A fake Apollo 13 Snoopy is a counterfeit of the Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award, the watch that honors the silver Snoopy pin NASA gave Omega after the Apollo 13 rescue. Real examples carry a matching reference number, a Co-Axial Master Chronometer chronograph movement, and hand-finished Snoopy artwork. Copies mimic the look and fail on the movement, the caseback animation, and the paperwork.
What connects Snoopy to Apollo 13?
On April 13, 1970, an oxygen tank on Apollo 13 ruptured about 200,000 miles from Earth. The crew needed the lunar module engine to fire for 14 seconds to correct the ship's path, and Jack Swigert timed that burn with his Speedmaster because the guidance computer was down. NASA handed Omega its Silver Snoopy Award on October 5, 1970, and the beagle has appeared on Speedmasters ever since.
Which Snoopy models get copied most?
Three Speedmaster Snoopy editions feed most of the counterfeit market.
- 2003 Silver Snoopy Award: silver dial, small Snoopy in the subdial at 9 o'clock, 5,441 pieces.
- 2015 Silver Snoopy Award: white dial with a black Snoopy, plus "What could you do in 14 seconds?" on the back.
- 2020 Silver Snoopy Award (50th anniversary): blue dial and a caseback where Snoopy flies past a rotating Earth when the chronograph runs. This one is the hardest to fake.
How do you spot a fake Apollo 13 Snoopy?
Start at the caseback, then work outward to the dial, the movement, and the papers.
1. The caseback
The back is where copies fall apart. The 2020 model has a sapphire back with moving discs, and on fakes those discs sit still, wobble, or are printed on a flat plate. Check for the engraved reference number between the lugs and the "Silver Snoopy Award" text, both stamped with clean, even lettering.
2. The Snoopy artwork and dial printing
On a real dial, Snoopy's outline is crisp, with sharp lines and lume that sits inside the print. Fakes show muddy printing, thick outlines, and subdial rings that sit off-center. Run a loupe over the brand name and the logo; on copies the strokes are uneven and the font runs a touch heavy.
3. The movement
A genuine Snoopy Speedmaster runs a Co-Axial Master Chronometer chronograph calibre with a smooth sweep and a snap back to zero. Copies use quartz or a low-cost automatic with a stuttery sweep, a reset that lands off the 12 marker, and a rotor that rattles when you shake the watch. Ask a watchmaker to open the case before you pay.
4. Case, crystal, and weight
Steel cases on genuine watches have sharp lug edges and brushed surfaces that change direction where they should. Fakes feel light in the hand, show soft or rounded lugs, and use a crystal with a blue tint. Weigh the watch: a copy with the same case size lands under the real number.
5. Price, paperwork, and seller
The 2020 Snoopy trades far above its retail price, so a bargain listing is a warning, not a win. Ask for the reference number, a warranty card with a matching serial, and the original box. Walk away from any seller who refuses a third-party inspection.
Quick authentication checklist
- Reference number matches the edition and is stamped between the lugs
- Snoopy artwork is sharp and the lume is even
- Chronograph resets to zero with a snap
- Caseback discs move when the chronograph runs (2020 model)
- Box, card, and serial numbers agree
- Seller allows an inspection by a watchmaker
Why does the Snoopy link push prices up?
The Silver Snoopy Award is a NASA honor for people and contractors who improve flight safety and mission success. NASA gives the sterling silver pin to a small slice of the aerospace workforce, which gives the award weight with collectors. Omega ties each Snoopy edition to that story, so demand runs ahead of supply and copies fill the gap.
Are fake Snoopy Speedmasters worth buying?
No, if you want the watch the mission story belongs to. A copy has a different movement, no service history, and no resale value, and the brand will not touch it for repairs. If you want the look on a budget, buy a plain homage with a real warranty and a seller who states what the watch is, rather than a counterfeit wearing a reference number it does not own.
FAQ
Is there a fake Snoopy with a working caseback animation?
Not one that lasts. A few copies try to animate the back, but the discs bind within weeks. The real mechanism runs off the chronograph gear train, which is expensive to copy.
How many Snoopy Speedmasters were made?
Omega has not published totals for every edition. The 2003 Silver Snoopy Award was capped at 5,441 pieces, while later editions were sold openly. That gap is why so many fakes claim a limited number that does not exist.
Can a watchmaker spot a fake in minutes?
Yes, once the case is open. Movement finish, rotor engraving, and the balance bridge settle the question faster than any dial detail. Bring the watch, box, and papers to a service center before money changes hands.
Does a fake Snoopy keep good time?
A cheap copy can run within a few seconds a day when new, but the parts wear fast and nobody will service it. A chronometer-grade movement holds its rate for years between services.