Snoopy is over the moon with a new timepiece celebrating a Swiss watchmaker's role in saving NASA's Apollo 13 mission half a century ago.
Omega launched its new Speedmaster "Silver Snoopy Award" 50th Anniversary chronograph on Monday (Oct. 5), 50 years to the day after NASA honored the company with the comic strip beagle-adorned lapel pin from which the wristwatch derives its name. Bestowed by the astronauts for contributions to flight safety, the Silver Snoopy was awarded to Omega after a Speedmaster was used on the problem-plagued Apollo 13 spacecraft to time a critical engine burn, ensuring that the astronauts were able to return to Earth.
Philip Member
Posts: 6073 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 10-06-2020 05:30 AM
With that caseback feature, more like an "Automaton" or "Automata" wristwatch.
rgarner Member
Posts: 1282 From: Shepperton, United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2012
posted 10-06-2020 05:44 AM
Is the underside of the strap leather?
Larry McGlynn Member
Posts: 1308 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
posted 10-06-2020 12:27 PM
A sweet version of the Snoopy watch. The complication on the case back is really well done. The nylon strap does have a leather backing.
rgarner Member
Posts: 1282 From: Shepperton, United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2012
posted 10-06-2020 01:35 PM
Shame about the leather backing, that rules me out of ever owning one. The rest of it is beautiful though! I'm not a watch man, but had this been made without leather, I would have been converted for sure.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45093 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-06-2020 01:51 PM
You can change out the strap for a fully-fabric band or a metal bracelet.
rgarner Member
Posts: 1282 From: Shepperton, United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2012
posted 10-06-2020 02:24 PM
Metal bracelets never fit me correctly, plus the blue fabric bracelet is what appeals to me. But thanks for letting me know!
MarylandSpace Member
Posts: 1375 From: Registered: Aug 2002
posted 10-06-2020 08:34 PM
Beautiful watch but $9,600 is a bit pricey for most of us.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45093 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-06-2020 10:17 PM
Omega video
With his "eyes on the stars," Snoopy is taking a special trip around the moon. See how watchmaking and animation have combined for the Speedmaster "Silver Snoopy Award" 50th.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 45093 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-27-2020 05:47 PM
From our article:
The "Silver Snoopy Award" 50th Anniversary is the third Speedmaster model to commemorate the NASA honor. Omega previously issued Silver Snoopy watches (of different designs) in 2003 and 2015.
Both earlier designs were popular, but Fratello Magazine focused its "Speedy Tuesday" column today on Why Is The 2015 Omega Speedmaster Snoopy So Collectible? And to answer that question, they turned to our own Larry McGlynn:
I believe the 2015 version is most representative of the Silver Snoopy Award. The 2003 Snoopy watch is a great watch that has the Space Flight Awareness logo on it. The watch has less of a visual explanation of the reason behind the logo. The 2020 Snoopy watch will be my favorite due to the case back complication, but it is not the handmade Silver Snoopy.
The visual aspects of the 2015 Snoopy dial provide a graphic explanation of the reason behind Omega being awarded the Silver Snoopy. Then there is the case back with that Silver Snoopy on the dark blue enamel background covered with stars. That is what makes that limited edition so popular and collectible.
Gordon Eliot Reade Member
Posts: 48 From: Palo Alto, Calif. Registered: Jun 2015
posted 11-24-2020 06:41 PM
Last week I bought the Apollo 8 "Dark Side of the Moon" Omega Speedmaster and it's simply spectacular. A gorgeous watch it looks much better in person than it does on the internet. I put it in storage as I want to keep it mint and I'm told I got the last one. I don't know about that but it's certainly one of the last.
Now I'm on the waiting list for Silver Snoopy 50th Anniversary Speedmaster. From the YouTube reviews it looks fun and whimsical. But I do have one small issue with the design.
The case back is animated to show Earth rotating on its axis as Snoopy circles the moon in an Apollo CSM. I think Snoopy should be flying a LM in honor of Apollo 10. What's your opinion on this very important matter?
Larry McGlynn Member
Posts: 1308 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
posted 11-24-2020 08:21 PM
I have purchased the 2020 Silver Snoopy Speedmaster and am awaiting delivery sometime in 2021. I am told that Omega will have an average production of 50 of the new Snoopy watches per month.
The blue bezel and silver pie plate dial are truly beautiful in my opinion. The case back complication is not something seen in a watch of this price range.
While I like the idea of honoring Apollo 10, the watch celebrates Apollo 13 and the presentation of Omega with the Silver Snoopy Award. Snoopy is flying around the far side of the Moon as Apollo 13 did as it made its way home just before the 14-second burn of the LM engine.
Linked above (and here) is an article where I was interviewed about the 2015 Snoopy watch for Fratello watch magazine last month.
posted 10-05-2020 05:00 PM
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