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Space tourism - once a mere dream for the future - now becomes reality, though the 20 million-dollar price tag for the first return ticket still remains beyond the means of most people. However, one item of the standard equipment issued to this extraordinary tourist can be purchased over the counter from any of the world's prestige watch retailers: The OMEGA Speedmaster X-33 chronograph. The world's first fare-paying tourist in space is Mr Dennis Tito, a 60 year-old former aerospace engineer and founder of a multi-billion dollar pension investment firm. Tito was presented with his Speedmaster X-33, developed specifically for space use in conjunction with astronauts and pilots and tested on board the MIR space station, at an official reception together with fellow crew members, commander Talgat Musabaev and cosmonaut Yuri Baturin. As part of their training, the crew participated in a course designed to familiarise them with the watch's numerous functions: dual analogue and digital display with backlight for excellent night legibility, a powerful 80dB alarm which meets NASA's strict requirements, a mission elapsed time function - indispensable for timing all flight operations - with its own separate alarm, Universal Time indication (also with alarm) as well as a chronograph and countdown timer. Thanks to the use of high-tech, robust yet lightweight materials such as titanium and kevlar, the X-33 can easily stand up to the tough conditions that prevail in space. To fulfil his long-held dream of spaceflight, Dennis Tito offered to finance an entire mission to the MIR space station. However, due to the decision to take MIR out of service and bring the station back down to Earth, he was instead given the opportunity to fly to the new International Space Station. Tito will be the third crew member of mission ISS 2S, the purpose of which is to replace the Soyuz capsule that acts as a "lifeboat" for the resident crew on board the ISS. To ensure maximum safety, this capsule is renewed every six months, with the mission crew returning in the old capsule. Experienced mission commander Musabaev has spent a record-breaking 333 days on board the MIR space station and conducted a total of seven EVAs (extra-vehicular activity). He also has his own special association with OMEGA, having been one of the crew who presented the Speedmaster X-33 to the world via a live satellite link-up with MIR in 1998. He is accompanied by cosmonaut Yuri Baturin, who gained first-hand experience of such "taxi" missions on his first mission to space aboard Soyuz TM28 in 1998, returning with Soyuz TM 27. Following the controlled re-entry of MIR into the Earth's atmosphere last month and its subsequent destruction in the Pacific Ocean, the ISS now becomes the platform for space research in the early 21st century and will accommodate a permanent crew of up to seven people for periods of between three and six months once complete. With the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional X-33 as part of their standard equipment, every visitor to the ISS will take with them a quality timepiece with proven reliability that embodies of 150 years of watchmaking know-how.

OMEGA's international ambassadors are a cornerstone in the brand's promotional activities, appearing in advertisements, adding a special touch to events and reinforcing OMEGA's involvement in sports. As a manufacturer of prestige timepieces with over 150 years of tradition behind it, OMEGA attaches great importance to long-term relationships with such spokespersons for the brand. Well-known international celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, Pierce Brosnan, and Michael Schumacher have all been partners of OMEGA since the mid-1990s and are quite naturally regarded as part of the family.The young Sergio Garcia is the perfect addition to OMEGA's family of golfing ambassadors, which comprises South Africa's Ernie Els, China's Zhang Lian-Wei and the Danish lady golfer Iben Tinning. This strong on-course presence is complemented by the title sponsorship of the OMEGA European Masters and the OMEGA Hong Kong Open, as well as OMEGA's official timekeeping of the US PGA Tour, the Senior Tour and several other events on the European Tour.Having turned professional in 1999, Sergio Garcia went on to win the Murphy's Irish Open and the Linde German Masters in the same year, also coming second to Tiger Woods in the US PGA Championship at Medina and helping Spain to win the Alfred Dunhill Cup. In 2001, Garcia won the MasterCard Colonial and the Buick Classic in the USA. It was thanks to these victories that Sam Torrance picked Garcia as one of the wild cards for the 34th Ryder Cup matches.Speaking at a press conference to announce the new partnership, OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart commented "Sergio Garcia is representative of the many young golfers currently taking up this unique sport. Although he is already world famous, he has his whole golfing future ahead of him."For his part, Sergio Garcia explained the reasons for his choice of OMEGA:"OMEGA has done a great job of securing some the world's best players for the OMEGA European Masters. I am very happy to be associated with OMEGA. Not only because the brand is very involved in golf at all levels, but also because the brand has both a fantastic history and a very dynamic and forward-looking image. I am certain that this will be a tremendous relationship for both of us".