The Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary watch was officially launched on 5 October 2020. Since the four years of launching, I have only seen one with my own eyes. I was made to understand the delivery of these watches has been slow. It didn't matter to me as I didn't think I would be in the position to own one.
Recently, I was contacted by the Omega Boutique in Kuala Lumpur that a small gift is being prepared for me. When I got it, it was a box filled with a plush toy in the form of the beagle Snoopy as well as a cryptic message that read; "In 14 seconds your beagle will safely land in Malaysia. Please contact your omega Boutique sales associate to collect your Speedmaster 'Silver Snoopy Award' 50th Anniversary timepiece. See you soon!"
What a cryptic message. Did Omega just gifted to me the Speedmaster Snoopy? I immediately called them and Omega clarified that I have been chosen to be given the opportunity to buy the Snoopy. Only the plush toy is free!?! After 24 hours of thinking about it, I decided to get one.
For transparency, I love the Omega Speedmaster chronograph design that comes with 3 sub-dials. Currently in the collection, I have the Reduce 3150.50, the Mark II 327.10.43.50.01.001 and the Moonwatch.
The Story Behind The Omega Speedmaster Snoopy
Omega
has released three Speedmaster Professional references to commemorate
their 1970 Silver Snoopy Award, and these are what collectors refer to
as an “Omega Snoopy.”
The story behind why there is a Snoopy on an Omega watch tied to
the ill-fated NASA Apollo 13 mission. In April 1970, a mechanical problem forced the the astronauts to forgo the moon landing and concentrate getting back to Earth safely. NASA plotted a course that would slingshot Apollo 13 around the Moon and back to earth. Exact timing of the rocket burn determined the distance needed to reach Earth. NASA calculated the burn time to be exactly fourteen seconds. Only an Omega Speedmaster strapped to the wrist of astronaut Jack Swigert could do the countdown. Swigert’s Speedy did its job, timing the burn to the exact fourteen seconds needed. Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth floating to splashdown under its orange and white parachutes. For this life-saving feat of precision timing NASA awarded Omega its Silver Snoopy on October 5, 1970.
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| The first Snoopy: Omega Speedmaster Professional Snoopy 3578.51.00 (Year 2003) |
The first one came in 2003, resembling a standard
black Omega Speedmaster
Professional except for the astronaut Snoopy imagery in the 9:00
sub-dial. A white Snoopy came in 2015 in honor of the 45th
anniversary of Apollo 13, and a 50th anniversary “Silver Snoopy” version was released
in 2020. The first two of the series were limited edition timepieces numbering 5,441 units for the 2003 release and 1,970 for the 2015 release.
 |
| The Second Snoopy: Omega Speedmaster Professional Snoopy 45th Anniversary 311.32.42.30.04.003 (Year 2015) |
There is no production limit set for the 50th anniversary “Silver
Snoopy” version but the ability to get one has been limited to existing
clients with substantial purchases of Omega watches. If you have not
been a client of Omega before, you can forget getting offered one from
the Boutique. The brand is making it very exclusive.
 |
| The Third Snoopy: Omega Speedmaster Professional Silver Snoopy 50th Anniversary 310.32.42.50.02.001 (Year 2020) |
The Watch
The Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary is based on the
regular 42 mm Moonwatch Speedmaster Professional which was introduced in 2021. There are some differences. These differences will be highlighted in this write-up.
The case of the Silver Snoopy is made from 316L stainless steel with a
brushed and
polished finish. Measuring 42.0 mm in diameter with a height of 14.5 mm
thick, it has a lug width of 20.0 mm and an overall lug-to-lug profile
of 47.5 mm. Coupled with a coated nylon fabric strap, the watch has an approximate weight of 90 gm. The Silver Snoopy fits well on
my 6.75 inch wrist.
The cartoon character 'Snoopy' is featured on the sub-dial at 9:00, accompanied by the
words ‘50TH ANNIVERSARY’. Although all the sub-dials have blue backgrounds, the sub-dial with Snoopy has a lighter shade of blue.
Other interesting features of the dial is the polished chapter ring and the blue applied hour markers. A small section of the hour markers (at the dial edge) as well as the unique two dots beside the 12:00 hour markers has been coated with Super-LumiNova paint for illumination under low-light conditions. The primary hours, minutes and chronograph hands are painted in blue with parts of the hands are coated with Super-LumiNova paint. As for the hands on the sub-dials, the chronograph counters have polished sub-hands while the sub-second hand is painted blue.
Protecting the dial is a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides.
Instead of an aluminum insert for the bezel in a standard production Speedmaster Moonwatch, as this is a special model, Omega used a blue ceramic insert, featuring the 'Dot over Ninety' design that the brand have selectively used in their themed watches.
The signed crown and pushers are typical of the Speedmaster Moonwatch series and located on the right side of the watch.
The magic of this watch is hidden at the back and is the most striking part of the Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary. The back features some amazing art and movement. From the visually realistic moon
surface made by a unique micro-structured metallisation technique over
the under side of the sapphire glass to the depiction of Earth, which
appears as a blue disc, spinning on its own axis at the rate of 1
revolution every minute. When the chronograph is activated, Snoopy appears in his Command and
Service Module (CSM) between 10:00 and 4:00, making his way across at the rate of one complete revolution per minute. He disappears behind
the moon for the rest of the cycle. It is interesting to note that a number of reviewers have stated that Snoopy's CSM takes approximately 14 seconds to cross the image of Earth in reference to the famous timing required by the crew of Apollo 13 to make the right course correction. Checking on my piece, this approximation is rather debatable.
To achieve this technical feature, the existing movement has additional mechanical linkages to make the Earth and the spacecraft move. If you start the chronograph, you will see Snoopy
orbiting the Moon in his spacecraft. The Earth disc is constantly
moving, as it links to the small seconds. The chronograph hand connects
to the spacecraft via an clear glass-like hand. In order to make it work, Omega used lightweight
aluminum hands for the chronograph. Otherwise, the extra “weight” would
make it impossible for the case-back features function properly.
The statement at the back of the watch is a partial quote of a famous saying "Keep your eyes on the Stars and your feet on the ground" by Theodore Roosevelt. This is a reminder to stay focused on our goals and to maintain a balance between ambition and practicality.
Omega used the Caliber 3861, equipped with a co-axial escapement, a silicon balance spring, fully anti-magnetic, chronometer rated and comes with the vaunted METAS certification. Operating at a frequency of 3 Hertz, the manual-winding movement has a 50 hour power reserve when fully wound.
Around the base-back peripheral, some standard information of the watched are etched. It is interesting to note the following information etched: "APOLLO XIII", "APRIL 1970" and "AWARDED OCT. 5, 1970".
I like the design of the
blue nylon strap with leather backing and white stitching. The inside of the
strap also has incredible detail, showing the trajectory of the Apollo
13 mission. It comes with a signed buckle. Anyway, like other reviewers, I noticed that the strap is rather stiff.
The Wearing Experience
This 14 seconds timing mentioned in the second paragraph of this review is a reference to the timing it took for the crew of Apollo 13 spacecraft to make the life-saving course correction when faced with an appending doom situation. The astronauts used the Omega
Speedmaster Professional to time it. Understanding the backstory of the watch gives it a milestone status that you seldom find in other watches.
Wearing the Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary is not just about telling time; it's about celebrating a piece of history. The watch has received high praise for its blend of aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. It's a piece that attracts attention and admiration, making it a joy to wear on any occasion. Below is a short video of the watch on my wrist.
Wearing the Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary is not just about telling time; it's about celebrating a piece of history. The watch has received high praise for its blend of aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. It's a piece that attracts attention and admiration, making it a joy to wear on any occasion. Below is a short video of the watch on my wrist.
Specifications
Material: Steel
Diameter: 42.0 mm
Lug Width: 20.0 mm
Length: 47.5 mm
Thickness: 14.5 mm
Dial Colour: Silver
Weight: 90 gm (Approximately)
Lug Width: 20.0 mm
Length: 47.5 mm
Thickness: 14.5 mm
Dial Colour: Silver
Weight: 90 gm (Approximately)
Crystal: Domed scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Water Resistance: 5 bar (50 meters/167 feet)
Band: Coated nylon fabric strap with grained calf leather underside
Buckle Type: Pin
Buckle Type: Pin
Buckle Material: Stainless steel
Bezel Insert: Blue ceramic bezel (ZrO2) ring
Calibre: Omega 3861, manual-winding chronograph with Co-Axial escapement
Magnetic Resistance: Up to 15,000 Gauss
Jewels: 26
Frequency: 21,600 BPH
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Features: Anti-magnetic, chronograph, chronometer, master chronometer certified under METAS, small seconds, tachymeter, free-sprung balance with silicon balance spring, rhodium-plated finish, bridges with straight Geneva waves
Purchase Date: 30 August 2024
Vendor: Omega Boutique, Gardens Mall
Purchase Price: RM50,700
Warranty: Five (5) years
Serial Number: 88428831
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