OMEGA Speedmaster GMT “Solar Impulse”

Launched in 2008, the OMEGA Speedmaster GMT “Solar Impulse” was inspired by and created in honour of the Solar Impulse project.

Co-founded by André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard, Solar Impulse is a Swiss long-range experimental solar-powered aircraft project. Their ambition was to circumnavigate the globe in an airplane powered only by the sun.

Inspired by this project, the OMEGA Speedmaster GMT Solar Impulse watch combines elegant but sporty design with cutting-edge technology. Its dramatic, Speedmaster-influenced dial is made of black carbon fibre similar to the composite covering of the first Solar Impulse aircraft, known as HB-SIA.

The slightly-recessed black chronograph and small seconds counters creatively contribute to the watch’s outstanding legibility. Another detail on the timepiece’s unique dial is the discreet “HB-SIA” appearing in ochre on the dial at 12 o’clock.

The Speedmaster GMT “Solar Impulse” features central hour, minute hand, and chronograph seconds hand. There is also a central GMT hand, with an airplane-shaped pointer, which completes one rotation in 24 hours and can be used to read a second time zone.

The GMT hand can also be used for compass orientation: When the watch’s hour hand is pointed in the direction of the sun, the GMT hand, when it is adjusted to the same time on the 24-hour GMT scale, will indicate north.

The 44.25 mm case in titanium has a brushed, polished finish. The titanium bezel with a matte black aluminium ring features the designation “TACHYMETER BASE 1000” in ochre with a tachymeter index.

The Omega Speedmaster GMT Solar Impulse is a numbered edition. The case-back  features a colourful, etched Solar Impulse HB-SIA patch and the serial number of the watch.

The watch houses the exclusive Omega Calibre 3603 whose revolutionary Co-Axial Escapement and free sprung balance deliver stable long-term accuracy and reliability and is a COSC-certified chronometer. It also incorporates a sophisticated column-wheel chronograph mechanism.

This timepiece comes with a matching titanium bracelet or a rubber strap designed especially for the watch. The distinctive, textured finish on the inside of the rubber strap is reminiscent of the Solar Impulse’s carbon fibre-honeycomb composite structure.

Technical details

Model: OMEGA Speedmaster GMT Solar Impulse Co-Axial Chronometer Chronograph Numbered Edition 44.25mm, Reference 321.90.44.52.01.001

Movement
Exclusive Omega Calibre 3603
Self-winding GMT chronograph
Officially certified chronometer
Jewels: 37
Frequency: 28’800 A/h (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 52 hours
Co-Axial Escapement
Column wheel chronograph mechanism
Omega free sprung-balance
Luxury finish

Case 
Polished-brushed grade 2 titanium case
Diameter: 44.25 mm
Height: 15.75 mm
Water resistant up to: 100 m (330 ft)
Brushed grade 2 titanium bezel with black tachymetre ring, “Tachymetre base 1000” in ochre
Brushed crown and pushers in grade 2 titanium, crown embossed with polished Omega logo
Box-form scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Screw-in caseback in brushed grade 2 titanium, laser engraved with “Test Flight” and numbered edition number; central sapphire crystal etched with Omega logo-name, “SolarImpulse”, “HB-SIA” and the plane patch

Display  
Central hour-minute-GMT hands, small seconds at 9H, date window at 4H30
Central chronograph seconds hand, 30-minute recorder at 3H, 12-hour recorder at 6H

Dial 
Black dial in carbon fibre with black counters
Transferred white Omega name-logo and readings; transferred licence plate “HB-SIA” in ochre
Indexes coated with Super-LumiNova

Hands

• Matt black & white hour-minute hands coated with Super-LumiNova
• Matt white chronograph seconds-hand coated with Super-LumiNova; ochre tip
• Matt white counter- and recorder-hands
• Matt black GMT hand with ochre “North” on counterweight, ochre “GMT” and line on hand and plane-shaped tip painted with Super-LumiNova

Bracelet 
Polished and brushed grade 2 titanium bracelet with safety clasp engraved with “HB-SIA Solar Impulse”
Fitting: 21 mm between lugs, 18 mm on clasp