This month’s Fratello × REM strap is most undoubtedly not for everybody, however we wished to design one thing for the well-known Omega Speedmaster X-33. So right here it’s — a inexperienced strap made from natural leather-based for Omega’s digital Speedmaster that debuted again in 1998. The Speedmaster X-33 continues to be in manufacturing, and final 12 months, Omega even devised a wild improve with ESA engineers for (unmanned) Mars missions.
Speedmaster X-33
Each NASA and ESA astronauts nonetheless use the Omega Speedmaster X-33 aboard their spacecraft and the Worldwide House Station. ESA makes use of the Skywalker (third technology), whereas NASA prefers to maintain utilizing the second-generation X-33. You’ll find an summary of the X-33 fashions right here.
Omega developed the Speedmaster X-33 primarily based on enter from pilots and astronauts. NASA astronaut Basic Tom P. Stafford (Apollo 10 and Apollo-Soyuz) even informed me as soon as that he performed a job on this mission as nicely. When the X-33 debuted, Omega referred to as it the “Mars watch” to emphasise that it was the model’s subsequent technology of devices. It was solely final 12 months that Omega lastly launched an X-33 variation that has the performance to do particular timing measurements throughout Mars missions (to not be confused with a watch that can be utilized on Mars).
Twenty-five years of the X-33
I purchased my first X-33 a few years in the past, and at one level, I had a small assortment of simply Speedmaster X-33 watches. What can I say? I simply love this quirky beast in titanium with its digital show. Finally, I noticed that it was a bit foolish to carry on to a bunch of the identical references, so I offered them to buddies and colleagues (hello, Mike!) who wished one. I saved solely one of many X-33s in my assortment, the reference 3290.50. That watch could be very expensive to me since its earlier proprietor was an ESA astronaut who was one in every of my childhood heroes. He acquired it throughout one of many introduction occasions for this watch again in 1998 whereas he was on stage doing a chat on time and house.
Even in spite of everything these years, 25 to be exact, the Omega Speedmaster X-33 nonetheless feels related. It does design-wise, after all, as its case options timeless lyre lugs, however the performance continues to be on level too. Except for the extra frequent features like time, date, and chronograph, there’s the countdown chronograph that may be helpful in sure instances. It additionally has a mission timer, which the wearer can use to document longer durations of a selected occasion (as much as three hundred and sixty five days). An extra time zone is at all times helpful, as is an alarm, and the X-33 provides each.
A inexperienced strap fits the show completely
Throughout the Fratello crew, there are fairly a number of members who’ve an X-33. It’s a enjoyable variation of the Speedmaster, and for a very long time, it was available for very engaging costs. Even at at this time’s costs on the pre-owned market, it’s a terrific watch so as to add to a Speedmaster assortment.
One of many first issues I did after I purchased my X-33 was get the OEM straps for it, one in purple and one in inexperienced. The inexperienced Kevlar strap (ref. 98000070) was solely meant for the X-33 on the Japanese market, but it surely is also ordered in different international locations. The inexperienced works extremely nicely with the X-33, particularly when the show’s backlight is activated. This impressed our want to give you a inexperienced Fratello × REM strap for this digital Speedmaster mannequin.
Particulars
As you possibly can see within the photos, the quick a part of the strap has the contour strains of the Worldwide House Station engraved. The lengthy finish of the strap has an engraving of the “33” from the mannequin title. As at all times, the strap has a 127mm lengthy finish and a 74mm quick finish. It additionally comes with the Fratello-signed buckle in brushed metal (to considerably match the seems of the Grade 2 titanium case). Lastly, the inexperienced strap has black stitching to match the crammed engravings.
The X-33 mannequin title comes from the X-33 spaceplane that Lockheed-Martin developed with NASA within the Nineties. Although a launch facility for the X-33 spaceplane was already accomplished, the mission was canceled in 2001. You’ll be able to learn extra about this mission right here.
REM straps use natural leather-based from Sweden. Every thing has been executed in Sweden, together with the stitching and laser engraving. It’s obtainable in our store as of at this time and is priced at €107 (excluding VAT). Click on right here to get your Fratello × REM Speedmaster X-33 strap now.
