Omega is celebrating its 50th anniversary of being bestowed with the prestigious snoopy award from NASA. just for reference and better understanding. The “Silver Snoopy Award” is one of NASA’s Spaceflight Awareness awards known as SFA. The award is a way to recognize the contribution of employees and contractors. To quote NASA the award is “for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success.” The awardee gets a lapel pin with the likeliness of the watchdog snoopy made of silver and presented by a NASA astronaut. The lapel comes with a letter of commendation. The Speedmaster was conferred with the award in the year 1970 for the pivotal role it palayed helping the Apollo 13 crew avoid total disaster and 2020 marks the 50th anniversary.
However, this is not the first time that the company has released a Snoopy Speedmaster. This is the third time the earlier ones being in 2003 and 2015. But deep down all the fanatics were waiting for the special 50th-anniversary edition. Surprisingly the watch is not a limited edition and in stainless steel (rather than going the special material route). The animated case back makes the watch special.
Specifications:
Brand: Omega
Model: Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary (ref. 310.32.42.50.02.001)
Dimensions: 42mm
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Case Material: Stainless steel with ceramic tachymeter bezel insert, Ag925 silver dial
Crystal/Lens: Sapphire
Movement: Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861Frequency: 21,000 VpH
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Coated nylon fabric with contrast stitching
Price & Availability: $9,600 USD, October 2020
Keeping the theme in mind the dial is made up of AG 925 silver with the contrasting PVD coating elements in blue. The watch reminds one of the older versions of Speedmaster CK 2998 Limited Edition which had used a similar white and blue combination. However, the watch is quite different from the 45th edition released in 2015 which had more traditional black on white aesthetics. However, the new Master Chronometer Certified Calibre 3861 movement powering this watch is quite different and refined than that of 2015. The Naiad locking case back depicts the scene of snoopy orbiting the moon with the earth in the background. But wait the beauty doesn’t lie in just the design. The earth disc is connected to the second’s hand and therefore it completes a full rotation every 60 seconds!!
On the other hand, when we use the chronograph we can see Snoopy orbiting the moon!! Yes, the snoopy will get closer to the moon and in about 14 seconds go or hide behind the moon thereby disappearing from vision. 14 seconds because that is the time Apollo 13 crew timed with their Speedmaster watches to course-correct after an oxygen tank on the service module exploded en route to the moon thereby escaping danger.
The watch comes in a special box and also includes a magnifying glass so that once can appreciate the finer details. The Snoopy at 9 o’clock is the exact image of the lapel pin. The strap also tells a story, Omega has used a blue nylon and engraved the path of Apollo 13 to draw deeper connection with the mission and also to highlight that the safe return of the astronauts rested in the accuracy of the watch.
We all are aware of the deep connection that the Omega Speedmaster has with the Apollo mission and owning one of them is like owning a piece of history. The good thing about the new edition is that it’s not a limited one and comes in a stainless steel case. All these mean that the price will be in the accessible range i.e. around USD 9,600. This also ensures that there won’t be a high premium charging secondary market. However, the watch is not limited to any specific number but we all know with the COVID crisis leading to curtailed production will result in the fewer number of this being manufactured. So good luck in getting hold of one and if you do, you will cherish it.
The Enigmatic Pen 