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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 continued its on-screen relationship as the James Bond watch in 2006’s Casino Royale. Daniel Craig was new to the role and Omega created a special version of its Seamaster Planet Ocean for the occasion. Like all Seamasters, this Planet Ocean has the Omega 2500 self-winding chronometer movement, rotating bezel, a power reserve of nearly 48 hours, and a rhodium-plated finish on the 45.5 mm case. This time, however, the blue dial of Pierce Brosnan’s 300 M diver Seamaster would be cast aside for a black dial and a depth rating of 2,000 feet, a signature feature of Omega’s Planet Ocean design. 92 Uniqueness Craig’s Omega, featured prominently throughout the film, contains no high-tech gadgets. Casino Royale is decidedly low-tech in gadgetry, but the watch itself stands out for several reasons. First, James Bond has worn an all stainless-steel watch since the early 1960 films of Sean Connery. Second, the look and style of Craig’s Planet Ocean is reminiscent of the Rolex Submariner that Connery first wore in 1962’s Dr. No, which featured a black dial and bezel on a black leather strap. Daniel Craig’s Omega is the first Bond watch to be on a rubber strap with a buckle closure and speaks to Bond’s action-ready SAS (Special Air Service) beginnings in the British Royal Navy. Its similarity to Connery’s Submariner is deftly mentioned when Eva Green, as Vesper Lynd, takes notice of it on the train to Montenegro with Bond as she mistakenly calls it a Rolex. Bond corrects her by uttering the single word: “Omega,” and their flirtation continues. The reference, however, serves two purposes: It rewrites on screen Bond’s character development and description. Read more 80 Durability Craig’s Seamaster Planet Ocean with its black dial and rubber strap is far more stylish than the blue dial sported by Pierce Brosnan in his outings as 007. For the man on the go, as Craig’s Bond is, the rubber strap can be swapped for a stainless steel bracelet to give the watch a refined masculine edge for wear with a suit or tuxedo. In a sense, this switch from strap to steel signifies another evolution in Craig’s portrayal of Bond. The utility of the rubber strap required of the first half of the movie is no longer needed as he transcends into the world of the Casino Royale. In either incarnation you would be hard-pressed to find a watch that rivals the sheer vitriolic and testosterone-infused look and feel of this watch. This comes in part from the weight of the watch itself as Omega die cuts each case from a separate and single piece of stainless steel before adding its Co-Axial Escapement movement. Best of all perhaps is that you too can enjoy the modern simplicity Omega has brought to the wrist of Mr. Bond.