The Ultimate Omega Speedmaster X-33 Guide — All Four Generations

Excellent article RJ.

I always enjoy the reference to the X-33 being tested by the Blue Angels. Here is on the of the tested X-33 watches sent back to Omega for evaluation after a season of testing.

Looks like the Omega A Journey Through Time hardcover ... we need an update of that reference book !
Meanwhile a bit disappointed that the direct exposure of 2 Omega X-33 chronographs to outer space during the 4 hours long ISS-EVA 53 spacewalk on August 17, 2022 wasn't even mentioned as IMHO that was an important first for an Omega quartz Speedmaster chronograph, which will also be exposed to outer space when we'll reach the surface of the planet Mars by... 2069.
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. (Photo: NASA/Roscosmos)

RJ,

Any word on the current relationship between Roscosmos and Omega? The recent Soyuz crew to ISS wore no visible mechanical Speedmasters as traditionally seen.

I assume the relationship between Roscosmos and Omega is still strong but the lack of Omega watches on the most recent ISS crews might suggest the relationship may be strained. Maybe political issues.

I was a happy owner of the 3rd generation Skywalker Solar Impulse LE. I think one important opportunity has been missed in the new version - no bluetooth connection to phone and possibility to access the features from the screen. I also think, that even though it is supposed to be space watch, so WR is not important up there, for an ordinary person this type of quartz watch is a weekend / vacation piece, so possibility to at least swim with WR100 would not be so bad. I also do not understand stepping back from ceramic bezel to aluminium.

About 30 years ago, in late 1995 Omega delivered the very first Speedmaster X-33 prototypes to NASA and these were tested onboard two space shuttle missions (STS-75 & 79). The Speedmaster X-33 was officially presented to the public during the March 25, 1998 Live TV broadcast from the Russian Mir space station... I still have that on VHS-tape!
It was the reason for the title of my article celebrating "25 years X-33 in spaceflight" ...
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