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My First Omega In Space (FOIS) HesaLite Crystal Mod Swap

bsowers34
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Drifter Drifter
I like the new FOIS for 2024. Unfortunately, it still has similar major issues as the original FOIS that required modifications. The good news is the dial faux patina lume actually looks nicer in person than in photographs, and isn't really over the top. I'd prefer more of a light yellow than orange, but it still looks great IMO. Especially if you like vintage. I also like the step dial, so that's a major plus.
2024-Omega-Speedmaster-FOiS-First-Omega-in-Space-grey-blue-dial-review-comparison-old-Speedma...webp
New FOIS for 2024 with new sapphire crystal
P1010650Shop III SatAdjusted.webp
My Original FOIS with hesalite crystal

The new FOIS still has a sapphire crystal (which looks closer to hesalite than the original), that continues to produce the thick milky edge as it meets the dial at the chapter ring. Notice how one can see the edge of the dial beyond sub second indices with hesalite. The FOIS with sapphire doesn't quite allow visualization of the dial edge. Also, the sub second intervals divided as 1/3s is not as nice as the original CK2998 dials divided into 1/5s, which aesthetically appears more refined and detailed.

My watchmaker is unsure about whether this new FOIS allows for crystal swap like the original FOIS does. I think for that reason, I'll stick with the original FOIS with dial & crystal modifications. Again, these things are personal choices; it's what I prefer most.
I don't see the milky ring on my new FOIS compared to my hesalite 3861. I'm wearing it now in fact.
 
Drifter
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bsowers34 bsowers34
I don't see the milky ring on my new FOIS compared to my hesalite 3861. I'm wearing it now in fact.
Reviews talk about the "milky ring" resulting from sapphire crystals. This is noticed with sapphire crystals generally, but also discussed with respect to FOIS. It's improved with the newer crystal that has more of a hesalite crystal shape, but the ring is still there.

Monochrome talks about it in their FOIS review here: Hands-on Impressions about the new Omega Speedmaster FOiS
https://monochrome-watches.com/2024...comparison-speedmaster-fois-2012-specs-price/

Of course, it could just be my OCD kicking in. But once you see it, you can't unsee it.

FOIS Monochrome-Watches MILKY.webp
 
bsowers34
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That doesn't make it hard to read, the shiny hands of the FOIS do that.
 
Drifter
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bsowers34 bsowers34
That doesn't make it hard to read, the shiny hands of the FOIS do that.
I agree the FOIS shiny hands do make it harder to read the time. I found my FOIS easier to read than the newest FOIS at least while at the AD, probably because my Broad Arrow dial is matte while the FOIS dials are both gloss.

My understanding is that matte dials improve contrast between the hands and indices and markers given reduced reflections. Matte dials are easier to read than gloss because non-reflective matte surfaces minimize glare, increasing legibility under varied lighting. A glossy dial is more difficult to read due to reflections.

The bluish gray dial of this new FOIS is definitely attractive though. It'd be great if a period correct matte Speedmaster dial with that kind of color existed.
 
993SuperCup
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Ree Ree
here it is!
20240129_124220c.jpg
Whose bezel is that? Building a CK2998-1 out of my FOIS and am in search for a good base 1000 aluminum bezel.
 
Ree
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993SuperCup 993SuperCup
Whose bezel is that? Building a CK2998-1 out of my FOIS and am in search for a good base 1000 aluminum bezel.
My build was done by LWC.
If you're just looking for bezels I think spiralwinder has them.
 
djmusicman
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Why do so many watchmakers say they can’t do the sapphire to hesalite switch… or that it won’t be waterproof if they do. What’s the secret to doing it?
 
YY77
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djmusicman djmusicman
Why do so many watchmakers say they can’t do the sapphire to hesalite switch… or that it won’t be waterproof if they do. What’s the secret to doing it?
Diameter Sapphire 34,2mm, hesalite 34,13mm. So the hesalite case needs to be modified.
 
djmusicman
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YY77 YY77
Diameter Sapphire 34,2mm, hesalite 34,13mm. So the hesalite case needs to be modified.
Do you mean the hesalite crystal needs to be modified? How do they modify it? I understood they added a gasket.
Edited:
 
YY77
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djmusicman djmusicman
Do you mean the hesalite crystal needs to be modified? How do they modify it? I understood the added a gasket.
No, the case itself needs to be modified for a sapphire crystal to fit.
 
djmusicman
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I'm talking about doing sapphire to hesalite not the other way round. So according to your measurements the hesalite is smaller.
 
djmusicman
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It's interesting that Omega now offer the choice of sapphire or hesalite on the standard moonwatch. I presume the cases are the same. I'd like to switch to hesalite on the 321 Ed white, is it possible?

hesalite vs sapphire.webp
 
padders
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djmusicman djmusicman
It's interesting that Omega now offer the choice of sapphire or hesalite on the standard moonwatch. I presume the cases are the same. I'd like to switch to hesalite on the 321 Ed white, is it possible?

hesalite vs sapphire.webp
Umm they have offered this choice for around 30 years. The cases are not the same. Or so is my understanding.
 
djmusicman
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Tag0935 Tag0935
Why not buy a vintage one to save you the hassle?
Riskier to wear a vintage one if it's in mint condition. The new one is really cool but I'm a hesalite fan, I'd like to switch to hesalite to see how it looks.
speedy ed white vintage vs new.webp

1964 105.003 vs New Ed White.
speedy 1964 vs new 321.webp
 
bsowers34
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The new FOIS has the same crystal shape as hesalite, plus the symbol etched in it too.
 
Drifter
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djmusicman djmusicman
Why do so many watchmakers say they can’t do the sapphire to hesalite switch… or that it won’t be waterproof if they do. What’s the secret to doing it?
You have a very nice FOIS with hesalite crystal, as do I. No modifications were required, other than a gasket ordered in my case. I suspect your FOIS has a gasket as well as the internal chapter ring. But no other modifications are required, and the change is completely reversible.

If you want to try switching the Calibre 321 Ed White crystal to hesalite (I know I would), I'd contact either LWC or Clock Doctor to see if they have done the swap before with the Calibre 321. I was told that LWC would not swap unless one of their own projects; you need to be in Australia I assume. Clock Doctor took care of my swap and said switching FOIS crystal from sapphire to hesalite was straight forward and reversible. But of course, they've got experience doing these mods.

Final thought: my personal experience reveals most watchmakers are not familiar with or fans of watch modding. Watchmakers without experience with this swap will say it's impossible to change a sapphire to hesalite in FOIS. The key is finding a watchmaker that has experience with modding in general, and this specific modification ideally.
 
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