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View Poll Results: Which one: Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Hesalite or Sapphire
Hesalite 100 67.11%
Sapphire 49 32.89%
Voters: 149. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 16 June 2020, 03:08 PM   #1
dberdichevsky
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Speedmaster Pro Hesalite or Sapphire Sandwich?

I am interested in hearing which one and why. I’m looking to add a new Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch to my collection. I know that a Speedmaster Pro with hesalite is the one that NASA approved for space flight and was worn on the moon. But the sapphire is appealing since its scratch resistant and you get to see the beautiful 1863 movement through the sapphire case back. Interested to hear what you all have to say!
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Old 16 June 2020, 03:55 PM   #2
rootbeer7
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Hesalite, because you look at the front more than the back.
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Old 16 June 2020, 07:38 PM   #3
calatravato
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I ultimately chose the Hesalite Speedy Pro because it’s true to its heritage. Also price. I beat up my watches, and the hesalite hasn’t gotten any scratches after 6 months of ownership.
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Old 16 June 2020, 08:10 PM   #4
1William
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I prefer the sapphire for all the reasons you listed. I do not like plastic crystals.
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Old 16 June 2020, 08:14 PM   #5
Galaga167
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The condom ring around the sapphire can be an eyesore for many. Once seen it is hard to ignore.
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Old 17 June 2020, 08:05 AM   #6
Bengal fan
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I literally just went through this same dilemma about 3 weeks ago. I read every thread I could find on the internet about the differences. Of course the majority will say get the hesalite, but I was concerned with scratches like you since I plan to wear this watch often so I was leaning to sapphire. We only have one Omega AD in Kentucky so off I went to decide for myself. Sadly, they only had the sapphire one in stock so I couldn’t compare the two. I really liked the sapphire in person & the ring around the crystal was a none issue for me. However I wanted to at least look a the hesalite before pulling the trigger at such a large purchase. So I called another AD in Cincinnati about 1-1/2 hrs away & they had both in stock so off I went! After being able to handle the hesalite version & the sapphire side by side I fell in love with the hesalite. Which was not what I was expecting. But after trying them both on the hesalite was a bit lighter on the wrist & the domed crystal is so charming, It’s so different compared to the sapphire. I’ve had mine exactly a week today & I have no regrets. I catch myself looking at it all the time in different angels & lighting & I’m amazed how warm & vintage it looks?! I know that doesn’t make much sense:)
However I will say, don’t let my opinion or anyone else’s sway you. Look at both & decide for yourself, both are awesome in their own way!
Good luck!
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Old 17 June 2020, 08:18 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Galaga167 View Post
The condom ring around the sapphire can be an eyesore for many. Once seen it is hard to ignore.
Lol so true. Does the hesalite not have the same problem?
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Old 17 June 2020, 08:20 AM   #8
Galaga167
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Lol so true. Does the hesalite not have the same problem?

No
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Old 17 June 2020, 08:24 AM   #9
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The hesalite is the only proper MW to get. It should be a close as possible to the version worn on the moon. That's the whole point of it.

If you want a fancy moonwatch, get one of the many upscale co-axial Speedmasters.
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Old 17 June 2020, 08:26 AM   #10
Galaga167
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bengal fan View Post
I literally just went through this same dilemma about 3 weeks ago. I read every thread I could find on the internet about the differences. Of course the majority will say get the hesalite, but I was concerned with scratches like you since I plan to wear this watch often so I was leaning to sapphire. We only have one Omega AD in Kentucky so off I went to decide for myself. Sadly, they only had the sapphire one in stock so I couldn’t compare the two. I really liked the sapphire in person & the ring around the crystal was a none issue for me. However I wanted to at least look a the hesalite before pulling the trigger at such a large purchase. So I called another AD in Cincinnati about 1-1/2 hrs away & they had both in stock so off I went! After being able to handle the hesalite version & the sapphire side by side I fell in love with the hesalite. Which was not what I was expecting. But after trying them both on the hesalite was a bit lighter on the wrist & the domed crystal is so charming, It’s so different compared to the sapphire. I’ve had mine exactly a week today & I have no regrets. I catch myself looking at it all the time in different angels & lighting & I’m amazed how warm & vintage it looks?! I know that doesn’t make much sense:)
However I will say, don’t let my opinion or anyone else’s sway you. Look at both & decide for yourself, both are awesome in their own way!
Good luck!

Good story. Thanks for sharing. I agree with you completely. The hesalite rules.
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Old 17 June 2020, 06:15 PM   #11
icnbne
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Plastic
I have a dozen other watches with sapphire
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Old 17 June 2020, 10:26 PM   #12
Swearengen
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Hesalite and manual wind is the way to go
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Old 17 June 2020, 11:08 PM   #13
Chester01
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If its the moonwatch, why not go with the actual moon watch, not a novelty. The moonwatch designation is a part of its history, legacy, and cool factor. The hesilite is also more in line with its true heritage, the saphire came out far far later in the evolution of the speedy and farther removed from the original.

Secondly, and most important for me, is the hesilite gives the dial a warmer look making the dial appear almost a charcoal gray tone, and appears more vintage in look to my eye.
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Old 20 June 2020, 09:34 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bengal fan View Post
I literally just went through this same dilemma about 3 weeks ago. I read every thread I could find on the internet about the differences. Of course the majority will say get the hesalite, but I was concerned with scratches like you since I plan to wear this watch often so I was leaning to sapphire. We only have one Omega AD in Kentucky so off I went to decide for myself. Sadly, they only had the sapphire one in stock so I couldn’t compare the two. I really liked the sapphire in person & the ring around the crystal was a none issue for me. However I wanted to at least look a the hesalite before pulling the trigger at such a large purchase. So I called another AD in Cincinnati about 1-1/2 hrs away & they had both in stock so off I went! After being able to handle the hesalite version & the sapphire side by side I fell in love with the hesalite. Which was not what I was expecting. But after trying them both on the hesalite was a bit lighter on the wrist & the domed crystal is so charming, It’s so different compared to the sapphire. I’ve had mine exactly a week today & I have no regrets. I catch myself looking at it all the time in different angels & lighting & I’m amazed how warm & vintage it looks?! I know that doesn’t make much sense:)
However I will say, don’t let my opinion or anyone else’s sway you. Look at both & decide for yourself, both are awesome in their own way!
Good luck!

Same here, was
decided on saphire but when I put the hesalite on my wrist was boooom...and went out with hesalite


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Old 20 June 2020, 11:40 PM   #15
ratty
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I prefer the hesalite version.

I’ve had one for years and no scratches. I think people are too worried about things which rarely happen.

I wish they were a bit easier to wind up though, the crown guards and thin crowns don’t help with this.
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Old 22 June 2020, 07:52 AM   #16
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I’m not going to the moon. I’m getting sapphire and it’s still a great conversational piece.


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Old 6 July 2020, 05:30 AM   #17
subtona
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Hesalite just looks so good.
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Old 6 July 2020, 12:14 PM   #18
Juan Luis
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Hesalite.
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Old 6 July 2020, 01:09 PM   #19
henrylee
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Hesalite gets my vote.
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Old 6 July 2020, 07:47 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bengal fan View Post
I literally just went through this same dilemma about 3 weeks ago. I read every thread I could find on the internet about the differences. Of course the majority will say get the hesalite, but I was concerned with scratches like you since I plan to wear this watch often so I was leaning to sapphire. We only have one Omega AD in Kentucky so off I went to decide for myself. Sadly, they only had the sapphire one in stock so I couldn’t compare the two. I really liked the sapphire in person & the ring around the crystal was a none issue for me. However I wanted to at least look a the hesalite before pulling the trigger at such a large purchase. So I called another AD in Cincinnati about 1-1/2 hrs away & they had both in stock so off I went! After being able to handle the hesalite version & the sapphire side by side I fell in love with the hesalite. Which was not what I was expecting. But after trying them both on the hesalite was a bit lighter on the wrist & the domed crystal is so charming, It’s so different compared to the sapphire. I’ve had mine exactly a week today & I have no regrets. I catch myself looking at it all the time in different angels & lighting & I’m amazed how warm & vintage it looks?! I know that doesn’t make much sense:)
However I will say, don’t let my opinion or anyone else’s sway you. Look at both & decide for yourself, both are awesome in their own way!
Good luck!
Thanks for sharing this. My sense is there are a lot of buyers who might come to the same conclusion after making the same comparison. For me, it's not about NASA flight certification (although I agree it's cool); I just dig everything about the standard Speedmaster Pro, and the plastic crystal plays a significant part.

I find durability of the plastic to be just fine. I use Polywatch ~ twice per year on it, and I'm always struck by how new and beautiful the crystal looks each time.

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Old 18 July 2020, 12:32 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by alllexandru View Post
Same here, was
decided on saphire but when I put the hesalite on my wrist was boooom...and went out with hesalite


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So, I thought I was dead set on the sapphire sandwich. I even was about to pull the trigger on one, sight unseen. I mean, I have other hesalite speedys, so it should have been simple. After reading this thread and the reference to the "condom ring" with the sapphire, I decided I needed to check it out in person before pulling the trigger. Holy smokes! I'm glad I checked them out in person. I couldn't get over the "halo" around the dial. It was way more pronounced than I thought it would be. So, another hesalite for me!
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Old 18 July 2020, 01:37 PM   #22
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This topic has been done to death. Please search for them, you'll get lots of exciting info.

I have a nagging suspicion that this thread is just to rouse up the eternal hesalite vs sapphire debate. If so, please give it a rest.

Look at pics, in person if you can. Get the one that you like. Peace out.

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