Due to the high frequency at which recent news reported successes of NASA's Orion and SpaceX's ventures, I have been writing about these topics rather than others. Now, I will deviate a bit from space exploration and write about an unusual and exceptional timepiece - the OMEGA Speedmaster Skywalker.
Since the early Sixties, the OMEGA's Speedmaster has been purchased by NASA for its astronauts to serve on manned space missions, including Apollo 11 - making it the first watch to be worn by an astronaut walking on the moon.
The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33, OMEGA's most recent watch, is a watch that was initially developed to function in the extremes of space - for astronauts, essentially. The watch passed five extensive testing sessions that tested the Skywalker for space radiation, depressurization and repressurization, intense vibrations (as conditions at launch of space vessels), and exposure to high centrifugal forces. It was tested by European Space Agency's astronaut, Jean-François Clervoy. Instead of a stylish metal wristband, however, the astronaut's watch differentiates itself by its Velcro strap. Other features include alarm, chronograph (greatly accurate time), date, perpetual calender, timer, MET (Mission Elapsed Time), and PET (Phase Elapsed Time). It is a beautiful, highly functional timepiece, as commonly expected from OMEGA.
Some above mentioned space-specific functionalities seem useless on the surface of the earth, where the common person (who in this case is not really "common" - buyers are dedicated collectors that are affluent enough to put down $5,000 (and above) for this marvelously engineered and designed timepiece) would wear the Skywalker. The promotional benefit of its high functionality in the extremes of space and its relationship with NASA's and ESA's space programs are important characteristics that drive the sales of this particular watch - a benefit that sets the brand apart from its competitors. This unique relationship is something that OMEGA should continue to take advantage of.
by Peter Steenhuis
Sources:
http://www.omegawatches.com/news/international-news/international-news-detail/2847
http://www.omegawatches.com/collection/speedmaster/skywalker-x-33/presentation/skywalker-x33?watchHubRef=31890457901001
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/omega.html
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| OMEGA's Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Credit: OMEGA |
The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33, OMEGA's most recent watch, is a watch that was initially developed to function in the extremes of space - for astronauts, essentially. The watch passed five extensive testing sessions that tested the Skywalker for space radiation, depressurization and repressurization, intense vibrations (as conditions at launch of space vessels), and exposure to high centrifugal forces. It was tested by European Space Agency's astronaut, Jean-François Clervoy. Instead of a stylish metal wristband, however, the astronaut's watch differentiates itself by its Velcro strap. Other features include alarm, chronograph (greatly accurate time), date, perpetual calender, timer, MET (Mission Elapsed Time), and PET (Phase Elapsed Time). It is a beautiful, highly functional timepiece, as commonly expected from OMEGA.
 |
| OMEGA's Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Credit: OMEGA |
Some above mentioned space-specific functionalities seem useless on the surface of the earth, where the common person (who in this case is not really "common" - buyers are dedicated collectors that are affluent enough to put down $5,000 (and above) for this marvelously engineered and designed timepiece) would wear the Skywalker. The promotional benefit of its high functionality in the extremes of space and its relationship with NASA's and ESA's space programs are important characteristics that drive the sales of this particular watch - a benefit that sets the brand apart from its competitors. This unique relationship is something that OMEGA should continue to take advantage of.
by Peter Steenhuis
Sources:
http://www.omegawatches.com/news/international-news/international-news-detail/2847
http://www.omegawatches.com/collection/speedmaster/skywalker-x-33/presentation/skywalker-x33?watchHubRef=31890457901001
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/omega.html
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