Luxury Swiss watch brand Omega has partnered with many adventurous exploits over the years, and their project alongside Solar Impulse – the initiative that aims to circumnavigate the globe using nothing other than the power of solar energy – is undoubtedly one of their more ‘technical’ collaborations. We’ve discussed the details of this alliance before, and more recently we were thrilled to showcase the Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker that is inspired by the Solar Impulse flights, but Omega’s latest news has now brought about a brand new development. Solar Impulse’s round-the-world-journey is imminent, and, in the nick of time, a limited edition watch has been released.
The Solar Impulse project is all about making an ambitious statement to underline the viability of renewable energy, and so the new X-33 Skywalker is designed to convey a similarly bold message. Omega is most well known for its classically formed timepieces, with the Omega Speedmaster family being the archetypal example. However, this Skywalker takes a more vibrantly-coloured and contemporary approach, with a blue and green aesthetic that seems especially appropriate for an eco-friendly venture. The bezel is ceramic, which is highly contemporary, although the central aperture on the dial – allowing the inclusion of a LCD digital display – is even more unorthodox.
This aperture functions in a similar manner to typical chronograph dials, although it can also display differing time zones or day, date, month, week and even year indicators, so it’s extremely well equipped. In keeping with the strong aviation theme, a complication to measure both mission and phase elapsed time is present too, and, so high are the standards of this watch, it’s even been qualified as fit for duty by the European Space Agency (ESA). The movement in the X-33 is a multi-functional quartz mechanism, but it’s the thermo-compensated integrated circuit that really attracts the interest. Even the strap has been crafted from NATO polyamide, so no expense has been spared.
Given that fact that this timepiece has passed the strident regulatory checks of the ESA, you’d expect the X-33 to be a little bit extraordinary, and you hopefully won’t have been disappointed. Full of technicalities like Super-LumiNova detailing and a chromium nitride scale, this watch is nonetheless a breath of fresh air in a visual sense too. So much so, in fact, that you’ll doubtless be disappointed to learn that it is only being released in a limited edition run of 1924 pieces. However, frustrating though this might be, the professional Banks Lyon team will still be on hand to take your enquiries.
We’re proud to have access to the Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33, and if you’d like to find out more about this impending release, please don’t hesitate to contact us now by calling 01524 38 48 58. We have a vast collection of other Omega watches too, and will only be too happy to help. From the classical to the most cutting-edge of wristwatches, you can always rely on us to assist you.
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