While the Omega Speedmaster was created as a racing watch, with its chronograph function and tachymeter scale, today this has long been forgotten and instead has become more famous for its exploits in space. Known as the ‘Moonwatch’, the Omega Speedmaster Professional made history by being flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space flights and becoming the first watch worn on the moon when it was on the wrists of astronauts during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
As a result, the Speedmaster has become a cult icon, and it's hard not to see why. Collectors can buy into such a great story and with a generation that grew up idolizing space travel and astronauts, this watch would certainly have to be one of the most important wristwatches ever made.
With racing and space being the central themes of the Speedmaster, you might be wondering why Omega released a ‘Snoopy’ limited edition and how it has a place in the Speedy lineup. Well, it actually has a lot to do with it, and specifically with space travel. In the ’60s, NASA chose the Snoopy character, created by Charles M. Schulz to be one of its icons. NASA employees even got sterling silver Snoopy pins as a gift from the company as a sign of appreciation back then and for whatever reason, Snoopy has always had an association with NASA.
In 2003, Omega decided to commemorate this by creating the first limited edition Snoopy Speedmaster, which is what you see here today. With a cute cartoon of Astronaut Snoopy on the 9 o’clock sub-dial, and a beautifully animated case back, today these are one of the hottest limited edition Speedmasters out there. With a limited run of 5,441 pieces, I think a reason why collectors love this so much is part to do with the quirky story and also the fact that most collectors grew up with Snoopy as an icon.
Regardless of why, I do think it is quite cool that you have, on one hand, quite a serious watch in the Speedmaster but on the other a lighter and more fun side to it with the snoopy cartoon on the dial.
