x-33 1st gen advice.

Foo2rama · Nov 5, 2026

Hi Team,

I’m looking at a 1st Gen X-33 and I was wondering if anyone here has some insight into these.

Asking about 2k usd. Reputable seller. Bracelet is slightly short but I can source the extra links needed.

pdxleaf · Nov 5, 2026

Price is good. Omega maintenance is about $1k. They almost always swap out the movement, which is the 2nd Gen movement. So knowing the service history can be helpful.

You may know that a military X-33 gets lifetime free service. The military ones have the unit on the caseback. These are difficult to find and generally a couple grand more. I've been casually looking fo a military one myself.

That's about all I got. There's youtube stuff about differences between gen 1 and Gen 2, with Gen 2 being preferred. But the Omega maintenance makes this a non-issue, at least as I understand it.

They're very comfortable. It's a fun watch if you like fidgeting with things.

Good luck.

duc · Nov 5, 2026

The bezel and pushers are brushed on the G2. The G2 crown is also shaped a little better given the way it operates (compared to the G1). They also made an upgrade to the movement from G1 to G2. From what I've seen posted, most G1 models that get serviced by Omega, get the upgraded movement as a replacement.

I owned a G2 briefly, along with a G3. I like the G3 a lot more, so I moved out the G2. That said, the G2 is worthy (as I believe the G1 is). 2k seems reasonable (for sure if the movement has been upgraded). The aesthetic condition of the one you posted looks good to me.

ddOmega · Nov 5, 2026

Hi,
the watch you posted appears to be in excellent aesthetic condition.
The price seems fair to me. Find out if it's been serviced recently.

If you'd like to learn more about military X33s, I recommend my post...

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-x33-custom-military-casebacks-guide.188749/

Thread 'Omega Speedmaster X33 Custom Military Casebacks Guide' ·

Good morning everyone,

I wanted to introduce you to my small collection of Omega X33s, which are unique when viewed from behind.

These are three Omega Speedmaster X33s, second series, with a...

ddOmega · Dec 31, 2025

Foo2rama · Nov 5, 2026

I didn’t know about the military unit ones.

Free service on those is interesting. I think I ran across one….

Thanks everyone.

Another question.

Is the gen 2 crown better? I like the more traditional look of the gen 1 crown.

YY77 · Nov 5, 2026

For me the gen 2 overall aesthetics are better, I don't like the polished bezel and pushers on the gen 1. The look of the gen 2 crown doesn't really bother me.

Got the battery replaced at an OSC which was only 35$£€ so that's doable.

I have a GGB velcro on mine which pairs nicely

duc · Nov 5, 2026

Foo2rama
I didn’t know about the military unit ones.

Free service on those is interesting. I think I ran across one….

Thanks everyone.

Another question.

Is the gen 2 crown better? I like the more traditional look of the gen 1 crown.

It probably doesn't make a huge difference, but the ridges on the G2 and above (crown) are more conducive to assisting with pulling the crown out.

If you get it serviced, Omega could replace the crown (and return your original). If you didn't like the new one, you could swap it back during a battery change (just don't lose the little spring in the bottom of the battery cutout).

duc · Nov 5, 2026

YY77
For me the gen 2 overall aesthetics are better, I don't like the polished bezel and pushers on the gen 1. The look of the gen 2 crown doesn't really bother me.

Got the battery replaced at an OSC which was only 35$£€ so that's doable.

I have a GGB velcro on mine which pairs nicely

Question: Does the cloth strap reduce the audible level of the alarm? That is a good look!

eugeneandresson · Nov 5, 2026

Loved mine on wrist. As Dave said, light and comfy. The thought of a watch service costing more than a car service, plus a finicky battery replacement (there was something about that that put me off…but my memory is not what it was so i forget…) ultimately is why i ended up letting it go…

YY77 · Nov 5, 2026

duc
Question: Does the cloth strap reduce the audible level of the alarm? That is a good look!

Not sure, it's my holiday watch so not using the alarm any other time.

YY77 · Nov 5, 2026

eugeneandresson
Loved mine on wrist. As Dave said, light and comfy. The thought of a watch service costing more than a car service, plus a finicky battery replacement (there was something about that that put me off…but my memory is not what it was so i forget…) ultimately is why i ended up letting it go…

You don't have to look far to see it. ::psy::

jsducote · Nov 5, 2026

Many years ago I was comparing the Gen1 to the Breitling Aerospace and went for the titanium-cased Breitling. I was just reading the Fratello article yesterday, in fact, and am thinking about shortlisting a Gen3 Skywalker, based solely on aesthetics.

sathomasga · Nov 5, 2026

pdxleaf
Omega maintenance is about $1k.

I picked up my X-33 gen 1 from the Omega Boutique on October 24. They charged me $650 USD for a full service. (It took 4 months and was performed in Switzerland.)

sathomasga · Nov 5, 2026

duc
If you get it serviced, Omega could replace the crown (and return your original). If you didn't like the new one, you could swap it back during a battery change (just don't lose the little spring in the bottom of the battery cutout).

As noted above, I picked up my X-33 gen 1 from service two weeks ago. Omega did replace the crown, but they replaced it with a gen 1 crown (and returned the original).

sathomasga · Nov 5, 2026

eugeneandresson
plus a finicky battery replacement (there was something about that that put me off…but my memory is not what it was so i forget…)

Caseback is secured by nine tiny titanium screws. Soft titanium is easily stripped; if you drop a screw, you'll need a microscope to find it, and they must be evenly and appropriately torqued to avoid compromising the alarm volume. I've changed the battery on my X-33, but doing so requires a high quality, correctly dressed screwdriver of the right size, steady hands, and more than a bit of nerve.

Edit to add: TBH, I trust my own ability to change the battery more than I would trust an OB technician.

sathomasga · Nov 5, 2026

Foo2rama
Is the gen 2 crown better? I like the more traditional look of the gen 1 crown.

I have no experience with the gen 2 crown, so I can't comment on its relative merits, but I"ve never had any problem operating the gen 1 crown.

Fatcat · Nov 5, 2026

Go for it

padders · Fri. 1:18am

Hey Foo.

Warning: negativity ahead, proceed with caution!

I had a Gen 2 and also two examples of the Seamaster Multifunction precursor which used virtually the same movement. If you find a confirmed mil one then go for it and scratch the itch as many of the downsides will be negated. Otherwise my advice would be to walk on by for the reasons noted above.

The servicing costs and complications make these a masochistic choice at best. I’m quite keen to tinker but learned the hard way that doing it yourself is not trivial with these. You really have to like the aesthetic and genuine history to prefer one over a mechanical model or to be frank any other Smart watch. The X-33 is using 80s tech and in some respects it shows. Be aware these can be flaky at times and can call for a new battery as soon as ~24months after the previous one. A grand to service a quartz watch doesn’t sit well with me, though as noted battery changes are cheaper, still pricey for a dollar cell swap but cheaper. When I had mine the cost for a battery swap was notably higher than suggested above (in the UK) but I can’t recall exactly how much. It was enough to make me try myself with mixed results.

Regarding the crown. Most of the functionality involves pushing and pulling so the gen 2 example with the hoops makes life a lot easier in my experience. I too prefer the full brush of the second gen case but since I’m not a Navy SEAL a bit of Gen 1 glare wouldn’t cause me too much harm. That said a SEAL or serviceman of any kind would be probably be better served by a G -Shock or even some Apple monstrosity in truth.

YY77 · Fri. 2:12am

padders
though as noted battery changes are cheaper. Still pricey for a dollar cell swap but cheaper. When I had mine the cost for a battery swap was notably higher than suggested above (in the UK) but I can’t recall exactly how much. It was enough to make me try myself with mixed results.

I informed with my regional independent OSC (about 1.5h drive away) and he quoted €35 including new gaskets and WR check, as I went on holiday to Japan before the battery ran out I didn't take him up on his offer but I did walk in to the OSC (Ginza) in Tokyo and the quoted me 5500Y(so about €33) for a battery change but couldn't do gaskets on the spot.

MTROIS · Fri. 10:58pm

I have a Gen2 watch and love it! I bring it to the OB to get the battery changed every other year and this is one of my GADA watches, in addition to my GW5000.

Not sure what all the fuss is about the service, so I guess I should consider myself lucky and knock on wood.

On the other hand, I keep this watch away from pools and oceans as I do not believe it was made to dive.

x-33 1st gen advice.

Foo2rama

pdxleaf

duc

ddOmega

Foo2rama

YY77

duc

duc

eugeneandresson

YY77

YY77

jsducote

sathomasga

sathomasga

sathomasga

sathomasga

Fatcat

padders

YY77

MTROIS

Similar threads

Omega X-33 1st Gen

X-33 Gen 2 Kevlar Strap Length Size

Seamaster 300 Heritage: 1st Gen Titanium vs 2nd Gen

Newbie looking to purchase 1st gen Omega Aqua Terra

Omega Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker (gen 3) Caseback w/"FLIGHTMASTER"?

X-33 Speedmaster & Rolex GMT Aboard USS George H.W. Bush