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Old 19 April 2017, 03:19 AM   #1
Stevec14
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Hi all,

Since starting collecting watches a good while ago, I've always favoured Rolex over other brands. Just me I guess. Anyway, over the last week or so I've had it in my head that I need a speedmaster (mainly from looking on here) and that it should probably be sapphire to avoid issues with scratches etc. That said, I've never really liked some of the omegas I've seen as they looked big and thick etc.

Anyway, I tried a hesalite speedy on today and wow. A beautiful watch, and honestly I loved the hesalite. I think the quality is great and at the price point a brilliant watch.

Although 42 it wears pretty small I reckon mainly due to the bezel and dial being quite small (compared to my 42mm explorer II).

It's more than likely going to be an incoming assuming I can get for the right price, I just worry I have too much black - I have a black exp Ii and a black Rolex gmt 116710ln.

So would appreciate your thoughts on hesalite/sapphire and whether I need something more colourful....the rolexes won't go as one was my first and the gmt I love.
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Old 19 April 2017, 03:29 AM   #2
sensui
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You answer is hesalite. It looks better and gives a hint of vintage warmth. Scratches light or deep can be polished out in minutes and replacement is less than $100 should you ever need one. I'd wager the a lot of impacts that'd shatter the more expensive sapphire crystal the hesalite would just ding and keep on chugging.

If one and only speedmaster ... I'd stick with something more timeless like the professional or first Omega in space.
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Old 19 April 2017, 04:23 AM   #3
Stevec14
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Cheers for that. I have to say, I thought the hesalite was amazing and I have sapphire with the Rolexes.

I like black anyway, so just need to hunt around for a discount and go from there!
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Old 19 April 2017, 08:20 AM   #4
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The Hesalite has a look the sapphire can't replicate !

I too was hesitant concerning a MOTM, but bought one just because I kept reading that everyone should own one. Well ........................... wish I had bought one earlier !
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Old 19 April 2017, 12:52 PM   #5
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I agree with all of the hesalite comments, and it looks like you've decided already anyway. Good choice.

Don't worry about having too many black watches. Buy what you like to wear, don't force yourself to buy a variety of different colors just for the sake of it.
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Old 19 April 2017, 02:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sensui View Post
You answer is hesalite. It looks better and gives a hint of vintage warmth. Scratches light or deep can be polished out in minutes and replacement is less than $100 should you ever need one. I'd wager the a lot of impacts that'd shatter the more expensive sapphire crystal the hesalite would just ding and keep on chugging.

If one and only speedmaster ... I'd stick with something more timeless like the professional or first Omega in space.
Couldn't have said it better, I recently went with the hesalite and glad I did. I once thought the sapphire sandwhich was the one to get until I also put on the hesalite. And I didn't turn back.
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Old 19 April 2017, 02:43 PM   #7
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I'd go for the sandwich - the movement deserves to be seen.
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Old 20 April 2017, 10:11 AM   #8
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Hesalite moonwatch for life. Another pro is that it smudges a lot less.
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Old 20 April 2017, 11:21 AM   #9
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I too would opt for the sandwich.
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Old 20 April 2017, 12:02 PM   #10
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Hesalite moonwatch for sure !!!
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Old 22 April 2017, 08:47 PM   #11
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Well, I bought it. The ad had a well reduced moonphase in also, but decided I preferred the cleaner look of the hesalite moonwatch. Got a nice discount and very pleased to have it. A lovely change of pace from the rolexes I have, and for sure a keeper. Will try out the NATO later too!

Thanks for all you help and comments!
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Old 22 April 2017, 09:24 PM   #12
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Congrats on the Speedmaster. Great watch.
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Old 22 April 2017, 10:24 PM   #13
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Congrats, the Hesalite has a look that sapphire can't duplicate !
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Old 23 April 2017, 12:39 AM   #14
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Nice, the OEM croc with deployment is the only strap option you need.

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Old 23 April 2017, 01:32 AM   #15
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Beautiful watch, welcome to the speedy club.
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Old 23 April 2017, 01:35 AM   #16
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Congrats Steve. Enjoy.
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Old 23 April 2017, 02:10 AM   #17
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Old 23 April 2017, 04:52 AM   #18
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It's a shame that Omega no longer seems to offer a Heselite top and Sapphire bottom version of the Speedy Pro. That would in my mind be perfect. Does anyone know why they stopped offering that model, or am I mistaken and it's still offered?
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Old 23 April 2017, 11:37 AM   #19
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It's a shame that Omega no longer seems to offer a Heselite top and Sapphire bottom version of the Speedy Pro. That would in my mind be perfect. Does anyone know why they stopped offering that model, or am I mistaken and it's still offered?


You are correct that it's no longer offered. I believe it was simply not worth keeping the 2 sapphire back variants alive from a production point of view. I've got a 3572.50 (hesalite/sapphire) and love it. A lot of people I've seen writing here now get the standard hesalite and an aftermarket sapphire case back. Miss out on the high polish on the movement, but it works.


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Old 23 April 2017, 05:08 PM   #20
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Great watch.
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Old 23 April 2017, 05:24 PM   #21
Stevec14
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Wow, that's a beauty!
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Old 23 April 2017, 07:56 PM   #22
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Wow, that's a beauty!
Thanks
Enjoy yours. An icon among watches.

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Old 24 April 2017, 07:17 PM   #23
Stevec14
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Sorry for the bad picture, but would appreciate a little advice. I bought on Saturday but didn't notice until in direct sunlight. It looks to me as if there is a tiny bit of lume missing on the minute hand (pointing to the 2). When you look at it there is a darker spot towards the middle right where the lume ends.

Am I seeing things, or is this a take into the ad type thing. It's one of those that once you've seen it it's difficult not to, but at the same time I don't want the watch away for weeks when I've only just got it.....
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Old 24 April 2017, 07:44 PM   #24
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I'd go for the sandwich - the movement deserves to be seen.
Hands down the most spectacular movement on an exhibition case back


Quote:
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Nice, the OEM croc with deployment is the only strap option you need.

Love the look on black leather/croc with the deployment buckle
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Old 24 April 2017, 08:26 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by Stevec14 View Post
Sorry for the bad picture, but would appreciate a little advice. I bought on Saturday but didn't notice until in direct sunlight. It looks to me as if there is a tiny bit of lume missing on the minute hand (pointing to the 2). When you look at it there is a darker spot towards the middle right where the lume ends.

Am I seeing things, or is this a take into the ad type thing. It's one of those that once you've seen it it's difficult not to, but at the same time I don't want the watch away for weeks when I've only just got it.....
I would wear it and enjoy it, if there is a lume issue, it can be remedied at your first service and no need to worry about it otherwise. Just my $.02

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Old 24 April 2017, 08:35 PM   #26
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Congratulations. I don't think the lume is an issue.
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Old 25 April 2017, 01:24 AM   #27
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Cheers for that. I have to say, I thought the hesalite was amazing and I have sapphire with the Rolexes.

I like black anyway, so just need to hunt around for a discount and go from there!


Lots of parallels between both our stories. I've had several Seamasters as my primary watches but I've always coveted Rolexes. My grail watch since 1980 is the GMT2 Pepsi and I finally got one a couple weeks ago. Ironically, as soon as I got it I was bitten by the Speedmaster bug -- hard! Being familiar with the Omega brand I know they produce the highest quality watches available. With the Speedy I'm smitten with the form, function, and history with NASA. I'm waiting for delivery today of my first Speedmaster. I'm not a collector so much as an accumulator and I will wear my watches daily. I may set my Rolex down for a bit when my Speedy arrives but it won't go far and will continue to see wrist time. Heck, it's not like you're either a Mets or Yankees fan where you cannot be both.
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Old 25 April 2017, 03:43 AM   #28
Stevec14
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Lots of parallels between both our stories. I've had several Seamasters as my primary watches but I've always coveted Rolexes. My grail watch since 1980 is the GMT2 Pepsi and I finally got one a couple weeks ago. Ironically, as soon as I got it I was bitten by the Speedmaster bug -- hard! Being familiar with the Omega brand I know they produce the highest quality watches available. With the Speedy I'm smitten with the form, function, and history with NASA. I'm waiting for delivery today of my first Speedmaster. I'm not a collector so much as an accumulator and I will wear my watches daily. I may set my Rolex down for a bit when my Speedy arrives but it won't go far and will continue to see wrist time. Heck, it's not like you're either a Mets or Yankees fan where you cannot be both.
Yep, like you I intend to rotate, but sure am glad I have this. I love the Rolex brand (or at least love what I have) but like the history of this watch, the clean look and the fact you have to wind it - makes it a bit more of a personal experience than the very clinical rolexes. It will get its share of wrist time for sure.

Even better, I have a small scuff on the hesalite after my first day in the office with it . A tube of poly watch is on the way however

Part of the ownership I guess. Enjoy yours when it arrives
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Old 25 April 2017, 03:57 AM   #29
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I would give my example. I was hell bent on buying Sapphire version and went to boutique to look at it and get a feel. I put on it and then found it good and then asked simply, can I see the Hesalite version. Wow, once I saw it, Sapphire looked artificial and no charm on the dial with the white circle. I ended up with Hesalite version and no regrets till now!! There's a old world charm on the dial and to think of it, the dial was designed with the hesalite domed glass in mind.

TDLR: Go with Hesalite!!
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Old 25 April 2017, 10:19 AM   #30
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Wear it and enjoy. If lume bothers you then ask service centre to fix it during next service. Congratulations

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