Speedmaster X-33 — which one?

bama2141 · Mar 26, 2020

I’ve recently added a Gen 2 X-33 to my collection to see if I’d like a do-anything quartz watch. I find myself pretty taken with it.

I picked the Gen 2 since it was available for a good price and I didn’t want to commit too much money on an item I wasn’t sure I’d really appreciate. Now that I find that it really does deserve a place in the collection I find myself wondering if I should have gone for the current Gen 3 model.

The Gen 2 is a bit smaller at 42mm, so that’s a plus, but the Gen 3 adds a few more features. The titanium casework is a plus for both. Gen 3 comes in various styles (Regatta, Solar Impulse, and “regular”)

Looking for any comments or recommendations. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

A picture of course...

duc · Mar 26, 2020

I just like the symmetry of the G3 more than G1 or 2. The negative screen is more visually appealing to me, but it is harder to see. At 50, I wouldn't have had any trouble. At 57 I have to wear my glasses (which I very often forget to carry with me).

File photo:

Raymondo5508 · Mar 26, 2020

bama2141
I’ve recently added a Gen 2 X-33 to my collection to see if I’d like a do-anything quartz watch. I find myself pretty taken with it.

I picked the Gen 2 since it was available for a good price and I didn’t want to commit too much money on an item I wasn’t sure I’d really appreciate. Now that I find that it really does deserve a place in the collection I find myself wondering if I should have gone for the current Gen 3 model.

The Gen 2 is a bit smaller at 42mm, so that’s a plus, but the Gen 3 adds a few more features. The titanium casework is a plus for both. Gen 3 comes in various styles (Regatta, Solar Impulse, and “regular”)

Looking for any comments or recommendations. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

A picture of course...

Very nice X-33 indeed....

Texasjohn · Mar 26, 2020

I have a gen2 and gen3 waiting for the right gen1 to come along

Raymondo5508 · Mar 26, 2020

I really enjoy my Gen 1 .......Saved the original titanium band and put on Kevlar....

bama2141 · Mar 26, 2020

Raymondo5508
I really enjoy my Gen 1 .......Saved the original titanium band and put on Kevlar....

Looks good on the kevlar, but the titanium band is surprisingly comfy. Mine came equipped with a half-link, so I was able to get a near perfect fit — something I was never able to do with the similar steel band on my Moonwatch.

bama2141 · Mar 26, 2020

Texasjohn

I have a gen2 and gen3 waiting for the right gen1 to come along

Nice to see someone who has both — any comments on which one you wear more often and why?

Texasjohn · Mar 27, 2020

My gen 3 is in my father’s possession as he wouldn’t let me buy him an original speedy when I tried. I have taken him to several events at the local boutique and didn’t want him to be out of place. I wear the gen 2 as my daily watch for work and love it. It’s a “squadron” watch with navy wings on the case back and am looking for a gen 1 squadron to fill out the collection.

Roger Zimmermann · Mar 27, 2020

I own both a Generation 2 and Generation 3.

Things I don't like about the Gen 2 - pretty much nothing!

Things I don't like about the Gen 3
General styling: It looks more like a Sinn than an Omega. I'm not knocking Sinn. I own two and I think the Sinn watches with ETA and Lemania movements are great.
Titanium alloy used on the clasp. I can wear my Gen 2 for weeks without picking up any scratches on the clasp. The Gen 3 appears to use a "softer" alloy. I find new clasp scratches almost daily.
The date format is fixed in the European format and can't be changed to the US format like you can on the Gen 2.
The digital display can't be switched on and off like you can on the Gen 2.

These are pretty minor gripes and if I had it to do over, I would still purchase a Gen 3.

Ian_km · Mar 27, 2020

I’m still interested in one at the right price, erring to a gen 2. Most good ones I find are in the US, but UK duty kills the deal, still looking..

10mmauto · Mar 27, 2020

My Gen 3 on Nato with Titanium hardware....

rcs914 · Mar 27, 2020

I missed a Gen 2 with the bracelet box/papers and the Omega nato strap on ebay for $1300 in February. That was an absolute steal.

bama2141 · Mar 27, 2020

Anyone have an opinion on the Solar Impulse limited edition version? Seems like good availability on the secondary market, but the green accents might be a bit much for me. Too bad they didn’t offer it on the bracelet to tone it down a bit.

8100_RPM · Mar 27, 2020

Do the X-33s purchased from military exchanges still receive free servicing from Omega?

MTROIS · Mar 28, 2020

Picked up a Gen 2 earlier this year and absolutely love it. As other have said, the bracelet is extremely comfortable (and indeed, no marks on clasp!!) and the feather-weight of the watch almost makes you forget you wear it at times.

Super legible and love the red arrow marker at 12 o’clock on the bezel... although I wished the bezel would still be unidirectional, despite the fact that this is not a dive watch.
Watch is currently with omega service center as the alarm was not as loud as it should be... which was one of the main reasons why I bought it as I wanted to be able to rely on it while travelling.

Will try to locate one of these red Kevlar bands when I get the watch back (any suggestions where I could locate one??).

I did consider adding a Gen 3 to the mix, but I am not in love with the bezel and the legibility seems inferior. Still considering adding a Z-33 though, as a hommage to my flightmaster.

Here is a pic…

Texasjohn · Mar 28, 2020

8100_RPM
Do the X-33s purchased from military exchanges still receive free servicing from Omega?

I believe that program has ended. In most cases these were group buys done by individual military squadrons and not sold through base exchanges. I have been wrong before though

Ian_km · Mar 28, 2020

MTROIS
Picked up a Gen 2 earlier this year and absolutely love it. As other have said, the bracelet is extremely comfortable (and indeed, no marks on clasp!!) and the feather-weight of the watch almost makes you forget you wear it at times.

Super legible and love the red arrow marker at 12 o’clock on the bezel... although I wished the bezel would still be unidirectional, despite the fact that this is not a dive watch.
Watch is currently with omega service center as the alarm was not as loud as it should be... which was one of the main reasons why I bought it as I wanted to be able to rely on it while travelling.

Will try to locate one of these red Kevlar bands when I get the watch back (any suggestions where I could locate one??).

I did consider adding a Gen 3 to the mix, but I am not in love with the bezel and the legibility seems inferior. Still considering adding a Z-33 though, as a hommage to my flightmaster.

Here is a pic…

Red strap is available from Swiss Watch Spares if your in the UK, not sure on international shipping.

https://www.swisswatchspares.com/pr...er-x-33-20mm-98000071-red-kevlar-buckle-strap

duc · Mar 28, 2020

10mmauto
My Gen 3 on Nato with Titanium hardware....

Is the strap a Redux? If not, please let us know who offers the Ti hardware.

10mmauto · Mar 28, 2020

bama2141
Anyone have an opinion on the Solar Impulse limited edition version? Seems like good availability on the secondary market, but the green accents might be a bit much for me. Too bad they didn’t offer it on the bracelet to tone it down a bit.

I kind of like the green, but I haven't seen one in person.

10mmauto · Mar 28, 2020

duc
Is the strap a Redux? If not, please let us know who offers the Ti hardware.

Yes, that strap is a Redux. It is damned hard to find straps with titanium hardware! But I found this website and bought the buckle - very happy with it. They also have straps with the titanium hardware.

https://www.watch-band-center.com/

Here is the buckle I bought on a third party two-piece Nato:

Speedmaster X-33 — which one?

bama2141

duc

Raymondo5508

Texasjohn

Raymondo5508

bama2141

bama2141

Texasjohn

Roger Zimmermann

Ian_km

10mmauto

rcs914

bama2141

8100_RPM

MTROIS

Texasjohn

Ian_km

duc

10mmauto

10mmauto

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