A Cartoon Dog on a $50,000 Watch
The Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary (Ref. 310.32.42.50.02.001) is the most sought-after modern Omega — trading at $45,000-$55,000 on a $10,400 retail price. It features Snoopy (the Peanuts cartoon dog) on the dial at 9 o’clock AND on an animated caseback module where Snoopy rides the Apollo 13 Command Module around the far side of the Moon. It’s whimsical, technically innovative, and historically significant — and it has a 3-5 year waiting list at every Omega boutique on Earth.
Why Snoopy?
The connection between Omega, NASA, and Snoopy dates to 1970. After the Apollo 13 disaster — where astronaut Jack Swigert used his Speedmaster to time the critical 14-second engine burn that saved the crew’s lives — NASA awarded Omega the Silver Snoopy Award, their highest civilian honor for contributions to human space flight safety.
The award is literally a silver Snoopy pin — NASA uses the Peanuts character (licensed from Charles Schulz) as their safety mascot. Snoopy represents quality, professionalism, and the life-or-death importance of reliable equipment in space.
The Watch
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 42mm × 13.2mm, 316L steel |
| Movement | Cal. 3861 (METAS Master Chronometer, hand-wound, 50h) |
| Dial | Silver-white with blue accents, Snoopy medallion at 9 o’clock |
| Caseback | Animated: hand-painted Snoopy in Command Module orbits the Moon on a rotating disc — visible through sapphire |
| Bezel | Blue ceramic with white enamel tachymeter scale |
| Crystal | Sapphire front + caseback |
| Strap | Blue nylon fabric with white details |
| Retail | $10,400 |
| Secondary | $45,000-$55,000 |
The Animated Caseback
The Snoopy 50th’s party trick: flip the watch over and Snoopy’s Command Module orbits the far side of a hand-painted Moon. The animation is driven by the movement’s seconds hand — every 60 seconds, the Command Module completes one orbit. When it reaches the “far side” (behind the Moon’s raised hemisphere), it disappears from view, then reappears on the other side. It’s a mechanical animation powered by the chronograph movement — no batteries, no electronics.
This caseback alone justifies the watch’s collector premium. No other production watch has a mechanical animation this complex or charming.
The Three Snoopy Speedmasters
| Edition | Year | Limited | Current Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snoopy I (3578.51) | 2003 | 5,441 pieces | $20,000-$30,000 |
| Snoopy II (311.32.42.30.04.003) | 2015 | 1,970 pieces | $35,000-$50,000 |
| Snoopy III (310.32.42.50.02.001) | 2020 | NOT limited | $45,000-$55,000 |
The 2020 Snoopy III is NOT limited edition — Omega produces it continuously. Yet it trades at 4-5x retail because demand vastly exceeds production. Omega could increase supply to bring prices down but has chosen not to — the scarcity maintains the watch’s collector status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a Snoopy at retail?
Theoretically yes — it’s a catalog product. Practically no — waiting lists at Omega boutiques are 3-5 years, and most allocations go to existing high-spending clients. The secondary market ($45K-$55K) is the only realistic path for most buyers.
Is the Snoopy a good investment?
It has been spectacular: a $10,400 watch trading at $50,000. But future appreciation is uncertain — if Omega ever increases production significantly, prices could drop. The caseback animation and Apollo 13 heritage provide enduring collector appeal regardless of production changes.
Is the Snoopy “serious” enough for collectors?
Absolutely. The Cal. 3861 METAS Master Chronometer movement, the Apollo 13 heritage, and the mechanical caseback animation make it one of the most technically and historically significant modern watches from any brand. The Snoopy character adds joy, not frivolity.
Do you carry Speedmaster references?
Browse our Omega collection at DR.WATCH for Speedmaster Moonwatch and other references. Swiss movements, tachymeter bezels, and correct dial configurations. Free worldwide shipping + 1-year warranty.