Introduction
The Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award (ref. 310.32.42.50.02.001) is the third limited-edition Speedmaster to honor NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award, a badge of distinction given to individuals for outstanding contributions to spaceflight safety. Released in 2020 to mark the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13’s safe return, this watch celebrates the crew’s reliance on the Speedmaster to time the crucial 14-second burn that brought them home. It’s a watch that blends horological excellence with a playful, emotional story – and it has become one of the most sought-after modern Omegas.
As a daily-wear reviewer, I’m less concerned with the hype and more with how this watch performs on a real wrist. Does it live up to the Speedmaster legacy? Is it comfortable for everyday wear? Can it handle the rigors of a week that includes office, gym, and weekend adventures? After spending significant time with it, I can tell you: this is not just a collector’s trophy – it’s a remarkably wearable piece of history.
In this review, I’ll break down the design, movement, and real-world performance, focusing on what matters most: how it feels, how it reads, and what it’s like to live with.
Manufacture History
Omega was founded in 1848 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and quickly became synonymous with precision. The Speedmaster, introduced in 1957, was designed as a racing chronograph but gained fame as the first watch on the Moon in 1969. The Silver Snoopy Award editions pay tribute to Omega’s partnership with NASA and the Speedmaster’s role in manned spaceflight. The award itself, a silver Snoopy pin, has been given to NASA employees and contractors since 1968 for outstanding contributions to flight safety.
The 2020 Silver Snoopy Award is the third in the series, following the 2003 and 2015 editions. It’s a celebration of the Apollo 13 mission, where the crew used the Speedmaster to time the engine burn that brought them safely back to Earth. The watch’s design incorporates Snoopy as a tribute to the “Snoopy” command module, and the caseback features an animated Snoopy in a spacesuit, with the Earth in the background.
Movement
Powering the Silver Snoopy Award is the Caliber 3861, a manual-wind chronograph movement that was introduced in 2019 with the new Speedmaster Moonwatch. It’s an evolution of the legendary Cal. 861/1861, but with significant upgrades: a co-axial escapement, a silicon balance spring, and a higher power reserve of 50 hours. The movement is certified by COSC, ensuring accuracy within -1 to +5 seconds per day.
The Cal. 3861 is a joy to operate. The winding action is smooth and precise, with a satisfying ratchet feel. The chronograph pushers have a crisp, positive engagement, and the reset function snaps back to zero instantly. The movement is also resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, making it robust for daily use. The finish is typical Omega: perlage on the plates, Geneva stripes on the bridges, and a gold-plated rotor (though it’s manual wind, the rotor is not present – the movement is visible through the sapphire caseback).
Specifications
The case is 42mm in diameter, 13.2mm thick, with a lug-to-lug of 48mm. It’s made of stainless steel, with a brushed and polished finish. The crystal is sapphire, domed on the front with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The caseback is also sapphire, revealing the animated Snoopy scene. Water resistance is 50 meters – sufficient for everyday splashes but not for swimming.
The dial is a stunning silver-white, with a sunburst finish that catches the light. The subdials are recessed and have a blue tint, with the 9 o’clock subdial featuring a Snoopy figure seated on the moon. The hands and hour markers are coated with Super-LumiNova, glowing bright blue in the dark. The bezel is a blue aluminum ring with a tachymeter scale, adding a pop of color.
The watch comes on a stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp and a micro-adjustment system, as well as an additional blue/white fabric strap with a pin buckle. The bracelet is comfortable and tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 18mm at the clasp.
Wrist Feel
The 42mm case wears surprisingly well on a variety of wrist sizes. The 48mm lug-to-lug ensures it sits flat without overhanging, and the weight – around 150g on the bracelet – feels substantial but not cumbersome. The tapered bracelet hugs the wrist comfortably, and the on-the-fly micro-adjustment allows for a perfect fit throughout the day. The domed sapphire crystal and the slightly recessed dial add to the classic Speedmaster proportions, making it versatile enough for both casual and formal settings.
On the fabric strap, the watch becomes almost featherweight, perfect for active days. The strap is soft, quick-drying, and the blue/white color scheme matches the dial beautifully. Whether I was typing at a desk, hiking, or attending a dinner, the watch never felt intrusive. The crown and pushers operate smoothly, and the chronograph action is crisp – a joy to use.
Accuracy
In my testing, the Cal. 3861 performed excellently, averaging +2 seconds per day – well within COSC standards. The silicon balance spring ensures stability against shocks and magnetic fields, which is a practical benefit for daily wear. Over a week, I never had to adjust the time, and the 50-hour power reserve easily covered a weekend off the wrist. For a manual-wind chronograph, this is exceptional real-world accuracy.
Occasions
The Silver Snoopy Award is a versatile watch. Its silver-white dial and blue accents make it suitable for formal events, while the chronograph functionality and robust build allow it to handle sporty activities. It’s equally at home in a boardroom or on a weekend hike. The fabric strap adds a casual vibe, while the bracelet dresses it up. I’ve worn it to weddings, business meetings, and outdoor adventures – it never looked out of place.
Wrist Presence
With a 5/5 rating, this watch is a showstopper. The silver-white dial with the blue Snoopy on the subdial is instantly recognizable. The playful Snoopy figure, seated on the moon, adds a touch of whimsy without compromising legibility. The blue accents on the dial and the blue bezel ring give it a unique character that stands out in any room. On the wrist, it commands attention – not just for its story, but for its striking aesthetics.
Variants and Family
This watch is part of a trio of Silver Snoopy Award Speedmasters. The first, ref. 3578.51.00, was released in 2003 with a black dial and a Snoopy on the subdial. The second, ref. 311.32.42.30.04.001, came in 2015 with a silver Snoopy silhouette and an animated caseback. The 2020 version (310.32.42.50.02.001) is the most refined, with a silver-white dial and a more detailed animation. All three are limited editions and highly collectible.
Similar Watches
If you can’t find a Silver Snoopy, consider the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary (ref. 310.60.42.50.01.001) with a Moonshine gold case and a unique dial. For a more affordable alternative, the Longines Avigation BigEye offers a vintage-inspired chronograph with a similar aesthetic. For a budget-friendly homage, you might look at Seiko’s SRPD97, which mimics the blue-and-white color scheme, though it lacks a chronograph.
Investment Value
The Silver Snoopy Award had an MSRP of $9,800 when it launched in 2020. Today, it’s nearly impossible to find at retail, with secondary market prices ranging from $11,000 to $15,000. The trend is clearly appreciating, driven by its limited production (estimated at around 5,500 pieces) and strong demand from collectors. As a long-term hold, it’s a wise investment – the watch is already trading at a 20-50% premium, and its historical significance ensures it will remain desirable.
Service and Maintenance
Omega recommends servicing the Cal. 3861 every 5 to 8 years, depending on usage. A full service costs around $750 at an authorized service center, but it’s a worthwhile investment to keep the movement running accurately. The watch is robust, but the chronograph should be serviced periodically to maintain its precision.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Iconic Snoopy design with animated caseback; superb Cal. 3861 movement; comfortable on both bracelet and fabric strap; excellent legibility and lume; strong investment potential.
Cons: Limited availability and high premium; 50m water resistance is low for a sports watch; no date function; manual wind requires daily winding if worn regularly.
Final Verdict
The Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award is more than a limited edition – it’s a wearable piece of space history. With its stunning silver dial, playful Snoopy details, and the excellent Cal. 3861, it delivers on every level. While the price is steep, the watch offers a unique combination of storytelling, craftsmanship, and daily comfort that few others can match. If you can find one at a reasonable price, it’s a must-have for any serious collector.
