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by Michael de Silva (Bsodmike) and Ryan Rooney (Rrryan), v0.5 10.01.2008

X-33 with contrails from Space Shuttle Atlantis launch in background. Note that the X-33’s Mission Time function has been properly activated. :)
Photo by Rrryan

Photograph courtesy of ausrandoman @ Ω TZ

Believe it or not, the following article was actually written somewhat… accidentally, at least in the sense that its authors never really set out to create a feature of such length and depth. In fact, the X-33 and space watches are not really central to the watch collecting interests of either author. Mike has since moved on to collecting more and more Rolex watches, while Ryan remains primarily focused on vintage Omegas and vintage military watches.

In the beginning it began as a fairly simple and unambitious “first impressions” post and summary of basic features by Mike, to which Ryan just added some images and background. Then through some searches and comments on internet forums we were quickly able to add a lot of information in farily short order with fairly little effort. And then through Mike’s website we made contact with some very unique and knowledgeable sources with detailed information previously all but unknown to the collector community. We simultaneously began to realize that not only would it be rather wasteful and selfish to keep this information to ourselves, but while there was a good deal of information dispersed among the members of the various forums there had really been no effort to centralize information about the X-33 into a "keystone" work (in English, at least) like there has been for so many other prominent models. So we began compiling the various facts and contributions that never seemed to stop coming. Indeed, even as the final draft was being prepared the Military Pilot Program was finally confirmed to still be active and the unlikely presence of a photo of the very rare "America’s Cup" X-33 in the Omega Vintage Database came to light. It required months of work and research, many trans-continenatal email exchanges, numerous fourm threads, and at least one complete rework of the HTML code by Mike after Ryan did a pretty fair job of butchering it with a crummy visual editor. But in the end, while its conception may have been somewhat accidental, we’re rather proud of what we’ve managed to come up with and we hope you enjoy it.

This article makes use of images taken by many members of various watch fora. We have attempted to to contact each contributor when possible for permission to use their images and have given credit whenever possible. If anyone objects to their image being used here, please contact the authors and it will be promptly, if somewhat sadly, removed.

We would like to take the time to thank all the forum contributors and the Omega TZ community especially; your information, insight and great company make this hobby so much more enjoyable! Last but definitely not least, we would like to thank the many forum members who have contributed images, information, suggestions, and inspiration for this article such as Fatpants (Alex), MartynJC(UK), HercDriver(Andy), CR (Craig), Kieron and all the rest. This article would certainly have been quite short and uninteresting without your contributions!

Table of Contents
Overview
      Technical Specifications
      X-33 Functions

      X-33 Pros & Cons
1st Generation X-33
2nd Generation X-33
Bracelet & Straps
X-33 History

      Model Development History
      Military Pilot Program
      X-33 in Space
Movie Appearances
X-33 Facts & Trivia

Common Problems & Complaints
Rogues’ Gallery of X-33 Fakes
Links and Further Reading

An Overview of the X-33

The X-33 was launched in 1998 by Omega and was designed in conjunction with aviators and astronauts alike to meet their exacting demands. It was followed by an improved and updated version in 2001. The original version (ref 3290.50.00) is informally known among enthusiasts as the “1st Generation” and the replacement 3291.50.00 is known as the 2nd Gen; the internals and operation of both models are essentially identical. The crown design was changed to a design with vertical grooves or concentric grip rings for easier operation since the X-33’s crown is pushed/pulled rather than turned. As well, Omega is believed to have strengthened the crown design to address a specific “collapsing crown” vulnerability that affected early 1st generation units.

The X-33 features the in-house developed 9-jewel quartz crystal controlled calibre 1666 movement. This movement was designed especially for the X-33 and has never been used in any other model. Though various brands like Breitling, Bell & Ross and others have used ETA-made multifunction movements similiar to those in the earlier Seamaster Multifunction, the 4-pusher cal.1666 and its unique display layout remain exclusive to the X-33. The 1666 is a non-temperature compensated movement. In a temperature compensated movement, the frequency of oscillation [pulses per second in this case] stays practically the same, at whatever temperature the quartz crystal is subjected to [within limits]. A typical watch crystal tends to operate at 32,768Hz with a frequency period of 30.52uS, however regular watch crystals will deviate from this operational frequency depending on the temperature – this is another reason why atomic clocks, which count the cycles of radiation corresponding to the transition between two energy levels within a caesium-133 atom, are still the most reliable with an uncertainty of less than 0.1nS/day.

Technical Specifications:

• Movement: Omega calibre 1666
• Type: Quartz multi-function
• Movement dimensions: 13 1/4 ligne, 30 mm diameter
• Case Dimensions: 42.25 x 48.50 mm
• Jewels: 9 rubies
• Power reserve: 24 months with normal use of alarm and light, or 36 months without use of either feature
• Battery: lithium, heavy metal (Pb or Hg) free
• Light: 8 LUX⁽ⁱ⁾
• Sound intensity: 80 dB minimum⁽ⁱⁱ⁾
• Water-resistance: 30 meters or 3 ATM⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾
• Shock-resistance: 3500 g’s maximum^(iv)

To put some of these details into perspective:

(i) One lux is approximately as bright as the lighting from a candle 1 meter away in a dark room. 8 lux would represent 8-times that intensity, i.e. you would be 1/8th of a meter away (0.125m), which in pitch darkness is VERY bright, easily comparable to the lux-output of a mobile phone considering that most mobile phone LCDs output around 5 lux+.

(ii) dB is the abbreviation for “decibel”. One decibel is one tenth of a Bel, named for Alexander Graham Bell. The measurement quoted in dB describes the ratio (10 log power difference, 20 log voltage difference, etc.) between the quantity of two levels, the level being measured and a reference. To put 80dB SPL into perspective, it is about as loud as a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner or 100 times as loud as a normal conversation (60dB). To understand sound properties and perception, further reading is advised.

(iii) To some the stated water resistance rating might seem somewhat basic but is more than sufficient for light water exposure and everyday activities like dishwashing. More on water resistance below

(iv) Shock ratings are often misinterpreted and over-represented. Do not let the 3,500 g rating mislead you into thinking that the watch can withstand a 3500 times gravity impact or a drop from the upper reaches of the stratosphere. In short, while the X-33 is entirely rugged its shock resistance rating is actually less than the 5,000 g of the mechanical Speedmaster Professional, as is true for most Quartz/LCD watches. In any case, a 100g watch of either mechanical or digital design dropped from a height of 1m will likely experience shock-related damage on impact if we consider a very hard surface like granite or marble floor. For a much more through examination of the g forces involved at impact on a hard surface, see Mike’s detailed explanation. An updated analysis may be found here.

Basic Functions:

• Hours, Minutes, Seconds
• Day, Date, Month, Year. Perpetual calendar to 2099AD
• Alarm
• Battery end-of-life indicator (second hand jumps in 5-second intervals)
• Countdown Timer
• Chronograph – 1/100sec up to 99h59′59″99/100

Special Functions designed for NASA Mission Requirements:

• Mission Elapsed Time (MT) – up to 999 days
• Mission Elapsed Time Alarm (MA)
• Universal Time (UT) – including day number or “Julian” date
• Universal Time Alarm (UA) – second alarm for a specific time & date only

The Manual & Packing

Compared to the usual packing one would find an Omega watch inside – the ubiquitous red ‘pleather’ box – the X-33 surpasses in all departments when one considers the NASA ’spacesuit material’ box the X-33 ships in. The watch is also accompanied by a detailed manual, which has been graciously scanned and uploaded to Chuck Maddox’s website for your viewing pleasure. Now certainly the packaging has little to do with the quality and functionality of the watch itself, but the distinctiveness of the packaging certainly makes for a pleasant "out of box experience" one would expect when buying a high-quality watch.

Photograph courtesy of Kieron @ Omega TZ

The 1st Generation X-33 (Gen1, ref 3290.50.00)

Dial

Gen 1 X-33. Note the polished pushers, polished bezel with red marker at :00, and traditional knurled crown design.

Photograph courtesy of Fatpants (Alex) @ Omega TZ

Note the polished steel bezel and pushers, conventional knurled crown design, and red bezel marker instead of a luminous bezel pearl.

Caseback

Gen 1 Caseback. Note the absence of “Flight Qualified” engraving. The serial number is also shown on the back of the seven o’clock lug as with most modern Omega models.
Photograph courtesy of Fatpants (Alex) @ Omega TZ

The 2nd Generation X-33 (Gen2, ref 3291.50.00)

Dial

Note the new crown design, satin-finish brushed pushers and bi-directional (it’s not a dive watch, after all) bezel with luminous bezel pearl.
Photograph by Rrryan

Caseback

Photograph courtesy of MartynJC(UK)

Note how Martyn’s excellent time exposure photo shows the individual “ticks” of the second hand as well as how the X-33’s “jumping” minute hand jumps in discrete half-minute increments. While fake X-33’s are uncommon this is an easy way to spot them as the fakes typically don’t bother to mimic this unusual and difficult-to-replicate feature. The hour hand is continuous.

Backlight

Note: the backlight is somewhat difficult to photograph and the color balance is often distorted. In person the backlight color is more of a blue-green than blue.

Photograph courtesy of Ron Engels @ WUS

Lume Performance

Note how the lumed portions of the hour and minute hands are of similar shape and length, which can make legibility a problem in low-light situations. Regardless, the Superluminova luminous material is satisfyingly bright and visible.
Photograph courtesy of MartynJC(UK)

Inside the Case

Caseback, dustcover, and battery removed.
Photograph courtesy of Frank_be & Chuck Maddox

Movement partially extracted from the case for better viewing – note the basic decoration, seldom seen on quartz movements.
Photograph courtesy of Frank_be & Chuck Maddox

X-33 Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Very unique and uncommon watch, with the added cachet of NASA/military pedigree. A no-kidding, real-deal “instrument watch” conceived from inception for real-world usage and designed with input from actual professionals in the field
• Versatile digi-log multifunction design with many functions
• Best of both worlds: at-a-glance legibility of analog with digital quartz precision
• Suitable for most any activity that doesn’t involve lots of water
• LCD display can be turned off to save battery power
• Titanium case and bracelet are strong and substantial but still light and comfortable without the “plasticky” of some inexpensive Ti watches
• In addition to strength and light weight, Titanium affords a host of hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and anticorrosive benefits
• Domed sapphire crystal causes less reflection than flat crystals
• LOUD alarm – can actually be heard while flying
• Intuitive, easy to use and remember interface
• Bi-directional bezel is very useful in everyday settings
• Dual-sided anti-reflective coating on sapphire crystal (later Gen2 versions and replacement crystals have AR coating inside only)
• Some neat features like the way the hands and digital display synch to show the same precise time, the minute hand jumps in half-minute intervals, and the way the second hand pauses for 10 sec. when the light is activated then catches up

Cons:

• So many functions that cycling through the entire list can be tedious if you have a pressing need for a specific function (i.e. chronograph, date display etc.). While Omega provided a very clever “quick access” function for the Mission Time function by quickly pushing the 10 o’clock pusher, this function though handy for astronauts is not nearly so useful for the rest of us.
• Exterior AR coating is vulnerable to visible wear and shows surface imperfections readily, though is easily removed with DIY methods like Polywatch
• 30m WR is not as water resistant as some competing models. More on the X-33’s water resistance below.
• The hands’ design minimizes interference with the LCD display but can make low-light reading a challenge without the backlight. Lume performance is acceptable, but mediocre compared to some others and it can be difficult to distinguish between hour/minute hands in low-light situations
• When new, MSRP was on the pricey side relative to competing models and still is (if you can find them!)
• X-33 has the same shortfall of many Omega quartz movements where the second hand ticks don’t always fall perfectly on the markers all the way around the dial. This varies, and not all users report this complaint.

Neutral:

• Quartz controlled movement will be a pro or con depending on whom you ask in this price range. But the performance of quartz is hard to argue with for its intended application.
• Same for the dual-sided AR coating – it improves legibility but is much less durable and vulnerable to scratching than the tough sapphire underneath.

Water Resistance

A common criticism of the X-33 is that it has a water resistance rating of a "mere" 30m, but it can be somewhat misguided to criticise an astronaut’s watch for its failings as a diver’s watch. It’s important to keep the intended applications in mind.

While it may be wise to avoid unnecessary water contact with the X-33 and to never use the pushers or pull out the crown under water, the relatively limited 30m water resistance rating was only predicated on testing showing that the pressure at greater depths risked deforming the hollow double caseback required amplify the alarm. When it comes to alarm volume and water resistance in a watch, apparently we cannot have our cake and eat it too.

Previously, data provided by Marco Richon of the Omega Museum indicated a more robust 50m WR rating. It is not clear if this is a mistake/oversight or if Omega may have later understated/downgraded the WR when concerns like caseback deformation risk emerged. Sources who contacted the authors of this article with firsthand knowledge of model development told us that the watch itself without the hollow caseback had even been successfully tested to a respectable 100m.

In short, while Omega makes many other watches that are much better suited to swimming and diving, the water resistance of the X-33 is more than suitable for its intended flight applications, for most any everyday task, and light water exposure. Owners have even reported swimming and snorkeling with no ill effects, but individuals’ tolerance for risk may vary. In any case, as one US Coast Guard pilot once related, if an aviator has driven his plane into the drink and suddenly finds himself swimming, he has many graver and more pressing concerns than his wristwatch. ;)

Bracelet and Straps

Photograph courtesy of Fatpants (Alex) @ Ω TZ

Omega Red Kevlar strap
Photograph courtesy of HercDriver @ Ω TZ

Black Omega Kevlar strap
Photograph courtesy of John Wilson (JW) @ Ω TZ

Potential Strap Options

X-33 on Omega SMP rubber
Photograph courtesy of Fatpants (Alex) @ Ω TZ

X-33 on aftermarket black kevlar
Photograph courtesy of ancaru30 @ Ω TZ

X-33 Model Development

The watch was conceived and shepherded through development largely by General Tom Stafford, the former NASA Apollo X astronaut who sat on Omega’s corporate board at the time.* It was intended as a necessary supplement and update to the original Speedmaster Professional, which had been arguably outpaced by the potential of emerging quartz and digital technologies and was inadequate to address current NASA mission needs. However, the X-33 was specifically not intended to wholly replace the Speedy Pro in EVA “spacewalk” roles. In addition to by nature being more resistant to shocks (5,000 g’s as opposed to 3,500) the mechanical movement of the original Speedmaster is much better suited to the austerity of space for a variety of reasons. Among others, at extremely low temperatures battery chemistry and LCD (liquid crystal) displays can be detrimentally affected and/or permanently damaged by the effects of freezing, to say nothing of the effects of extreme temperatures on the accuracy of a quartz oscillator.

* General Stafford’s Speedmaster Professional [NASA s/n# 027] from the Apollo X mission is also on display in the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC, USA.

The X-33’s multifunction analogue/digital design was by no means a wholly new concept to Omega. They already had a very suitable basis for the X-33’s multifunction design and had long been making watches with a similar capability, though with a simpler interface and without the sophisticated mission-specific functions of the X-33. They had been making the Seamaster Multifunction since 1986:

First-Generation Seamaster Multifunction, ~1986.
Photograph courtesy Omega Museum.

Second-Generation Seamaster Multifunction 120

Photo courtesy of jmsrolls @ Ω TZ

The name “X-33” was originally chosen as the internal project codename for development and then retained as the commercial model name. The moniker was borrowed from the since-cancelled NASA X-33 program. The NASA X-33 program was unfortunately by various accounts somewhat poorly conceived from inception, plagued by excesses of wishful thinking and poor engineering. The program would have ostensibly demonstrated the viability of a Single Stage To Orbit Reusable Launch Vehicle (SSTO RLV) intended to eventually replace the aging space shuttle fleet and make launches cheaper and more frequent. Collaboratively developed in conjunction with aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin’s famous Skunk Works, the X-33 was intended to be commercially owned and operated with NASA as one of many customers. And though NASA’s X-33 was never intended to be capable of interplanetary flight, perhaps because of the watch’s inclusion in the movie “Mission to Mars,” the watch was marketed by Omega as the "Mars Watch" for a brief period for some inscrutable reason. In March 2001 NASA decided not to renew funding for the X-33 program after having invested $912M in the project before cancellation, with a further $357M invested by Lockheed Martin.

At points early in development the new model was named “Flightmaster” after the earlier 1970s Omega chronographs designed especially for pilots. And after all, the name made plenty of sense for the new watch that was to be designed by pilots for pilots. Shown below is one of these early “Flightmaster X-33” prototypes from approximately 1996. This particular example was sold in Antiquorum’s “Omegamania” thematic auction (Lot # 271) in April 2007 for 16,520.- CHF (about US$13,600):

Early “Flightmaster X-33″ Prototype.

Photograph courtesy of Antiquorum “Omegamania”

Note the “feathered” hands designed to prevent the obscuring the digital LCD readout, the (titanium?) “Bond”-style bracelet, and Seamaster Professional Chronograph-esque case and pushers. One field tester related to the authors that this hand design was well-liked by pilots, but Omega eventually chose the arrow design seen on later prototypes. Also notice the “T SWISS MADE T” marking at the bottom of the dial which would indicate the use of tritium luminous material. This would have been very unusual for the period since the industry-wide transition to Luminova strontium-based and similar non-radioisotope luminous materials was largely complete by this point. However, tritium is/was still used in certain specialized industrial and military applications for its superior “self-charging” performance during extended periods of darkness. Tritium might arguably have been a better choice aboard spacecraft when the wearer might not see much sunlight for extended periods, but the final version was offered only with Superluminova. Also notice the comma-separated instead of colon-separated LCD readout. Like the original Speedmaster Professional, the original X-33 design did not have a rotating bezel; early in the design phase this was deemed a feature more appropriate for analog divers’ watches that was redundant on a sophisticated, high-tech pilot/astronaut watch already equipped with digital chronograph and countdown timer.

And though the Flightmaster name might seem a little out of place for a watch intended for use in space, it was not without precedent – Soviet Cosmonaut Aleksey Leonev had worn a Flightmaster during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP):

Cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonev practices with a training mock-up of the ASTP commemorative medal during Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). His distinctive Omega Flightmaster is clearly visible in the foreground.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

Throughout development Omega made extensive use of NASA and military pilot feedback to refine and improve the design, even going so far as to send prototypes to the field for real-world testing in their intended application and environment. The design team could then consider feedback and implement suggestions from actual pilots and astronauts who wore the early versions. Sources with first-hand experience of the design testing related to the authors of this article that there were no distinct “generation” iterations despite the depictions of such in various collector books and articles. Instead changes and improvements were fielded for testing on a semi-continuously as they were implemented, in some cases with hardware and software updates completed within weeks and sent back immediately to the field for further evaluation. The suggestions and requests from field testers included an improved and larger digital display with greater contrast for better legibility, improved analog hands that did not obscure the digital display but were easily readable at night, and larger and improved pushers to facilitate operation while wearing gloves.

Image from a Japanese collector’s book, published by Chuck Maddox in his Flightmaster Article
Photograph courtesy of Chuck Maddox

The pilot pictured in the cockpit of the aircraft above wearing his X-33 Flightmaster prototype inadvertently went all-out in his attempts to subject Omega’s new design to realistic conditions – he actually crash-tested the design while piloting the MIG shown belly-up in the above right corner of the above image. The aircraft crashed on final approach for landing following a post-maintenance check-flight. Since he was outside the envelope of parameters for safe operation of the plane’s ejection seat, the pilot was left with no option but to hold on tight and ride out the crash. Amazingly the pilot survived, but not without suffering serious injuries including a broken back. But though scratched and dinged following the scratch, his X-33 prototype still functioned perfectly and all functions still performed as designed. This example now resides in the Omega Museum in Bienne, Switzerland. His account is detailed in this TZ Classics Post.

Several more prototypes are pictured below in images hosted by Chuck Maddox in his Flightmaster Article showing the evolution of the model:

Image from a Japanese collector’s book.
Photograph courtesy of Chuck Maddox @ Omega TZ

It’s not clear if this Seamaster Professional Chronograph-style case and bezel were originally intended to be used or were simply borrowed during development for off-the-shelf expediency until the X-33’s case and bezel designs were finalized. In any case as the design evolved the small, round Seamaster-style pushers shown above were dropped in favor of large, flat pushers, a feature intended to allow easy operation with gloved hands in flight. The X-33’s Seamaster Multifunction ancestry is also evident here, especially with the contrasting light-on-dark LCD display. I have to admit I prefer this style of LCD display and wish it had been retained, though perhaps it didn’t provide the high contrast requested by field testers.

Shown here is another prototype from 1997 that was sold in the same Antiquorum “Omegamania” auction for 18,880.- CHF (~US$15,560, Lot # 225). Apparently the decision had been reached by this point to proceed with “Speedmaster Professional X-33” as the model name. Note the “X-33” printing at the bottom of the dial and large arrowhead on the hour hand. In the final production version the “X-33” printing was of course omitted from the dial:

Early “Speedmaster Professional X-33″ Prototype.
Photograph courtesy of Antiquorum “Omegamania”

Image from a Japanese collector’s book.

Photograph courtesy of Chuck Maddox @ Omega TZ

Above is another prototype design. Note the spade-shaped hands in this early example; this was apparently an early design attempt to balance competing demands of LCD visibility and low-light readability of the analogue hands. The "compass-bearing" bezel is amusing; apparently this was an attempt to use a bezel that provided a function not already made redundant by the sophisticated microprocessor functions of the quartz movement. Unless this bezel design had some astronomical application of which the authors are unaware, it was likely intended to be used with the old military trick of “point the hour hand at the sun – halfway between the hour hand and twelve o’clock is south.” This technique of course is of negligible utility on land (if you can see the sun, a watch isn’t very necessary for telling direction) and is very nearly entirely irrelevant on a rapidly moving/turning aircraft. This bezel design was thankfully discarded in favor of the unidirectional 60-minute bezel in the production version to provide even more short-term timing capability that was rapidly accessible (updated to bi-directional with luminous marker on Gen 2 models). What appear to be early versions of the glove-friendly flat pushers are visible here as well.

Pilots weren’t the only ones to have input on the X-33 – as the design was nearing its final form and before full production began, Omega began supplying prototypes for use aboard the Russian Mir space station for further evaluation:

X-33 prototypes worn aboard Mir by Russian Cosmonauts displayed in the Omega Museum in Bienne, Switzerland.

Photo by Jean-Michel. Please see his excellent website at SPEEDMASTER-MISSION.NET for even more photos and info.

Military Pilot Program

With its extensive military and professional input in the design phase, it seems only natural that the watch became a favorite of many military aviators, especially among fighter pilots. In response to that demand Omega makes the watches available to military aviators and aircrew at a substantial dsicount under the Military Pilot Program. In 2006 under the program the cost was approximately US$650 on kevlar strap or $800 on Ti bracelet, with the kevlar strap available separately for an additional $50. There was a minimum order quantity of 10 if an existing caseback design would be used or 15 for creation of a new custom design. The watches can also be personalized with individual names, callsigns etc. for an additional $20. In exchange for the custom design and substantial discount (roughly 75% off MSRP at the time!) military purchasers under the program are required to agree not to re-sell the watch for at least 5 years, though they still pop up on the secondary market now and then anyway. They were still delivered in the same spacesuit material retail boxes.

The caseback engraving can be custom-made to the ordering unit’s specification, as shown in this X-33 owned by TZer HercDriver, a US Coast Guard C-130 pilot:

Photograph courtesy of HercDriver @ Omega TZ

Aviator’s wings are a common choice like shown here, as were aircraft logos (especially F-15E) as well as unit/squadron “zap” logos:

Gen 1 Military X-33 with custom F-15E caseback design, among the more common military desings seen on the net.
Photo courtesy Plonky @ MWR

Gen 1 Military X-33 with custom unit insignia design, from the US Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27, Royal Maces)
Photo from internet seller

VFA-27 Unit Insignia
Photo courtesy usscoralsea.net

Names or callsigns can also be added upon request for a modest charge. The US Navy’s “Blue Angels” demonstration team is also known to have had personalized versions for at least two seasons, and the US Air Force “Thunderbirds” demonstration team is known to have purchased some as well.

In what is perhaps one of the X-33’s greatest accolades, these watches are “self-selected” and purchased privately by pilots and aircrew themselves out of their own pay – not government funding. They buy the watches because they like them well enough to pay for them and regard them as "real" pilots’ watches, not because of any elaborate marketing ad copy or because they’re issued to them for free. Omega mostly chose not to publicize or market this aspect to the public to preserve the X-33’s image as a “space” watch and distinguish it from the plethora of watches already marketed as “pilot watches” by dozens of manufacturers. In 2004 these military versions of the X-33 were assigned their own special ref. of 3291.52 on bracelet and 3991.52 on Kevlar strap. It is not known if there are any distinctive markings (aside from the obvious difference of the caseback engraving) inside our outside the watch that would otherwise distinguish a military variant from a regular production model.

As of September 2007, it has been confirmed through SGUSA that the program remains active, for now at least…

X-33 in Space

The X-33 is used by NASA and many space agencies for in-flight mission requirements. It is issued as one of four watch models approved by NASA for mission use. The others are the original Omega Speedmaster Professional, a Casio G-shock, and a Timex Datalink. The original mechanical Speedmaster Professional remains the only watch authorized for use during EVA "spacewalks." The X-33 is most often seen worn on the black kevlar strap, though the titanium bracelet appears sometimes as well. Rarely it can also bee seen worn on a one-piece white velcro strap similar to (or the same as?) that used to fit around the spacesuit. The watch is issued to NASA astronauts and is often worn on the ground as well to build familiarity with the interface and operation of the watch, much like the astronauts of the Apollo program in the 1960’s and ’70s wore their NASA-issued Speedmaster Professionals on the ground.

Since its adoption the X-33 appears frequently in NASA photos. Here are just a few:

Mission Specialist John Herrington wearing two X-33s aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour during STS-113, Nov. – Dec. 2002.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

Notice that Herrington wears two X-33’s, presumably for tracking multiple experiments or to provide multiple alarm capability. Perhaps he is wearing one on the bracelet and one on the kevlar strap to aid in distinguishing between the two. From examining NASA photos, the wearing of two watches and often two X-33s seems to be a common practice among crewmembers.

More uncommonly the X-33 can be seen worn on one of the one-piece velcro straps designed to fit around the cuff of a spacesuit or lauch/re-entry suit:

Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz 5 commander Sergei Zalyotin checks an experiment aboard the ISS, wearing his X-33 on what appears to be a white velcro strap. (broken springbar?)

Since the X-33 is not a good choice for any EVA maneuver, the white spacesuit strap is somewhat mismatched with the X-33. Perhaps the white strap is simply a field-expedient replacement for a failed strap or bracelet as Zalyotin’s watch appears it may only be secured by the lower lugs, possibly indicating a previous springbar failure on the OEM Omega strap.

STS-107 crewmembers strike a ‘flying’ pose for their traditional in-flight crew portrait aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Rick D. Husband, mission commander, is pictured in the center foreground wearing his X-33. On February 1, 2003, the seven crewmembers were lost with the Space Shuttle Columbia over North Texas. This picture was on a roll of unprocessed film later recovered by searchers from the debris on the ground. Godspeed, Columbia.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

NASA Astronauts and Russian Cosmonauts aboard the ISS.

Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

On the ground in Kazakhstan following Soyuz mission to ISS, April 2007.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

Close-up from the above of NASA Astronaut and mission commander Michael Eladio “LA” Lopez-Alegria’s X-33.

Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

Crew of STS-115 on the ground with many X-33’s visible.
Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

Close-up from the above of NASA Astronaut Dan Burbank’s X-33 along with heart monitor.

Photograph courtesy of NASA archives.

X-33 Cancellation

In the summer of 2006 Omega announced that the Speedmaster Professional X-33 would be discontinued for regular retail sale, but shortly thereafter it was determined that the X-33 would still remain available to space agencies like NASA and to military aviators under under the Military Pilot Program.

While Omega never provided any definitive reasons for the cancellation, there was much speculation (as always!) among enthusiasts and collectors. Its namesake NASA X-33 program had already been cancelled in awkward embarassment years previously, and unfortunately for Omega it was probably getting increasingly hard to maintain credibility selling a watch bearing the same tainted name. Moreover, despite its aviation and space pedigrees the X-33 was sadly never a blockbuster seller in the retail market, with pricing being perhaps among the biggest reasons. At its price point (MSRP about US$3400) it was relatively expensive for a sport/tool watch when similarly featured models from the competitors like the Casio G-Shock could be had at a fraction of the price. And though technically superior and well-matched to its intended flight/space applications, quartz technology can be a hard to sell at those prices. Though very functional it lacks the prestige and nostalgic tradition of a mechanical movement, something consumers who would spend such a sum on watches still seem to want in a "luxury" watch.

The lack of enthusiasm was not confined to the regular retail consumer but was also shared by many watch enthusiasts, despite its more recent resurgence of popularity among enthusiasts of late now that its unavailability affords it a relative degree of exclusivity. During its production lifespan many enthusiasts were unimpressed by the quartz-controlled movement and dull LCD-grey dial, and some Speedmaster afficionados even objected vehemently to the inclusion of "Proffesional" on the dial of a quartz watch. In the eyes of some collectors the X-33 was regarded as a drastically overpriced novelty driven by what was still "just" a bohemian quartz movement, especially after questions about accuracy shortcomings arose.

While titanium’s lightweight and anticorrosive properties make it a nearly ideal material for wristwatches, it is expensive to refine and notoriously difficult to machine and work with. Even though titanium is among the most abundant elements in the Eath’s crust these difficulties mean that fnished titanium products are often considerably more expensive than those made of more traditional alloys. The matte oxide finsih makes titanium very suitable for a flight watch where glare and reflections can be a distraction or impedimnet, it also means the wathc lacks the flashy "shininess" of jewelry metals and the reassuring heft of steel or gold, something many consumers unfortunately seem to want in a watch they are about to spend thousands of dollars on. And when a Casio G-shock with similar capabilities can be had for a fraction of the price, it can become difficult to justify the expense to the average consumer.

Finally, perhaps the X-33 does not fit well within what seems to be Omega’s new "up-marketing" strategy. Despite the long tradition of Omegas in space, Omega’s recent up-branding efforts like the development of the new in-house/"in-town" calibers with their exclusive co-axial escapements seem to diverge with what is "just" a quartz watch.

There was also darker specualtion that the model was dicontinued under the sepctre of rampant quality and longevity shortcomings and alleged NASA complaints about durability. While these rumors have not been confirmed or denied, the multitude of problem-free X-33s in onwer hands and indisputable evidence of continued and ongoing NASA usage seem to discredit such speculation.

At present no new stocks of X-33s are being shipped to regular retail distrubution channels. Occasionally, an Authorized Dealer may still have old remaining unsold stock available but this is growing increasingly rare. If they can be found, Omega has stated that any new watches purchased from ADs will still be covered by the full 2-year international warranty even though the model has been discontinued.

It’s hard to say what may come next, and collector speculation runs to both extremes. Omega has claimed in the ad copy for the 50th Anniversary Speedmaster Professional that they are "currently designing a Speedmaster to meet the demands of the next generation of astronauts" but as yet have not expounded upon what the replacement might be like. Like so many other consumer electronics, potential is becoming largely limited by battery technologies. Collectors have long speculated that the battery life on the X-33 is insufficient for use on extended duration missions like those aboard the ISS, and at least one X-33 is rumored to have suffered a battery failure during a mission.

But what might Omega replace the X-33 with? "Kinematic"-type hybrid designs like those used in the earlier Omegamatic might be one answer, but they used capacitors to store the current that needed replacing nearly as often as batteries. Solar technology might be another answer, but would an astronaut’s wrist be exposed to enough bright light aboard a spacecraft to keep a battery powered over a long term? As such, the major competing theories are that any subsequent model will either be a) a surrender to the technical challenges and closely based on the X-33, b)a solar-powered design of some sort, or c) some completely new technological leap forward (for Omega at least). Or perhaps it could even be a partial return to the tried-and true mechanical Speedmaster Professiona roots, centering around Omega’s new family of co-axial mechanical chronograph movements. If nothing else, it would solve the power problem nicely so long as astronauts raised on a lifetime of quartz watches can remember to wind them!

But regardless, the argument among collectors once again will remian: will the X-33 replacement deserve Speedmaster Professional pedigree without a Lemania basis?"

X-33 Movie Appearances

The Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 had a famously uncredited (and unpaid!) cameo role in the movie “Minority Report” starring Tom Cruise. Several important plot points hang on countdown timing from the main character’s wristwatch and apparently the producers wanted a futuristic-looking watch for the role. The existing Gen 1 X-33 was of course a very logical basis with its already very modern-looking appearance that could be even further enhanced with CGI special effects. However, for reasons that are not well established the producers had the watch modified to appear as if it were a Bulgari product. It’s not clear if Bulgari simply won a product placement deal in which Omega may never have been considered. It’s not clear Omega was simply never consulted about the modification, or if they were but simply would not agree to CGI modifications, perhaps preferring to publicize an actual production model rather than a watch consumers could not buy. In any case Bulgari seems to have been quite willing to go along with the deal so in the final production “Bulgari” was CGI-printed on the dial. It was later rumored that Omega/Swatch had sued the studio over the transgression. While an outcome was never publicized the matter was likely quietly settled behind closed doors.

Here we can see Minority Report’s “Bulgari X-33”. It’s very clearly an Omega X-33 yet "BVLGARI" features prominently on the dial:

At other points in “Minority Report” CGI effects were not applied and the watch can be seen in its original and unmodified state. It is very plainly an Omega X-33:

And here there is just no arguing that it’s an Omega X-33:

In addition to the X-33’s appearnce in "Minority Report", prior to the cancellation of the NASA X-33 vehicle program Omega had marketed the X-33 as the “Mars Watch” for an expected eventual mission to Mars. It was thus a logical choice for astronaut wear and featured prominently in the movie “Mission to Mars” as well.

Other Assorted X-33 Facts and Trivia

• The positioning of the LCD readout on the X-33 was carefully chosen to allow at-a-glance reading without removing hands from flight controls.
• The ref. 3540.30 Speedmaster "Split Second" used the same case as the X-33, although in stainless steel and minus one pusher at seven o’clock.
• A seldom-seen version of the X-33 (ref. 3991.50.09) was sold on a green Kevlar strap with a deployant buckle in 2002, purportedly for the Japanese market. The OEM green strap is among the choices presented to military purchasers and remains available separately from online vendors like Otto Frei:

  

• Undocumented feature: many of the X-33’s functions can be set/reset by pushing and holding the crown for three seconds rather than pulling it out as described in the manual. This makes it easier to set the functions while the watch is worn on the wrist, and is especially useful when wearing gloves or in environments where water/dust/debris could enter the case through the open crown. It is also useful on the Gen1 model, on which the crown design made it somewhat more difficult to grip and pull than on the Gen2.
• In 2002 a special version of the X-33 designated ref. 3992.50.06 with analog hands omitted was presented to the Omega-sponsored defending champion Team New Zealand for the 2003 America’s Cup yacht race. This version was never sold commercially and only 12 examples were made, 10 of which were presented to crew members. Omega was already marketing other mechanical America’s Cup models with yachting-specific features, but apparently the crew insisted on a digital timer for the race. The team is also known to have previously used the unmodified regular production X-33 as early as 2000:
  
  Special “America’s Cup” X-33 made exclusively for Team New Zealand. Note the "America’s Cup" logo in the center and the lack of analog hands.

  Photo courtesy Omega Museum

• Gene Cernan, former Apollo Astronaut, author of The Last Man on the Moon and current Omega board member, is reputed to wear his X-33 every day.
• The pushers and bezel are not titanium but actually stainless steel brushed to match the finish of the titanium case.
• The outer index chapter ring of the dial is "dished" at an upward angle for a very deliberate reason – to reduce problems of parallax when the dial is viewed at different angles. Ingenious, isn’t it?

X-33 Problems & Complaints

There have been several problems reported with the X-33 which were largely confined to the early years of production. As is the nature of many internet information outlets, it could be that part of the reason for the seeming frequency of reports within the forums might be that users with problems are more inclined to seek out forums and discuss them as opposed to users who experience no problems. Indeed, the reports may represent a small but vocal percentage of total production. However, there were a few specific problems with enough frequency and commonality to deserve discussion. Regrettably, Omega didn’t handle these issues as graciously as some would have hoped. They never publicly acknowledged the faults or provided explanations, though since they seem to have been corrected in later designs it would seem that they were likely aware of them. And sadly the disappointment and frustration among fans is not unlike that later expressed by some regarding durability failures early in the production of the Speedmaster Broadarrow models.

As recently as a few years ago Omega would reportedly still repair the “collapsing crown” fault free of charge, even if outside the warranty period or if warranty documentation could not be provided. At the time of publication it’s not clear if this policy is still in effect. Most of these issues had ostensibly been addressed by introduction of the 2nd Gen. model, following which the frequency of problem reports in internet forums dropped dramatically. Occurrence of these problems with Gen. 2 models is rare, and of late has even become rare among existing Gen. 1 X-33s. Many interpret this to mean that ghosts of early problems are no longer following the model and collectors shouldn’t fear, but pessimists will claim that it’s simply a matter of waiting for the shoe to drop with Gen 1 X-33s.

At one point there seemed to be a rash of complaints from military users in particular, which unfortunately seriously damaged the watch’s reputation in the eyes of some. Perhaps this was because the custom-made military models may have been assembled in relatively small batches, which can challenge efforts of standardization and quality control. As well, military aviators may also be among those who demand the most from a watch, subjecting it to the hardest use and worst abuse. In any case, problem reports among the military population have since declined and the X-33 remains a popular choice.

“Collapsing Crown”
At one time this was the most commonly reported fault, in which the crown would become mushy and “collapse” into the case, failing to actuate the module when pressed. This is a critical failure because the watch’s functions cannot be used. Reports of this problem with Gen 2 X-33s are uncommon.

“Popping Pushers”
Just like it sounds – pushers would separate from the case. Less common.

Crown Coming Out
Again, just like it sounds. This was high among the complaints of some of the military pilots, especially as foreign objects floating about the cockpit can be hazardous during flight maneuvers. There were unconfirmed rumors of an astronaut experiencing this fault aboard the ISS during a mission.

Kevlar Strap Durability/Comfort Complaints
Despite the mystique of its “bulletproof” reputation and high strength-to-weight ratio (roughly 5 times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis), Kevlar can be a temperamental fiber to work with and is not without some vulnerabilities. It is susceptible to breakdown from ultraviolet light exposure and long-term water exposure or repeated washings if the design of the finished product does not “seal” the Kevlar fibers well through lamination or other means. Early double-ridged versions of the Omega Kevlar straps had many complaints about durability and fraying/unraveling as well as complaints of stiffness and discomfort. Newer flat versions of the Kevlar straps were introduced that seem to have addressed these vulnerabilities as complaints are rare now.

Accuracy Complaints
At its release the X-33’s stated precision was an astonishing (if perhaps somewhat optimistic for a non-thermocompensated movement) +/-0.1 sec/day. However, many owners did not observe such accuracy and some even pursued repeated maintenance under warranty attempting to bring it into spec, with varying degress of success. The advertised spec was subsequently downgraded in short order to +/- 0.3 – 0.5 sec/day, and then shortly thereafter no accuracy specification at all was stated. While in general the X-33 can be expected to have very reasonable accuracy since it is after all a quartz oscillator-controlled watch and inherently acurate, it’s not quite the dead-on forever accuracy that might have been hoped for and that early ad copy hinted at. However, as with many quartz watches accuracy can be more consistent if the watch is constantly worn, keeping the temperature as stable as possible.

Hands Don’t Line Up With Markers
In some cases, the second and/or minute hand may not strike perfectly on the index markers at the edge of the dial, either completely or partially around the dial. Sadly, this shortcoming is not limited to the X-33 and is not an uncommon complaint with other Omega quartz models. In some cases a watchmaker can correct/improve the problem by removing and re-setting the hands if the error is a consistent offset all the way about the dial. It’s important to note that the problem is not common to every X-33, and in some cases users have noted that the problem seems to vary across battery life. Note: in some cases this is a problem of parallax owing to the viewing angle, and might be improved simply by looking at the watch straight-on. Timekeeping is unaffected.

These next few are often reported but are not quite problems owing to shortcomings in the design or manufacture of
the watch, but improper usage or maintenance:

Whining Backlight
Some users complain of a high-pitched whining noise when the backlight is activated. This barely audible, high-pitched sound is an artifact of the on-board transformer that coverts the low-voltage DC current from the battery to the high-voltage, low current AC supply required for the EL (Electro-Luminescent) backlight. This can be in the range of 100-200vac though at very, very low current. This “whine” is common to all EL displays, not just watches and not just Omegas, and is not the result of any design flaw or hardware fault. Occurrence of this complaint seems to vary by watch and user (how good is your hearing…?) as well as with battery life.

Second Hand Skipping in 5-second
Intervals
This is not a problem but a design feature that is clearly described in the owner’s manual, yet misreported as a problem with surprising frequency.
This is the battery EOL (End of Life) indicator, which serves as a warning to the user that the battery voltage is weak and the cell should be replaced soon. This problem can also present and/or persist even right after a battery change. This can be an indication that the battery was not installed properly, or that the replacement cell used was old or of inferior quality. Proper replacement with a fresh, quality brand-name cell can often fix the problem.

Backlight and/or Alarm Inoperable, Sometimes Following Battery Replacement
A possible cause of this problem is that the battery is beginning to get low on power but the EOL indicator has not yet triggered. The alarm and backlight are the two most power-hungry functions of the watch and can begin to function
weakly or not at all as the end of the battery life nears, even if the rest of the watch’s functionality seems unaffected. The obvious solution of course is to replace the battery. Like above, this problem can also present following battery replacement if an old or low-quality replacement cell is used. The solution may be as simple as replacing the battery (again, if necessary).

There are also other possible causes. Examine this photo of the battery and movement:

Notice the three gold-tone electrical connections (look carefully, one is along the outer circumference of the battery). These leaf-spring connectors and their electrical connections , and all need to make a positive connection for the watch to function properly. They are relatively fragile and can be susceptible to to weakening over time, leading to a loose electrical connection. They are also vulnerable to damage in inexperienced hands during battery replacement, especially if the dust cover or caseback is not
correctly re-installed. In some cases the connections can be repaired in capable and experienced hands. In others a complete replacement of the circuit board may be necessary (even in knowledgeable hands). For this reason it is strongly recommended that you take your X-33 to a qualified watchmaker/repair facility that is specifically familiar with the X-33 in particular, or only proceed with replacing the battery yourself if you’re equipped with the proper tools and confident in your hands and your watchmaking and electrical skills.

Rogues’ Gallery of X-33 Fakes

*Special thanks to frank_be for the images in this section – nearly all of them were previously featured in an excellent post by Frank on WUS.

While there are some fake X-33s out there they are fairly uncommon, and fortunately for collectors most of them are easy to spot with just a bare minimum of knowledge. The multifunction analog/digital movement is uncommon enough that it’s more difficult to fake using off-the-shelf ebauches, and combined with the relatively low market demand for the X-33 when it was still in production there is little profit or incentive for the fakers. Most fakes have multiple faults or errors that are immediately obvious with even a cursory inspection as shown below.

Some tips for determining if a given example is a fake:

• All genuine X-33s originally had the serial number engraved on the back of the 7 o’clock lug. However, even genuine X-33s can sometimes have had the serial numbers ground away by grey market dealers so this is not a sure-fire indication. Fakers seldom bother with the numbers at all or tend to reproduce the same number over and over.
• The titanium case and bracelet of the X-33 have a distinct matte gray finish with a few polished steel accents. Fakes are typically made of inexpensive shiny metals with incorrect flashy polished surfaces.
• The analog second hand and digital seconds display should change perfectly simultaneously, even if the seconds hand has not been set properly to read the same as the digital display.
• The minute hand on the X-33 "jumps" in discrete half-minute increments as the second hand passes :00 and :30. Fakes seldom bother with the engineering necessary to imitate this unique feature and often have continuously moving minute hands.
• Frankly, it’s probably not fake. As said above fakes are uncommon and typically very easy to spot. If you’ve gotten this far without spotting an obvious flaw, it’s likely genuine.

This is among the better fakes but has too-prominent pushers and crown as well as an incorrectly positioned and formatted LCD readout. This is thankfully one of very few that might make it past a quick glance undiscovered.
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

Reverse of the above showing incorrect caseback design and incorrect engraving similar to that of the original Speedmaster Professional. The X-33 of course was not “The First Watch Worn on the Moon,” having been released some three decades after the fact!
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

Though the red logo is amusing and this time it’s on a rubber strap, the dial and LCD readout are even more incorrect.
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

Not even close – polished case and lugs, black LCD and bezel insert, incorrect "Broadarrow"-style hands, red logo, etc.
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

Another incorrect black LCD display, this time with bracelet. They even thoughtfully included extra fake links!
Photograph from internet seller courtesy of frank_be

Links and Further Reading

• “A Pilot’s Impressions of the Omega X-33″ by Greg “Time Flies” – One of the first and still one of the best reviews of the X-33. However, note that the author misunderstood the shock-resistance rating as explained previously above. And though after all these years it perhaps remains the most famous review of the X-33 on the net, its author was later disappointed when his X-33 finally gave up the ghost after nearly 5 years of service.
• Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 Instruction Manual – hosted by Chuck Maddox
• Omega Caliber 1666 (X-33) Service Manual – with partial disassembly images, hosted by Chuck Maddox
• Omega X-33 and Breitling B-1 Compared – by MartynJC(UK) – an excellent comparison between comparable models from competing manufacturers
• X-33 battery change photo tutorial by Zaphod of WUS. NB: PROCEED WITH CAUTION – this has the potential to cause expensive problems if performed incorrectly as described above. But if you’re confident with your hands and have the proper tools…
• Gen 1 to Gen 2 Conversion – by Craig Rodgers. Yes, it can be done if you’re so inclined, and Craig shows us how in this photo tutorial
• Some X-33 Info and Market Valuation Report from Bora’s blog
• NASAexplores article on NASA watches – from NASA’s education website
• Omega Speedmaster Professional Article – by adventure outfitter Expedition Exchange. Some great general info on the Speedy Pro and X-33, with many, many NASA and ISS photos showing Omega watches in space
• Speedmaster-Mission.net – by Jean-Michel has some excellent info about the X-33, including some wonderful photos of the X-33s on display in the Omega Museum

Copyright © 2007-2008 Michael de Silva and Ryan Rooney. Statement of rights retained and permissions granted: Special permission is granted for use in educational purposes, for non-commercial purposes of sharing information in discussion forums, and to refer to elements of the above article in informational non-commercial articles or FAQs so long as this article is cited and a link to this article is provided. Copyright to images, works cited and/or linked in the above article is retained by the original owners/authors. All other rights reserved.

About

For the past couple years I lived in the UK, reading in BEng (Hons) Electronic and Computer Engineering at The University of Leeds and MSc (Dist) Mechatronics at King's College London.

My interests and hobbies include writing with Fountain Pens on various ink and paper, Swiss and German wristwatches, authoring articles in Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering, and Gundam modeling.

I have been following much Anime over the years as well as TV Shows with the likes of 24, Smallville, Dexter, and NCIS becoming favourites.