The OMEGA Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary: Understanding the Modern Classic

Reference 310.32.42.50.02.001

In October 2020, OMEGA released their third Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award edition. Unlike the 2003 and 2015 models, this one featured something unprecedented: a mechanical animation on the caseback synchronised to the chronograph function. Five years later, it remains one of the hardest Speedmasters to buy at retail.

The Apollo 13 Connection

April 14, 1970. An oxygen tank explodes aboard Apollo 13, 200,000 miles from Earth. The crew needs to execute a precise 14 second engine burn to correct their trajectory home. Their lives depend on the accuracy of their OMEGA Speedmaster Professional chronographs.

The mission succeeds. NASA awards OMEGA the Silver Snoopy Award, their highest honour for contributions to human spaceflight safety and OMEGA became one of only a handful of suppliers to receive this recognition.

Why This Snoopy Is Different

OMEGA had already made two Snoopy editions:

• 2003: Black dial, Snoopy on subdial, limited to 5,441 pieces
• 2015: White dial, Snoopy in spacesuit on case back, limited to 1,970 pieces

The 2020 model breaks the pattern:

• Not a numbered limited edition (continuous production)
• Animated caseback complication
• Blue ceramic bezel with white enamel tachymeter scale
• Silver dial with blue accents

The Technical Achievement

Core Specifications

• Movement: Calibre 3861 (Master Chronometer certified)
• Case: 42mm stainless steel
• Crystal: Sapphire front and display back
• Water resistance: 50m
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Bracelet: Stainless steel with comfort adjustment
• Lug width: 20mm

The Animation That Changed Everything

When you activate the chronograph, Snoopy in his Command and Service Module orbits the moon on the caseback. The Earth disc rotates once per minute. This isn’t a simple engraving; it’s a mechanical complication that required developing new manufacturing techniques.

The animation runs on a separate mechanism linked to the chronograph seconds hand. No other Speedmaster has anything comparable. The module travels precisely one orbit per minute when the chronograph runs, creating a mesmerising display that transforms timekeeping into theatre.

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Comparing All Three Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award Editions

2003 Edition (Reference 3578.51.00)

• Production: 5,441 pieces
• Original retail: £2,100
• Current market: £15,000-20,000
• Key features: White dial, Snoopy on 9 o’clock subdial, “Eyes on the Stars” caseback
• Movement: Calibre 1861 (Rhodium plated)

2015 Edition (Reference 311.32.42.30.04.003)

• Production: 1,970 pieces (matching Apollo 13’s year)
• Original retail: £4,900
• Current market: £25,000-35,000
• Key features: White dial, Snoopy in spacesuit, glow in the dark elements
• Movement: Calibre 1861

2020 50th Anniversary (Reference 310.32.42.50.02.001)

• Production: Ongoing, not limited
• Retail price: £10,000
• Current market: £12,000-16,000
• Key features: Animated caseback, blue ceramic bezel, silver dial
• Movement: Calibre 3861 (METAS certified)

The 2020 model trades lower than its predecessors despite superior technology because it lacks the scarcity of a numbered edition. However, production constraints on the animated caseback create similar market dynamics.

Market Reality and Price History

Retail price: £10,000 (UK), $12,600 (US), €11,200 (EU)

Current secondary market:

• Pre-owned with full set: £12,000-14,000
• New/unworn with full set: £14,000-16,000
• Bare watch only: £10,000-12,000

Price trajectory since launch:

• October 2020: £10,000 retail, immediate secondary at £12,000
• Mid 2021: Peak hype, examples reaching £18,000
• 2022: Stabilisation around £15,000
• 2023-2024: Consistent £14,000-16,000 for full sets
• 2025: Current market holding steady

Availability: Most OMEGA boutiques report 2 to 3 year wait times. Authorised dealers rarely receive allocations. The watch isn’t limited, but production capacity for the animated caseback creates natural scarcity.

What Drives the Premium?

1. Production bottleneck: The caseback animation requires specialised assembly
2. Broader appeal: Attracts NASA enthusiasts beyond watch collectors
3. First non limited Snoopy: Creates uncertainty about future availability
4. Calibre 3861: The movement from the current Moonwatch generation
5. Complete package appeal: The presentation box includes the mission patch and booklet about Apollo 13

Authentication Deep Dive

With high demand comes sophisticated fakes. Here’s what to verify:

Caseback Animation

• Snoopy’s module should move smoothly, not in jumps
• Earth rotation must be precisely one revolution per minute
• Stars should be crisp laser etching, not printed
• Magic hand (Snoopy’s transport) should be black with perfect finishing

Dial Details

• Snoopy at 9 o’clock should have fine pad printing detail
• Applied OMEGA logo and hour markers, not printed
• Blue subdial rings should match the bezel shade exactly
• Applied OMEGA logo and hour markers, not printed

Bezel Inspection

• Blue ceramic with white enamel filled numerals
• No paint bleeding or uneven filling
• Dot over 90 should align perfectly with 12 o’clock marker
• Ceramic should be completely scratch resistant

Movement Verification

• The animation module covers the movement, so visual inspection isn’t possible
• Verify METAS certification card number matches warranty documentation
• Check serial number on case matches all documentation
• Chronograph should start, stop, and reset smoothly with crisp pusher action
• Power reserve should last full 50 hours when fully wound

Documentation

• METAS certification card with matching numbers
• Pictogram card showing operating instructions
• Warranty card dated and stamped
• Mission patch and certificates in presentation box

Service and Maintenance Considerations

Service intervals: OMEGA recommends every 5 to 8 years

Service costs: £650-750 at OMEGA service centres

Animation concern: The caseback mechanism adds complexity. Only OMEGA service centres should handle this watch. Independent watchmakers may damage the animation module.

Water resistance: Despite 50m rating, avoid water exposure. The animation mechanism makes resealing more complex than standard Speedmasters.

Daily wear: The animation is robust for regular use. The mechanism disengages when the chronograph stops, preventing unnecessary wear.

Alternative Considerations in the £10,000-16,000 Range

Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch (310.30.42.50.01.002)

Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary (310.20.42.50.01.001)

The Silver Snoopy Award stands apart through its animation. None of these alternatives offer a mechanical complication that engages viewers like the orbiting Snoopy.

Investment Potential

Short term (1-2 years): Expect stable prices around £12,000-14,000. Continuous production prevents rapid appreciation.

Medium term (3-5 years): As OMEGA eventually discontinues production, expect gradual appreciation toward £18,000.

Long term (10+ years): Previous Snoopy editions suggest 3x to 5x retail potential, but only after production ceases.

Risks: OMEGA could increase production capacity or release a fourth Snoopy edition, impacting values.

Opportunities: The animation complication may prove too complex for long term production, creating unexpected scarcity.

Common Misconceptions

“It’s a limited edition” – No production limit exists. OMEGA continues manufacturing, just slowly.

“The premium will crash when supply catches up” – After five years, production hasn’t increased significantly.

“It’s just hype” – The mechanical animation represents genuine innovation in watchmaking.

“All Snoopy editions are the same” – Each edition has distinct characteristics affecting value and collectibility.

Buying Considerations

From OMEGA directly: Join the waitlist, expect 2+ years, pay retail

Secondary market: Immediate availability, 20-60% premium, verify authenticity carefully

Grey market dealers: Often available at £13,000-15,000 but always buy the seller not the watch

Private sellers: Highest risk, lowest prices, essential to verify everything

The Verdict

The Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary succeeds where many commemorative watches fail: it adds meaningful innovation (the animation) to genuine historical significance (Apollo 13). While the premium seems steep, you’re paying for immediate availability of a watch that OMEGA can’t produce fast enough to meet demand.

For collectors, it represents the evolution of the Speedmaster from tool watch to mechanical art. For investors, it’s a non limited production with limited edition market dynamics. For enthusiasts, it’s simply the most technically interesting Speedmaster OMEGA makes today.

The question isn’t whether this watch justifies its premium. The question is whether you can wait 2 to 3 years for retail (and potential risk missing out when it inevitably gets discontinued), or if experiencing that animation tomorrow is worth the extra money.

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MVS Watches maintains relationships with collectors worldwide. When Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award examples become available, we verify authenticity, condition, and complete sets before offering them to clients. Current availability and pricing available on request.