HANDS-ON: The Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Solar Impulse

The story in a second:

Even though the Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 supports a worthy cause, the Solar Impulse project, we’re more than a little disappointed that this watch has nothing to do with Star Wars.

The latest limited edition of Skywalker X-33 celebrates the Solar Impulse project. The Solar Impulse is an amazing plane that is on track to circumnavigate the globe, powered only by sunlight (currently it’s somewhere over China). So it’s fitting that the watch honouring this worthy endeavour is Omega’s niche, digital Speedmaster. This version is based on the European Space Agency-certified Skywalker X-33 that we first saw in 2014. The Skywalker is the next generation space watch, certified by the European Space Agency.

As a side note we sincerely hope that Omega are in talks with Disney to get this watch on the screen in the latest chapter of the Star Wars saga. It would be an amazing coup for the brand to have their product on the wrist of Luke Skywalker as well as James Bond. The possibilities would be endless (just like the limited editions).

But back to the watch. Much like the ground breaking Solar Impulse namesake, the Skywalker is super light and powered by batteries. The 45mm grade 2 titanium case houses the Omega calibre 5619 Swiss quartz chronograph movement with a thermo-compensated integrated circuit, making it incredibly accurate, even compared to other quartz watches.

The Skywalker does far more than just tell the time. It features a patented complication from ESA astronaut Jean-François Clervoy, who pioneered the idea of being able to measure the mission elapsed time (MET), as well as the phase elapsed time (PET). While these complications have very specific purposes for pilots and astronauts, they have earthbound applications for people more concerned with timing workouts and Sunday roasts. Aside from this, the watch also features chronograph and countdown complications, up-to three different time zones, three alarms, and a perpetual calendar. And to make taking all this information in the hands can be disengaged at the touch of a button, to allow easier reading of the digital display.

This is a sporty watch, with a bright (almost neon) blue and green design. The bezel is ceramic, and goes well with the green and blue contrasting chapter rings around the face, and a grey-on-black liquid crystal display. A highlight of the watch is the high-end NATO strap with its Omega-signed titanium keepers and buckle – which helps keep the weight down. But it’s in the dark where this Speedmaster really comes to life. The Super-Luminova coatings on the bezel and hour markers glow bright green, as does the backlight of the digital display.

The X-33 Skywalker is an odd Omega. It’s a very practical watch, one of the best high-end digital sports watches available. But it’s an unusual watch for Omega, much like the Alaska Project before it, this watch is important for Omega, as it continues the brands story of pushing the envelope of exploration. Even if it’s not their most commercially successful piece we have a soft spot for this digital Speedmaster, and we can’t wait to see the next version, which we hope will be named Episode VII.

Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Solar Impulse Australian pricing

The watch is limited to 1923 pieces and has a retail of $6,900.