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trarmstrong
·Having owned a Hesalite Speedy since last October, I have yet to scratch it - and chose it over the sapphire strictly due to the warm distortion it creates, and lack of a milky ring.
Hesalite vs Sapphire Speedmaster Pro (Pics)
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Freelance
·I just pulled the trigger on the Hesalite. I can't unsee the milky ring of the Sapphire .006
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Martin_F
·Thanks for posting this comparison.
I ended up going to the OB and take a look for myself, but the pictures on here do a great job visualizing the difference.
Also great job on pointing out the differences between older and new sapphire domes.
EDIT: On that note, I was wondering if there was any regular production Speedmaster with the sapphire crystal that didn't have the display case back?
Basically what are the options if you prefer sapphire but a closed case?
I ended up going to the OB and take a look for myself, but the pictures on here do a great job visualizing the difference.
Also great job on pointing out the differences between older and new sapphire domes.
EDIT: On that note, I was wondering if there was any regular production Speedmaster with the sapphire crystal that didn't have the display case back?
Basically what are the options if you prefer sapphire but a closed case?
Edited:
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drhombus24
·As far as I know, only limited editions of the speedmaster pro were ever fitted with a sapphire front and closed caseback. If you want something that looks similar, there’s the fois:
You could also buy a sapphire speedmaster pro and switch the caseback with a solid one. Shouldn’t be too difficult to find one.
You could also buy a sapphire speedmaster pro and switch the caseback with a solid one. Shouldn’t be too difficult to find one.
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Martin_F
·As far as I know, only limited editions of the speedmaster pro were ever fitted with a sapphire front and closed caseback. If you want something that looks similar, there’s the fois:
You could also buy a sapphire speedmaster pro and switch the caseback with a solid one. Shouldn’t be too difficult to find one.
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saulgoodman
·Thanks for posting the pics. I am sure that they will help many potential buyers as they struggle with the hesalite vs sapphire dilema. I once did. I bought the sapphire version because I use my Speedy daily and the modern convenience of sapphire outweighed the traditional hesalite perks of distortion and warmth, such as they are. The milky ring issue is a non-issue as far as I am concerned. It shows up very visibly in pictures, but not so much in real life, at least not to me. I have banged my glass against door knobs, desks, and goodness knows what else without a hint of a scratch so far, thank goodness. But in the end whatever floats your boat is fine.
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watchfisher
·One thing I think is overlooked when comparing the two is the visual thickness of the crystal at the edge of the bezel.
What I see is the sapphire has a beaded ring due to the crystal edge. It looks like a 1.5mm halo due to the material refraction.
In the same light, the Hesalite looks black, making the dial appear larger.
I’m considering this very watch and giving the sapphire some serious thought. But the section at the edge of the crystal and the halo effect are giving me pause.
What I see is the sapphire has a beaded ring due to the crystal edge. It looks like a 1.5mm halo due to the material refraction.
In the same light, the Hesalite looks black, making the dial appear larger.
I’m considering this very watch and giving the sapphire some serious thought. But the section at the edge of the crystal and the halo effect are giving me pause.
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Duckie
·One thing I think is overlooked when comparing the two is the visual thickness of the crystal at the edge of the bezel.
What I see is the sapphire has a beaded ring due to the crystal edge. It looks like a 1.5mm halo due to the material refraction.
In the same light, the Hesalite looks black, making the dial appear larger.
I’m considering this very watch and giving the sapphire some serious thought. But the section at the edge of the crystal and the halo effect are giving me pause.
It's been said before.
That milky ring is rather hard to unsee.
Remember one has to able to live with it.
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larryganz
·One thing I think is overlooked when comparing the two is the visual thickness of the crystal at the edge of the bezel.
What I see is the sapphire has a beaded ring due to the crystal edge. It looks like a 1.5mm halo due to the material refraction.
In the same light, the Hesalite looks black, making the dial appear larger.
I’m considering this very watch and giving the sapphire some serious thought. But the section at the edge of the crystal and the halo effect are giving me pause.
The sapphire crystal making the dial look smaller was the issue I had with the CK-2998 LE-1, and overall the watch felt smaller on my wrist than it should have due to the addition of the blue ring around the edges of a white dial.
I much prefer the Hesalite crystal, and rather than buy a sapphire sandwich I sought out a good example of a mid-2000's 3572.50 instead (and bought a 1998 birth year 3572.50 for my son).
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Arnie68
·Thank you all for the great pictures and info. I am convinced now; I am going to buy the hesalite version it just looks so much better and has the Omega logo on the centre of the crystal.😀
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gbesq
·As much as I appreciate the virtues of sapphire crystals, it's that milky white ring on the sapphire version of the Speedmaster Professional that I can't "unsee" as much as I would like to. For that reason, my two Speedmasters will always be the hesalite version. What puzzles me is why Omega can't make a slightly domed version of a sapphire crystal for the Speedmaster without that blasted ring. My SMPc has a slightly domed sapphire crystal with AR coating on both sides that makes the dial look absolutely spectacular, and no ring. What gives?
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padders
··Oooo subtitles!As much as I appreciate the virtues of sapphire crystals, it's that milky white ring on the sapphire version of the Speedmaster Professional that I can't "unsee" as much as I would like to. For that reason, my two Speedmasters will always be the hesalite version. What puzzles me is why Omega can't make a slightly domed version of a sapphire crystal for the Speedmaster without that blasted ring. My SMPc has a slightly domed sapphire crystal with AR coating on both sides that makes the dial look absolutely spectacular, and no ring. What gives?
Read back a few pages. On p 5 it is discussed how Omega have used different profile crystals over the years, some are more curved than others and show the ring less or not at all. Even the most boxy type is still actually curved btw.
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Dor_42
·I was just wondering if more people would have opted for the Sapphire model if it had also been to the Moon.
I am about to pull the trigger on one, and to be honest the milky ring does not bother me.
The fact that it wont be a "true" Moonwatch bothers me more but not enough to make me get the Hesalite model.
I am about to pull the trigger on one, and to be honest the milky ring does not bother me.
The fact that it wont be a "true" Moonwatch bothers me more but not enough to make me get the Hesalite model.
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Foo2rama
··Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.I was just wondering if more people would have opted for the Sapphire model if it had also been to the Moon.
I am about to pull the trigger on one, and to be honest the milky ring does not bother me.
The fact that it wont be a "true" Moonwatch bothers me more but not enough to make me get the Hesalite model.
I'm curious. Do we know what that they are wearing hesalite on the Roscom launches and evas?
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Foo2rama
··Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can.Not sure I understand your comment.
Roscom is the Soviet NASA.
They still use Speedmasters externally on EVA and on launch and recovery suits.
I was wondering if anyone knew which version they used. Roscom for awhile used a sapphire Fortis externally.
The question was not directed at you.
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Duckie
·I was just wondering if more people would have opted for the Sapphire model if it had also been to the Moon.
I am about to pull the trigger on one, and to be honest the milky ring does not bother me.
The fact that it wont be a "true" Moonwatch bothers me more but not enough to make me get the Hesalite model.
I personally couldn't care less which version actually went to the moon.
The Saphire crystal with the milky ring is an absolute deal breaker for me though.
To me the design and set out of the Hesalite Speedy Pro is a winning package in every respect, except it would be nice if they all had the applied logo. But I can easily live with mine regardless.
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kelsey
·Seriously if some “collector” had of come out saying wow look at this angle there’s an awesome milky ring......everyone would be paying premiums for examples that show it the most predominantly!
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horseShu
·It's sad that a lot of collectors are simply following the squeakiest wheels.
If you search any topic comparing the hesalite and sapphire, expect to see the words "milky", "ring" and "unsee".
It never fails, I kid you not. It's like computer software is writing posts in this forum.
Fortunately, I got to see both in person, and I brought home the sapphire. The sapphire crystal is so clear and distortion-free, it made reading the time and sub-dials easy. The so-called milky ring is not ugly and does not bother me. Well, not unless you've been brainwashed to think it's ugly.
And I love the movement. The 1863 has better finishing and looks more premium than the 1861. It also has a metal Delrin brake, which is plastic in the 1861.
With most Omega watches having open casebacks, I find it strange that I should pick the closed caseback model.
Lastly, it seems every argument to get the Hesalite is to mention the Sapphire in the negative. Can we please stop this? This is not a race. And they are both Moonwatches.
If you search any topic comparing the hesalite and sapphire, expect to see the words "milky", "ring" and "unsee".
It never fails, I kid you not. It's like computer software is writing posts in this forum.
Fortunately, I got to see both in person, and I brought home the sapphire. The sapphire crystal is so clear and distortion-free, it made reading the time and sub-dials easy. The so-called milky ring is not ugly and does not bother me. Well, not unless you've been brainwashed to think it's ugly.
And I love the movement. The 1863 has better finishing and looks more premium than the 1861. It also has a metal Delrin brake, which is plastic in the 1861.
With most Omega watches having open casebacks, I find it strange that I should pick the closed caseback model.
Lastly, it seems every argument to get the Hesalite is to mention the Sapphire in the negative. Can we please stop this? This is not a race. And they are both Moonwatches.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerH horseShuAnd I love the movement. The 1863 has better finishing and looks more premium than the 1861. It also has a metal Delrin brake, which is plastic in the 1861.
Metal Delrin brake, eh? Interesting...but Delrin is a plastic. It doesn't come in metal. The brake is either plastic or steel.
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