If you have an interest in the history of space exploration, you probably know that this is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 13 moon mission.
While Apollo 13 never made it to the moon, it was not entirely a failure. Indeed, in terms of crisis management, it was an inspirational success, as remarkably, all three astronauts made it safely back home.
In commemoration, the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Omega Speedmaster Snoopy was released.
Indeed, this is the latest of several versions of the Snoopy Omega Speedmaster Professional watch to be released over the years.
Let’s dive into the history so that you can place the anniversary release in context. We’ll then talk about the features of each of the watches in this iconic series.
Table of Contents
The History of the Omega Speedmaster Snoopy
The Omega Speedmaster “Speedy” line of chronographs dates back to 1957. That line includes multiple series. The one that we are focusing on today is the “Professional” series, also called the “Moonwatch” series.
Informally, the first Speedy watch worn in space was on the wrist of Wally Schirra on Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) in 1962.
The space program tested Omega, Rolex and Longines-Wittnauer watches extensively before deciding to make Speedmasters the official watch of choice for their Gemini missions beginning in 1965.
The program continued to use the watches during the Apollo missions. In fact, the first ever watch worn on the moon was Buzz Aldrin’s Speedmaster (Neil Armstrong had one too, but he had to leave it in the lunar module due to a malfunction with the electronic timer onboard).
That brings us back to talking about Apollo 13. All three astronauts aboard that mission wore the Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch” watches.
It turned out that the Speedy was critical to bringing the crew home safely. Instead of trying to explain it myself, I’ll share a quote from R.J. Broer, who explained it really well at WatchTime:
The Apollo 13 crew needed the Omega Speedmaster watch, first to time ignition of the rockets to shorten the estimated length of the return to Earth, and secondly, to time the ignition of the rockets to decrease speed and raise the flight path angle for re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. This second operation was crucial, since any mistake in the timing could have led to an incorrect entry angle and, as a result, potential disaster for the crew.
Naturally, the watch that helped to save the lives of three astronauts deserved recognition from NASA—and received it.
There is an award from NASA known as the “Silver Snoopy Award.” Why Snoopy? It was an idea that former director of the public affairs office for the Manned Spacecraft Center (the previous name for the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center) Al Chop came up with. When he asked Charles M. Schulz about it, Schulz drew the featured image himself and charged NASA nothing for the rights to use the character as part of the award program.
That was the award that NASA conferred on Omega in 1970 “In appreciation for dedication, professionalism and outstanding contributions in support of the first United States Manned Lunar Landing Project Apollo.”
More than three decades after receiving that prestigious award, Speedmaster celebrated by introducing the first Omega Speedmaster Snoopy watch.
The 2003 Omega Speedmaster Snoopy
It seems strange that it took so long for Omega to come up with a commemorative Snoopy Speedmaster. Alas, the brand has never explained the 33-year gap between the award and the first watch.
Regardless, if you want a version of the Snoopy Speedy that is similar to the original Professional Speedmaster, the 2003 edition is the one to get.
It looks nearly identical to the watches that the astronauts wore with a simple black dial and steel case and bracelet. It measures 42mm in diameter and includes white baton hands. Omega only produced 5,441 of these limited-edition watches. Why? The number is a reference to the 142 hours, 54 minutes and 41 seconds that the mission lasted.
What distinguishes the watch from the classic Professional edition is the award logo behind the seconds counter with the phrase “Eyes on the Stars.” Also, the caseback features the same logo printed in the same bright colors.
If you want to pick up one of these 2003 Snoopy watches, you might find it for no less than $10,000.
The 2015 Omega Speedmaster Snoopy
Just a few years ago, another version of the Omega Speedmaster Snoopy commemorative watch was released. This 2015 version features a white dial; the company produced 1,970 of them in all.
Behind the seconds counter is a cartoon of Snoopy with the thought bubble, “Failure is not an option!” In the upper right, the watch asks you, “What could you do in 14 seconds?” This alludes to the 14-second controlled burn necessary to course correct to get Apollo 13 home. The astronauts relied on the Speedmaster to get it right—and they had to get it exactly right to make it back.
If you turn the watch over to look at the back, you will again see the Snoopy award emblem. But this time, there is a metallic version of the logo. Not only does it look extra classy, but it is an actual replica of the Snoopy lapel pins that NASA gives out to winners of the award.
This watch can fetch an even higher price than the 2003 version. How much higher? A lot. You might see it going for more than $40,000.
The 2020 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Omega Speedmaster Snoopy
That brings us around to the newest version of the Omega Speedmaster Snoopy watch: the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Whereas the 2003 version of the watch had an all-black dial and the 2015 version sported an all-white dial, this one features a mix of contrasting hues.
Omega writes, “The silver dial is laser-engraved with Ag925, and features our favourite beagle as an embossed silver medallion on the blue subdial at 9 o’clock. He is shown wearing his famous spacesuit, in the exact style of the famous Silver Snoopy Award pin.”
The caseback features an image of the moon with Earth and stars in the backdrop. In the foreground, you see Snoopy in the Command and Service Module.
Omega writes, “When the chronograph seconds hand is used, Snoopy takes a trip around the far side of the moon, which has been decorated on the sapphire crystal using a unique micro-structured metallisation. There is also an Earth disc, which rotates once per minute in sync with the watch’s small seconds hand.”
As for what is inside, the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Omega Speedmaster Snoopy features the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861.
The dimensions of this movement are identical to the 1861 movement previously featured in Moonwatches, but this version earned the Master Chronometer certification. Four years of development went into making this possible.
Conclusion: A Stunning Watch With an Amazing Story to Tell
Now you know all about the incredible history of the Omega Speedmaster Snoopy watch, and you have had a chance to check out all three versions of this commemorative chronograph.
Every edition of the Omega Speedmaster Snoopy is stupendously stylish and features a degree of precision and accuracy that is literally astronomical.
It makes for a great conversation piece since it embodies the history of America’s early space program.
Not only that, but it is a watch that reminds you every day to make the most of every moment. “What could you do in 14 seconds?” That is a challenge worth rising to meet.
Vintage Watch Inc
Dennis is the founder and editor of Vintage Watch Inc. Passionate about Soviet and Japanese vintage timepieces and a finance professional by day, he proudly wears a Seiko Pogue with his suit.
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