Omega x 33. Anyone got any thoughts?

[ggaarryy]

Title says it all really. I have been thinking of getting one for a long time, yes I know that they have been discontinued but they can be found.

Just wanted to know if anyone has one or had one and has any comments.

Thanks.

 

[DDS]

I bought a NIB 2nd generation model about 2.5 months ago. It hasn't left my wrist since, even with many high end automatics to choose from my collection. It's a fantastic watch and I have used every function. I use the chrono and alarm function daily...and boy, what an alarm. I've got a few straps on order to change up the look. I am REALLY enjoying this interactive watch more than I had anticipated. I bet you'd be happy too ! Good luck, Dave

 

[paulr]

I always wanted one just because of how incredibly loud the alarm supposedly is. Way out of my price range though.

 

[BobVA]

If you take the plunge, look for a second generation model (non-shiny bezel, flanged crown) and try to find one with the factory bracelet. The latter is very expensive to buy new, and tough to find on the secondary market (ask me how I know ) Having a bracelet makes a resale easier if you want to try something else.

The X33 is my lone quartz watch. I had a B1 for a while, but decided I like the simpler layout of the X33 and its lighter weight. The B1 and the X33 are the only quartz watches I've owned with an alarm loud enough to wake me.

Backlighting is fantastic, but the strong lume on the hands means I've seldom needed it.

What I miss with the X33 is accuracy. The later B1's had a thermo-compensated movement (called "SuperQuartz" and identified by "Chronometre" on the dial) that is advertised at something like 15 sec/yr, or about 20x better than my X33. I'm surprised all high-end quartz watches aren't thermo-compensated, but apparently accuracy isn't a big deal with most buyers.

If the alarm isn't a big deal for you, check out the Breitling Aerospace. Very nice watch and super simple to operate (everything is done via the single crown). They latest models have the SQ movement, too. They are constantly giving me the "come hither" look in the watch shops.

Search for "x33" on www.timezone.com for some good reviews.

Happy shopping,
Bob

 

[paulr]

I don't think quartz watches really need temperature compensation, since the drift in each one I've had (all fairly cheap) was quite steady regardless of temperature. They just need to be adjusted at the factory more carefully. Getting them within 30 sec/year (15 sec might be pushing it) should be doable without needing temp compensation. With compensation for temperature and crystal aging (fairly straightforward in a digital watch) they can probably get within 5 sec/year.

 

[Gatsby]

The Seiko SBQL001 for example, which has the 8F33 quartz movement is rated to +/- 20 seconds a year and from a few I've know who own one, typically does better than that (without temp compensation, etc..) which I've always thought was pretty impressive. :twothumbs

As to the X-33 everyone who owns one seem to love them, I've hesitated due to the circular digital layout - I tend to like the Breitling Aerospace/B-1 layout (not to mention the price - I hear you Paul!). Less expensive but in the same vein, I had a Citizen Ti Skyhawk that was a pretty cool and useful watch - too big for my wrist but neat nonetheless.

 

[Minjin]

This is starting to get off topic, but both of my Citizen Eco Drive Perpetual movements have been getting <10 secs a year. Certainly not all quartz's are created equal...

 

[js16301]

I have an X-33 great watch light on the wrist. Check Bladeart.com, they have a previously owned one with box and paper work at a real nice price.

Jim

 

[paulr]

You could also try timezone.com sales corner, which is sort of like CPF's BST forum.

 

[BobVA]

...The Seiko SBQL001 for example, which has the 8F33 quartz movement is rated to +/- 20 seconds a year...

The 8F33 series are a terrific value on the accuracy/$$$ scale, but you wouldn't know it from their advertising. (Back to my earlier point that this just doesn't seem to be a big selling point).

Looking back at my first post I think I should have said "high accuracy" quartz movements instead of thermo-compensated, since explicit thermo compensation (i.e. some circuit that measure and compensates for temperature changes) is just one way to solve the problem. As Gatsby points out there are other techniques (the 8F33 uses a high frequency oscillator to just avoid the whole problem) to achieve high accuracy without thermo compensation.

If anyone's interested, here's a fascinating article on the subject of quartz watch accuracy and the various methods of dealing with the inaccuracies caused by temperature variations, etc. It also includes a relatively recent list of high accuracy quartz movements:
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=msg&goto=1910741&rid=22062#msg_1910741

Back OT, though: Shortly after my post above I wandered into a local watch store wearing my X33, which I wound up trading in on an Aerospace. The new model has a backlight, louder alarm, and the SuperQuartz movement I've missed since swapping the B1 for the X33 a few years ago. I'm normally immune to trade in offers at watch shops since the prices are pretty poor, but apparently the X33 is no longer available to the general public (just NASA and the military), and the dealer had a customer who'd been bugging him to find one, so they made me a pretty good deal.

I'm really happy with the switch so far. It's slightly thicker than the old Aero, but now has a case back secured by screws rather than the old snap-in design and a much sturdier bracelet/clasp. I'm not nuts about the "minute repeater" clogging up the "crown press" operation mode since I never use that, but it's still pretty easy to operate.

Regards,
Bob