Anybody owns both Moonwatch variants (Hesalite & Sapphire)

Lu.. · Jan 30, 2022

So my Speedy (3861 Sapphire w/bracelet) has become my favorite watch in my collection...I rotate it, but wear it 4-5 days each week.

I've been running scenarios in my head if I should get the Hesalite (w/ strap) and use it more as a dress watch (nice dinners & events) so I can use the Sapphire for everyday use since the crystal is more robust (dings, desk diving, etc..).

The Hesalite also makes the dial pop and you also got that nice distortion that the box sapphire cannot achieve.....in addition, I can equip each with different straps and wear the one that strikes my fancy that morning/event, probably reducing the frequency of swapping straps and scratching the inner surfaces of the lugs.....

I've read the threads about owning multiple Speedmasters, but just curious if a few people get both Moonwatches as I described above ...or get a different color dial Speedy for their second option....

Feel free to post pics and thanks in advance for your replies....

pdxleaf · Jan 31, 2022

This should be your dress speedy. If I had to have only one watch (which is ridiculous), it would be this one.

Only thing is it doesn't have the hesalite you want:

mbp · Jan 31, 2022

It's funny you say that, I actually use my Hesalite Speedmaster (3572.50), usually on a Komfit or leather deployant, as my daily wear. I enjoy getting the little marks on the crystal, most of which can be polished out with polywatch. My Sapphire Sandwich just feels like more of a dress watch (probably because I keep it on the OEM metal bracelet).

Crunchie · Jan 31, 2022

I know this is a watch forum and we’re all slightly mad here, but I think I’d consider an alternative like a Globemaster, a Reverso, or giving five grand to charity before I went for two almost identical (I know, I know) watches.

T60 · Jan 31, 2022

Crunchie
I know this is a watch forum and we’re all slightly mad here, but I think I’d consider an alternative like a Globemaster, a Reverso, or giving five grand to charity before I went for two almost identical (I know, I know) watches.

+1 there are simply too many other watches to enjoy to buy two Speedys.. doing so just sounds so boring.

Omegafanman · Jan 31, 2022

For a while I did own a steel bracelet + croc strap 1861 (both hesalite). The main reason was to see the new and now defunct huge box. I sold the leather strap version towards a Trinity Seamaster and have a Globemaster for my modern dress watch now. I hate changing straps but from experience two identical Speedmasters is not the way to go - better to change straps.
The last picture below shows the difference Sapphire to Hesalite (middle watch is the Sapphire sandwich) so there is a case to have both / it is a different experience and aesthetic. Also you have the applied and printed logo difference.
.

STANDY · Jan 31, 2022

Omegafanman
The last picture below shows the difference Sapphire to Hesalite (middle watch is the milky ring) so there is a case to have both / it is a different experience and aesthetic. Also you have the applied and printed logo difference.
.

FIFY

😁

Omegafanman · Jan 31, 2022

STANDY
FIFY

😁

FIFY = Feltched it for me? 😗

rob#1 · Jan 31, 2022

Lu..
I've been running scenarios in my head if I should get the Hesalite (w/ strap) and use it more as a dress watch (nice dinners & events) so I can use the Sapphire for everyday use since the crystal is more robust (dings, desk diving, etc..)

I’ve worn my hesalite 1861 practically everyday for nigh on five years now and the only thing that’s suffered, especially from desk diving, is the bracelet clasp. The crystal is still going strong, the odd scuff polished off with polywatch or toothpaste, whichever is closest to hand. There’s a nice selection of other watches around, I can’t get my head around having two watches that are almost identical apart from the glass (though the applied logo on the new model is nice, I guess)

richiv · Jan 31, 2022

IMO, there isn't enough differentiation between the Hesalite and Sapphire models to justify owning both. If you really want to stay in the Speedmaster family I suggest you look at the racing models or a LE.

M'Bob · Jan 31, 2022

R richiv
IMO, there isn't enough differentiation between the Hesalite and Sapphire models to justify owning both.

The cornerstone of collector rationalization is the justification of more watches based on the tiniest bit of minutiae. What are you trying to do here, drive people to therapy?

queriver · Jan 31, 2022

If, like me, you're married and your wife asks you to dress up for "nice dinners & events" and you wear what to most people looks like the same watch you wear every day, that's hardly going to earn you points for effort. I'd go with something different for your dress watch, and not a chronograph. Another way to look at this is that you'll probably come to appreciate a 2nd watch that's noticably different to your everyday wearer and you won't get this with two subtly different Speedmasters.

crd · Jan 31, 2022

I would buy two similar Moonwatches because I want them, but I won’t consider either of them a dress watch. If I’m going dressy I’ll choose a simple dial three hander. But that’s just my personal opinion. There don’t seem to be any rules for fashion anymore. Wear whatever you want for whatever reasons make you happy

padders · Jan 31, 2022

Crunchie
I know this is a watch forum and we’re all slightly mad here, but I think I’d consider an alternative like a Globemaster, a Reverso, or giving five grand to charity before I went for two almost identical (I know, I know) watches.

I have and Ed White and a FOIS, so in a sense, Hesalite and Sapphire versions of the same watch, and also a gold Reverso. Does this make me a bad person?

gbesq · Jan 31, 2022

Technically speaking, the sapphire version is not a moonwatch per se because NASA did not approve a sapphire crystal due to concerns that if it shattered during spaceflight there would be tiny shards of glass floating around the cabin in zero gravity. Now, sapphire fans, please don't go off on me because I agree that the sapphire version has exactly the same internal DNA as the traditional hesalite version. I want to love the sapphire version, I really do, but I just can't get past that milky ring. Why can't Omega make a sapphire version of the Speedmaster without that ring? Doesn't seem to be a problem with other Omega models - my SMPc, for example. All that being said, nothing wrong with owning multiple Speedmasters. I have two hesalite Speedies in my collection. Love 'em both.

Omegafanman · Jan 31, 2022

gbesq
Technically speaking, the sapphire version is not a moonwatch per se because NASA did not approve a sapphire crystal due to concerns that if it shattered during spaceflight there would be tiny shards of glass floating around the cabin in zero gravity. Now, sapphire fans, please don't go off on me because I agree that the sapphire version has exactly the same internal DNA as the traditional hesalite version. I want to love the sapphire version, I really do, but I just can't get past that milky ring. Why can't Omega make a sapphire version of the Speedmaster without that ring? Doesn't seem to be a problem with other Omega models - my SMPc, for example. All that being said, nothing wrong with owning multiple Speedmasters. I have two hesalite Speedies in my collection. Love 'em both.

I have been deep down that rabbit hole in the past and I have to report that there is no evidence Hesalite was an original selection requirement - but it is probably a lucky extra feature. The fact is Sapphire watches are used on the ISS also shows there is no embargo on them in space....
While Hesalite may have some beneficial failure mode characteristics, it was a lucky coincidence and not part of the selection or test criteria for the Speedmaster.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/sha...election-myth-maybe.91611/page-2#post-1190781

gbesq · Jan 31, 2022

Ah, good to know and I stand corrected. Thank you. But I still hate the milky white ring. 🙁

Omegafanman · Jan 31, 2022

gbesq
Ah, good to know and I stand corrected. Thank you. But I still hate the milky white ring. 🙁

I think you are in the majority on both counts - the Hesalite myth has got a lot of traction over the years. Also I blame you for pushing me towards a modern Ed White now / no ring and Sapphire :0)

gbesq · Jan 31, 2022

Omegafanman
I think you are in the majority on both counts - the Hesalite myth has got a lot of traction over the years. Also I blame you for pushing me towards a modern Ed White now / no ring and Sapphire :0)

Unfortunately, I'm in the same camp on the modern Ed White. Just what I need, another Speedmaster. Good Lord.

texasmade · Jan 31, 2022

Rolex collectors are like "I have the Sub, Sub date, Hulk, Starbucks, steel Pepsi on oyster, Batman, and Bluesy. My collection is diversified."

Speedy collectors are like "No need to get a Sapphire Sandwich and a Hesalite. They're way too similar."

Anybody owns both Moonwatch variants (Hesalite & Sapphire)

Lu..

pdxleaf

mbp

Crunchie

T60

Omegafanman

STANDY

Omegafanman

rob#1

richiv

M'Bob

queriver

crd

padders

gbesq

Omegafanman

gbesq

Omegafanman

gbesq

texasmade

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