What a Replica Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Actually Is
A replica Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 is a third-party copy of the Speedmaster Professional editions Omega built to honor the Apollo 13 mission and the Silver Snoopy Award. It reproduces the look of the original: a 42 mm stainless steel case, a black step dial with three subdials, a tachymeter bezel, and either a Snoopy graphic or an Apollo 13 engraving on the dial or caseback. It is not an Omega product, and it does not carry Omega's movement or warranty.
Why This Particular Speedmaster Has a Following
In April 1970, the Apollo 13 crew used their Speedmaster to time a critical 14-second midcourse correction burn after an oxygen tank failure. NASA later recognized Omega with the Silver Snoopy Award, an honor astronauts give for flight safety contributions. Omega has returned to that story several times, including the 45th anniversary Silver Snoopy Award Speedmaster and the 50th anniversary edition, both of which put Snoopy on the dial or caseback.
Those anniversary pieces are expensive and hard to find, which is exactly why the replica market pays attention to them. Buyers are usually chasing a specific look, not a specific reference number.
What Reproductions Usually Get Right
- Case profile. Most copies land close to 42 mm across, with twisted lugs and a pronounced case side. Thickness is where shortcuts show, since a chronograph module adds height.
- Dial layout. Three subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, applied or printed hour markers, and a white baton hand set. On Snoopy versions the graphic placement is the first thing to check.
- Bezel insert. A black aluminum-style insert with a printed tachymeter scale. Cheap versions have uneven printing or a scale that does not line up at 12.
- Crystal. Both hesalite-style domed plastic and flat sapphire versions exist. The domed option looks closer to a vintage Speedmaster.
- Caseback. This is where Apollo 13 and Snoopy editions differ most, so it is worth asking for a clear photo before buying.
Movement Options You Will See
The genuine watch uses a manual-wind Omega chronograph caliber. Replicas split into three groups:
- Quartz chronographs. Cheapest, lightest, and the tell is easy to spot because the seconds hand ticks. Subdials often work as 24-hour or date displays rather than true chronograph registers.
- Hand-wound mechanical chronographs. Commonly built on a Seagull ST19 base. This is the closest behavior match, with a smooth sweep and a pusher feel that resembles the real thing.
- Automatic chronographs. Heavier and thicker, but convenient. Subdial spacing sometimes shifts because of the module underneath.
How to Judge Quality Before You Buy
- Ask for the exact case diameter and lug width, not a general description.
- Request close-up photos of the dial printing, the bezel scale at 12, and the caseback engraving.
- Confirm whether the crystal is domed plastic or sapphire, since photos alone often hide the difference.
- Check pusher action on the chronograph. Start, stop, and reset should feel distinct, not mushy.
- Ask what the subdials actually do. Many budget copies run a 24-hour indicator instead of a 12-hour counter.
- Treat water resistance claims with caution. A screw-down caseback does not guarantee a screw-down crown.
What a Replica Cannot Match
Movement finishing, the exact curvature of a vintage hesalite dome, the depth of laser engraving on a limited edition caseback, and long-term service support are all areas where copies fall short. Resale value is effectively zero. If those points matter to you, the replica route will not satisfy them.
Legal and Ownership Notes
A replica is not made, endorsed, or serviced by Omega, and it should never be sold or described as a genuine watch. Rules on importing and owning replica watches differ by country, and trademark enforcement varies as well. Check your local situation before ordering, and buy from a seller who states clearly what the item is.