Snoopy and NASA go way back. Following Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz’s depictions of Snoopy in space, the beagle was chosen as the mascot for NASA’s flight safety program and became the symbol for their Silver Snoopy Award, an accolade awarded to people or companies who have made significant contributions to “the success of human space flight missions.” In 1970, Swiss watchmaker Omega received a Silver Snoopy Award for their role in the Apollo 13 mission.
You’ll also enjoy:
Lacoste x Mastermind JAPAN Make Streetwear Elegant
Givenchy SS21 And The Problem With Personal Style In Heritage Fashion Houses
Zegna x Fear Of God Collection Postulates A Symbiotic Relationship Between Streetwear And Tailoring
Known as the first watch worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 landing, the Omega Speedmaster was naturally the watch of choice for the 1970 Apollo 13 mission. However, the mission wasn’t set up for success. Before reaching the moon, an oxygen tank exploded onboard, causing irreparable damage. With survival now the only mission on their minds, the three-person crew used astronaut Jack Swigert’s Omega Speedmaster to successfully calculate the elapsed time of the burn, allowing them to return safely to Earth.
Now, half a century later, the Swiss watchmakers have introduced the Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary to commemorate the occasion. Snoopy takes the place of honour, appearing as an embossed silver medallion on the 9 o’clock subdial, wearing a spacesuit in the same style as the pin given to NASA Silver Snoopy Award recipients. The similarly silver dial is laser-engraved with Ag925 and includes two more blue subdials as well as blue PVD angle-shaped hour markers and hands.
While the dial face is classic with a hint of fun, the caseback is where the Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary really differentiates itself and secures its position as a true must-have collectors item for horologists. The caseback sees everyone’s favourite beagle go into orbit, perched on an animated black and white Command and Service Module (CSM) set on a magical hand. While the chronograph seconds hand is in use, Snoopy travels around the far side of the moon, which is decorated on the sapphire crystal using a unique micro-structured metallisation. Set in the galaxies, the quote “Eyes on the Stars” is emblazoned across the black star-speckled sky.
Words by T. Angel
