Any other X-33 Fans?

Mongooseman

Hi all, good to see so much interest in both earlier generations of the X-33 and the Skywalker (and limited editions of it). I'm currently trying to make my mind up on a new Omega. I had a Moonwatch, which I wore at sea when I was in military service. It was lovely to look at, but savagely bad timekeeping and the fragility / easy scratch pickup of Hesalite means I won't buy another. Now, my choice is between a Skywalker and a Seamaster 300. Here's my question to you folks who already invested - have you ever felt like you'd bought a very expensive, titanium G-Shock? My worry is that I'll see it that way if I buy one, as I already have a G-Shock which does multiple time zones and all that stuff (no MET/PET of course). Also, can the battery be user-replaced without wrecking the warranty, or does it have to go back to an AD/Omega to be taken care of? In theory I could buy both over time, but I'd honestly rather just buy one and use it all the time (possibly with the G-Shock as a backup). It's a tough one! Finally, has anyone managed to adapt the X-33 titanium bracelet to be expandable in the same way that the more recent Omega bracelets are? Any thoughts appreciated.

larryganz

Doesn't feel like a G-shock to me.

The warranty is 2 years, and battery is supposed to last a little over 2 years. So in most cases it will die after the warranty is up, as it died with my son's X-33 Skywalker at 25 months of ownership. My X-33 Solar Impulse Limited Edition sat around for a few months as it was less desirable without the bracelet, so it's battery died at 20 months of ownership and Omega serviced it for free.

I added a Ti bracelet to my X-33 Solar Impulse LE, and have the 117TIZ001151 adjustable titanium clasp, but I'm having trouble finding the correct Ti links to attach it to my bracelet. I've asked many times on OmegaForum.com with no response.

I may have to buy the steel 0118ST1589 links or the 0118STZ004975 links to do the conversion on my Ti watch bracelet.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/speedmaster-311-micro-adjustment-upgrade-w-pns-pics.71286/

time flies

A moonwatch at sea during military service?
It was fragile, picked up scratches and you wont have another? polywatch.
I've never once felt my seamasters were expensive g shocks nor for that matter particularly expensive given what I got.
You might best be served thinking a bit more about just what you want or need and then doing a bit more reading. You appear to be all over the place.
A moonwatch at sea during military service?


have fun
kfw

Mongooseman

You read correctly, yes; young officers sometimes buy expensive things on a dare when they’re out drinking...without considering just how appropriate to the task at hand those things may be. The essence of my decision is whether I purchase an instrument with unquestionable accuracy which straddles the old and the new, or whether I remain in the camp that values the craft in an automatic movement and accept the servicing costs and so on down the road. Type 42 destroyers and various aircraft aren’t very kind to softer materials worn on the wrist.

tyrantlizardrex

I’d highly recommended trying both options on your wrist, because no matter what your head says, your heart may well overrule it. 👍


Also:

1 - batteries can and have been changed by owners, but you really need to know what you’re doing.

2 - If you’re planning to spend a lot of time in water, a Seamaster is likely a better option.

3 - the x-33 doesn’t do so well for omega (it’s a complex sell, that their own sales stuff struggle with, and relays on the buyer being “in the know”), so there are often deals to be found at ADs who are stuck with one, or as slightly used.

tyrantlizardrex

For sure @Mongooseman - they’re just practical in different ways - multifunctional/super lightweight vs. Simple/more highly water resistant.

Given your profile picture/timezone response, I’m going to take a punt on you being in the UK - worth giving Iconic Watches a shout, as they have good sourcing abilities through the grey market, and are UK based.

Mongooseman

I live in NZ, but will be back for Xmas this year. Thanks for the suggestion...that sounds like a decent option.

P Pirsig

Hi,

Just spotted this thread whilst wondering what to do about my X-33 Skywalker position...

I brought my X-33 in 2015 and it's been (by a long margin), the worst watch I've ever owned.

...Sorry for the long ranty first post! Just really very disappointed with this watch and Omega's non existent quality control.....

P Pirsig

Hi,

Just spotted this thread whilst wondering what to do about my X-33 Skywalker position...

I brought my X-33 in 2015 and it's been (by a long margin), the worst watch I've ever owned....

Sorry for the long ranty first post! Just really very disappointed with this watch and Omega's non existent quality control.....

P Pirsig

Hi,

Just spotted this thread whilst wondering what to do about my X-33 Skywalker position...

I brought my X-33 in 2015 and it's been (by a long margin), the worst watch I've ever owned.

My first one had very shoddy hand alignment with neither minute or second hands hitting one marker. I was told this was standard for Omega as they don't care about hand alignment. I have £15 Casio's that hit every marker. It lasted about six months before breaking (movement stopped).It was sent back under warranty and came back about a month later with a 'new' movement and new two year guarantee...

'Watch' two now had very poor, but slightly better hand alignment - still the worse I've seen on a watch at pretty much any price. About six months later this one broke - the back light failed. Again back to Omega for a month and returned with a 'new' movement and new two year guarantee. As a bonus they had managed to damage the case, scratching the ceramic bezel! They denied this and quoted a frankly scary price to replace it (£620??). Luckily my brilliant dealer was able to polish out the damage.

'Watch' three now also lasted about six or so months before it's back light also failed! I'm sure they didn't replace the movement on the previous two watches, but obviously can't prove this. Again off to Omega for a month, again returned with a service letter stating it had a brand new movement and as usual had been rigorously checked by their quality control team (hilarious) and was certified good as brand new.

So another two year warranty on a two and half year old watch.....only this one had been so carefully checked by the crack team of quality control inspectors that they failed to notice the second hand was stuck at the quarter to position, just bouncing back and forth!

At this point my dealer lost their temper at Omega and simply gave me a brand new X-33 out of their current stock. Great, great customer service. So this is the 'fifth' X-33 I've owned in two and half years. It's also very poor for a watch with a £3920 RRP, whilst the hands sort of align on some of the markers, this time the bezel doesn't align with the inner markers always being just left/right of the correct position.

Foolishly during all this I brought a Speedmaster Mk II, luckily I've now sold without too much loss - I'm done with the brand.
However I can't decide whether to return this current (two day old) X-33 due it's faulty bezel and just get a full refund. My problem is I brought the watch for it's handy functionality at work, I'm an airline pilot and find it's handling of time zones, back light and loud alarm invaluable, but it's appalling quality infuriating.

Sorry for the long ranty first post! Just really very disappointed with this watch and Omega's non existent quality control.....

larryganz

Glad my second hand and bezel line up perfectly. Checked pics of my son's X-33 Skylwaker, and same there. Note, the minute hand only moves every 30 seconds (when second hand hits 12 or 6).

Mongooseman

One of you needs to do a UTC check! Hopefully I’ll find an example with no issues.

Coordinated Universal Time is 6 hours ahead of Mountain Time
11:21 PM Friday, Mountain Time (MT) is
5:21 AM Saturday, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

larryganz

Google says:



So, it looks like his time is correct, with the local time being 6 hours ahead of UTC as shown in the LCD. My watch is set to show local time in the LCD as well as the analog hands.

PS: One of us didn't set the time to exactly match the atomic clock though, so we're 20 seconds off from each other.

Mongooseman

That’s what I meant 😀