3… 2… 1… Liftoff!

Take a poll amongst wristwatch collectors, and we'd bet the consensus would be that there might be nothing more important or iconic in a watch collection than an Omega Speedmaster. 

But everyone’s heard of the "Moonwatch" - so how about the modern version?

Well, sort of the modern version: The X-33 is Omega’s contemporary ‘space’ timepiece. Having evolved from the Alaska IV watch from 1979, it was designed specifically for astronauts to operate while wearing heavy gloves and features a unique mix of analog and digital timekeeping, as well as an assortment of alarms and other features. Certified for use by the European Space Agency (ESA), it’s been used aboard the International Space Station (ISS)

This particular X-33, a Reference 3290.50, is housed in a 42mm titanium case with a sapphire crystal, a titanium function-setting crown, 4 pushers, and a unidirectional timing bezel. It features a digital dial with a luminous matte black chapter ring and a matching white ‘broad arrow’ handset with a Flightmaster-style seconds hand. Powered by a quartz movement, it comes paired to a titanium multi-link bracelet with a signed push-button deployant clasp.

If the Speedmaster constitutes the future as envisioned in the late 1950s, then the X-33 does the same for the late 1990s — though in our humble opinion, it looks just as cool today as it did upon its debut in 1998. And if you want a multi-function timepiece that doesn’t necessarily provide haptic feedback or share text messages with you, then this is the watch to own.

Check it out for yourself!