The OMEGA Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary is one of the world’s most captivating commemorative timepieces. Having been created to celebrate the prestigious award that OMEGA received from NASA astronauts in 1970, this exceptional watch is an impressive representation of the brand’s contributions to space exploration, including the critical role it played during the Apollo 13 mission.
Presented on a blue nylon fabric strap featuring the trajectory of the Apollo 13 mission embossed on the lining, this 42mm OMEGA Speedmaster in stainless steel showcases a stunning silver dial with blue PVD angle shaped hour markers and an embossed silver Snoopy medallion on the blue subdial at 9 o’clock. The true magic lies in the animated NAIAD LOCK caseback, where Snoopy travels in his Command Module while Earth rotates in sync with the seconds hand.
Condition: Unworn pre-owned condition
Includes: Complete box set
Warranty: Valid until 2029
Shipping: Free UK delivery
For over half a century, Snoopy has acted as the “watchdog” for NASA’s safety programme, representing total mission success while keeping things light in serious situations. Since 1968, the Silver Snoopy Award has been presented to people or companies who have contributed significantly to the success of human space flight missions, making it one of NASA’s most prestigious honours.
In 1970, OMEGA received this prestigious award from NASA astronauts in recognition of the brand’s unique contributions to space exploration, particularly during the Apollo 13 mission. When an oxygen tank exploded on board, forcing the crew to abort their moon landing, the astronauts relied on their OMEGA Speedmaster chronographs to time the critical 14-second engine burn that would correct their trajectory and ensure a safe return to Earth.
The Silver Snoopy Award represents one of NASA’s highest honours, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to mission safety and success. Unlike many governmental recognition, this award is particularly special because it is personally presented by astronauts themselves to acknowledge exceptional service. Each award consists of a sterling silver Snoopy pin that has actually flown in space, meaning recipients receive a piece of genuine space history.
For OMEGA, receiving this award in 1970 acknowledged the critical role the Speedmaster played during Apollo 13’s near-disaster. When the crew needed to time precise engine burns to return safely to Earth with limited power, their Speedmaster chronographs became essential survival tools. This 50th anniversary timepiece doesn’t merely commemorate an award, it celebrates a moment when precision watchmaking contributed to saving human lives in one of history’s most dramatic space emergencies.
The animated caseback represents one of the most innovative mechanical presentations in modern watchmaking. When the chronograph is activated, power transfers through hidden gears to animate Snoopy in his Command and Service Module, who travels across the far side of the moon on a central hand. This creates the illusion of Snoopy circumnavigating the lunar surface while the chronograph runs.
Simultaneously, a separately powered mechanism drives the Earth disc, which completes one rotation per minute in perfect synchronisation with the small seconds hand. This constant motion creates a mesmerising effect as our planet spins in real-time behind the travelling Snoopy. OMEGA achieved this complex animation without compromising the watch’s primary functions or water resistance, with the mechanics ingeniously isolated from timekeeping components to ensure chronometric performance remains unaffected.
The Calibre 3861 represents a significant evolution of OMEGA’s legendary Moonwatch movement, balancing historical authenticity with modern innovations. The movement features OMEGA’s Co-Axial escapement, which reduces sliding friction between components, enhancing long-term accuracy while extending service intervals. The inclusion of a silicon balance spring provides complete immunity to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, eliminating a common cause of timekeeping irregularity.
The movement achieves Master Chronometer certification from METAS, passing eight rigorous tests examining accuracy, magnetic resistance, power reserve, and water resistance. Despite these technical advancements, OMEGA preserved the soul of the original Moonwatch by maintaining the 21,600 vibrations per hour frequency, manual winding operation, and triple register layout. This creates authentic connections to the watches worn during Apollo missions while providing contemporary reliability and performance.
The blue nylon fabric strap serves as a tangible connection to the Apollo 13 mission through several thoughtful details. Most significantly, the embossed lining features the actual trajectory of the Apollo 13 mission, including their famous slingshot around the far side of the moon that NASA calculated to return the crippled spacecraft safely to Earth. The specific shade of blue references NASA’s iconic colour scheme from the Apollo era.
The material choice reflects practical considerations from spaceflight, nylon fabric became associated with space missions through its use in spacecraft components due to exceptional durability, temperature resistance, and lightweight properties. By backing this with grained calf leather, OMEGA created a strap combining space heritage with everyday comfort. The trajectory embossed in the lining traces not just a path through space but a remarkable story of human ingenuity and courage.
The exceptional desirability stems from a perfect convergence of factors transcending typical limited editions. Unlike many commemorative watches relying on cosmetic changes, this Speedmaster offers genuine horological innovation through its animated caseback, true mechanical creativity rather than mere decoration. The model brilliantly bridges multiple collecting interests, appealing to OMEGA enthusiasts, space memorabilia collectors, Peanuts aficionados, and mechanical innovation admirers.
While not officially limited, the intricate animated caseback mechanism and detailed hand-finishing create natural scarcity. OMEGA’s production capacity for such complex pieces is inherently constrained, making them difficult to obtain despite non-limited status. The timing during increased interest in space-themed watches, combined with direct connection to Apollo 13’s dramatic story, has created extraordinary demand. Perhaps most significantly, the animated caseback delivers genuine originality. It has a sense of delight rarely encountered in modern horology, transforming what might have been another commemorative edition into one of the most sought-after modern Speedmasters ever produced.
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