Although a crewed mission to the red planet may still be years away, Omega in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) has already designed the Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer for the expedition as well as for space travel enthusiasts and passionate collectors.
Omega's space legacy began in 1965, when Nasa qualified its watches for piloted missions. In July 1969, a Speedmaster Professional chronograph became the first watch worn on the Moon.
Time zones across Earth and Mars can be tracked with the new 45mm chronograph cased in grade 2 titanium. Developed under an ESA-patented licence, its functions include an MTC to track Mars' sol date and time at the prime meridian, allowing for the fact that a day on the red planet is 39 minutes longer than on Earth.
The Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer is equipped with an innovative solar compass and other tools for space researchers. Wearers also have access to applications such as Mission Elapsed Time, Phase Elapsed Time, alarms and perpetual calendar.
A highly precise, thermo‑compensated quartz movement, the 5622 Calibre handles the digital and analogue functions.
The classic black dial provides a contrasting backdrop for the multiple analogue and digital readings made even clearer by Earth and Mars symbols to distinguish which particular functions are in use.
Circling the dial is an oxalic anodised aluminium bezel ring in red hematite, reminiscent of Mars' distinctive dust. This striking shade is also present on the second hand, which has a black-to-red hematite gradient, a design code for Omega's professional instruments.
Worn with a titanium bracelet or Nato strap, the professional timepiece is presented in a special watch roll, whose inner lining features a reproduction of Hebes Chasma, a unique steep-sided canyon on the surface of Mars.
