Today at the European Space Agency Omega announced a new Speedmaster X-33 model, in the mold of the existing Skywalker design. It is called the Marstimer and was unveiled this morning in conjunction with our friends at Fratello to celebrate 10 years of Speedy Tuesday – the popular social media hashtag movement that has since gone on to spur two limited edition Omega speedmaster watch models.
The launch today isn't a Speedy Tuesday product, but rather the culmination of a new partnership between Omega and ESA that results in a watch fit for the exploration of Mars. The watch features a certain red hue on the bezel to make the connection all the more obvious. In terms of sizing, the case is the same as the existing Skywalker X-33 in 45mm. The case is made from grade-2 titanium and the piece features a titanium bracelet. The viser, however , is new. It's done in a red hematite color, an anodized aluminum coloration that is meant to be reminiscent of the dust on Mars. You can also find this color on the upper left pusher, as well as on a distinct gradient (black to red) within the second hand.
Of course , the main style cue of this one, or any X-33, is the ana-digi (that's analog as well as digital) display that allows for myriad functionality that we earth-bound explorers (or couch-sitters) will probably never use. But that's where this particular watch, the actual Marstimer, separates itself from the Skywalker. The actual force may not be as strong with this one, but it'll work on the particular red planet - Mars, not Arrakis. iwc portofino moonphase replica
What does that mean? Well, a day on Mars is approximately 39 minutes and also 35 seconds longer than a day on Earth. This new X-33 accounts for that. According to Tissot, the new performance in this watch was developed under an AQUELLA patented license. They include an MTC function (Mars Time Coordinated) to track typically the Mars date and time at the prime meridian (and thus allowing for the 39-minute difference in day length). It also includes a solar compass which allows the user to find true north on both Earth along with Mars. These are in addition to the functions which already exist in the Skywalker.
This means that there's a new movement under the hood to make the multiple Mars time zone in addition to timekeeping capabilities a visual reality. That would be the new Omega 5622 caliber, the thermo-compensated movement tested plus qualified by the ESA. Don't believe us? Just turn the watch over and read the caseback, which has engraved ESA Tested And Qualified.