Tom Hanks, Apollo 13 & the Omega Speedmaster: the lLegendary watch that saved a mission

 Worn by NASA astronauts and glorified by cinema, the Omega Speedmaster played a critical role in the Apollo 13 mission. Made famous again by Tom Hanks in the 1995 movie, this legendary chronograph saved lives in space and earned its place in both history and hearts. A timeless icon celebrated through special editions and still present in future space missions.

Tom Hanks and the Speedmaster: a cinematic tribute

In 1995, Tom Hanks played astronaut James Lovell in Ron Howard’s blockbuster “Apollo 13.” Deeply moved by the role, Hanks went on to produce the acclaimed 1998 TV miniseries “From the Earth to the Moon,” which chronicled NASA’s Apollo missions. Since then, the actor has often worn a 1970s Omega Speedmaster Chronograph, echoing the look of real astronauts and honoring their legacy.

The Omega Speedmaster: NASA’s official astronaut watch

A chronograph synonymous with space exploration, the Omega Speedmaster was worn by pilots throughout the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. It continued to serve astronauts during NASA’s Skylab and STS Space Shuttle programs, proving its reliability in the harshest conditions.

Omega Speedmaster saves Apollo 13

A chronograph becomes a lifeline

Why such lasting success and loyalty to this watch? Because in 1970, the Omega Speedmaster helped save lives. After an explosion disabled Apollo 13, module pilot Jack Swigert used his Speedmaster to time critical engine burns that allowed the crew to safely return to Earth.

First, a crucial 14-second burn of the lunar module's descent engine, timed by Swigert’s Speedmaster, helped reorient the spacecraft to loop around the Moon. Later, a second burn lasting precisely 264 seconds—again timed with the Speedmaster—adjusted the return trajectory for safe Earth reentry. These maneuvers were performed in a powerless spacecraft with no instruments or computers, making the mechanical watch an essential survival tool.

The Odyssey returns

On April 17, 1970, the Apollo 13 command module—named Odyssey—splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near the Fiji Islands at 6:07 PM UTC. The Speedmaster’s role in this mission cemented its reputation at NASA, turning what was once seen by some engineers as a pilot’s accessory into a lifesaving device.

A pilot’s bond with time

“A bond that ties us to life”—this is how many pilots and astronauts describe their relationship with a watch. Faced with critical instrument failures, they rely on timekeeping to navigate and survive. During Gemini V, astronaut Charles Conrad wore his personal Glycine Airman on his left wrist—trusted from his missions over Vietnam—and the regulation-issued Omega Speedmaster on his right.

The Silver Snoopy Award: NASA’s honor

In recognition of its contribution to mission success and astronaut safety, NASA awarded Omega the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award on October 5, 1970. The award, named after the calm and optimistic comic character Snoopy—NASA’s safety mascot—celebrates outstanding professionalism and support of manned spaceflight.

Commemorative Speedmaster Snoopy editions

2003: First Snoopy edition

Omega launched its first commemorative Speedmaster in 2003: the reference 3578.51.00 with caliber 1861. Limited to 5,441 pieces, it featured the “Eyes on the Stars” logo on both the dial and caseback.

2015: Apollo 13's 45th anniversary

In 2015, Omega marked the 45th anniversary of Apollo 13 with a white-dialed Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award. This edition, limited to 1,970 pieces, displayed a 14-second marker on the minute track and the quote “Failure is not an option” at its center.

2020: The 50th anniversary edition

On October 7, 2020, Omega released a new Snoopy model to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the mission and the Silver Snoopy Award. It features an elegant blue-tinted dial and is not a limited edition—ensuring broader access for collectors and enthusiasts.

The Speedmaster: Still flying high

To this day, the Omega Speedmaster remains a part of space history and the astronaut toolkit. In the 2020 TV series “Away,” actress Hilary Swank, playing commander Emma Green, wears a Speedmaster on a mission to Mars. Whether in real missions or fictional ones, the Speedmaster continues to inspire awe and respect across generations.