What could be the best watch for the last #speedytuesday of the year if not the cutest Speedy of the year? Launched on 5th October, the Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary is one of the cutest anniversary pieces done by Omega. We have a look today at the Reference 310.32.42.50.02.001.
On 5th October 1970, OMEGA received the “Silver Snoopy Award” from the NASA astronauts, recognising the brand’s unique contributions to space exploration, as well as the Speedmaster’s vital support during the rescue of Apollo 13. More information regarding the link between Snoopy, NASA and Omega can be found here: OMEGA, Snoopy and Apollo 13. What’s the Story?
I will start with the hands-on video. The video contains the original recording of “Houston, we have a problem!” courtesy of NASA. Note: the watch is a prototype and the markings will be slightly different on the retail watches.
I have seen the watch exactly one month after its launch, on the 5th of November. I have saved the review for a more special occasion, like this last Tuesday of the year to also celebrate #speedytuesday.
Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary
The Silver Snoopy Award watches became some of the very desired limited pieces launched by Omega to celebrate the brand’s achievement and humanity’s milestone. This year, the brand decided to launch a special piece that is not part of a limited edition. This will make the Silver Snoopy Award available for more collectors. Taking into account the impressive prices and unavailability of the older models, this comes as good news.
Speedmaster case
There is nothing new about the case of the “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary. The 42mm stainless steel case bears the same profile and finishes as the Speedmaster collection. The thickness of 14.47mm is slightly smaller than the 14.8mm (maybe due to the lack of hands-made Snoopy medalion) of the 45th Anniversary and just a bit over the 14.26mm of the normal Speedmaster (due to added animation).
The case finishes remain familiar from the Speedmaster collection. It is obvious that the main colour of the 50th Anniversary theme is blue. The blue ceramic bezel adds a bit of contrast to the silver and blue dial while a blue canvas and leather strap keeps them company.
The crown and the pushers are kept in the spirit of the family. The crown bears the brand’s Ω-logo and is protected by the case (along with the pushers). This design offers very good protection of the pushers and crown, keeping them away from false actuation, but offers a very good feeling when in use.
The watch is covered by a highly domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides.
The 50th Anniversary’s dial
It is not unusual to see a panda dial in the “Y” chronograph configurations. But this dial with blue accents is more than just a simple nice dial. There are a lot of details and a good and pleasant contrast.
The dial is decorated with blue elements: from the blued Ω logo and applied blue indexes to the wider Speedmaster and Professional printing and printed indexes. The blue hands, familiar in the Moonwatches line, are fitted with SuperLuminova, creating a nice view in the low light. The legibility is excellent in any light condition. Unfortunately, the Snoopy this not received the luminescent treatment of the 2015’s model.
It would have been great but most probably would have raised the complexity and costs of the dial too much.
We see the known chronograph style with central seconds, 30minutes counter on the right and 12 hours counter on the bottom. The running seconds with the Snoopy is positioned on the left side of the dial.
The dial manufactured in Silver Ag925 is laser engraved. The 9 o’clock position is reserved for the famous beagle embossed in silver. The design is reflecting the design of the silver pin that NASA astronauts give to the winners.
The caseback surprise
The older Silver Snoopy Award piece is decorated with a silver medalion depicting the famous beagle in his spacesuit. The new model presents the view of the Earth seen from Moon. But this is not all! By activation the chronograph, the Snoopy will appear in a space rocket making a revolution around the Moon. Gorgeous animation that is visible in the video above.
Snoopy is flying in the Command and Service Module (CSM) animated by an almost invisible crystal hand. The surroundings are created using sapphire crystal and micro-structured metalisation. The Earth itself is animated by the running seconds. It makes a complete rotation in one minute. “Eyes on the stars” quotation follows the orbit of the famous beagle.
The watch is powered by the last year’s launched Calibre 3861. More about the movement can be found in this separate article: Introducing the Master Chronometer Calibre 3861: the driving force behind OMEGA’s Apollo 11 tributes and a movement with its own lunar legacy
The chronograph behaves exceptionally good. Ferm pushing with good actuation feedback offers a precise and robust feel.
Precious moments for humanity, precious moments for Omega
The Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary is another example of creativity offered by Omega. It pays a tribute to the 5th October 1970, when Omega received this extremely cute but extremely important price. For us, it is a reminder for the success of brave people that put their trust in Omega. Not only the astronauts of Apollo XIII but the entire NASA team trusted Snoopy to help them and give them the courage to realise humanity’s greatest achievement.
I have placed it on the same echelon as the Apollo XIII 45th Anniversary piece, launched in 2015. What I am missing is the “14 seconds” mark up found in the 45th Anniversary dial. Why? Read here: OMEGA and Apollo 13 – The 14 critical seconds between success and failure. That is the moment when Omega truly shone in the NASA space program. Not being on the Moon, but saving precious lives: What could you do in 14 seconds?
I particularly love the very unusual and unnecessary complication placed on the back. The revolving Earth and the flying Snoopy seen from the Moon perspective and surrounded by stars are a creative exercise. This makes the watch so cute and lovable. The kind of watch that your kid, boy or girl will, secretly or not, want from you. The kind of watch that your parents and grandparents will love to see it as a reminder of past generations’ extraordinary achievement. The watch that some will want it for what it represents and some for its look.
The Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary looks great on the wrist. The canvas/leather combo needs less time for wrist accommodation. The watch wear wears and behaves excellently. The decorations and animations are simply gorgeous. The watch must be on the list of every Snoopy lover, any Moonwatch lover, any space enthusiasts, any watch lover and the list continues…
Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary Technical Specifications and Price
Steel on coated nylon fabric strap Reference 310.32.42.50.02.001
Features
- Anti-magnetic
- Chronograph
- Chronometer
- Master Chronometer Certified
- Small seconds
- Tachymeter
Movement
- Calibre: Omega 3861
- Manual-winding chronograph movement with Co-Axial escapement.
- Certified Master Chronometer, approved by METAS,
- Resistant to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss.
- Free-sprung balance with silicon balance spring.
- Frecquency: 21,600vph
- Rhodium-plated finish, bridges with straight Geneva waves.
- Power reserve: 50 hours
Case
- Steel
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Thickness: 14.47 mm
- Water-resistance: 5 bar (50 metres / 167 feet)
- Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Price
- $9,600.00 / £8,250.00 / 9.160,00 €
Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary Gallery
