It’s a fair while ago now, but if you have a good memory you may remember that we spoke about Omega joining forces with Solar Impulse back in April, and, as you might expect, the development of such an important solar-powered aircraft fully deserved a commemorative wristwatch. We briefly spoke about such a timepiece in our aforementioned feature, but didn’t actually have the product in stock for you to purchase. However, all of that’s now changed, as we’ve just recently been able to acquire this unusual wristwatch, hence this latest blog post that brings you a little more detail.
As you may recall, the Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 is the wristwatch in question, and we previously majored upon the ability of this chronograph watch to monitor both mission and phase elapsed times. These are notable capabilities which deserve to be dwelt upon, but there’s a lot more to the X-33 than just that. This Speedmaster is directly based upon the old Professional X-33 timepiece – a development that was purely intended for space exploration – but as you might expect a number of enhancements have been made. Although the heritage of this watch is steeped in the desire to voyage across the cosmos, the X-33 can now be enjoyed by any horological connoisseur.
Aesthetically, this Omega wristwatch relies upon brushed grade 2 titanium for a relatively classical finish, and this chosen material also permits the wristwatch to be exceptionally lightweight too. Grade 5 titanium is interwoven into the bracelet, with Super-LumiNova adorned ceramic – coloured in black – being similarly present upon the adjustable bezel. As an aside, the ceramic material conforms to the same type as that which is used on the popular Darkside of the Moon watch, so the new X-33 certainly doesn’t lack for contemporary prestige either. For extra visibility, the white luminescent emits a green glow when the light levels are gloomy, but it’s the dial that is really optimised to enable premier legibility.
Black and white is always a great combination with regards to readability, and so it proves on the dial of the X-33. Interestingly, this watch includes an aperture that covers the middle proportion of the dial, and this complication houses an LCD display with a full backlight to enable the user to observe not only information like hours and seconds, but also a trio of time zones, three alarms, a calendar and the aforementioned duo dealing with the calculation of space travel. In total, the X-33 has an impressive 12 separate functions, and, in an inspired adjustment, the luminescent hands can be ‘disengaged’ to allow unobstructed vision of the LCD dial. As is often the case, it’s subtle touches such as these – alongside the easy to use crown – that cement the appeal of the X-33 beyond doubt.
Although the X-33 doesn’t house a famous Omega Co-Axial movement, the advanced multi-functional quartz chronograph movement is more than up to the task at hand. With a fully integrated thermo-compensated circuit, this calibre 5619 movement is fully endorsed by the European Space Agency, not to mention proven explorers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg. Of course, the moniker of ‘Skywalker’ also promises much as well, but although the forthcoming addition to George Lucas’s sc-fi saga has yet to convince the inevitable doubters, there should be no scruples over the X-33. It really is a very attractive wristwatch.
Here at Banks Lyon Jewellers, the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker watch is now available for £3,720, and is also obtainable on finance for 36 monthly payments of £82.67 and a 20% deposit. Looking at the X-33, there is little wonder why it has proved to be so popular even with mechanical watch enthusiasts, and if you’d like to place an enquiry about this watch then we welcome you to get in touch with our helpful team. We’ll always be happy to discuss any of our Omega watches and the like, so call us now on 01524 38 48 58 or email [email protected] to find out more.
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