Houston, We Have A Story…

Omega (rightfully) takes itself rather seriously.  It certainly takes the Speedmaster branding very seriously, retelling the story of it being the first NASA-approved timepiece (since 1965, mind) for its lunar missions.  So, why then, did the watch brand put a cartoon dog on not one, not two, but three special editions of the Speedmaster Professional?

All this really began on 27 January, 1967, when a fire swept through the Apollo 1 Command Module during a launch rehearsal test, tragically killing the three astronauts – Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee – trapped inside.  In the aftermath of the Apollo 1 tragedy, NASA reached out to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz for permission to use Snoopy as the symbol for a new safety programme.  The cartoon legend said yes, and that is how Snoopy joined NASA as a mascot for the Manned Flight Awareness programme (now called the Space Flight Awareness programme), which was established in 1963.

That is just one part of the story.

The Silver Snoopy Award was then introduced in 1968 as a symbol of excellence and dedication.  What makes it truly special is that the award is personally presented by an astronaut.  Maureen O’Brien, who manages strategic alliances at NASA, explains, “It’s a way for astronauts to recognize individuals—whether they’re part of NASA or a contractor—who have made significant contributions to safety and mission assurance.”  Earning a Silver Snoopy is no small feat.  Margaret Weitekamp, a space historian, highlights just how exclusive it is: “It’s a one-time honour. You cannot receive it for retirement or general service—it has to be for a specific achievement that directly improved a spaceflight.”  That is why those who receive it wear it with immense pride.

And now, we have the proper context to talk about Apollo 13.

Apollo 13 was supposed to be NASA’s third trip to the moon, but things took a dramatic turn when an explosion knocked out two fuel cells in the spacecraft’s service module.  It happened on April 13 1970, and suddenly, the crew – namely, James Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert –  was facing a serious crisis; power was nearly gone, and their oxygen and water supplies were running dangerously low.  What was meant to be another moon landing quickly turned into a gripping survival story.  And believe it or not, a certain Swiss watch played a key role in bringing them home.  Each astronaut on Apollo 13 was equipped with an Omega Speedmaster Professional chronograph—NASA’s trusted choice for all manned missions since 1965.  When things got critical, the crew had to conserve every bit of energy, which meant shutting down almost all systems, including their digital timers.  That was where Omega stepped in to save the day.  With the spacecraft drifting about 60 to 80 nautical miles off course, the re-entry angle was all wrong.  To fix it, the crew needed to fire the engines for exactly 14 seconds—no more, no less.  But without digital timers, Swigert had to rely on his Omega Speedmaster to time the burn, while Lovell kept the craft steady using nothing but the Earth’s horizon as a guide.

As Lovell later recalled, “We used the Omega watch that Jack had on his wrist, and I had to control the spacecraft. Jack timed the burn on the engine to make that correction to get us back home safely.”  And it worked.  Against all odds, Apollo 13 made a safe splashdown in the South Pacific on April 17, bringing an incredible story of survival to a triumphant close.  Later that year, Omega received NASA’s prestigious Silver Snoopy Award—a special honour given as a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for helping bring the Apollo 13 crew back home.

So, maybe that cartoon dog is not so frivolous now, is it?

When this third Snoopy edition was released in late 2020, it was a departure from the then-regular Speedmasters, beyond colour and material choices.   It was only the third watch to use the Caliber 3861, following the two Apollo 11 50^th Anniversary models.  Of course, this same caliber now sees service in the updated Speedmaster Professionals that were released in 2021.

Design and Aesthetic Details

At first glance, the watch maintains the asymmetric 42mm stainless steel case familiar to Speedmaster fans, but it is the details that set the Silver Snoopy apart.  The watch dial appears opaline in bright direct sunlight, and silvery even in low light conditions because, as it turns out, it is made out of silver.  In case there was any doubt, there is a discreet “AG925” engraving below the dial text. “AG” is silver’s chemical symbol, and “925” denotes the sterling silver’s purity of 92.5% (the remaining 7.5% is usually copper).   The Silver Snoopy feels like it carries a little more weight in the palm of your hand than say, the regular Hesalite version.  Another Silver Snoopy distinction is that the the case sides have polished bevels, giving it a slightly more upscale, dressy look, while still keeping the tool-watch DNA intact.

The Silver Snoopy features blue PVD-coated sub-dials, including a standout one at 9 o’clock where Snoopy appears in silver relief, wearing his astronaut suit.  The blue ceramic bezel (also a departure from the aluminium bezels on the regular Speedmasters), filled with white enamel tachymeter markings, providing the perfect frame to what is surely the most iconic chronograph dial. The nod to Speedmaster history is intact with a Dot over Ninety” (DON) bezel marking on the tachymeter.  The indices and Omega logo are all applied, enhancing the dial’s depth and elegance.

The supplied nylon fabric strap complements the watch’s blue accents and has an embossed design on its lining that traces the Apollo 13 mission’s path.  The strap is well-padded and very sturdy, proving to be very resilient to breaking in.  The good news is that new Speedmaster steel bracelets with the micro-adjustment clasps can be fitted onto the Silver Snoopy, as an alternative.

Caseback Animation and Special Features

One of the most talked-about aspects of the Silver Snoopy 50th Anniversary is the animated caseback, which brings Omega’s creativity to a whole new level. When the chronograph is activated, Snoopy, in a CSM (Command and Service Module), “floats” across the moon, thanks to a hidden mechanism linked to the chronograph seconds hand.  Behind him, a rotating depiction of Earth is driven by the small seconds hand, making one full rotation per minute.  The Earth actually continues to rotate even when the chronograph seconds hand is not activated.  This design is a clever nod to the Speedmaster’s life-saving turn on the Apollo 13.  The backdrop features the “dark side of the moon”, rendered in metallic engraving, creating a stunning celestial scene that adds storytelling to the watch.  Omega uses NAIAD LOCK to secure the caseback, keeping all caseback engravings in the correct, upright position, including the date in 1970 that Omega received the Silver Snoopy Award, as well as a tribute to the Apollo 13 mission that same year.

Movement and Performance

Inside, Omega equips this Speedmaster with the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Caliber 3861, the same movement found in the latest Moonwatch models.  This hand-wound movement offers 50 hours of power reserve, anti-magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss, and the precision certification by METAS, ensuring high levels of accuracy and reliability.  Sure, you don’t get to see the inner working of the watch through the caseback, but who exactly would complain about the Silver Snoopy’s unique animated caseback?

Packaging and Presentation

To reinforce the theme, Omega presents the watch in a special blue presentation box decorated with the NASA Snoopy mission patch. The inner lining showcases an illustration of Snoopy lying on his doghouse, mimicking the famous Peanuts comic strip.  The box also includes a loupe, watch pouch, and polishing cloth, making for an immersive unboxing experience.  There is also a nice little Snoopy booklet tucked in the bottom recess of the presentation box.

Market Reception and Collector Appeal

Despite not being a limited edition, the Silver Snoopy has proven difficult to acquire due to overwhelming demand.  I waited patiently for mine for a couple of years.  This Snoopy Speedmaster edition is more conceptually complete especially when compared with the “Blue Snoopy” released in 2003.  The combination of space history, whimsical yet sophisticated design, and the highly sought-after animated caseback make it one of the most desirable Speedmasters in recent years.  Ultimately, Omega has crafted a watch that not only commemorates a pivotal moment in space history but also showcases some of the most innovative storytelling seen in modern watchmaking.  This Speedmaster isn’t just about nostalgia—it is a fusion of technical ingenuity and horological artistry that will remain a standout piece in the Speedmaster legacy.  How will Omega ever top this release?