Tag Archives: X-33

Rare and Unusual Omega Speedmasters @ AQ: part II

Rare and unusual Speedmasters from the AQ archives

Rare and unusual Speedmasters from the AQ archives

A few days back we highlighted some of the rarest and most unusual Omega Speedmaster models found in the Antiquorum archives and as promised, today we’re back for part two! This time we’re working our way up from 2003 – we sort of forgot at which page we left off last time 😉 .

Omega Speedmaster ref. unknown Racing Dial caliber 321

Omega Speedmaster ref. unknown Racing Dial calibre 321

First up is a Speedmaster in a rather peculiar configuration: a racing dial and telemeter bezel. While we don’t have our Moonwatch Only copy at hand and won’t comment on originality, it does seem legit and if so, it was a stellar buy at 3.080 USD including commission.

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 345.0809

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 345.0809

A moonphase display is a somewhat whimsical complication. While of little use to most of us, it adds a touch of romance to a dial that’s hard not to love. Omega first introduced this feature to the Moonwatch in 1985, in a limited run of 1300 pieces of the reference 345.0809. The differences compared to the current Speedy Moon are subtle yet noticable; the current version uses rings around the subdials for an arguably more luxurious look, while the vintage one has a more utilitarian feel to it – save for that charming face on the moonphase disc. This example was sold at the 2004 December 1st New York auction for USD 3.680 including commission.

Omega Flightmaster X-33 Prototype 09/22

Omega Flightmaster X-33 Prototype 09/22

Enter Omegamania, the auction that caused quite a stir and achieved top results for a huge number of lots. The prototype pictured above is a wonderful mash-up of Omega’s most iconic lines: named Flightmaster, it used a case similar to that of the Seamaster Chronograph and would grow out to become the Speedmaster X-33 ‘Mars Watch’. The hammer fell at 16.520 CHF including commission.

Omega Speedmaster Moonphase 'Teutonic' TA 345.0810

Omega Speedmaster Moonphase ‘Teutonic’ TA 345.0810

And another Speedmaster Moonphase – although this one is arguably more of an acquired taste. The distinct eighties style ‘Teutonic’ case in two-tone (titanium and yellow gold), the white dial, the moonphase – somehow it seems to work. This rare Speedmaster (300 pieces) in seemingly perfect shape was sold for a quite impressive 9.440 CHF including premium.

Omega Speedmaster Professional Alaska Project ST 145.0022-69

Omega Speedmaster Professional Alaska Project ST 145.0022-69

Boom. Holy grail alert – one of the original Alaska Project Prototypes. The Alaska Project was lead by Pierre Chopard from 1971 to 1973, trying to explore and improve the limits of the original Speedmaster Professional. Included in the sale was the red outer case, designed to improve its resistance to low temperatures. Final price? 64.900 CHF including commission

Omega Speedmaster Professional Italy DD 145.0022

Omega Speedmaster Professional Italy DD 145.0022

Indeed you’re right – we’re skipping a lot of the usual suspects and high-profile models. Here’s another one we love and that’s very rarely seen: the Omega Speedmaster Professional Italy DD 145.0022. Were it not for a friend of ours who owns one, we’d probably have a hard time locating one.. The two-tone is such a huge change compared to the regular Speedmaster look, although it -in our opinion- hardly detracts from the instrumental nature of the watch. This watch was made as a limited edition for the Italian market and sold at Omegamania for 14.160 CHF including premium.

We’re sorry guys – this is it for today. We’ll be back for more soon!

Omega Speedmaster X33 Skywalker Ref. 318.90.45.79.01.001

Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 Skywalker 318.90.45.79.01.001

Omega Speedmaster Professional X33 Skywalker 318.90.45.79.01.001

Another killer introduction from Omega at BaselWorld 2014: the Omega Speedmaster Professional X33 Skywalker ref. 318.90.45.79.01.001.

For this third generation of the X33, Omega returned to the roots that it abandoned when the Z-33 was introduced – the Seamaster inspired round case, a turning bezel and overall very toolish looks. In fact, the case looks just like the Gen 2!

Cool fact – the new Speedmaster Skywalker X33 is tested and certified by ESA and was developed according to a patent filed by astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy. The case, in grade 2 titanium, measures 45mm. The bezel inlay is ceramic.

Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 Skywalker 318.90.45.79.01.001

Omega Speedmaster Professional X33 Skywalker 318.90.45.79.01.001

Below a wristshot by Solar Impulse pilots  Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg.

Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 Skywalker 318.90.45.79.01.001

Omega Speedmaster Professional X33 Skywalker 318.90.45.79.01.001

Price is set at EUR 4.390 incl. VAT. Interested? Contact our friends over at AceJewelers!

Press Release – Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 and Solar Impulse

Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 Skywalker 318.90.45.79.01.001

Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 Skywalker 318.90.45.79.01.001

At a press conference today in Payerne, Switzerland, Solar Impulse unveiled its second solar-powered airplane, Solar Impulse 2. The Solar Impulse project, launched by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, has set itself the goal of circumnavigating the globe in an airplane powered day and night using nothing but solar energy by 2015. OMEGA has an active role as one of Solar Impulse’s Main Partners, providing both capital support and key technology to a venture that will contribute to the scientific and ecological development of alternative means of sustainable energy. OMEGA’s significant contributions will continue to be an integral part in the Solar Impulse Project’s success in the coming years.

April 9th 2014 – read more below the gallery

Solar Impulse 2 has been built to meet the challenge of becoming the first plane to circle the globe using the sun as its only source of energy. The first test flights of this new airplane are scheduled to begin in May in Switzerland. It involves several new and improved technologies developed by OMEGA which have been introduced to make the airplane more energy efficient. These enhancements includes a lighter, more efficient landing light system, an upgraded, lightweight version of the OMEGA Instrument and an energy dispatcher which transfers energy from one engine to another in the event one experiences an energy deficiency. OMEGA has also offered lighter electronics inside the plane’s dashboard.

The OMEGA Instrument
The OMEGA Instrument, designed by Swiss aeronautics legend and ESA Astronaut, Claude Nicollier, indicates the degree of inclination of the airplane and can be read easily by the pilot. The indications are highly visible but there are also vibrating alarm devices in the sleeves of the flight suits which will ensure that the pilot will react in a timely fashion to the critical information provided by the instrument.

The Energy Dispatcher and DC/DC Cockpit
For the Solar Impulse 2, OMEGA has introduced an energy dispatcher that ensures that if one of the four Solar Impulse engines experiences a problem, energy can be rebalanced between them by transferring energy from the battery of the deficient engine to the battery of the operative engine. And the new DC/DC Cockpit offers a dramatic change in the weight of the electronics inside the dashboard, making them 50 percent lighter.

Landing lights
OMEGA was also responsible for a lightweight landing light system which weighs an astonishing three grams per watt. On each wing is a set of LED landing lights whose brightness is amplified by a correlation lens. Each landing light consumes only 10 watts but its light intensity is equivalent to a 200-watt incandescent light bulb. Additional sets of “promotional” lights are positioned along each wing.

The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33
At the press conference, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg wore the OMEGA Speedmaster Skywalker X-33. The multi-function quartz chronograph has been designed for adventurers and explorers. The black dial, with its white indexes and hour markers, has a central opening allowing the wearer to read the displayed digital elements such as the hour, minute and seconds of up to three different time zones, three alarms, chronograph and countdown functions, and  a perpetual calendar with day, date, month, year and week number indications. In addition to its analogue and digital displays, this timepiece is prepared for space exploration with two functions: mission elapsed time (MET) and phase elapsed time (PET).

Crafted from grade 2 titanium, the 45 mm brushed case features a ceramic bezel ring with a chromium nitride scale coated with white Super-LumiNova. Complementing the case is the grade 2 titanium bracelet with grade 5 titanium links.

The new Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 model has been tested and certified by the European Space Agency (ESA) and was developed based on an ESA patent filed by astronaut Jean-François Clervoy.

Editors note: check the price at our earlier post

A quick walk through Antiquorum’s Hong Kong 22 February Auction

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 145.0022 [sic]

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 145.0022 [sic]

In the last decade, watch auctions have changed from relatively obscure places where retail vintage dealers bought their stock, to well-documented happenings where dealers and private individuals bid alike.

Besides the thrill of live auctions and opportunity to buy rare pieces, the auction houses also serve another purpose: their archives often contain high quality pictures of rare watches and the results can give you an estimate of the market value of certain pieces. Granted – the aforementioned thrill of an auction, plus commissions may make for quite a mark-up from ‘street value’, but still..

So, are you ready to check out some recent results from Antiquorum’s Februari 22nd Hong Kong auction?

First up is lot #1: the Speedmaster Professional Moonphase. The lot went unsold, but is was labelled incorrectly as a 145.0022 (more likely a ST-345.0809) and the dial was listed as ‘reprinted’, which explains the somewhat crooked layout.

Omega Speedmaster Teutonic 145.0040

Omega Speedmaster Teutonic 145.0040

Next Speedmaster in this auction is the so-called Teutonic with it’s signature smooth eighties styling. Somewhat of an acquired taste, but quite unique and undervalued. In fact, it’s the cheapest way to get an 861 Speedy! This example with silver dial was sold right in the middle of its estimate at 12.500 HKD (USD 1.650, CHF 1.500).

Omega Flightmaster Speedmaster X-33 Prototype

Omega Flightmaster Speedmaster X-33 Prototype

Now here’s a rare one: lot 46, the Omega Flightmaster / Speedmaster X-33 Prototype second generation.

Food for thought: this watch uses a Seamaster-type case, bears the Flightmaster name and would eventually evolve into a Speedmaster – the X-33 nonetheless, an astronaut’s favourite ’till this very day. Omega history in a nutshell!

This lot was sold for 137.500 HKD or approx. 18.000 USD / 16.000 CHF.

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3576.50.00

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3576.50.00 [sic]

We’ll conclude this post with a modern counterpart of the Speedmaster Moonphase posted above: lot 50, the Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3876.50.31 (listed as 3576.50.00, the bracelet model).

One might note the subtle changes compared to the vintage model; the flatter dial, now with rings around the subdials, the updated Swiss-designation at 6:00 and various other subtle differences. Rarely seen, this model is a great choice for Speedmaster-aficionados looking for something a bit different.

Still available to day (check out the brand new models at our friends over at Ace Jewelers), the watch sold for 23.750 HKD (approx. USD 3.100 / CHF 2.800).

Omega Speedmaster X-33 Special Team Edition America’s Cup 3229.50.06

Omega Speedmaster X-33 Special Team Edition America's Cup 3229.50.06

Omega Speedmaster X-33 Special Team Edition America’s Cup 3229.50.06

Now – as far as unusual Speedmasters are concerned: this might be another contender for a top position in the charts.

The X-33 was of course originally designed as a successor of the Moonwatch. A modern replacement, designed using input of both pilots as well as astronauts. And we have shown it time and time again – it proofed to be a big success in terms of professional use. Just scroll down for proof.

But then, in 2003, Omega made these 3229.50.06 for the America’s Cup team. The first -and only- Speedmaster to be marketed as a regatta watch. Well, marketed.. it was only available for team members… All other America’s Cup watches were (and still are) Seamasters – either Professionals or Aqua Terra’s. Mind you: it is probably one of the most limited Speedmasters out there with just 12 examples produced. Although you might guess otherwise, it is most certainly not the first Speedmaster sans hands though.

Let’s conclude this post with some wise words of the manufacturer:

This special model was initially only produced as a series of twelve, ten of which were presented in 2002 to the defenders of the America’s Cup 2003 (sponsored by Omega). Its most noticeable characteristic: no hands; it is primarily intended for timing regattas.

Calibre 1666B, dial featuring the America’s Cup 2003 New Zealand logo. Entirely satin-brushed titanium case, bidirectional rotating bezel with a SuperLuminova disc at 12 o’clock, case back engraved Flight-qualified by NASA for Space Missions with the Seahorse medallion. Large vertical ribs on the crown for easier handling of the watch. Flat anti-reflective sapphire crystal, black Kevlar bracelet.

[http://www.omegawatches.com/spirit/sports/regatta-watches]

Now a decent picture is finally available, we will incorporate this rare beast in our X-33 files as soon as possible.