts who wore the early versions. Sources with first-hand experience of the design testing related to the authors of this article that there were no distinct “generation” iterations despite the depictions of such in various collector books and articles. Instead changes and improvements were fielded for testing on a semi-continuously as they were implemented, in some cases with hardware and software updates completed within weeks and sent back immediately to the field for further evaluation. The suggestions and requests from field testers included an improved and larger digital display with greater contrast for better legibility, improved analog hands that did not obscure the digital display but were easily readable at night, and larger and improved pushers to facilitate operation while wearing gloves.


Image from a Japanese collector’s book, published by Chuck Maddox in his Flightmaster Article
Photograph courtesy of Chuck Maddox

The pilot pictured in the cockpit of the aircraft above wearing his X-33 Flightmaster prototype inadvertently went all-out in his attempts to subject Omega’s new design to realistic conditions - he actually crash-tested the design while piloting the MIG shown belly-up in the above right corner of the above image. The aircraft crashed on final approach for landing following a post-maintenance check-flight. Since he was outside the envelope of parameters for safe operation of the plane’s ejection seat, the pilot was left with no option but to hold on tight and ride out the crash. Amazingly the pilot survived, but not without suffering serious injuries including a broken back. But though scratched and dinged following the scratch, his X-33 prototype still functioned perfectly and all functions still performed as designed. This example now resides in the Omega Museum in Bienne, Switzerland. His account is detailed in this TZ Classics Post.

Several more prototypes are pictured below in images hosted by Chuck Maddox in his Flightmaster Article showing the evolution of the model:


Image from a Japanese collector’s book.
Photograph courtesy of Chuck Maddox @ Omega TZ

It’s not clear if this Seamaster Professional Chronograph-style case and bezel were originally intended to be used or were simply borrowed during development for off-the-shelf expediency until the X-33’s case and bezel designs were finalized. In any case as the design evolved the small, round Seamaster-style pushers shown above were dropped in favor of large, flat pushers, a feature intended to allow easy operation with gloved hands in flight. The X-33’s Seamaster Multifunction ancestry is also evident here, especially with the contrasting light-on-dark LCD display. I have to admit I prefer this style of LCD display and wish it had been retained, though perhaps it didn’t provide the high contrast requested by field testers.

Shown here is another prototype from 1997 that was sold in the same Antiquorum “Omegamania” auction for 18,880.- CHF (~US$15,560, Lot # 225). Apparently the decision had been reached by this point to proceed with “Speedmaster Professional X-33” as the model name. Note the “X-33” printing at the bottom of the dial and large arrowhead on the hour hand. In the final production version the “X-33” printing was of course omitted from the dial:

Early “Speedmaster Professional X-33″ Prototype.
Photograph courtesy of Antiquorum “Omegamania”


Image from a Japanese collector’s book.

Photograph courtesy of Chuck Maddox @ Omega TZ

Above is another prototype design. Note the spade-shaped hands in this early example; this was apparently an early design attempt to balance competing demands of LCD visibility and low-light readability of the analogue hands. The "compass-bearing" bezel is amusing; apparently this was an attempt to use a bezel that provided a function not already made redundant by the sophisticated microprocessor functions of the quartz movement. Unless this bezel design had some astronomical application of which the authors are unaware, it was likely intended to be used with the old military trick of “point the hour hand at the sun - halfway between the hour hand and twelve o’clock is south.” This technique of course is of negligible utility on land (if you can see the sun, a watch isn’t very necessary for telling direction) and is very nearly entirely irrelevant on a rapidly moving/turning aircraft. This bezel design was thankfully discarded in favor of the unidirectional 60-minute bezel in the production version to provide even more short-term timing capability that was rapidly accessible (updated to bi-directional with luminous marker on Gen 2 models). What appear to be early versions of the glove-friendly flat pushers are visible here as well.

Pilots weren’t the only ones to have input on the X-33 - as the design was nearing its final form and before full production began, Omega began supplying prototypes for use aboard the Russian Mir space station for further evaluation:


X-33 prototypes worn aboard Mir by Russian Cosmonauts displayed in the Omega Museum in Bienne, Switzerland.

Photo by Jean-Michel. Please see his excellent website at SPEEDMASTER-MISSION.NET for even more photos and info.

 

Military Pilot Program

With its extensive military and professional input in the design phase, it seems only natural that the watch became a favorite of many military aviators, especially among fighter pilots. In response to that demand Omega makes the watches available to military aviators and aircrew at a substantial dsicount under the Military Pilot Program. In 2006 under the program the cost was approximately US$650 on kevlar strap or $800 on Ti bracelet, with the kevlar strap available separately for an additional $50. There was a minimum order quantity of 10 if an existing caseback design would be used or 15 for creation of a new custom design. The watches can also be personalized with individual names, callsigns etc. for an additional $20. In exchange for the custom design and substantial discount (roughly 75% off MSRP at the time!) military purchasers under the program are required to agree not to re-sell the watch for at least 5 years, though they still pop up on the secondary market now and then anyway. They were still delivered in the same spacesuit material retail boxes.

The caseback engraving can be custom-made to the ordering unit’s specification, as shown in this X-33 owned by TZer HercDriver, a US Coast Guard C-130 pilot:


Photograph courtesy of HercDriver @ Omega TZ

Aviator’s wings are a common choice like shown here, as were aircraft logos (especially F-15E) as well as unit/squadron “zap” logos:

X-33 with F-15E caseback
Gen 1 Military X-33 with custom F-15E caseback design, among the more common military desings seen on the net.
Photo courtesy Plonky @ MWR

X-33 with F-15E caseback
Gen 1 Military X-33 with custom unit insignia design, from the US Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27, Royal Maces)
Photo from internet seller

X-33 with F-15E caseback
VFA-27 Unit Insignia
Photo courtesy usscoralsea.net

Names or callsigns can also be added upon request for a modest charge. The US Navy’s “Blue Angels” demonstration team is also known to have had personalized versions for at least two seasons, and the US Air Force “Thunderbirds” demonstration team is known to have purchased some as well.

In what is perhaps one of the X-33’s greatest accolades, these watches are “self-selected” and purchased privately by pilots and aircrew themselves out of their own pay - not government funding. They buy the watches because they like them well enough to pay for them and regard them as "real" pilots’ watches, not because of any elaborate marketing ad copy or because they’re issued to them for free. Omega mostly chose not to publicize or market this aspect to the public to preserve the X-33’s image as a “space” watch and distinguish it from the plethora of watches already marketed as “pilot watches” by dozens of manufacturers. In 2004 these military versions of the X-33 were assigned their own special ref. of 3291.52 on bracelet and 3991.52 on Kevlar strap. It is not known if there are any distinctive markings (aside from the obvious difference of the caseback engraving) inside our outside the watch that would otherwise distinguish a military variant from a regular production model.

As of September 2007, it has been confirmed through SGUSA that the program remains active, for now at least…

X-33 in Space

The X-33 is used by NASA and many space agencies for in-flight mission requirements. It is issued as one of four watch models approved by NASA for mission use. The others are the original Omega Speedmaster Professional, a Casio G-shock, and a Timex Datalink. The original mechanical Speedmaster Professional remains the only watch authorized for use during EVA "spacewalks." The X-33 is most often seen worn on the black kevlar strap, though the titanium bracelet appears sometimes as well. Rarely it can also bee seen worn on a one-piece white velcro strap similar to (or the same as?) that used to fit around the spacesuit. The watch is issued to NASA astronauts and is often worn on the ground as well to build familiarity with the interface and operation of the watch, much like the astronauts of the Apollo program in the 1960’s and ’70s wore their NASA-issued Speedmaster Professionals on the ground.

Since its adoption the X-33 appears frequently in NASA photos. Here are just a few:


Mission Specialist John Herrington wearing two X-33s aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour during STS-113, Nov. - Dec. 2002.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

Notice that Herrington wears two X-33’s, presumably for tracking multiple experiments or to provide multiple alarm capability. Perhaps he is wearing one on the bracelet and one on the kevlar strap to aid in distinguishing between the two. From examining NASA photos, the wearing of two watches and often two X-33s seems to be a common practice among crewmembers.

More uncommonly the X-33 can be seen worn on one of the one-piece velcro straps designed to fit around the cuff of a spacesuit or lauch/re-entry suit:

X-33 on NASA white velcro
Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz 5 commander Sergei Zalyotin checks an experiment aboard the ISS, wearing his X-33 on what appears to be a white velcro strap. (broken springbar?)

Since the X-33 is not a good choice for any EVA maneuver, the white spacesuit strap is somewhat mismatched with the X-33. Perhaps the white strap is simply a field-expedient replacement for a failed strap or bracelet as Zalyotin’s watch appears it may only be secured by the lower lugs, possibly indicating a previous springbar failure on the OEM Omega strap.


STS-107 crewmembers strike a ‘flying’ pose for their traditional in-flight crew portrait aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Rick D. Husband, mission commander, is pictured in the center foreground wearing his X-33. On February 1, 2003, the seven crewmembers were lost with the Space Shuttle Columbia over North Texas. This picture was on a roll of unprocessed film later recovered by searchers from the debris on the ground. Godspeed, Columbia.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.


NASA Astronauts and Russian Cosmonauts aboard the ISS.

Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.


On the ground in Kazakhstan following Soyuz mission to ISS, April 2007.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.


Close-up from the above of NASA Astronaut and mission commander Michael Eladio “LA” Lopez-Alegria’s X-33.

Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.


Crew of STS-115 on the ground with many X-33’s visible.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.


Close-up from the above of NASA Astronaut Dan Burbank’s X-33 along with heart monitor.

Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

X-33 Cancellation

In the summer of 2006 Omega announced that the Speedmaster Professional X-33 would be discontinued for regular retail sale, but shortly thereafter it was determined that the X-33 would still remain available to space agencies like NASA and to military aviators under under the Military Pilot Program.

While Omega never provided any definitive reasons for the cancellation, there was much speculation (as always!) among enthusiasts and collectors. Its namesake NASA X-33 program had already been cancelled in awkward embarassment years previously, and unfortunately for Omega it was probably getting increasingly hard to maintain credibility selling a watch bearing the same tainted name. Moreover, despite its aviation and space pedigrees the X-33 was sadly never a blockbuster seller in the retail market, with pricing being perhaps among the biggest reasons. At its price point (MSRP about US$3400) it was relatively expensive for a sport/tool watch when similarly featured models from the competitors like the Casio G-Shock could be had at a fraction of the price. And though technically superior and well-matched to its intended flight/space applications, quartz technology can be a hard to sell at those prices. Though very functional it lacks the prestige and nostalgic tradition of a mechanical movement, something consumers who would spend such a sum on watches still seem to want in a "luxury" watch.

The lack of enthusiasm was not confined to the regular retail consumer but was also shared by many watch enthusiasts, despite its more recent resurgence of popularity among enthusiasts of late now that its unavailability affords it a relative degree of exclusivity. During its production lifespan many enthusiasts were unimpressed by the quartz-controlled movement and dull LCD-grey dial, and some Speedmaster afficionados even objected vehemently to the inclusion of "Proffesional" on the dial of a quartz watch. In the eyes of some collectors the X-33 was regarded as a drastically overpriced novelty driven by what was still "just" a bohemian quartz movement, especially after questions about accuracy shortcomings arose.

While titanium’s lightweight and anticorrosive properties make it a nearly ideal material for wristwatches, it is expensive to refine and notoriously difficult to machine and work with. Even though titanium is among the most abundant elements in the Eath’s crust these difficulties mean that fnished titanium products are often considerably more expensive than those made of more traditional alloys. The matte oxide finsih makes titanium very suitable for a flight watch where glare and reflections can be a distraction or impedimnet, it also means the wathc lacks the flashy "shininess" of jewelry metals and the reassuring heft of steel or gold, something many consumers unfortunately seem to want in a watch they are about to spend thousands of dollars on. And when a Casio G-shock with similar capabilities can be had for a fraction of the price, it can become difficult to justify the expense to the average consumer.

Finally, perhaps the X-33 does not fit well within what seems to be Omega’s new "up-marketing" strategy. Despite the long tradition of Omegas in space, Omega’s recent up-branding efforts like the development of the new in-house/"in-town" calibers with their exclusive co-axial escapements seem to diverge with what is "just" a quartz watch.

There was also darker specualtion that the model was dicontinued under the sepctre of rampant quality and longevity shortcomings and alleged NASA complaints about durability. While these rumors have not been confirmed or denied, the multitude of problem-free X-33s in onwer hands and indisputable evidence of continued and ongoing NASA usage seem to discredit such speculation.

At present no new stocks of X-33s are being shipped to regular retail distrubution channels. Occasionally, an Authorized Dealer may still have old remaining unsold stock available but this is growing increasingly rare. If they can be found, Omega has stated that any new watches purchased from ADs will still be covered by the full 2-year international warranty even though the model has been discontinued.

It’s hard to say what may come next, and collector speculation runs to both extremes. Omega has claimed in the ad copy for the 50th Anniversary Speedmaster Professional that they are "currently designing a Speedmaster to meet the demands of the next generation of astronauts" but as yet have not expounded upon what the replacement might be like. Like so many other consumer electronics, potential is becoming largely limited by battery technologies. Collectors have long speculated that the battery life on the X-33 is insufficient for use on extended duration missions like those aboard the ISS, and at least one X-33 is rumored to have suffered a battery failure during a mission.

But what might Omega replace the X-33 with? "Kinematic"-type hybrid designs like those used in the earlier Omegamatic might be one answer, but they used capacitors to store the current that needed replacing nearly as often as batteries. Solar technology might be another answer, but would an astronaut’s wrist be exposed to enough bright light aboard a spacecraft to keep a battery powered over a long term? As such, the major competing theories are that any subsequent model will either be a) a surrender to the technical challenges and closely based on the X-33, b)a solar-powered design of some sort, or c) some completely new technological leap forward (for Omega at least). Or perhaps it could even be a partial return to the tried-and true mechanical Speedmaster Professiona roots, centering around Omega’s new family of co-axial mechanical chronograph movements. If nothing else, it would solve the power problem nicely so long as astronauts raised on a lifetime of quartz watches can remember to wind them!

But regardless, the argument among collectors once again will remian: will the X-33 replacement deserve Speedmaster Professional pedigree without a Lemania basis?"

X-33 Movie Appearances

The Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 had a famously uncredited (and unpaid!) cameo role in the movie “Minority Report” starring Tom Cruise. Several important plot points hang on countdown timing from the main character’s wristwatch and apparently the producers wanted a futuristic-looking watch for the role. The existing Gen 1 X-33 was of course a very logical basis with its already very modern-looking appearance that could be even further enhanced with CGI special effects. However, for reasons that are not well established the producers had the watch modified to appear as if it were a Bulgari product. It’s not clear if Bulgari simply won a product placement deal in which Omega may never have been considered. It’s not clear Omega was simply never consulted about the modification, or if they were but simply would not agree to CGI modifications, perhaps preferring to publicize an actual production model rather than a watch consumers could not buy. In any case Bulgari seems to have been quite willing to go along with the deal so in the final production “Bulgari” was CGI-printed on the dial. It was later rumored that Omega/Swatch had sued the studio over the transgression. While an outcome was never publicized the matter was likely quietly settled behind closed doors.

Here we can see Minority Report’s “Bulgari X-33”. It’s very clearly an Omega X-33 yet "BVLGARI" features prominently on the dial:

At other points in “Minority Report” CGI effects were not applied and the watch can be seen in its original and unmodified state. It is very plainly an Omega X-33:

And here there is just no arguing that it’s an Omega X-33:

Minority Report X-33

In addition to the X-33’s appearnce in "Minority Report", prior to the cancellation of the NASA X-33 vehicle program Omega had marketed the X-33 as the “Mars Watch” for an expected eventual mission to Mars. It was thus a logical choice for astronaut wear and featured prominently in the movie “Mission to Mars” as well.

 

Other Assorted X-33 Facts and Trivia

X-33 Problems & Complaints

There have been several problems reported with the X-33 which were largely confined to the early years of production. As is the nature of many internet information outlets, it could be that part of the reason for the seeming frequency of reports within the forums might be that users with problems are more inclined to seek out forums and discuss them as opposed to users who experience no problems. Indeed, the reports may represent a small but vocal percentage of total production. However, there were a few specific problems with enough frequency and commonality to deserve discussion. Regrettably, Omega didn’t handle these issues as graciously as some would have hoped. They never publicly acknowledged the faults or provided explanations, though since they seem to have been corrected in later designs it would seem that they were likely aware of them. And sadly the disappointment and frustration among fans is not unlike that later expressed by some regarding durability failures early in the production of the Speedmaster Broadarrow models.

As recently as a few years ago Omega would reportedly still repair the “collapsing crown” fault free of charge, even if outside the warranty period or if warranty documentation could not be provided. At the time of publication it’s not clear if this policy is still in effect. Most of these issues had ostensibly been addressed by introduction of the 2nd Gen. model, following which the frequency of problem reports in internet forums dropped dramatically. Occurrence of these problems with Gen. 2 models is rare, and of late has even become rare among existing Gen. 1 X-33s. Many interpret this to mean that ghosts of early problems are no longer following the model and collectors shouldn’t fear, but pessimists will claim that it’s simply a matter of waiting for the shoe to drop with Gen 1 X-33s.

At one point there seemed to be a rash of complaints from military users in particular, which unfortunately seriously damaged the watch’s reputation in the eyes of some. Perhaps this was because the custom-made military models may have been assembled in relatively small batches, which can challenge efforts of standardization and quality control. As well, military aviators may also be among those who demand the most from a watch, subjecting it to the hardest use and worst abuse. In any case, problem reports among the military population have since declined and the X-33 remains a popular choice.

“Collapsing Crown”
At one time this was the most commonly reported fault, in which the crown would become mushy and “collapse” into the case, failing to actuate the module when pressed. This is a critical failure because the watch’s functions cannot be used. Reports of this problem with Gen 2 X-33s are uncommon.

“Popping Pushers”
Just like it sounds - pushers would separate from the case. Less common.

Crown Coming Out
Again, just like it sounds. This was high among the complaints of some of the military pilots, especially as foreign objects floating about the cockpit can be hazardous during flight maneuvers. There were unconfirmed rumors of an astronaut experiencing this fault aboard the ISS during a mission.

Kevlar Strap Durability/Comfort Complaints
Despite the mystique of its “bulletproof” reputation and high strength-to-weight ratio (roughly 5 times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis), Kevlar can be a temperamental fiber to work with and is not without some vulnerabilities. It is susceptible to breakdown from ultraviolet light exposure and long-term water exposure or repeated washings if the design of the finished product does not “seal” the Kevlar fibers well through lamination or other means. Early double-ridged versions of the Omega Kevlar straps had many complaints about durability and fraying/unraveling as well as complaints of stiffness and discomfort. Newer flat versions of the Kevlar straps were introduced that seem to have addressed these vulnerabilities as complaints are rare now.

Accuracy Complaints
At its release the X-33’s stated precision was an astonishing (if perhaps somewhat optimistic for a non-thermocompensated movement) +/-0.1 sec/day. However, many owners did not observe such accuracy and some even pursued repeated maintenance under warranty attempting to bring it into spec, with varying degress of success. The advertised spec was subsequently downgraded in short order to +/- 0.3 - 0.5 sec/day, and then shortly thereafter no accuracy specification at all was stated. While in general the X-33 can be expected to have very reasonable accuracy since it is after all a quartz oscillator-controlled watch and inherently acurate, it’s not quite the dead-on forever accuracy that might have been hoped for and that early ad copy hinted at. However, as with many quartz watches accuracy can be more consistent if the watch is constantly worn, keeping the temperature as stable as possible.

Hands Don’t Line Up With Markers
In some cases, the second and/or minute hand may not strike perfectly on the index markers at the edge of the dial, either completely or partially around the dial. Sadly, this shortcoming is not limited to the X-33 and is not an uncommon complaint with other Omega quartz models. In some cases a watchmaker can correct/improve the problem by removing and re-setting the hands if the error is a consistent offset all the way about the dial. It’s important to note that the problem is not common to every X-33, and in some cases users have noted that the problem seems to vary across battery life. Note: in some cases this is a problem of parallax owing to the viewing angle, and might be improved simply by looking at the watch straight-on. Timekeeping is unaffected.

 

These next few are often reported but are not quite problems owing to shortcomings in the design or manufacture of
the watch, but improper usage or maintenance:

Whining Backlight
Some users complain of a high-pitched whining noise when the backlight is activated. This barely audible, high-pitched sound is an artifact of the on-board transformer that coverts the low-voltage DC current from the battery to the high-voltage, low current AC supply required for the EL (Electro-Luminescent) backlight. This can be in the range of 100-200vac though at very, very low current. This “whine” is common to all EL displays, not just watches and not just Omegas, and is not the result of any design flaw or hardware fault. Occurrence of this complaint seems to vary by watch and user (how good is your hearing…?) as well as with battery life.

Second Hand Skipping in 5-second
Intervals
This is not a problem but a design feature that is clearly described in the owner’s manual,
yet misreported as a problem with surprising frequency.
This is the battery EOL (End of Life) indicator, which serves as a warning to the user that the
battery voltage is weak and the cell should be replaced soon. This problem can also present and/or persist even right after a battery change. This can be an indication that the battery was not installed properly, or that the replacement cell used was old or of inferior quality. Proper replacement with a fresh, quality brand-name cell can often fix the problem.

Backlight and/or Alarm Inoperable,
Sometimes Following Battery
Replacement
A possible cause of this problem is
that the battery is beginning to get low on power but the EOL indicator has not
yet triggered. The alarm and backlight are the two most
power-hungry functions of the watch and can begin to function
weakly or not at all as the end of the battery life nears, even if
the rest of the watch’s functionality seems unaffected.
The obvious solution of course is to replace the battery. Like above, this problem can also present following battery replacement if an old or low-quality replacement cell is used. The solution may be as simple as replacing the battery (again, if necessary).

There are also other possible causes. Examine this photo of the
battery and movement:


Note the low-quality Chinese replacement cell. Zaphod had to replace this battery within a few weeks after making this tutorial!
X-33 Movement and Battery. Image: Zaphod @ WUS

Notice the three gold-tone electrical connections (look
carefully, one is along the outer circumference of the battery).
These leaf-spring connectors and their electrical connections , and all need to make a positive connection for the watch to function properly. They are
relatively fragile and can be susceptible to to weakening over
time, leading to a loose electrical connection. They are also
vulnerable to damage in inexperienced hands during battery
replacement, especially if the dust cover or caseback is not
correctly re-installed. In some cases the connections can be
repaired in capable and experienced hands. In others a complete
replacement of the circuit board may be necessary (even in
knowledgeable hands). For this reason it is strongly recommended that you take your
X-33 to a qualified watchmaker/repair facility that is specifically familiar with the X-33 in particular, or only proceed with replacing the
battery yourself if you’re equipped with the proper tools and confident in your hands and your watchmaking and
electrical skills.

Rogues’ Gallery of X-33 Fakes

*Special thanks to frank_be for the images in this section - nearly all of them were previously featured in an excellent post by Frank on WUS.

While there are some fake X-33s out there they are fairly uncommon, and fortunately for collectors most of them are easy to spot with just a bare minimum of knowledge. The multifunction analog/digital movement is uncommon enough that it’s more difficult to fake using off-the-shelf ebauches, and combined with the relatively low market demand for the X-33 when it was still in production there is little profit or incentive for the fakers. Most fakes have multiple faults or errors that are immediately obvious with even a cursory inspection as shown below.

Some tips for determining if a given example is a fake:

This is among the better fakes but has too-prominent pushers and crown as well as an incorrectly positioned and formatted LCD readout. This is thankfully one of very few that might make it past a quick glance undiscovered.
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

 


Reverse of the above showing incorrect caseback design and incorrect engraving similar to that of the original Speedmaster Professional. The X-33 of course was not “The First Watch Worn on the Moon,” having been released some three decades after the fact!
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

 

Though the red logo is amusing and this time it’s on a rubber strap, the dial and LCD readout are even more incorrect.
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

 


Not even close - polished case and lugs, black LCD and bezel insert, incorrect "Broadarrow"-style hands, red logo, etc.
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

 

Another incorrect black LCD display, this time with bracelet. They even thoughtfully included extra fake links!
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

 

Links and Further Reading

 

 

 

 

 

 



Copyright © 2007-2008 Michael de Silva and Ryan Rooney. Statement of rights retained and permissions granted: Special permission is granted for use in educational purposes, for non-commercial purposes of sharing information in discussion forums, and to refer to elements of the above article in informational non-commercial articles or FAQs so long as this article is cited and a link to this article is provided. Copyright to images, works cited and/or linked in the above article is retained by the original owners/authors. All other rights reserved.

Related Posts & Articles

21 Comments »

  1. Mickey Mouse said,

    April 30, 2007 @ 4:59

    This FYI only please: was wandering around TZ and came a-x your X-33 ‘review’/ info and thought you might be interested to know some other details re the X-33. First the name: was a reference to NASA 1990s project, long since CX, for the follow-on program to the shuttle ( aerospike engine and all that…) Name was abhored by those involved in test and evaluation of the watch since all with knowledge of NASA X-33 program believed it was an engineering dog with fleas, but marketeers ( Omega) thought name was cool. Marketeers also asked for the early shiny polished bezel ( felt the bling was necessary to make the watch sell in asian mkts), but pilots involved in T&E hated it…can cause a sun flash through canopy which in a fight can be seen for some distance, plus: was felt by some a moveable bezel in general was prob. unnecessary ( infact earliest X-33 prototypes had a fixed bezel, with no markings). The 30 m water resist rating is actually predicated on tests showing greater depths ran risk of deforming the hollow case back ( which by the way, is how the watch generates and meets the alarm db - spec’d by NASA- requirement to be heard on the shuttle mid-deck against ambient sound level. The watch was initially concieved and pushed through development by Gen. Tom Stafford ( USAF ret.)- then on Omega’s board- as a necessary replacement for Speedmaster which was outdated, failed to address current NASA mission needs ( multiple alarms, MET etc). Watch was specifcly NOT spec’d to replace speedmaster for EVA. Although designed with shuttle program in mind ( forget Mars… marketeers again) the watch became a favorite of many in military fighter community and in fact Omega supplied hundreds of the X-33 via a long standing program where a sqdrn can order watches at “cost” for its members with the squardn zap engraved on the back….both USN and USAF fighter and test types therefore own/owned this watch….Blue Angels even had personalized vesions for two seasons as well as one Tbirds team ( they bought the watches cause they liked them…not because of some marketing thing ala Breightling). Omega chose not to publicize or market this aspect to the public because it wanted to keep the X-33 image as a “space” watch and not compete against the plethora of pilot watches out there or worse, go head to head with Breightling which consumers percieve as an aviation watch company ( pure BS). The watch persists in NASA inventory and is v. robust, reliable and, once you get the hang of it, easy to use. Just thought you’d like to know. Please use this for your own info, and do not disseminate my name or email. Thought I’d comment ’cause I get tired of reading all the mis-info on TZ re this and other equipment. And, to answer the obvious: no, I don’t work for Omega but yes: was involoved in the development and test and eval of the watch whcih brings me to one last point. There were at least 4 major iterations of this watch prior to its release for sale to public in march 1998. What makes the X-33 v. unique I believe is that Omega really did consider and impliment changes and engineering suggestions from the v. select group of pilots/astronauts who wore test versions….in fact new hardware and software updates were often completed in weeks and sent back to the field for eval. …not something seen v. often in the watch industry with so-called “professional” - tool watches being more show than go” …Rolex being another exception - the Sub and GMT were initially built with a real end-user ( rather than wanna-be) in mind. Anyway, hope this fills in some blanks.

  2. Rrryan said,

    May 3, 2007 @ 5:30

    Some other assorted X-33 facts and details, gleaned from TZ and elsewhere:

    - The name “X-33” was originally used as a code name by Omega during the watch’s development but was kept on as its commercial name. It was taken from the since-cancelled NASA X-33 single stage to orbit reusable launch vehicles (SSTO RLV) program.

    -at one point early in the development the prototype was known as the Flightmaster after the ’70s model designed for pilots. Shown here is one of these “Flightmaster” prototypes from 1996, sold in the Antiquorum “Omegamania” thematic auction in April 2007 for 16,520.- CHF (US$13,600) (Lot # 271):

    As noted before, the prototype went through several design iterations. Shown here is another “X-33″ prototype from 1997, sold in the same auction for 18,880.- CHF (US$15,560) (Lot # 225):

    Eventually the name “Speedmaster Professional X-33″ was chosen, but the “X-33″ was omitted from the dial in the production version.

    Some other views of early pre-production versions can be seen here in Chuck Maddox’s Flightmaster Article as well:

    I kind of wish they had stayed with the white-on-black contrasting LCD, but I’m glad they got rid of the Seamster-style pushers, bezel, and dial markers.

    -at other points in Spielberg’s “Minority Report” when Cruise is not actually looking at the watch the Gen 1 X-33 can be seen in its unmodified state:

    -prior to the cancellation of the NASA X-33 vehicle program Omega marketed the X-33 as the “Mars Watch” for an expected eventual mission to Mars. It was thus a logical choice for astronaut wear in the movie “Mission to Mars” as well

    -the X-33 was discontinued in Summer 2006 for regular commercial retail sale, but remains available to space programs and to military aviators through the military pilot program:
    - in 2006 under the Military Pilot Program cost was US$650 on kevlar strap or US$800 on bracelet with the kevlar strap available separately for an additional US$50. There was a minimum order quantity of 15 and the caseback engraving was custom made to order to unit specification, as shown in this X-33 owned by TZer Hercdriver (USCG C-130 pilot):

    Pilot’s wings are a common selection, as are unit and aircraft logos. In exchange for the custom design and substantial discount (roughly 75% off MSRP at the time), purchasers agree not to re-sell the watch for 5 years, though they still pop up on the secondary market now and then.

    -The X-33 was also offered on red and black kevlar straps. Here’s Hercdriver’s again on red:

    and on black:

    (Image by TZer John Wilson)

    NASA Astronauts and Russian Cosmonauts typically wear it on the black kevlar strap, as shown in the photo taken aboard the ISS:

    And NASA astronauts on the ground:

    Close-up of NASA USCG astronaut Dan Burbank’s wrist (far right):

    And on the ground in Kazakhstan following Soyuz mission to ISS (April 2007):

    Close-up of NASA Astronaut and mission commander Michael Eladio “LA” Lopez-Alegria’s X-33:

  3. HercDriver said,

    May 11, 2007 @ 3:37

    Just thought I would add to Rrryan’s post regarding the X-33 military pilot program; you can actually order 10 watches, but you would have to use a design for the caseback that has been used before. 15 is for a brand new design, as putting together a new design for Bienne increases the costs. Using a previously utilized design is what my group did; we simply used US Naval Aviator wings and for 20.00 extra we had other information engraved around the perimeter (if you saw my pic I had my name and USCG aviator number engraved). And you can get a green kevlar strap as well as the previously mentioned red and black.

  4. champ said,

    November 1, 2007 @ 18:39

    The article was nice and thorough. i also appreciate the pictures. i am currently deciding between a breitling and an omega for a pilot’s watch and it’s good that i’ve come across this article. Please help me with some questions…

    i’m a military pilot of the philippine air force, and i would like to avail of the military pilot program of omega to purchase the x33. Who do i contact? Is it exclusive to american pilots only?

  5. Walter Wong said,

    January 11, 2008 @ 7:32

    Wonderful article.

    I got the watch in Hong Kong from Omega and the orginal strap I got was the one shown in the photo by ancaru30 @ Omega TZ marked as after market Kevlar. Strange.

    Anyway, does anyone have the part number of the Kevlar straps (John Wilson (JW) @ Omega TZ for th black and HercDriver @ Omega TZ for the red)and the Omega SMP rubber strap (photo by Fatpants (Alex) @ Omega TZ) mentioned in the article? I’m really fed-up with the original strap I got. I had it replaced 3 time already and I hardly use the watch at all.

  6. Hacker said,

    January 13, 2008 @ 16:55

    I also bought an X-33 through the US military sales program in early 2001. My batch had the F-15E logo engraved on the caseback.

    Like the above poster, mine also came with the black Kevlar strap that is described in the article as being “aftermarket”.

    Mine has been excellent in the time that I’ve owned it. It is a 1st generation model, and have had no problems with it, other than it losing about a second every couple of days. Just yesterday I sent it off to Omega for their service plan, so hopefully they will be able to tighten up the movement.

    Thanks again for the article.

  7. stefan kobold said,

    January 16, 2008 @ 2:44

    THAT WATCH SUX! I USED IT FOR A LONG WHILE DURING NATO-OPS AROUND RAMSTEIN AND I CAN FAIRLY TELL 90% OF CASES I FACED CASIO G-SHOCKS I USED TO WEAR ARE MUCH BETTER!
    THIS IS THE MOST OVERRATED WATCH EVER SEEN , I FACED 3 OF THE PROBLEMS YOU MENTIONED ACROSS THE END OF THE ARTICLE, WHICH YOU CALLED LESS COMMON!! (FUNNILY)

    PLUS, IF YOU REALLY LOOK FOR AN ARMY WATCH TRY CASIO G-SHOCK, CUZ THEY HAVE DURABILTY, SIMPLICITY. ACCORDING TO LATEST SURVEY AMONG AMERICAN SOLDIERS ITS STILL BY FAR NUMBER 1.

    THIS OMEGA IS A BAD WATCH? NO! BUT DONT TELL ME THAT`S A PERFECT TOUGH ARMY WATCH.

    ITS NOTHING BUT A PRODUCT OF AN “ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN HELD BY NASA AND OMEGA” FOR YEARS.
    I`M NOT A FOOL !
    THANKS!

  8. Niklas Dahlman said,

    January 17, 2008 @ 16:13

    Hi,

    Thanks for this exelent written article!
    It is great to know these things if you own an X-33!
    Omega is my no.1 favourite watch and the X-33 is simply the best watch ever made!

    Really cool to know that the Space pilots use it, like Crister Fuglesang…

    It is also really useful if you travel the world with 2:nd timezones and different types of alarm modes (home time, local time etc.).

    I got my watch at a really good price from Japan but prices have got up sins that, this will be a real classic in the future I think. I will never sell it!

    The only drawback is the not so good water resistance.. However is you want to swim, Planet Ocean is also nice.

    Niklas Dahlman from Sweden

  9. Joe said,

    February 15, 2008 @ 8:23

    Greetings,

    I didn’t see any information as to why the X-33 was taken off the market for the general public.

    Was it due to poor sales, technical problems or perhaps both?

    I don’t understand Omega’s logic of releasing two versions and then discontinuing sales except to to NASA/pilots.

    Perhaps it was released too soon and is undergoing further ‘beta testing?’

    Thanks.

  10. andrew stewart said,

    March 7, 2008 @ 23:52

    i think the speedmaster mars watch is outstanding.

  11. California Watch Expert said,

    March 19, 2008 @ 10:59

    Some people are describing this watch as a “Army Watch”. It is not, otherwise it would not have fragile push buttons, would have a thicker crystal and a screw crown to be water resistant to 100 meters or more. It is an astronaut’s and pilot’s watch where these details are not important. The X-33 is designed to meet the demands for the use in space. Accuracy … if required, the Cal. 1666 can be fine adjusted easily! The trimmer is next to the battery recessed in the black plastic frame of the battery. Conclusion: A little over priced but a cool watch!!!!!

  12. Rrryan said,

    April 1, 2008 @ 16:08

    A thought I’ve been meaning to add to the article:

    I’m not sure what to make of the rumors of the “next generation watch” which is supposedly in development, and I would speculate that the earlier statements to that effect were simply fluffy uninformed marketing copy written offhandedly by a marketer trying to hype something else without careful thought for wider implications. There has been no subsequent news since, and it stands to reason that something along those lines would be fairly big news. In that light I’d be surprised to learn any major effort is underway. It’s easy to forget that from a retail sales standpoint the X-33 was something of a misfire following the initial flurries of enthusiasm. Even news of the discontinuance barely attracted much attention in the collector community. Quartz/digital technologies would also seem increasingly divergent with Omega’s recent upmarketing and re-branding efforts with semi-in-house mechanicals and co-axials.

    The backlight and especially alarm functions at that spec are massively power-hungry. A very major technological leap in micro power technology would be required to make any significant improvements on battery life without relaxing the spec. Such a leap in technology has so far been largely resistant to massively funded research efforts in other electronics industries. Omega also is arguably still a few paces behind the likes of Breitling with regard to quartz movement technology, thermocompensation and accuracy. I don’t see Omega/Swatch dedicating the required R&D efforts, especially as it’s a departure from the rest of their current focus and unlikely to be profitable if the X-33 is taken as a basis.

    Frankly, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the X-33 were simply consigned to GWG (gone when gone) or limited low production for years to come with no replacement. It would seem quite possible that the G-shock (also already issued by NASA) may simply supplant the X-33. Only time may tell, but the discontinuance of the X-33 may well have quietly marked the end of an era for Omega. Of course I’ll look pretty stupid if something groundbreaking is released in Basel a few weeks from now, but somehow I kind of doubt it.

  13. Gavin S. said,

    April 30, 2008 @ 19:35

    Great article. By far the best I have come across on the X-33. Thanks for taking the time to compile all of this information for those interested.

    On the topic of battery life, my X-33 seems to be on pace to need a change on an annual basis. I use my alarm and backlight quite a bit when the Omega is in the lineup, but that’s probably only 6 months out of the year, at best, as I own about 5 watches that I rotate. It is a real shortcoming, IMO. Fortunately I am pretty handy about tinkering and do my own battery changes.

    Still and all, I love the watch and I use its functions quite a bit. Very cool and unique piece.

  14. engineer master ii aviator gmt said,

    May 17, 2008 @ 5:53

    [...] thinking and poor engineering. … go??? ??Rolex being another exception - the Sub and gmt …http://www.bsodmike.com/pages/review-omega-speedmaster-professional-x-33/Ball WatchesBall Watch engineer master II gmt II Movement - Automatic Functions: Hours, Minutes, [...]

  15. Brian Mackey said,

    May 21, 2008 @ 10:17

    Hi,
    Do you guys know where I can get a replacement instruction manual for one of these? Any help would be appreciated.

    Thank you

  16. bsodmike said,

    May 23, 2008 @ 2:45

    You could try eBay maybe?

  17. FlyNavy said,

    May 26, 2008 @ 18:54

    This gentleman has been kind enough to scan the instruction manual and put it online for us:
    http://home.xnet.com/~cmaddox/omega/manuals/X-33/X-33.html

  18. Patrick H. said,

    May 28, 2008 @ 15:54

    Hmmm, I seem to be experiencing the “crown came out” problem. Any help on how to fix this? I see the crown and stem disassembled in some of the pictures above, but manual on Chuck Maddox’s site isn’t any help on how to install it. I’m currently in Iraq, so not a lot of Omega ADs in the area… :-(

    Until this occurred, the watch had held up well through two tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and I have found it well suited to the flying mission. No, it’s not a ruggedized groundpounder’s watch. Runs about -1/13th sec / day, the only watch I have more accurate is a Breitling B-1, which is off maybe a second every 5 months. Ironically, I am now wearing a Casio G-Shock until I can figure out how to fix the Omega…

    Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

  19. h60rotorwash said,

    September 22, 2008 @ 1:01

    Just placed an order for 20 X-33’s so the military program is still alive as of September ‘08. One quick question, anyone know where i can get the black SMP rubber strap pictured above?? Thanks for such an informative website.

  20. bsodmike said,

    September 22, 2008 @ 2:59

    You can get the SMP rubber strap directly from Omega. It is an OEM strap for one of the Seamaster Professional models. I’m sure they’ll discount it nicely after that order :)

  21. bsodmike said,

    September 22, 2008 @ 3:04

    Patrick, I am sorry to reply to your comment this late. You are best to keep the spare bits in a sealed bag and keep the watch movement sealed in an airtight bag with one of those ’silica gel’ packs if you can find one. This will ensure that the movement will not be affected by humidity, although where you are located I imagine its more of a dry heat.

    Keep it that way until you can get it back to Omega directly or through your AD. I think Omega would be a lot more sympathetic if you were to contact them directly as someone deployed in active duty, rather than having some random AD employee filing in yet another repair.

RSS feed for comments on this post · TrackBack URI

Leave a Comment


Google Search


RSS/Meta

RSS 2.0
Atom
Admin

Articles