Bitten by the Speedy bug

[Dini]

I voted for the hesalite. I’ve also been looking at the Speedy and if I were to buy one, it would be the hesalite. I imagine it would age so well and with all the sapphires and ceramics in the world, it would be nice to have a watch that is a bit different.

[sensui]

In general I still give hesalite the nod..... Keep in mind it has a lot to do with my passion for vintage also. All the arguments saying it scratches etc imo isn't valid. Small to moderate scratches goes away with a little polywatch... Major dents etc and if you manage to crack.. cheap to replace. The same impact would shatter a sapphire crystal possibly introducing shards into the movement etc..... And expensive to replace.

But I will say most new Omega Speedmasters with sapphire has changed their approach so it looks more like a domed hesalite now without the ring. The new 321 is an easy example and one of the first things you notice in person. So I don't have an issue with these either....

Guess what I'm trying to say is, it's really a toss up. Just go with your gut and enjoy the Speedy.

[PepsiBezel]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Hard not to pick hesalite when you see them side by side my friend. The original is the way to go IMHO.

+1. The Speedy with Hesalite is like buying a brand new vintage watch.

[brandrea]

Wow guys, I’m really impressed with all the very detailed feedback here

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to look at them this weekend. Hoping to have a chance this coming weekend. I think I’m leaning toward the hesalite based on all the feedback so far.

One thing that worries me a wee bit is that I’ve heard it can be a tough watch to wind due to the way the crown in placed between the pushers ...

Anyone else notice / experience this?

[Arcticsub]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Wow guys, I’m really impressed with all the very detailed feedback here

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to look at them this weekend. Hoping to have a chance this coming weekend. I think I’m leaning toward the hesalite based on all the feedback so far.

One thing that worries me a wee bit is that I’ve heard it can be a tough watch to wind due to the way the crown in placed between the pushers ...

Anyone else notice / experience this?

After a while you'll get the hang of it.

Only real downside is winding it when it's fully unwound. Takes ages.

[PepsiBezel]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Wow guys, I’m really impressed with all the very detailed feedback here

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to look at them this weekend. Hoping to have a chance this coming weekend. I think I’m leaning toward the hesalite based on all the feedback so far.

One thing that worries me a wee bit is that I’ve heard it can be a tough watch to wind due to the way the crown in placed between the pushers ...

Anyone else notice / experience this?

The winding is one of my favorite things about the watch. Even if I wear my automatics more often, I tend to at least quickly wind it in the morning, just to see how many days/weeks I can keep it going.

You don’t wind it like you would a Sub with a screw-in crown. You do not pinch the the crown with two fingers, unscrew it, then wind, then rescrew.

You just pick it up, and run your finger along the bottom of the watch/crown (almost like you are squeezing a trigger).

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

The winding is one of my favorite things about the watch. Even if I wear my automatics more often, I tend to at least quickly wind it in the morning, just to see how many days/weeks I can keep it going.



You don’t wind it like you would a Sub with a screw-in crown. You do not pinch the the crown with two fingers, unscrew it, then wind, then rescrew.



You just pick it up, and run your finger along the bottom of the watch/crown (almost like you are squeezing a trigger).

Thanks for this, sounds like it must be very smooth winding with little friction then.

I can't wait to try that!

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[samson66]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Wow guys, I’m really impressed with all the very detailed feedback here



Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to look at them this weekend. Hoping to have a chance this coming weekend. I think I’m leaning toward the hesalite based on all the feedback so far.



One thing that worries me a wee bit is that I’ve heard it can be a tough watch to wind due to the way the crown in placed between the pushers ...



Anyone else notice / experience this?

Can't remember if you own a Tudor or not. But if you have ever wound a Tudor, the Moonwatch is the exact OPPOSITE of this.

My Tudor is a joy to wind with it's nice big exposed crown with silky smooth winding.

The Moonwatch is a PITA to wind with its smaller crown wedged between two crown guards and stiffer winding.

It's certainly doable but it's something I got tired of doing over time. Wound up selling it and picking up a Moonphase Speedy with automatic movement and have been very happy.

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

The winding is one of my favorite things about the watch. Even if I wear my automatics more often, I tend to at least quickly wind it in the morning, just to see how many days/weeks I can keep it going.

You don’t wind it like you would a Sub with a screw-in crown. You do not pinch the the crown with two fingers, unscrew it, then wind, then rescrew.

You just pick it up, and run your finger along the bottom of the watch/crown (almost like you are squeezing a trigger).

Originally Posted by samson66

Can't remember if you own a Tudor or not. But if you have ever wound a Tudor, the Moonwatch is the exact OPPOSITE of this.

My Tudor is a joy to wind with it's nice big exposed crown with silky smooth winding.

The Moonwatch is a PITA to wind with its smaller crown wedged between two crown guards and stiffer winding.

It's certainly doable but it's something I got tired of doing over time. Wound up selling it and picking up a Moonphase Speedy with automatic movement and have been very happy.

Sent from my Galaxy S20 using Tapatalk

Damn ... this is what I’ve read and am a bit worried about to be honest.

I was hoping the winding experience was closer to what Harry said above. I suppose it may vary by user, but your account seems to be a consistent gripe...

I guess I’ll have to see this for myself

[Nikrnic]

When I saw them at the AD the hesalite steals the show on the wrist.

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[PepsiBezel]

I’d be curious to know how folks with a gripe wind the watch, I.e., how do the hold or turn the crown.

If you slide your finger underneath it, as in my pic it couldn’t be easier.

[alllexandru]

As above it is very very ease and works like a charm
I’m doing also in the “traditional” way with two fingers with no issues but it gets harder in some mornings when my fingers are slippery then I use the “trigger”


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[owl.]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

I’d be curious to know how folks with a gripe wind the watch, I.e., how do the hold or turn the crown.

If you slide your finger underneath it, as in my pic it couldn’t be easier.

Agree with this method.

That’s what I do and it’s not a bad watch to wind.

Just gotta kinda figure out the finger placement and the winding can be enjoyable.

[Oyster Sauce]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

I’d be curious to know how folks with a gripe wind the watch, I.e., how do the hold or turn the crown.

If you slide your finger underneath it, as in my pic it couldn’t be easier.

This is key

[eightball76]

I picked up a hesalite Speedy a couple of years ago, it wasn't really a decision I had to make, I don't believe you buy a speedy for all the latest mods and cons. I have many other watches which are leaps and bounds ahead of the speedy but for some reason the speedy is the one I reach for in the morning.
It does pick up scratches (small ones) but they can be polished out with poly watch if you so desire. there is no wrong decision, you will love the watch either way. Congrats in advance.

[AEC]

Brian, regarding resistance in the crown, there is variability across individual examples of the Speedmaster Pro. The best way to avoid the problem is to check the resistance in the actual watch you're about to purchase. I feel like I should re-post here the advice from my reply on the first page of this thread:

"Important: when purchasing, either wind the movement yourself, or if needed ask the seller to wind the movement and confirm that the crown twists easily enough on the actual watch that will be your watch. For some reason, the occasional Speedmaster Pro will have excessive resistance to twisting the crown, and for some folks this spoils the joy of owning and wearing it.

I think it's just seals that cause this (I've had other models from Omega and Rolex that felt this way), but it's a real, um, drag if you get one like this (sorry for the pun)."

[alllexandru]

Enjoy reading before trying one out

https://www.fratellowatches.com/why-...with-hesalite/


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[juve]

I like Hesalite more

[DoctorA]

I went Hesalite for all the reasons stated
There’s no wrong choice!

[Oxfordian]

Hesalite is the way to go, and that is what I own so I am slightly biased.

Although, when the new Speedy is launched next year with the 3861 movement, I will be going for the Sapphire version to partner my existing Speedy and allow me to see the new movement.

[MCMartiny]

Hesalite is the way to go...you are buying a piece of history as well as a great watch!

[amanbra]

I went SS because I hate marks on the crystal. I'd end up polishing it away if i got the hesalite.

[WatchGuy1966]

Hesalite = Moonwatch
Sapphire = HomageWatch