Omega Speedmaster "Snoopy Award" 3578.51.00 mechanical 42 mm Full Set 2004

The backstory

Not so long ago, Omega presented a special edition of its famous Speedmaster, for the 50th anniversary of the "Silver Snoopy Award". It features on the dial and on the back of the watch, a little character well known to comic book fans: Snoopy. But what is the relationship between one of the most famous watch models and this comic book character?

For that, we need to know why NASA chose Snoopy as its mascot! The space agency chose the famous dog as its icon in 1968 to pay tribute to successful missions and to bring good luck to crews on future missions, because he always keeps his good mood, even in the most dramatic situations. The Silver Snoopy Award was created the same year.

Tribute to the success of the Apollo 13 mission

The model we present today, was launched on the occasion of the presentation of the Silver Snoopy Award to OMEGA in 1970 for its participation in the rescue of the Apollo 13 crew. The Apollo 13 crew needed the Omega Speedmaster to time the rocket ignition, both to shorten the estimated time of return to Earth and to reduce speed by increasing the angle of the flight path for re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. This 14-second operation was critical because any error in timing could have resulted in an incorrect entry angle and, therefore, a potential disaster for the crew.

In recognition of the Speedmaster's and Omega's contribution to the success of the mission, the crew presented a Silver Snoopy Award to Omega in October 1970.

This version consists of a fairly simple Speedmaster, but with the "Eyes on the Stars" logo on the small seconds hand, but also upside down on the sapphire crystal caseback. This is actually the illustration that serves as the basis for the Silver Snoopy Award and was reportedly drawn and donated by Charles M. Schulz.

This version was produced in a limited edition of 5,441, a number reminiscent of the duration of the Apollo 13 mission: 142 hours, 54 minutes and 41 seconds.

Caliber 1861

Within the watch is the caliber 1861, a natural evolution of the caliber 861 that equipped many Moonwatch models. Coated with a more corrosion-resistant rhodium plating, it offered the same frequency as the caliber 861, 21,600 vph, and was equipped with the same shuttle and Delrin® chronograph brake, designed to protect the teeth of the chronograph seconds hand and prevent wear and friction. A classic, reliable and historic movement!

The Package

This commemorative Speedmaster is one of the most sought after and rare! In excellent condition, it comes Full Set with its warranty card dated 2004. It has been authenticated and checked by our authorized Omega watchmaker and as such benefits from the Lepage Vintage 1 year warranty.