The Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary watch is a remarkable timepiece that celebrates a unique intersection of space exploration history and horological excellence. Released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award given to Omega by NASA in 1970, this watch is a tribute to Omega’s critical role in the safe return of the Apollo 13 mission.
Unlike its predecessors, this edition is not limited, making it a significant release for both collectors and enthusiasts. Featuring a classic 42mm stainless steel case with striking blue accents and a playful Snoopy illustration on the sub-dial, this model combines Omega’s advanced Co-Axial Master Chronometer technology with a rich narrative, making it more than just a timekeeper but a piece of history on the wrist.
About the Silver Snoopy Award
The Silver Snoopy Award is a special honor bestowed by NASA to recognize outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success in the space program. The award, which features a sterling silver “Snoopy” lapel pin that has flown on a space mission, is given directly by astronauts to employees and contractors for exceptional contributions that enhance the probability of mission success.
This prestigious award symbolizes the close relationship between the space agency and its contributors, highlighting the critical role of precise and reliable work in the challenging environment of space missions. Omega received this award in 1970 following the Apollo 13 mission, where their Speedmaster watch played a crucial role in timing the critical maneuvers that helped safely return the crew to Earth.
Unique Design of 50th Anniversary Omega Speedmaster
The Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary watch is a beautifully crafted timepiece that encapsulates the essence of both Omega’s rich history in space exploration and its innovative watchmaking. The watch features a 42mm stainless steel case, maintaining the classic Speedmaster design that has been synonymous with space missions since the 1960s.
This model retains the iconic Speedmaster features such as the tachymeter scale on the bezel, essential for calculating speeds in racing or, as history would have it, critical timing in space navigation. The case is robust yet elegantly presented on a blue nylon fabric strap, which subtly incorporates the trajectory of the Apollo 13 mission on its embossed lining, adding a layer of historical narrative to the design.
The dial of the watch is where the commemorative nature of the piece truly shines. Crafted from silver and marked as Ag925, it reflects a pristine and high-quality finish that Omega is renowned for. The dial is adorned with blue PVD angle-shaped hour markers and hands, which not only enhance legibility but also complement the overall blue and silver color scheme of the watch, symbolizing the vastness of space and the technological prowess of the Apollo missions.
A standout feature on the dial is the special Snoopy illustration located on the sub-dial at 9 o’clock. This embossed silver medallion depicts Snoopy in his famous spacesuit, a nod to the Silver Snoopy Award presented by NASA to Omega in 1970. This playful yet meaningful detail celebrates Omega’s significant role in the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew, making this watch not just a tool for timekeeping but a piece of space history worn on the wrist.
This watch was discontinued in 2024
The Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary watch is distinguished by its use of a blue ceramic bezel, which is not only visually striking but also exceptionally functional. Ceramic as a material is known for its impressive scratch resistance, which ensures that the bezel maintains its pristine appearance over time, even with regular wear. This durability is a significant advantage for a watch that pays homage to space exploration, where resilience and reliability are paramount. The bezel’s blue hue is deep and lustrous, providing a rich contrast to the silver of the case and dial, and it features a white enamel tachymeter scale that is both legible and resistant to fading. The use of ceramic also contributes to the watch’s overall longevity, as it is resistant to ultraviolet rays and corrosion, making it an ideal material for a timepiece with a legacy tied to the rigors of space travel.
Aesthetically, the watch is a masterclass in design, blending heritage and modernity. The stepped dial configuration is a nod to the vintage Speedmaster models, adding depth and complexity to the watch face. This design element creates a subtle division between the central dial and the minute track, enhancing the watch’s visual texture. The contrasting blue elements, such as the PVD-coated blue hands and hour markers, inject a contemporary freshness into the design while maintaining a professional demeanor. The blue elements are not only a design choice but also serve a functional purpose, as the blue PVD coating improves the legibility of the hands against the silver dial. This interplay of silver and blue is a recurring theme throughout the watch, seen in the Snoopy sub-dial and the nylon fabric strap, which together present a cohesive and striking aesthetic that is both playful and sophisticated.
Technical Components of the Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy
The Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary is powered by the in-house Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, a movement that represents a significant advancement in watchmaking technology. This manual-winding movement is a direct descendant of the legendary Calibre 1861, famously associated with the original Moonwatch, but with substantial enhancements that meet the rigorous standards of today’s watchmaking. The Calibre 3861 is equipped with a co-axial escapement, designed to reduce friction between components and thereby enhance long-term accuracy and durability. Additionally, it boasts a power reserve of 50 hours, allowing it to run for over two days on a full wind. Certified as a Master Chronometer by METAS (the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology), this movement has passed tests that demonstrate its precision, performance, and magnetic resistance under various conditions.
One of the standout upgrades in the Calibre 3861 is the incorporation of a silicon hairspring, which is non-magnetic and highly resistant to temperature variations and environmental disturbances. This feature significantly enhances the movement’s reliability and accuracy over time. Furthermore, the movement is designed to withstand magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss, a feature particularly beneficial in environments exposed to high magnetic fields, such as those encountered in certain industrial settings or in space. This level of anti-magnetism ensures that the watch maintains its precision irrespective of external magnetic influences, a critical factor given Omega’s historical association with aerospace and aviation. These technical enhancements not only underscore Omega’s commitment to innovation but also ensure that the Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary remains a reliable and precise instrument for both everyday wear and extraordinary missions.
What’s the price of the Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy 50th Anniversary watch?
The Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary watch has seen a notable increase in market price due to its high demand and limited availability. While the retail price was initially set at a competitive point, the secondary market prices have surged significantly, reflecting the watch’s desirability among collectors and enthusiasts.
Scarcity, coupled with the watch’s commemorative nature and technical prowess, has made it a sought-after piece, commanding premium prices in watch boutiques and on resale platforms.
Should you buy this watch?
The Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary watch stands as a paragon of collectibility, merging its functional prowess as a timekeeping instrument with the allure of a collector’s treasure. Its appeal as a functional tool is rooted in its precision and durability, hallmarks of the Omega brand, which are exemplified by the advanced Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 movement. Yet, beyond its technical capabilities, the watch’s rarity and the story it embodies elevate it to a status symbol within the collecting community.
The “Silver Snoopy Award” itself is an emblem of achievement and recognition from NASA, making this timepiece a wearable testament to Omega’s contribution to space exploration. The watch’s design, featuring the whimsical Snoopy motif and space-related elements, coupled with its limited production, has created a fervent demand among aficionados, ensuring that it not only retains its value but is also likely to appreciate over time.
