With the Speedmaster X33 Marstimer, Omega transforms an almost naïve question — “what time is it over there?” — into something deeply horological, scientific and surprisingly tangible.
But before heading to Mars, it helps to start here on Earth. In the simplest terms, a day is defined by the interval between two successive moments when the Sun reaches the same point in the sky. This is what we call a solar day. It differs from a sidereal day, which measures a planet’s rotation relative to distant stars. On Earth, the gap between the two is three minutes and 56 seconds, thus being late can rarely be blamed on astronomy.
On Mars, the logic remains identical. The Red Planet also orbits within our solar system, which means its days can likewise be measured through the Sun’s movement. Yet a Martian day — known among scientists as a “sol” — lasts approximately 24 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds. In practical terms, Mars grants nearly forty extra minutes each day, more than enough to throw terrestrial routines into confusion.
This is exactly the purpose of the MTC function, or Mars Time Coordinated. It enables the wearer to follow the time and date of the Martian sol according to Mars’s prime meridian — the Martian equivalent of Greenwich on Earth. The watch does not display “Martian time” in some abstract or poetic sense. Instead, it converts an entirely different planetary rhythm into something wearable and functional.
The Speedmaster X33 Marstimer was developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency, with certain functions operating under ESA patent licence. It follows the philosophy established by the X33 Skywalker, conceived first and foremost as a mission instrument. Its 45 mm grade 2 titanium case houses the Omega calibre 5622, a thermo-compensated quartz movement capable of handling both analogue and digital displays with the level of precision demanded in environments where approximation has no scientific value.
Among its additional functions, MET refers to Mission Elapsed Time, tracking the duration since the start of a mission. PET — or Phase Elapsed Time — works in a similar way, though focused on a particular sequence such as an approach, manoeuvre or critical operation. The perpetual calendar automatically accounts for varying month lengths and leap years. The alarms serve as a reminder that space exploration remains, above all, an exercise in precise timing. The watch also includes a solar compass able to indicate true north on both Earth and Mars by using the Sun’s position.
Visually, Omega references Mars with restraint. The anodised aluminium bezel adopts a red hematite shade directly inspired by the planet’s distinctive colour. The same tone appears on the pusher at 10 o’clock and on the seconds hand, which transitions gradually from black to red. The black dial, marked with Earth and Mars symbols, organises the information clearly without turning legibility into an astrophysics lesson.
On the caseback, the Speedmaster inscription, Omega’s hippocampus emblem and the engravings “Speedmaster X33 Marstimer” and “ESA tested and qualified” underline that this is more than a simple science-fiction exercise.
The watch is delivered with a dedicated NATO strap, a changing tool and a travel roll lined with a reproduction of Hebes Chasma, a canyon located on Mars.
For now, nobody has an appointment scheduled on Mars tomorrow morning. But watchmaking has always been fascinated by objects that anticipate their future purpose. Reading Earth time was already useful. Reading the time of another planet remains, for the moment, entirely irrational. Which, in the world of the Speedmaster, often feels like the beginning of a compelling story.
FAQs
Q: Which Omega watch tells Mars time?
A: The Omega Speedmaster X33 Marstimer, developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency, is the Omega watch designed to display the time on Mars in addition to Earth time.
Q: How long is a day on Mars?
A: A day on Mars — known to scientists as a "sol" — lasts approximately 24 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds, giving Mars nearly forty extra minutes compared with an Earth day.
Q: What is the Mars Time Coordinated (MTC) function on the Omega Speedmaster X33 Marstimer?
A: Mars Time Coordinated (MTC) is a function on the Speedmaster X33 Marstimer that lets the wearer follow the time and date of the Martian sol, referenced to Mars's prime meridian — the Martian equivalent of Greenwich on Earth.
Q: What is the case size of the Omega Speedmaster X33 Marstimer?
A: The Omega Speedmaster X33 Marstimer has a 45 mm case made of grade 2 titanium.
Q: What movement powers the Omega Speedmaster X33 Marstimer?
A: The Speedmaster X33 Marstimer is powered by the Omega calibre 5622, a thermo-compensated quartz movement that drives both analogue and digital displays.
