Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X33 – Solar Impulse 2 Limited Edition is the perfect example for some people who consider that watches are more than objects that show the time in a way or another. Wristwatches could represent a story, an emotion or a statute in society. For me it’s the first two. The watches that I love and are in my collection usually have a strong background. I am a “victim” for the sellers when they present me a watch with a good story. Regarding the Speedmaster line, Omega started it more than 50 years ago and every watch enthusiast knows some stories about the legendary Moonwatch.
Three times I had the Moonwatch and every time I let it pass because something missed for my taste. Speedmaster should represent the newest achievement in technology like it was 50 years ago in its case. Omega tried a couple of years ago to deliver a new model good enough or maybe better for the high standard marked in 1967.
They made several models but none of them surpassed the legend, until now (two years ago) when they presented the Solar Impulse II version of Skywalker X33. With this one I feel like the story of the first watch on the moon passed from one generation to another. Don’t get me wrong. I still love the Moonwatch but I really wanted an up-to-date version of it. C’mon!, progress is not that bad.
Omega made the contemporary Speedmaster Skywalker after their collaboration with the European Space Agency. It incorporates all the necessary functions for a mission on the International Space Station. Weight is lower than 60 grams thanks to its case made of Grade 2 Titanium. The movement that powers it, Calibre 5619 is a multi-functional thermo-compensated quartz chronograph. It has various functions like three time zones, timer, chronograph, calendar, mission elapsed time, phase elapsed time and three alarms.
I want to mention that the alarm is very loud, at more than 80dB. In order to achieve this extraordinary value, Omega made an interesting case-back. It has 2 parts – the first one that contains the beeper and insures its 30m of water resistance is kept in place by the other part which allows a space between this two. This space allows the delivery of the sound at full intensity even when wearing the watch.
On the top it has an antireflective coated sapphire crystal and a bidirectional matte ceramic bezel with Luminova filled markers. All the functions are operated by the crown and four pushers, the one at 11 o’clock being user programmable.
The combination of negative LCD, blue dial and the green accent from the seconds hand and chapter ring is gorgeous. In order to keep its weight very low, Omega put this version of Skywalker on a high quality Nato strap.
The collaboration between Omega and the European Space Agency led, in my opinion, to a modern interpretation of the legendary Moonwatch, creating a high quality instrument capable of functions not yet seen on other watch. This watch, like the first Speedmaster ever created, is not a luxury object. It is a tool for the astronauts and I’m glad that I can use one on land.
Cheers.
For more information, visit OmegaWatches and SolarImpulse.
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