Just a few days ago, Swatch unexpectedly unveiled a new version of its homage to Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms.
This time, it's Omega and Snoopy's turn to inspire Swatch.
This will not be, far from it, its first appearance on a dial.
Just like Mickey, from vintage watches to Apple Watch faces, Snoopy has already graced many wrists.
But as the hour strikes, on January 25, for the first full moon of the year, Swatch revealed on its Instagram profile a short video of Snoopy howling at the moon on a MoonSwatch case, the now iconic marriage between a Swatch in bioceramic and an Omega Speedmaster, the watch that went into space and to the moon on the wrists of NASA astronauts.
An Omega Speedmaster released for the 50th anniversary of NASA's Snoopy Award.
Omega
After a change in the hand by new moon in recent months, it's time for Snoopy.
But why ?
The links between NASA and the famous Beagle imagined by Charles M. Schultz are in fact very old: the dog has become the lucky charm of astronauts (and Omega), because no one is more superstitious than a former pilot American fighter boarding a rocket!
Omega also celebrated the half-century of receiving the “Silver Snoopy award” with an exclusive Speedmaster, the day after the Apollo 13 mission.
Snoopy comes to the MoonSwatch.
Swatch
It was in fact after the Apollo 1 accident in 1968 that NASA chose the famous beagle to mark the success of the missions.
Snoopy has become the watchdog of the conquest of space, in a way... He even appears on posters displayed in space centers to advocate the safety rules to be respected for the success of space missions!
Schulz, a big fan of the American space program, once allowed NASA to use Snoopy's image for free.
He will draw him for the occasion in astronaut outfit, to illustrate the medals carried into space by each Apollo mission.
The “Silver Snoopy award” was born;
it will be awarded to less than 1% of NASA teams, accompanied by a certificate and a letter from the astronauts of the mission concerned.
Snoopy, lucky charm for NASA astronauts.
NASA
In 1970, Omega was even awarded this Award.
On April 13, 1970, two days after takeoff, more than 300,000 kilometers from Earth, an oxygen tank exploded on board.
The lunar mission is no longer the issue, and the trio must take refuge in the lunar module to survive.
On board, we will have to reduce energy consumption to the minimum to have a chance of returning alive.
An Omega Speedmaster released for the 50th anniversary of NASA's Snoopy Award.
Omega
For the Apollo 13 crew lost more than 300,000 kilometers from Earth to return safely, it was necessary to readjust the trajectory of the spacecraft for 14 seconds flat.
Without any working digital equipment to measure them, it was with his Speedmaster that Jack Swigert would have triggered the engines while James Lovell guided the device from the earth's horizon visible through the porthole.
On April 17, Apollo 13 landed.
In recognition of its global contribution to the conquest of space, Omega will receive the “Silver Snoopy Award” on Monday October 5, 1970.