Prepare for Landing – The Story of the Omega Snoopy Watch

Do you want to learn about the Omega Snoopy watch? Join me as I explore three exceptional timepieces, one failed moon landing, and a loveable pooch.

The Omega Speedmaster is synonymous with space exploration and is one of the best Omega watches to collect. This has been the case since NASA qualified it for space flight. 

That’s a story in itself, but today, we will look at the Omega Snoopy watch. 

Since 2003, Omega has released three Speedmaster Snoopy watches. They each pay homage to the “Silver Snoopy Award” that Omega received back in 1970. 

Let’s take a look at each of them.

How the Omega Snoopy Watch Came To Be

“Houston, we have a problem.” If you aren’t old enough to recall the ill-fated Apollo 13 Mission, you may remember the movie instead. That third fight scheduled to the moon in 1970 suffered an oxygen tank explosion.

It meant the crew had to abandon the mission. Instead, the focus shifted to how commander James A. Lovell and his two co-pilots, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise, would survive the ordeal. 

Time was running out, and only one option remained. They had to perform a life-threatening maneuver — a 14-second fuel burn to reposition the spacecraft for a safe landing. 

Are you on the edge of your seat yet? You should be!

The only onboard clock was bust, and the crew’s options looked bleaker by the minute. Luckily, Swigert had his trusty Omega Speedmaster strapped securely to his wrist. 

The decision to press the pusher on that chronograph proved life-saving. The crew touched down on planet Earth on April 17th. 

That situation would give rise to the credibility of the Speedmaster and spark a long-lasting relationship between Omega and NASA. 

NASA honored Omega with the “Silver Snoopy Award” to commemorate the humble Speedmaster. 

As a mark of respect, the accolade comprised a certificate, a commendation letter, and a unique silver lapel pin. That badge bears the image of the “Peanuts” character, Snoopy, created by cartoonist and creator Charles M. Schulz. 

And if you’re wondering why NASA is linked with Snoopy, it became a symbol of space safety during this time. 

Following the Apollo 1 tragedy in 1967, NASA approached Schulz. The US Civil Space Agency asked his permission to use the cartoon in a training program. Schulz agreed and created comic strips featuring the iconic character on the moon. 

This imagery captured public excitement and became a morale booster for the NASA crew. 

The First Omega Silver Snoopy (2003)

A special edition timepiece typically marks an anniversary, but there wasn’t one for the first Omega Silver Snoopy watch. 

It launched 33 years after the Apollo 13 mission but did not reference the mission’s duration. The 54 minutes and 41 seconds of the mission’s 142-hour flight manifested in a limited edition of 5,441 pieces.

Its classic 42mm steel case featured Hesalite glass, a black chronograph dial, and a blue Snoopy-decorated 9 o’clock sub-dial. Enthusiasts call the ref. 3578.51.00, the “Eyes on the Stars” edition. This lettering features above the cartoon character’s head. 

Although a limited edition, the first Omega Snoopy Speedmaster cost similar to other Speedmasters at the time of its release. Now, however, it demands a premium price. Its market price in 2023 averaged around $24k despite its initial retail price of just $3k. 

The steel chronograph features the manual-winding Calibre 1861, which showcases itself through a see-through caseback alongside more Snoopy imagery.

The Second Omega Speedmaster Snoopy Edition (2015)

The Omega Speedmaster Snoopy Edition of 2015 (ref. 311.32.42.30.04.003) did mark an anniversary. It celebrated 45 years after the Apollo 13 Mission with a 1,970 limited edition model. 

The 42mm stainless steel timepiece has twisted lugs, a white dial, and a black ceramic tachymeter bezel.

This time, the 9 o’clock counter bears an image of Snoopy next to a thought bubble that reads, “Failure is not an option.” Dressed in cartoon-like white and black elements, this Snoopy Omega is the most fitting of the cartoon show.

Its distinguishable dial features black baton hour markers, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and a 12-hour totalizer at 6H. 

If you look even closer at the dial, you’ll notice another motivational quote between 12 and 3 o’clock on the dial. The words “What could you do in 14 seconds?” appear here. It’s a clear nod to the maneuver Apollo 13 crew performed in a last-ditch attempt to save their lives. 

The watch is the most desirable of all three Snoopy watches, with a 2023 market price valuation of $45,000.

The Third Omega Speedmaster Snoopy 50th Anniversary Edition (2020)

Collectors call the Omega Speedmaster Snoopy 50th Anniversary Edition watch (ref. 310.32.42.50.02.001) the “Omega Silver Snoopy”. Initially, the supply vs demand ratio resulted in huge waiting lists for this watch. That said, its value has come down slightly since 2020. 

This third edition is still in production and is one of the more affordable Omega watches from the range. It retails for around $10k with a sapphire crystal front. It features dark blue sub-dials against a silver dial and a matching navy-blue ceramic bezel. 

It boasts a somewhat dressier persona as the only Snoopy with a silver dial. Its caseback, elegantly decorated, features the surface of the moon. Accompanying this talking point is another motivational quote that reads, “Eyes on the stars”. 

The 50th-anniversary watch also features a different movement. While Omega equipped the other two with the manual-winding Calibre 1861, this model features the Calibre 3861.

It’s another hand-wound movement but modern, promising a power reserve of 50 hours.

The indexes and strap of this watch mirror the same attractive blue color that features in the chronograph counters. Inside the 9 o’clock counter, Snoopy sports his space helmet. Yet the watch’s most notable feature is much more captivating. 

Flip the case back over to reveal Snoopy inside a command module rocket that moves on a hand. This is what Omega refers to as the “Magic Hand”. When you activate the chronograph via the 2 o’clock pusher, the rear hand sends Snoopy behind the moon. 

But that’s not all. The blue disc representing the Earth constantly moves as the small second function on the dial runs. 

The Takeaway

Hopefully, you enjoyed this voyage through time and space, exploring the milestones of Omega’s role in NASA missions. 

The Snoopy watch Omega will always have a special place in Omega’s rich history. Despite the Speedmaster collection offering such a diverse range of chronographs today, its association with space is unquestionable.

Let’s not forget that the Speedmaster stood out from the very beginning. It was the only chronograph from NASA’s careful selection that survived the grueling tests subjected to it. 

As NASA’s safety mascot, Snoopy is more than just a pop culture icon for space and watch enthusiasts alike. I don’t know about you, but I can easily see a 55th anniversary Snoopy on the cards, can you?

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