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Sapphire vs hesalite regret?

foreignexport
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I'm curious to know whether owners of a sapphire speedy regret not purchasing a speedy with hesalite and versa. I had a sapphire sandwich which I sold partly because the sapphire felt a bit clinical. I'm now considering buying a hesalite speedy but wondering whether the lack if scratch resistance will annoy me. Be interested in feedback.
 
padders
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Both have pluses and minuses. If you chip, crack or scratch the sapphire (and you can surprisingly easily) be aware a replacement is eye wateringly expensive, like about the same as a full service. At that point you will wish you had gone for Hesalite. I have both and I prefer sapphire but each to their own.
 
Evitzee
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Dislike of sapphire is overblown, imo. The scratch fear of plexiglass is overblown as well, imo. I have had plenty of both, don't think the sapphire is clinical, and I haven't really scratched up a plastic crystal either. Both are fine for me, I certainly wouldn't buy one over the other if it just came down to sapphire vs hesalite question.
 
ahartfie
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Sapphire sandwich owner since 2017. No ragerts so far. Anytime I think I might have preferred plastic I just flip it over and look at that beautiful movement. I mean come on.
IMG_1431.webp
 
Crate046
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personally I instantly knew the hesalite was the better looking crystal.
 
bsowers34
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I have both, though one is the white one. IMO the black dial looks flat and plain with a sapphire crystal, while the hesalite dome shape seems to bring it out in more detail.
 
Gael.Bx
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once you have a hesalite moonwatch, you can buy many more in sapphire
 
bsowers34
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Evitzee Evitzee
Dislike of sapphire is overblown, imo. The scratch fear of plexiglass is overblown as well, imo. I have had plenty of both, don't think the sapphire is clinical, and I haven't really scratched up a plastic crystal either. Both are fine for me, I certainly wouldn't buy one over the other if it just came down to sapphire vs hesalite question.
New it's the thousand dollar question though.
 
Cenzo
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I have the hesalite for 5 years now. It gets scratched up now and then, but polywatch works wonders on it. I just bought my son the Sapphire for his college graduation. It looks lovely as well. You can't go wrong with either. Like almost everything in life nothing is perfect and will have pros and cons. But I would never regret one over the other. Get what works for you, and don't look back.
 
Davey2024
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I bought a new sapphire sandwich about 6 months ago and have zero regret.

It's great to see the movement, and the saffire is (apparently) much more durable.

As above - both have pros and cons, but I am sure you will enjoy either model!
 
BAJJ
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I used to own a hesalite speedmaster and it did get occasional scratches, however, nothing a blob of polywatch and some vigorous rubbing didn’t sort out. Many of my other watches have acrylic crystals and I keep on top of the scratches as above, although to be honest, as I get older, I can’t really see the scratches any more so it doesn’t bother me 🙂
 
SOG53
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I have owned several vintage Speedmasters and the look and feel of hesalite is wonderful.
If I bought a new one I would probably go for sapphire for the view of movement however.
 
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