Omega Speedmaster - which one
Discussion
I've always hankered after one of these and am now poised to make a purchase (or in PH parlance pull the trigger 
).
I've decided on a Speedmaster professional but the question is hesalite or sapphire?
I'm inclined to hesalite as it's more faithful to the original and I like the domed shape it creates. It's also considerably cheaper than sapphire and I see no purpose for an exposition back in any case.
Any thoughts on what's best?
Whilst investment/resale is not a prime consideration will one retain value better than the other?
Cheers
).I've decided on a Speedmaster professional but the question is hesalite or sapphire?
I'm inclined to hesalite as it's more faithful to the original and I like the domed shape it creates. It's also considerably cheaper than sapphire and I see no purpose for an exposition back in any case.
Any thoughts on what's best?
Whilst investment/resale is not a prime consideration will one retain value better than the other?
Cheers
Lotobear said:
I've always hankered after one of these and am now poised to make a purchase (or in PH parlance pull the trigger ).
I've decided on a Speedmaster professional but the question is hesalite or sapphire?
I'm inclined to hesalite as it's more faithful to the original and I like the domed shape it creates. It's also considerably cheaper than sapphire and I see no purpose for an exposition back in any case.
Any thoughts on what's best?
Whilst investment/resale is not a prime consideration will one retain value better than the other?
Cheers
My advice would be to try a few on and see which one feels best to you. There are lots of variants of the Speedmaster ... I purchased the Pro as I wanted the Moonwatch ... steel back/hesalite as I didn't fancy the rear glass case. I wore it for a while but it never felt comfortable to me, the straps (croc skin and nylon) never felt they sat quite right on my wrist. The watch also felt thin and light so as much as I liked the look of it I sold it. ).I've decided on a Speedmaster professional but the question is hesalite or sapphire?
I'm inclined to hesalite as it's more faithful to the original and I like the domed shape it creates. It's also considerably cheaper than sapphire and I see no purpose for an exposition back in any case.
Any thoughts on what's best?
Whilst investment/resale is not a prime consideration will one retain value better than the other?
Cheers
I've subsequently tried on the Speedmaster racing and Super racing ... as much as I like the watch, the Super racing has a tapered bracelet which I'm not a fan of but the racing felt just right ... thicker case and glass crystal front and back, which probably adds to the weight.
So, have a try of the variants first to see which you feel suits you best. They're generally available with a discount ... none retain their value particularly well, so if thats a concern, maybe look at used.
JEA1K said:
My advice would be to try a few on and see which one feels best to you. There are lots of variants of the Speedmaster ... I purchased the Pro as I wanted the Moonwatch ... steel back/hesalite as I didn't fancy the rear glass case. I wore it for a while but it never felt comfortable to me, the straps (croc skin and nylon) never felt they sat quite right on my wrist. The watch also felt thin and light so as much as I liked the look of it I sold it.
This is both my advice & experience virtually word for word. I'm a huge Omega fan but it really was a case of never meet your heroes for me.Luckily, I managed to sell mine on after 12 months and make a bit of money in the process which relieved some of the pain.
I went through this dilemma in 2019. I opted for the Hesalite. I think it looks nicer and is more true to the moonwatch. I'm also not a big fan of open case backs on non dress watches or watches where the movements are not highly decorated. That said, the current lineup Speedmasters have the upgraded movement over the one I own.
Another thing to think about is that the Hesalite does scratch easily. Mine took a heavy bash against a stone wall and I have two large scratches that won't polywatch out. As a result I bought a Tudor BB58 to wear as my daily and only use the Speedmaster for occasions. I'd probably wear the Sapphire sandwich daily or more often if I owned that.
Another thing to think about is that the Hesalite does scratch easily. Mine took a heavy bash against a stone wall and I have two large scratches that won't polywatch out. As a result I bought a Tudor BB58 to wear as my daily and only use the Speedmaster for occasions. I'd probably wear the Sapphire sandwich daily or more often if I owned that.
Some great feedback here - thanks everyone.
I'm pretty sold on the hesalite though I appreciate the potential drawbacks which I have balanced in my own mind by the better aesthetics. I have further balanced this with the significantly higher purchase price of the sapphire model and the potentially very high cost of replacing a smashed sapphire crystal!
I have a Sinn 104 for everyday use which I love - the Speedy will be an occasional wear for 'best' and is just something I've always coveted. The new ISA will just have to be short this year - they provide no enjoyment anyway, especially in the present climate of 'new puritanism'
I'm pretty sold on the hesalite though I appreciate the potential drawbacks which I have balanced in my own mind by the better aesthetics. I have further balanced this with the significantly higher purchase price of the sapphire model and the potentially very high cost of replacing a smashed sapphire crystal!
I have a Sinn 104 for everyday use which I love - the Speedy will be an occasional wear for 'best' and is just something I've always coveted. The new ISA will just have to be short this year - they provide no enjoyment anyway, especially in the present climate of 'new puritanism'
Funny how we all like different things (in a good way). Example: for me, I really dislike NON-tapering bracelets, I'm a 20>16 man .
I own the previous-gen hesalite model and for a good while it was my only decent watch which I wore all day every day and I wouldn't say the face has any noticeable scratches at all really. I think the hesalite is a great, safe choice, and the purest.
However, unlike some others, I really like the display-back. Especially on a manual wind watch with no rotor hiding half the movement.
Right now I think I'd go for the white dial one that JAGS has.
.I own the previous-gen hesalite model and for a good while it was my only decent watch which I wore all day every day and I wouldn't say the face has any noticeable scratches at all really. I think the hesalite is a great, safe choice, and the purest.
However, unlike some others, I really like the display-back. Especially on a manual wind watch with no rotor hiding half the movement.
Right now I think I'd go for the white dial one that JAGS has.
The white dial does look good (heavily biased opinion).
I initially wanted to go for the Hesalite, from a 'purist' point of view but the risk of scratching put me off. My watches take a bit of a beating due to the work I'm in.
Was then the choice of black dial or white. The white won on the day of choosing, with both in front of me.
Go with the one that you like/prefer best. There's no wrong choice. The FOIS model looks very nice too. Was tempted, but holding out for an IWC Top Gun next...
I went for hesalite on my Moonwatch, as I wanted the that dreamy look from the plastic crystal. I also wanted the brushed bracelet as well. Touch wood, but not picked up any major scratches that Polywatch hasn't been able to sort out.
My FOIS has the new domed sapphire crystal, which is the best of both worlds.
I'd love to have a display case back on one or the other of the above. May give the Spiralwinder aftermarket casebacks a look...
My FOIS has the new domed sapphire crystal, which is the best of both worlds.
I'd love to have a display case back on one or the other of the above. May give the Spiralwinder aftermarket casebacks a look...
Wildfire said:
I ummed and ah'd about hesalite vs sapphire vs the FOIS.
I went for the Healite as it was the one I had always wanted and really love it.
Still like the FOIS, which is now out of production...
I didn’t realise the FOIS is now out of production. Have you seen an announcement somewhere?I went for the Healite as it was the one I had always wanted and really love it.
Still like the FOIS, which is now out of production...
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