The complaint about a cartoon character on a watch has been around a long time. Regardless of whether we think the price is justified, calling Snoopy a mere cartoon character misses the point.
NASA was devastated by the Apollo 1 fire that killed three astronauts. Afterwards equipment manufacturers had photos of astronauts everywhere, often with the astronauts who were to use that equipment visiting the people who were working on their flights.
Snoopy was a huge cultural phenomenon in tge sixties. If you weren't there, the Sunday paper with the separate comic section was eagerly anticipated. There were three channels on TV. I was an Army brat camping in Europe with my family in the early sixties when my brother and I met a couple 14 year olds from another country who were traveling on their own. They introduced themselves as Charlie Brown and Snoopy.
Snoopy was an intrepid character. In a comic strip where all the characters were flawed and had mishaps, Snoopy was unperturbed and flew above it all.
Snoopy was adopted by NASA to put a face on the safety program and to humanize a massive program. It succeeded. Snoopy awards were given by astronauts to workers who stood out from workers who were already fully dedicated. That kind of recognition is powerful and cements a team.
To dismiss Snoopy as a mere cartoon character really misses the mark. Omega received a Snoopy award and rightfully proud. Creating Snoopy watches is a celebration of their small part in that massive effort, and it's a way to make their customers a part of it. I don't own a Snoopy watch, but I wanted one to be a part of that recognition.
My complaint of the Snoopy watch is not with a cartoon character, but with limiting the watch and turning it into an award for big purchasers. When the watch was announced, Omega president said everyone who wants one will get one. Then the lists were full, stopped or ignored completely. What was to be a celebration turned into something that divided the community. It's sad.
Me, I think they nailed the third Snoopy watch. I loved it when it first came out and still like it, with only a slight criticism of the shade of blue, and of course the price. It was expensive when it first came out and that has only gotten worse.
I hope people who wear the Snoopys appreciate the history of the Snoopy award more than just the ability to own a difficult to buy watch. To my fellow speedy lovers, please stop saying Snoopy is just a cartoon.
