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Speedmaster Moon descendant - which one to get?
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gbesq
·I went for the sapphire because I wanted the see-through caseback (it’s quite a pretty movement), and because I feel a €5000 luxury watch shouldn’t have a cheap-o plastic crystal.
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buramu
·I wouldn’t call it a cheap-o crystal. The hesalite crystal will last as long as the sapphire crystal. It will scratch, but unlike sapphire, it won’t shatter. It’s simply a matter of personal preference.
people talk about shattering sapphire as if that actually happens. It takes serious tools (and intent) to shatter a sapphire crystal. It’s a ridiculously durable material.
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Martin_J_N
·I am thinking of buying a Speedmaster Moon. I understand that the most pure descendant in modern times is the 311.30.42.30.01.005.
What stops me from getting it is the plexi (or is it hesalite?), because I just I'll end up scratching it, and I don't have a AD's close by to polish it for me.
Then I found out about the 311.30.42.30.01.006 - all in all the same watch, but with sapphire glass, and see-through back. Are there any real negatives with the .006? Sapphire would take off one of the big negatives for me, but then again I really want the closest to a true "Moon".
Practically, I want the Mark II, but that's a whole different story! ;-)
I have the Hesalite version, its ace. I looked at the two versions side by side at the store and chose Hesalite.
One of the deciding factors was the fact that this is basically the same set-up that went into space (yes the size is a tad bigger and the movement a bit different), but fundamentally it is the same watch, a watch that floated around outside a space capsule on the wrist of an astronaut and went for a stroll across the lunar surface. So taking these small facts into account I came to realise that the watch can take a bit of abuse and is more than capable of being used as a daily wearer.
So go buy Hesalite confident that it can handle what life will throw at it, yes the crystal can get a scuff but a bit of Polywatch now and again will help restore it back to its best.
Good luck on your watch hunt.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerI would love to know which is the most popular of the two. I would imagine the sapphire sandwich.
I have serviced hundreds of Speedmaster Pros, and of those that are of the era when both crystals were available, the plastic crystal watches far outnumber the sapphire crystals I see in my shop - I would say 10 to 1.
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gbesq
·people talk about shattering sapphire as if that actually happens. It takes serious tools (and intent) to shatter a sapphire crystal. It’s a ridiculously durable material.
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sparky543
·Interesting. Do you think that is because it's the 'enthusiasts choice' ?
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Archer
··Omega Qualified Watchmakerpeople talk about shattering sapphire as if that actually happens. It takes serious tools (and intent) to shatter a sapphire crystal. It’s a ridiculously durable material.
Damage to sapphire is fairly common...of course shattering can happen simply by dropping the watch:
Not my photos, but ones that have come up that I saved for claims such as yours, to illustrate that it can and does happen.
What's more common are chips...
And on top of this, it scratches as well. I get watches in regularly with sapphire crystals that are scratched, and in those cases trying to polish it out is a very long and drawn out (expensive) process using diamond pastes, so typically replacement is the only reasonable option. Some crystals are not bad, but if you have to replace a sapphire crystal on a Speedmaster, it will nearly double the cost of a normal service.
There are pros and cons to both materials.
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Martin_J_N
·Damage to sapphire is fairly common...of course shattering can happen simply by dropping the watch:
Not my photos, but ones that have come up that I saved for claims such as yours, to illustrate that it can and does happen.
What's more common are chips...
And on top of this, it scratches as well. I get watches in regularly with sapphire crystals that are scratched, and in those cases trying to polish it out is a very long and drawn out (expensive) process using diamond pastes, so typically replacement is the only reasonable option. Some crystals are not bad, but if you have to replace a sapphire crystal on a Speedmaster, it will nearly double the cost of a normal service.
There are pros and cons to both materials.
Informative as always, thanks.
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OmegaP99
·...hopefully there's a little more to be had when I'm there waving a credit card.
It may not matter for this, but the bigger the purchase the more that 3% adds up. I've bought cars on credit cards before.
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sparky543
·It's been my experience that cash is best for getting the very best deal. Credit Cards have a user fee the shop must pay, of around 3%, so it costs them more money to accept a card, but of course this is built-in to pricing. using cash they can also report whatever amount they choose, so they can make a bit more on the books if that's how they choose to operate. On occasions where I didn't have cash on me and had to use a card, I simply negotiated the best deal and then offered to eat the 3% by having them add that on top.
It may not matter for this, but the bigger the purchase the more that 3% adds up. I've bought cars on credit cards before.
Thanks useful to know. I was hoping to arm myself with 'well, hesalite is probably the harder to sell of the two' so therefore more discount might be achievable, but it would appear than general concensus here is the opposite of that. Will take my best poker face with me.
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Duckie
·people talk about shattering sapphire as if that actually happens. It takes serious tools (and intent) to shatter a sapphire crystal. It’s a ridiculously durable material.
Not necessarily.
A Saphire Crystal can indeed crack or shatter if it takes a hit the wrong way from the right thing.
I have personally cracked one badly and the crystal didn't actually take the initial hit. I imagine if it had it would've been shattered.
On another forum recently, a Saphire was badly shattered by a piece of steel cable whipping across it.
I have also badly scratched a Saphire crystal by accidently barking it up against a block wall carrying furniture whilst moving house.
And my Wife's engagement ring chipped another slightly thus necessitating a costly replacement at service time or they wouldn't guarantee the watch.
There's a lot of practical advantages to Hesalite when all things are considered as there's still no guarantees around Saphire which is more costly👍
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Evitzee
·Interesting. Do you think that is because it's the 'enthusiasts choice' ?
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Taddyangle
·At the end of the day, it won't matter what you get. Because you will own more that one Speedmaster if you continue to hang out here.
If you are the rare one and done, then hesalite would be the more popular choice.
If you are the rare one and done, then hesalite would be the more popular choice.
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Bugbait
·To state the obvious and often repeated mantra around here, buy whichever is more suitable for your personality and tastes.
I always prefer a sapphire crystal. Yes, it can chip, scratch and shatter. The likelihood is probably akin to it being stolen. It does happen but it's not so common that it should detract from you wearing the one you prefer. Yes, a hesalite crystal (is that even the right term?) can be "easily" polished but for someone like me, any scratch on the crystal would drive me bonkers so I'd be constantly polishing it. It's not something I care to do. I also love the clarity offered by sapphire and the milky ring doesn't bother me. I'm also not an astronaut so don't feel the need to have a NASA qualified watch. While the NASA connection is great, I bought my Speedmaster because I liked how it looked.
If the space connection is very important to you then the hesalite is a no brainer. If it's just a passing interest then consider what your actual priorities are.
I always prefer a sapphire crystal. Yes, it can chip, scratch and shatter. The likelihood is probably akin to it being stolen. It does happen but it's not so common that it should detract from you wearing the one you prefer. Yes, a hesalite crystal (is that even the right term?) can be "easily" polished but for someone like me, any scratch on the crystal would drive me bonkers so I'd be constantly polishing it. It's not something I care to do. I also love the clarity offered by sapphire and the milky ring doesn't bother me. I'm also not an astronaut so don't feel the need to have a NASA qualified watch. While the NASA connection is great, I bought my Speedmaster because I liked how it looked.
If the space connection is very important to you then the hesalite is a no brainer. If it's just a passing interest then consider what your actual priorities are.
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amfalconer
·You really can't go wrong with either, I have the .005 with closed back and hesalite and love it to bits, I've owned it for nearly 2 years and no significant scratches, despite being worn daily, just be sure to take it off if you're doing anything likely to mark it up (like working on cars).
Most, if not all small scratches can be removed with 30 seconds work with polywatch.
I think the warmth and the distortion created by the hesalite better suits the vintage aesthetic of the watch, but that's purely my opinion.
Most, if not all small scratches can be removed with 30 seconds work with polywatch.
I think the warmth and the distortion created by the hesalite better suits the vintage aesthetic of the watch, but that's purely my opinion.
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Bugbait
·Interesting - I actually find the acrylic crystal to be much clearer...less reflective.
I would agree with the hesalite being less reflective but there's a very slight cloudiness to the hesalite that don't prefer. Similar to looking through plexiglass versus mineral glass. While the reflectiveness and especially the sharpness of the reflections is clearly less, I prefer the glass especially on angles. The distortions at angles on the hesalite is something I'm not fond of either but I know many, especially here find it endearing. Personal preference I guess.
It's really the scratches for daily wear that would bother me the most.
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Bugbait
·I think the warmth and the distortion created by the hesalite better suits the vintage aesthetic of the watch, but that's purely my opinion.
That's a good way of putting it. Could also be why I prefer the "colder" look of sapphire since I'm not that attracted to most vintage watches either.
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