Why The Speedmaster X-33 Matters

duc · Jan 31, 2020

Jakemeister1000
Rumor is that the next gen X-33 is in development.

I haven't heard this rumor. Admittedly I don't run in circles where I'd legitimately hear such a rumor, but still, I haven't heard it. When and where did you hear it if you don't mind me asking?

GadgetGuy88 · Feb 1, 2020

duc
I haven't heard this rumor. Admittedly I don't run in circles where I'd legitimately hear such a rumor, but still, I haven't heard it. When and where did you hear it if you don't mind me asking?

It was at the 2019 NYC Fratello meeting, and one of the senior representatives at Omega said that it's been 5 or 6 years since the X-33 update and that they go in a 5 or 6 year upgrade cycle. It was someone who worked on the development side, not sales or marketing, who said it.

MTROIS · Feb 16, 2020

I was wondering if anybody whether the red Kevlar strap in the picture below was ever offered by Omega in routine production, if it would fit the generation 2, and more importantly, what the Omega reference would be if one would want to order it. 👍
Many thank yous in advance as always to whomever could help answer these questions.

MTROIS · Feb 16, 2020

Sorry for the multiple posts today: also, is the bezel on the Gen 2 supposed to be uni-directional or bi-directional. I seem to have read both, and while mine is bi-directional, I would have expected this to be uni-directional to be really effective at this task.
Thank you again for chiming in.

MTROIS · Feb 16, 2020

MTROIS
Sorry for the multiple posts today: also, is the bezel on the Gen 2 supposed to be uni-directional or bi-directional. I seem to have read both, and while mine is bi-directional, I would have expected this to be uni-directional to be really effective at this task.
Thank you again for chiming in.

So great, I seem to be able to answer my own questions 🙄:
- unidirectional on Gen 1
- and bidirectional on Gen 2

JohnnyRocket · Feb 16, 2020

Hello Everyone,

I to have fallen upon the altar of Z-33 Worship. I was lucky enough to procure each model of the X-33 . The link to Spaceflight on each is a major cool factor
In itself.
The Gen 1 is a little jewel, in it’s appearance. I love the shiny bezel,the black strap
And that memorizing second hand. Love the red arrow .
The 2 has a more robust crown, the bezel looks more tool in it’s appearance.Matched with the Titanium bracelet it’s great. Chris Hadfield on the I.S.S. Proved why it is a very good Astronaut Watch. The back light feature is very bright. The Skywalker is a nice upgrade in looks. Very comfortable. But the backlighting feature is horrible compared to the others. Very dim in comparison. My Only Negative Criticism.

The Z-33 is a horse of course...Unless It’s a Zebra. How Different it is!
It’s ambient lighting feature is outstanding. This is a watch that is intriguing
From the very outset. You know You have something different on when you
Wear this! The Titanium case is an in your face statement.
I love It because this is as much an Artistic Statement as it a great Aviation Watch.

It does at first feel like you are wearing Daniel Craigs’ bracelet from Cowboys
And Aliens,...but in a short time you lose that bit of apprehension and find its
Lighter weight negates that issue. You will love the features Although it does taketime to
Fully understand them all. The moving hands feature is a hoot!

I would have to say...This would probably be the One Omega Quartz that I would
Treasure the most.

Sure...It’s BIG. But She is also BEAUTIFUL. You will Love Her!

MTROIS · Feb 17, 2020

Not sure if this article was ever referenced, but it is a great read: https://ialreadyhaveawatch.com/watc...-speedmaster-professional-x-33/x-33-overview/

Ian_km · Feb 17, 2020

MTROIS
Not sure if this article was ever referenced, but it is a great read: https://ialreadyhaveawatch.com/watc...-speedmaster-professional-x-33/x-33-overview/

Interesting article, thanks for that.

MTROIS · Apr 5, 2020

Fratello has a cool Sunday Showdown on the X-33 today.... makes me miss my Gen 2, which is out for service, even more!! 👎

STANDY · Apr 5, 2020

Can't wait for the 3rd Speedy Tuesday X-33 👍

MTROIS · Apr 5, 2020

STANDY
Can't wait for the 3rd Speedy Tuesday X-33 👍

Yes please... but why don’t we commission an “Omega Forums X-33” with special case back engraving similar to the the ones made for the Armed Forces???? 😗

Depending on how many chime in, I would be happy to volunteer to look into the feasibility of such project.... 🍿

SpeedyPhill · Apr 5, 2020

Also worn by the SpaceX astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley during Dragon capsule checkout & procedures testing:
(Photo credit: SpaceX)
.

stockae92 · Apr 5, 2020

Love the X-33 😀

Ian_km · May 21, 2020

Well eventually joined the X-33 club, found a really nice gen 2 with box/cards/hang tag and couldn’t resist.

Love how light it is on the bracelet, certainly a grower, didn’t like them when I first saw them, but appreciate them now.

Stripey · May 23, 2020

I don't agree that the design has not aged well. I don't think it was trying to be self consciously modern. I think it was functional, and it functions beautifully. I have never thought mine a beautiful looking watch, yet people who notice it seem to think it is. It really deserves a lot more love than it gets as a model.

frazierspa · Jun 11, 2020

stockae92
I don't just like them, I love them. <flame suit on>I think they are the best Speedmaster (for me). I have had and sold my (multiple) Speedmaster Pro and Speedmaster 9300.</flame suit on> 😁

Currenly they are my only Speedmasters. I have 3 of them, a Gen 1, a Gen 2 and a Gen 1 from F-15E military purchase. And I had a X-33 Skywalker at one point but sold it for the Z-33.

They wear well on the wrist (no problem even with the 45mm Skywalker), great function set, nice lume, oh-so-accurate, (relatively) easy to do DIY battery change.

And the alarm is LOUD. Once I was in a crowded science center once with tons of people talking and lots of noise. I needed a time reminder and I trusted the X-33 alarm rather than my phone (even with ring and vibrate). And when the alarm goes off, I (and some people around me) had no problem catching the alarm. haha 😁

Now I need to be on the hunt for a ESA "certified" X-33 Skywalker and a X-33 Skywalker Regatta timer. 😀

Gen 1

Gen 2

My *ex* Skywalker

Incredible collection Stockae92, would you mind sharing who supplied the two (green and grey) straps on your two X33's? Both go great with the X33. Thanks in advance!
- Scott

Tobimat2000 · Jun 12, 2020

well, after all, the X-33 matters to me too...

dinexus · Jun 12, 2020

I've stopped myself from buying one of these on more than one occasion - 30m of WR is a dress watch! I get why it is the way it is (for the resonance chamber), but that's not even the usual paltry WR of the standard Moonwatch.

Love the Skywalker though.

Stripey · Jun 12, 2020

dinexus
I've stopped myself from buying one of these on more than one occasion - 30m of WR is a dress watch! I get why it is the way it is (for the resonance chamber), but that's not even the usual paltry WR of the standard Moonwatch.

Love the Skywalker though.

Who needs to dive when you can soar! 😀

I take your point, though.

Bugbait · Jun 13, 2020

dinexus
I've stopped myself from buying one of these on more than one occasion - 30m of WR is a dress watch! I get why it is the way it is (for the resonance chamber), but that's not even the usual paltry WR of the standard Moonwatch.

Love the Skywalker though.

People really need to stop spreading the fallacy of 30m or 3bar of WR as inadequate for anything apart from light splashes of water. Any watch that truly has 30m of WR is fit for swimming as long as the crown and pushers can not be depressed freely (i.e. screw down or locking mechanism) or they are designed to do so while submerged (most aren't).

All Flik Flak watches are rated for 30m and they actively advertise that it's safe to put them in a washing machine. I've placed my son's old Flik Flak in the washing machine on a standard 1600rpm cycle on several occasions and not once did it leak.

The main danger with the X-33 and water is due to both the crown and pushers being free to depress. However, as stated before this is a common problem with many watches, even those with much higher WR ratings. When the seals fail, regardless of the WR rating then water can enter the watch.

Back when my X-33 was my daily wearer for 8 years it was submerged in multiple pools and seawater. Yes, there was a danger of the pushers or crown being depressed and on a few occasions it did happen. I could tell since the mode changed from the usual date to something else. I regularly wash it in the sink after a BBQ or sports to get rid of the oil and sweat.

However, in the 15 years of ownership it has never had water ingress and it's only been serviced by Omega twice in that time. I'm not encouraging everyone to treat their X-33's the same but they certainly aren't as "fragile" as some make out, even around water.

Why The Speedmaster X-33 Matters

duc

GadgetGuy88

MTROIS

MTROIS

MTROIS

JohnnyRocket

MTROIS

Ian_km

MTROIS

STANDY

MTROIS

SpeedyPhill

stockae92

Ian_km

Stripey

frazierspa

Tobimat2000

dinexus

Stripey

Bugbait

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