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

502 to right
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That is a very cool mod. Acrylic gets a bad rap but it's far more durable than most people think and is easily polished if it does get scratched.

My favorite watch I own is a Longines Conquest Heritage Limited Edition 1954-2014 with an acrylic crystal. For a watch that is basically a 1:1 reproduction of a 1954 watch it was an appropriate decision by Longines. As was staying true to the 35mm case size.
 
Drifter
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502 to right 502 to right
That is a very cool mod. Acrylic gets a bad rap but it's far more durable than most people think and is easily polished if it does get scratched.

My favorite watch I own is a Longines Conquest Heritage Limited Edition 1954-2014 with an acrylic crystal. For a watch that is basically a 1:1 reproduction of a 1954 watch it was an appropriate decision by Longines. As was staying true to the 35mm case size.
Thanks. I agree acrylic crystals are way under rated. I also think they look so much nicer, especially the way the hesalite crystals bend the light at the edges near the bezel. Longines understood the reissue craze, and your 1:1 reissue is an example. Omega never was going for a reissue with FOIS; its not even close to 1:1 for sure. I wish it had been a real reissue, but then maybe it would be double the price or more. Im happy with where I am with the dial and crystal swap. And when all finished, the watch was still under $5k, which is a bargain really.
 
padders
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ninman ninman
I considered getting one before I eventually got my speedy, but I thought the crown was too thin. I don't know why they changed it, the thick crown on the original watch made it look much better.

...SNIP...

I would have gotten a FOIS if they'd given it the same size of crown as as the 3861 speedmaster.

What difference in crown are you seeing? It seems to me that the classic straight lug models, Pro and FOIS crowns all have the same dimensions and a quick Look at MWO doesn't contradict this. AFAIK all Moonwatch crowns are the same size.
 
Drifter
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What difference in crown are you seeing? It seems to me that the classic straight lug models, Pro and FOIS crowns all have the same dimensions and a quick Look at MWO doesn't contradict this. AFAIK all Moonwatch crowns are the same size.

The FOIS crown has a thinner, slimmer profile than the standard Speedmaster Professional. The FOIS crowns are very close in dimension to the 2998s, though slightly thinner appearing than the 2998 crown. The thinner crowns of both vintage and FOIS reflect the straight lug case design that is free of crown guard case, thus no need for extra thickness to get beyond those crown guards.

Omega-FOIS-1962-and-2012.png

After wearing a Speedmaster Professional for several years, I find the thinner crown refreshingly comfortable. Also seems easier to wind. If the slight difference between the vintage 2998 and FOIS proves bothersome, I think a swap to the slightly thicker 2998 crown can be made relatively easily.
 
padders
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I just checked and it is obvious you are right and the difference is quite marked. Shame. The thicker one does look better it’s true.

IMG_0284.jpeg
Edited:
 
Drifter
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I just checked and it is obvious you are right and the difference is quite marked. Shame. The thicker one does look better it’s true.

IMG_0284.jpeg
WOW!!! I was very much wrong about the FOIS crown. The CK2998 crown seems to be almost twice the thickness of the FOIS crown. I had no idea the difference was this apparent. This crown change by Omega seems very strange.

While I don't find a problem with FOIS thinner crown function, I can very much understand the FOIS mod to a thicker crown. I'm fine skipping any crown mods, but if I'd been going for a full CK2998 look, I'd have swapped out original bezel for a DON bezel. Also, I'd want to swap the crown as well.

Thanks for pointing this out.
 
Artistmike
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Now I just need to find someone in the UK prepared to do the job for me! ... Looks great!😀
 
Drifter
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ILeicaWatches ILeicaWatches
Glad I found this thread. Definitely want to give this one a try = )
Sounds great. Please post some pictures once you decide to take the plunge 😀
Artistmike Artistmike
Now I just need to find someone in the UK prepared to do the job for me! ... Looks great!😀
I wish I knew who would do this in the UK. It definitely took me many months to find the guys here in the USA to do the swap. Dozens said it could not work, but that Aussie at Lewis Watch had proved it no problem. I was planning to ship it to Lewis Watch, because I didn't know they wouldn't do it unless it was their project.
Hopefully, someone will post a UK dealer that can put in the hesalite crystal. I personally love the look.
 
Drifter
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The final modification is completed on my FOIS.

I have swapped the standard bezel for a 1960s pulsations bezel, period correct for early 1960s CK2998s. I like the cool factor and practicality of measuring a persons pulse. I'm glad the period correct bezel meets with the period correct crystal and dial. Now I fully enjoy this watch several days per week. Definitely one of my favorites in my collection.
P1010629ShopSatAdjust.jpg
 
watch_my_six
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Drifter Drifter
I purchased a FOIS Speedmaster with an original Omega 57 3594.50 dial exchanged.
ps how come the dial was swapped?
 
Ree
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watch_my_six watch_my_six
Which subregister hands are these?
Tbh I have no idea. I bought it this way, already modded.
 
Drifter
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watch_my_six watch_my_six
ps how come the dial was swapped?
I purchased a FOIS Speedmaster with an original Omega 57 3594.50 dial exchanged. The reason I wanted my FOIS to have the Omega 57 dial is because this dial is much closer to the early 1960s dial than the FOIS dial. To me it looks like a CK2998 service dial. Both dials have applied logo, but the Omega 57 dial has the period correct logo. The Omega 57 dial also has period correct script, and correct number of sub indices marks. The matte dark slate gray dial color is closer to period correct, and otherwise certainly has the more vintage aesthetic.
 
padders
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Drifter Drifter
I purchased a FOIS Speedmaster with an original Omega 57 3594.50 dial exchanged. The reason I wanted my FOIS to have the Omega 57 dial is because this dial is much closer to the early 1960s dial than the FOIS dial. To me it looks like a CK2998 service dial. Both dials have applied logo, but the Omega 57 dial has the period correct logo. The Omega 57 dial also has period correct script, and correct number of sub indices marks. The matte dark slate gray dial color is closer to period correct, and otherwise certainly has the more vintage aesthetic.
It does look more like the 2998 dial it's true, but correct number of sub indices? Not for the 1861 movement it isnt. At least with the FOIS dial it hits the marks!
 
Drifter
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padders padders
It does look more like the 2998 dial it's true, but correct number of sub indices? Not for the 1861 movement it isnt. At least with the FOIS dial it hits the marks!
I prefer the number of marks on the 2998s which is similar to Speedmaster Professionals including 1861s. But it's all a matter of personal taste I suppose. The dial swap used to be relatively inexpensive before Omega started providing their official parts on a more limited basis only to official service centers.
First Omega In Space ZOOM.jpg
First Omega in Space Dial Calibre 1861


omega-speedmaster-professional-caliber-1861-ZOOM.jpg

Speedmaster Professional Dial Calibre 1861


My 57 Replica 3594.50 Dial ZOOM.jpg

My 57 Replica 3594.50 Dial Calibre 1861
 
Drifter
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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.
 
padders
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ninman ninman
The mods look great, but personally I wish they'd sold the FOIS with a stepped dial, DON bezel, a thicker crown, and a flat link bracelet.

I considered getting one before I eventually got my speedy, but I thought the crown was too thin. I don't know why they changed it, the thick crown on the original watch made it look much better.

The reason the Ed White is over double the price of a normal speedmaster is because of the 321 movement. I'm not too bothered about the movement, but I would have gotten a FOIS if they'd given it the same size of crown as as the 3861 speedmaster.
Good news! They do now.

Maybe Omega were listening.
 
ninman
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padders padders
Good news! They do now.

Maybe Omega were listening.

Lol, I'd like to think they read my post and thought it was a good idea.

If that's the case, maybe they should send me a free one as a thank you.
 
bsowers34
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Hesalite vs Sapphire is interesting. I did not like the sapphire sandwich 3861 black dial, because it looked flat and dead. The white dial looks fantastic under sapphire. The hesalite makes the black dial look much better. My new FOIS with the hesalite shaped sapphire is perfect, wish it was a sandwich also.
 
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