Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3578.51.00

OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Snoopy Edition Genuine 3578.51.00

3578.51.00, aka the very first “Silver Snoopy” edition of the iconic Moonwatch. (It marked 33 years, rather than the more common 30 or 35, for anyone counting.). Also unconventional was the number of pieces issued in the limited-edition run: 5,441, which represented a portion of the total length of the Apollo 13 mission — 142 hours, 54 minutes, and 41 seconds. This is a genuine, original, first edition, Snoopy Award Omega Moonwatch - (there are aftermarket constructed duplications of this watch that have been done - but this is the real deal). The stainless steel band is really pristine, when I bought the watch Exquisite Timepieces put a "new old stock" band on the watch and sized it to fit me at 7 1/2 inches. I believe the Hesalite crystal might be original to the watch so of course under the loop it will show some scratches, but it faces up quite nicely. The Beagle Has Landed: First “Silver Snoopy” Edition (2003). In 2003, Omega took many of its fans by surprise with the launch of the Speedmaster Professional Ref. 3578.51.00, aka the very first “Silver Snoopy” edition of the iconic Moonwatch. It was surprising because the year itself was not a particularly major anniversary year for the events the timepiece was issued to commemorate, namely the Apollo 13 mission and the award that followed it. Also unconventional was the number of pieces issued in the limited-edition run: 5,441, which represented a portion of the total length of the Apollo 13 mission — 142 hours, 54 minutes, and 41 seconds. The watch has the familiar 42mm stainless steel case of the classic Speedy, with the black tricompax dial and baton hands; the dial is covered by a Hesalite crystal rather than the sapphire crystal standard on most luxury watches today, just like the watches that went to the moon in 1969. Distinguishing this edition from the mainline models is its painted 9 o’clock subdial, which duplicates the actual Snoopy badge used by NASA, complete with the “Eyes on the Stars” motto above Snoopy’s head. The same imagery appears as a colorful sticker on the sapphire caseback. Beating behind that caseback is the manually wound Omega Caliber 1861, an updated version of the Caliber 861 that powered the original watches worn by Apollo 11 astronauts. Fully wound, the movement stores a 48-hour power reserve.