Omega X-33

[JPSP]

hey guys,

what do you think of this watch? i thought of getting is as a rough wear tool watch for sports or GMT watch when i go overseas. But to spend S$2.9K for a quartz watch when all my watches are mechanical?

   

[takashi78]

I thought the x-33 is no more in production for quite some time?

Thought about a Sinn UTC?

[TheHobbit]

jpsp,

The X-33 is made of titanium, so scratches will show easily. But the plus point is that it will 'heal' and it is easier to refinish the scratches. The watches resistance rating is only 3 ATM, so there are concerns over the use of the watch as a tool watch. In saying that, the New Zealand team for the America Cup used the watch during the race (modified, the analogue hands were removed). So .....

The X-33 is a much love or hate it watch. I love the watch for the fact that is one of the most expensive quartz watch around, hence poor sales. Even today, at pre-loved level, it is expensive. But at S$ 2.9K, it is very expensive. Is it new? Is it Gen 1 or Gen 2? Or is it one of those with the special case back (team issued watches)? Market price should be about RM 5,000 or less. I got mine for much less.

Also the movement is exclusive to Omega. It has one of the loudest alarms in the watch world, if not the loudest. I consider this watch and the Aerospace a must have quartz watch in any collection (more so those who are in the aviation industry).

takashi78,

The watch is still in production, but not for civilian purchase, sadly. It can only be purchased by those in the military as a team purchase (minimum 15 units and must have team logo and cannot sell within 5 years of purchase - contractual) or by astronauts. These people buys the watch at an awesome price.

[sshark]

The X-33 is a much love or hate it watch. I love the watch for the fact that is one of the most expensive quartz watch around, hence poor sales. Even today, at pre-loved level, it is expensive. But at S$ 2.9K, it is very expensive. Is it new? Is it Gen 1 or Gen 2? Or is it one of those with the special case back (team issued watches)? Market price should be about RM 5,000 or less. I got mine for much less.

Also the movement is exclusive to Omega. It has one of the loudest alarms in the watch world, if not the loudest. I consider this watch and the Aerospace a must have quartz watch in any collection (more so those who are in the aviation industry).

I know that is the X33 Gen-2 is not for sale to the public and only to be sold to the military with a contract. What I didn't know is you can contract a minimum of 15 pieces for fantastic prices. Thanks Hobbit.

Hobbit did mention he has 1 for price much less than rm5k. I was thinking of owning 1 also but @ that price i find it bit expensive so ended up with Seiko digital with a softest alarm around. The best of it is the way it handles GMT. it can swap between local and home effortlessly.

[TheHobbit]

@TheHobbit: You are like a walking dictionary on watches. Really like to meet you in person over the next gtg. H :thumbsup:ave you owned the X-33 yet?

My Gen 1 x-33....





sshark,

The Gen 2 was made available for civilian sales. Only later Gen 2 were sold to the military and the astronauts.

[sshark]

sshark,

The Gen 2 was made available for civilian sales. Only later Gen 2 were sold to the military and the astronauts.

Yes, correct

Also another thing, i find this watch too many buttons i.e. 4 buttons and a knob.. symmetrically looks good but "looks like so many options "

[JPSP]

Thanks guys! very insightful..

i saw a preowned Gen 1 on sale so i'm toying with the idea of getting it.

[TheHobbit]

Thanks guys! very insightful..

i saw a preowned Gen 1 on sale so i'm toying with the idea of getting it.

Just check and make sure everything works. Check the backlight works. If you hear buzzing sound when the back light is on, that is normal. If you don't hear a buzzing sound, that is also normal. Check when the back light goes off, the watch does not go into EOL mode. That means the battery is almost dead. Basically the sweep seconds hand will jump every 5 seconds. Oh, the sweep seconds hand does stop when the backlight is on and will remain so for 10 seconds from the time you select the back light. (Battery saving function).

Check the crown works properly, i.e. the crown returns to the original position after you press it. The X-33 Gen 1 is known to have a problem with the crown, i.e. collapse crown. However most of the watches have been rectified. If not, Omega will do it for you (free). Make sure that there are enough links on the bracelet to fit your wrist. If not enough, make sure you get a discount as they (the links) are RM300 each.

If it comes with the manual and box, that is a bonus. Make sure you check all the functions. To check the alarm, select alarm mode and press the lower right button for about 4 seconds. The alarm sound should come on. This is to make sure the sound module and the piezo speakers on the case back works.

All the best with the hunt.

[mnazri.tan]

Dear Hobbit...unless i am wrong (so the decision to post this, please do advice if i am wrong) I though Titanium is harder than steel and thus, it is so hard to scratch it....i have two titanium watch and so far, no scratches at all....and how do you heal titanium scratch ? i would imagine polishing aint possible or at the very least difficult to get matching finishing...but perhaps i am wrong....do advice please...

jpsp,

The X-33 is made of titanium, so scratches will show easily. But the plus point is that it will 'heal' and it is easier to refinish the scratches. nnot sell within 5 years of purchase - contractual) or by astronauts. These people buys the watch at an awesome price.

[sshark]

In terms of hardness Ti is softer than SS. There is an oxidation layer that protects the base Ti metal. If it is scratched, the base metal will oxide again and form another layer. This is wat we see as healing. I duuno if  Ti can be harden like Carbon steel but so far I only see Ti grading.

[TheHobbit]

Dear Hobbit...unless i am wrong (so the decision to post this, please do advice if i am wrong) I though Titanium is harder than steel and thus, it is so hard to scratch it....i have two titanium watch and so far, no scratches at all....and how do you heal titanium scratch ? i would imagine polishing aint possible or at the very least difficult to get matching finishing...but perhaps i am wrong....do advice please...

mnazri.tan,

Ti has a better strength to weight ratio as compared to stainless steel. As explained by sshark, the oxide layer in Ti will 'heal' any scratches and in the long term you will not notice it. You can brush the Ti case if it was originally brushed and after a few minutes, the scratches will 'disappear'. However it is the same oxide layer that makes scratches more pronounced on Ti. As the layer gets scratched, the darker lower metal shows up and makes the scratches more glaring. Ti is harder as compared to steel as it scores 6.0 on the Mohrs Hardness scale compared to the 4 - 4.5 of steel.

Ti is also more corrosion resistant as compared to Stainless Steel unless you work around hydraulic fluid, more so hydraulic fluid you find on planes like Skydrol.

Some people prefer the colour of Ti, darker, while some people prefer the 'heft' of stainless steel. Also Ti is more hypo-alergenic as compared to Stainless steel as Ti does not contain nickel.

Hope that helps.