I have been researching the details of NASA's use of the X33, and these are my findings to date. As most Omega and space fans know, this Speedmaster was issued to astronauts on the Space Shuttle missions, and those to the International Space Station and MIR. They were used from the watches (quite literal) launch on STS-90 in 1998 until the present day. That is a lot of missions and a lot of astronauts! So what were the protocols, how many did NASA buy, how many times were they used and reused? There has been a huge amount of interest in the mechanical watches in space, but the digitals do not garner as much attention. So with the #letsmakequartzgreatagain hashtag currently being trended by James Dowling I thought I would take a look at what we know about the X33s used by NASA in detail. There are only 8 of these watches that have been released into public hands that I know of, all early Generation 1 watches. The Generation 1 units were used for just under 5 years until Jan 2003. After this NASA started using the updated Generation 2 watches which were used until the last STS mission in 2011. This can be seen by inspecting the NASA photo archives, which I have pored over to establish this. Source NASA The above photo is of David M Brown, mission specialist on the fateful STS-107 Columbia shuttle in Jan 2003 wearing his Gen 1. In 2014 the Gen 3 Skywalker was developed with input from European Space Agency astronaut Jean-François Clervoy, and tested by ESA. These are now the watch of choice for NASA too. I could not find much solid information out there so I decided to make a Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) request to NASA . I asked: How many did NASA buy? and Who used them? and Are there copies of the system and component historical record of crew use? I awaited with high hopes of immaculate record keeping, how many watches bought, invoices, detailed logs of which watch was used for what mission and by whom. Unfortunately all the records pre 2003 appear to have been either destroyed in a flood or just thrown away! I did however receive partial records of watches used for training and flights when NASA recommenced STS activity in July 2005 after the Columbia disaster. The serial numbers and mission details I received indicate that approximately 115 Gen 1 watches and 180 Gen 2 watches were purchased by NASA, assuming all serial numbers were assigned in sequence, which appears to be the case. Although they were in no way issued for use in sequential serial number order. As a starting point the Speedmaster X33 prototype I have seen documented in the Omega museum has a serial number of 1019, and helpfully 39/50 so I would assume S/N 981-1030 can be taken to all be prototype watches. The same system and style of engraving also suggests to me that Omega did all the engraving for NASA in-house. Although Omega have failed to provide me with any information in regards to the production of these watches, perhaps out of fear of breaching some kind of confidentiality with NASA? Source Fratello The next indicator I have found is the watch of Cosmonaut Nickolai Badurin (sold at auction). He was on STS-113 launched 23 Nov 2002 and it delivered him to the International Space Station for mission ISS-6. His watch has slightly unusual additional engravings (much like the prototype) stating NOT FOR SALE and 13/A. I would think this was one of the first few watches assigned to NASA after the design was finalised. Source RR Auctions These Generation 1 watches were used for 24 STS missions with 156 astronauts before 2003. The Generation 2 watches were introduced in 2005 and used for 22 STS missions with 112 astronauts up until the end of the Space Shuttles service in July 2011. Looking at the numbers of missions and astronauts we can see these watches were used and returned to stores to be used again. These watches were not only used for flights but also training. The watches would have been used by multiple astronauts on multiple missions or training assignments. A few astronauts took the opportunity to purchase their watches, but many more took no interest in keeping them. Some would not use them at all, eschewing Omega in favour of Casio or Seiko's, or Rolex's . Anyway, my rather un-radical conclusion is that these watches are very special, and lucky for me I managed to pick up S/N 1085 inside its bag with deaccession label, and details of it being part of a batch of 25 watches purchased by NASA. Its condition suggests training use at a minimum, and personally I am happy to believe it visited space. 156 flown astronaut missions and only 115 watches seem good odds to me! I am also pleased to be able to put an estimated number and some context to these watches, which have been rather mysterious and under researched. I hope to uncover more facts in time, but it is not an easy task. If anyone has any further data or information please get in touch. My addition to the collection! If you're about to bring on jokes about imminent visits from the FBI, a few people have beaten you to it
I see you've ground off the "NOT FOR SALE" so I think you're good. Re: acquiring I, like you, would be thrilled and flattered to own a timekeeping artifact that had flown in space- mechanical, electronic or anywise. It's a fascinating bit of history and undeniably extremely collectible—even if it were a mere trainer that supported but never actually flew itself. However, if I were an astronaut who flew myself using one of these as a tool.... If already inclined toward mechanicals, I could see being very unimpressed with this model. Perhaps I'd want to own one as a souvenir, but it's almost as likely I'd want a better souvenir; one that would be functional long after my flight, that I could pass on to my children, etc. If I weren't a mechanicals snob (or if, it turned out, the watch actually held up well) I might be one of those who opted to buy. I could see it going either way.
I think this was often the case. Astronauts would take there personal watches with them as well as the issued X33. This would be the souvenir if they were that way inclined. Below you can see Soichi Noguchi on STS -114. This was the first mission after Challenger in July 2005. In the first picture he can be seen wearing his Gen 2 X33 on his left wrist. In the second picture he appears to have a Speedmaster Pro 'From the Moon to Mars' Ltd Edition on his right wrist.
Not sure if I'm reading this sentence correctly, but just incase, the first prototype X-33 appears to fly on STS-79 in September 1996. Maybe you are just referring to the GEN 1's. Here is some information I put together on the early flights of the the X-33. Here is a new auction for another GEN 1 X-33 in the new RR Auction. #8650 - Space Shuttle Omega X-33 Watch
This is all so interesting. Thanks you! Can’t wait to see any updates as new information comes to light.
What do we have on delivery batches to NASA ? 1996: protype X-33 ( 6 one for each STS-79 crewmember ? ) 1997: 23 X-33 delivered in October 1998: 27 X-33 delivered in August ... Any NASA X-33 topic needs a reminder of the first X-33 repaired in space... first wristwatch repair in space ever ? In 2003, during STS-13 aboard shuttle Endeavour to the ISS - International Space Station, astronaut Donald Pettit refastened the crown into his NASA-issued X-33 Speedmaster. Taking a watch apart & put it back together can be done "in orbit" ... just work slow & careful ! .
As we're in the month of March... remember March 28, 1998 when astronaut Andrew Thomas and cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin mentioned the X-33 with its dual LCD, 80 decibel alarm in a lightweight Titanium case... during a live television broadcast from the Mir space station. Edit: mentioning cosmonaut Budarin, wanted to link to this topic: https://omegaforums.net/threads/nas...ace-flown-speedmaster-x-33-at-auction.103359/
my own records... listing deliveries to NASA: ? where my numbers aren't correct 1964 (4) , 1965 (17 ) , 1966 ( ? ) , 1967 ( ? ) , 1968 ( 30 including 105.003 ) , 1976 ( 80 including radial dial Speedsonic ) , 1978 ( 56 + 12 LCD quartz never used in space ) , 1990 ( ? ) , 1996 ( ? + 6 prototype X-33 ) , 1997 ( 23 X-33 ) , 1998 ( 27 X-33 ) , etc... About time Omega heritage team shares this information... wanted by "space nerds" https://omegaforums.net/threads/new...rogram-watch-choice.42644/page-6#post-1457180
this topic in summary: February 1996 - February 2021 = 25 years Omega Speedmaster X-33 alarm chronograph on spaceflight missions ! https://moonwatchuniverse.tumblr.com/archive
One of our members here (whom has not been active) has one of the X-33 prototypes. I posted about it being on ebay about 4 years ago, for around $13K if I recall correctly. https://omegaforums.net/threads/interesting-x-33-prototype-on-the-bay.44950/
I like all the information given here on the X-33. I wish Omega kept records through serial numbers as to production dates. Here is mine I recently picked up. I know it is it Gen 1 and I’ve noticed the production number/serial number is lower than some I’ve seen used by NASA. This one is very clean and seems to have all original parts. If I ever do send it into Omega for full service I know one of the things they do is replace the buttons and crown with Gen 2 parts, I will have them send the original ones back to me so that I will be able to put it back into its original state at sometime if I resell it.
@simonsays In fact Omega delivered the first Gen1 Speedmaster X-33 chronographs to NASA in October 1997... after these were tested onboard Columbia STS-75 and Atlantis STS-79 in 1996. First use was during space shuttle mission Endeavour STS-89 in January 1998 with at least T. Wilcutt, J. Edwards and M. Anderson wearing an Omega X-33 Gen1 chronograph. Besides an ActiWatch (monitoring sleep & light exposure), in this December 2002 STS-113 photo which X-33s (already) wore Herrington precisely ? (Photo: NASA) .
During STS-89 Wilcutt, Edwards, and Anderson are not wearing GEN 1 X-33s but all 3 wear the final version of of the X-33 prototype with the distinctive round pushers, final GEN 1 production hands, and program modified (no X-33 4th line on module face: see Anderson's dial below) movement. This does appear however to be the first mission where the first production of the GEN 1 X-33, as we know it, was flown albeit by the Mir 24 crew of Anatoli Soloviyov and Pavel Vinogradov with Vinogradov wearing his GEN 1 X-33 on the distinctive red Omega strap. (CREDIT - NASA) (CREDIT - NASA) After the STS-89 mission an offer to purchase their respective X-33s was extended to the astronauts. Edwards elected to purchase his and as of today it is still his daily wear watch. (CREDIT - NASA) (CREDIT - NASA) As a great side story, because Joe Edwards does not get much attention, he is one of the greatest F-14 pilots ever to fly the Tomcat prior to his selection the Astronaut Corps. He most memorable flight in the Tomcat is seen below. 13 Nov 1991, USS Eisenhower: During a mission in the Persian Gulf this VF-142 aircraft lost its radome when the latching mechanism failed. During the departure the radome came in contact with the canopy and broke out the forward glass and shattered the windscreen. The pilot suffered a broken right collarbone and glass in both eyes, but managed to bring the jet back to the ship for a perfect two wire landing. Forward visibility was restricted to looking through a three inch hole in the left windscreen since the rest of the forward glass was so badly cracked. The pilot was LCDR Joe Edwards and the RIO was LCDR Scott Grundmeier. LCDR Edwards was medevac'd to Bahrain for eye surgery then home to the US. Later on he was a pilot for NASA in the Space Shuttle program. Both crew members received Distinguished Flying Crosses for their remarkable achievement. (CREDIT - F-14 Tomcat Association) @SpeedyPhill Here is a better picture of Harrington's watch. 2002 seems a bit early for a GEN 2 but the appearance of a matt bezel and pushers would indicate a GEN 2 but I can't say for sure one way or another. (CREIDT - NASA)
Yes, an Omega X-33 ... it's a complicated watch ( NASA astronaut Dan Burbank and Anton Shapklerov in 2011 ) (Photo: NASA) .
Thanks so much for putting this together. Dave Brown (in the first photo at the top) was a relative of mine and perished in the Columbia tragedy. The X-33 hasn't grown on me yet, but sentimentally it would be really cool to own a Gen 1 in the future. This isn't watch related, but since most here are likely interested in space too, here's a photo Dave sent us from space of a photo of his immediate family floating in front of the windshield, Earth in the background. He also sent a very touching email to friends and family the day before the tragedy. Feel free to share it privately with friends and family, but I do ask you not share it publicly anywhere. 1/31/2003 03:49 PM Friends, It's hard to believe but I'm coming up on 16 days in space and we land tomorrow. I can tell you a few things: Floating is great - at two weeks it really started to become natural. I move much more slowly as there really isn't a hurry. If you go to fast then stopping can be quite awkward. At first, we were still handing each other things, but now we pass them with just a little push. We lose stuff all the time. I'm kind of prone to this on Earth, but it's much worse here as I can now put things on the walls and ceiling too. It's hard to remember that you have to look everywhere when you lose something, not just down. The views of the Earth are really beautiful. If you've ever seen a space Imax movie that's really what it looks like. What really amazes me is to see large geographic features with my own eyes. Today, I saw all of Northern Libya, the Sinai Peninsula, the whole country of Israel, and then the Red Sea. I wish I'd had more time just to sit and look out the window with a map but our science program kept us very busy in the lab most of the time. The science has been great and we've accomplished a lot. I could write more but about it but that would take hours. My crewmates are like my family - it will be hard to leave them after being so close for 2 1/2 years. My most moving moment was reading a letter Ilan brought from a Holocaust survivor talking about his seven year old daughter who did not survive. I was stunned such a beautiful planet could harbor such bad things. It makes me want to enjoy every bit of the Earth for how great it really is. I will make one more observation - if I'd been born in space I know I would desire to visit the beautiful Earth more than I've ever yearned to visit to space. It is a wonderful planet. Dave And here are some photos of Dave wearing a watch in space that I've been able to find:
