With its Joe 90 retro space nerd appeal, the new Omega Spacemaster Z-33 is sure to get Omega enthusiasts longing to slip into crisply starched white pilot’s shirts.
Housed in a titanium case not unlike the Flightmaster pilot’s watches of the 70s, despite the retro look, the Z-33 is totally 21st century when it comes to timekeeping; it features the latest in quartz technology with a brand new and unique multifunctional thermo-compensated quartz movement, calibre 5666.
Designed for pilots
Designed with professional pilots in mind, floating above the digital dial is a set of analogue timekeeping hands that are adjusted by the crown at 3 o’clock. Surrounding the watch are four pushers that, along with the crown, allow full control over the array of digital features.
On board is a stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm and separate time zones, it also features a fully programmable flight log recorder as well as UTC time. All the information is neatly presented on twin digital displays featuring trans-reflective technology for at a glance reading in all lighting conditions.
There’s an ambient light sensor which constantly monitors available light and adjusts the display accordingly to ensure that the Z-33 can be read as easily in broad daylight as it can in a dimly lit cockpit, or for that matter, even with polarized sunglasses.
High-tech case, dial and hands
With its grade 5 titanium casing, the Spacemaster Z-33 has a non-reflective matt black dial with a white OMEGA name and logo featuring the words “Spacemaster” and “Z-33” in white. The white indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova, as are the skeletonised hour and minute hands. The elements coated with Super-LumiNova emit a cool green glow in low light conditions the caseback features the polished OMEGA Seahorse, the Ω symbol, the word “Speedmaster” and the watch’s serial number.
Accurate to within ten seconds a year
As for accuracy, that’s where the thermo-compensation circuit comes in. It adjusts the rate of the movement to account for changes in temperature that could negatively affect timekeeping. The X-33 “Mars watch” did not have this feature, and it enables the Z-33 to only gain or lose about ten seconds a year.
The Spacemaster Z-33 comes on a black rubber strap with the inscriptions “OMEGA” and “Speedmaster” in red. The watch is delivered in a special presentation box which includes a detailed manual.
At 43mm x 53mm it’s big, it’s bold and is bound to have plenty of pilot appeal. The price is expected to be around $5,900.
