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Speedmaster Moon descendant - which one to get?

Dor_42
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roman9662 roman9662
So I understand the stated rationale why NASA preferred the hesalite to sapphire but the intended successor, the original Mark II, has a mineral glass crystal. I would think it would behave more like sapphire than hesalite.

As I mentioned earlier in this post, you can be pretty sure that if the Moon landing would have happened today, if there was a Speedmaster on board, it would have had a sapphire crystal. (See latest SpaceX mission, X-33)
 
Archer
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roman9662 roman9662
So I understand the stated rationale why NASA preferred the hesalite to sapphire but the intended successor, the original Mark II, has a mineral glass crystal. I would think it would behave more like sapphire than hesalite.

Mineral crystals are the worst of both worlds...scratch easily, not easy to polish. About the only thing they have going that's positive is that even though they are more than plastic crystals, they are MUCH cheaper than sapphire if they have to be replaced.
 
roman9662
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Thanks Al. I was thinking similarly, that's why Omega's decision to go that route is so perplexing.
 
Archer
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roman9662 roman9662
Thanks Al. I was thinking similarly, that's why Omega's decision to go that route is so perplexing.

Most mineral crystals were made in a time when sapphire wasn't widespread. Very few companies would use it now on any sort of high end watch.
 
Blackdog
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Dor_42 Dor_42
As I mentioned earlier in this post, you can be pretty sure that if the Moon landing would have happened today, if there was a Speedmaster on board, it would have had a sapphire crystal. (See latest SpaceX mission, X-33)
Sapphire maybe, but not the X-33. The X-33 cannot be used for EVA. The electronics inside would simply not survive the wide temperature range and radiation. Inside the ISS is fine, but not for EVA.
 
Muyfa666
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Even thou I started this thread to ask about the Moonwatch, I feel I nailed it down to a .006 Moon or a new Racing 44mm. Anyone who happens to have a 44 Racing and can show it of?
 
Martin_J_N
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These are two excellent watches and either will be worthy of being on your wrist. My suggestion would be to get to an AD/OB and try them on your wrist. Pictures of the watches are helpful but nothing beats looking at the watch on your wrist and seeing if it is; too big, too small or just right, does the style of the watch suit your lifestyle, etc. etc. Having fun chasing the watch down, good luck.
 
gbesq
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At 44.25 mm wide and 15 mm thick, the Racing is a BIG watch. As Martin_J_N suggested, you should definitely try on both watches before you buy to see which one suits you best.
Edited:
 
Muyfa666
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gbesq gbesq
At 44.25 mm wide and 15 mm thick, the Racing is a BIG watch. As Martin_J_N suggested, you should definitely try on both watches before you buy to see which one suits you best.
I own and have owned a couple of 44mm watches, and it's not a problem. I have about 21-22cm wrists so a 40mm watch looks kind of petite on me. ;-)
 
Lonestar
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Archer Archer
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.

thanks. i have to admit I am somewhat surprised... I thought the "hesalite is king" mantra was a collector thing only, and that collectors are far outnumbered by regular watch buyers. I stand corrected (once again!). Thanks!
 
Lonestar
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I own a few moonwatches of different variations, and a couple of (original) MkII's, too.

They are VERY different watches to wear, much more than what the similarities of movements and dials would make you believe. The re-re MkII will be even further different from the moonwatch because it's so much chunkier and also sports a date window ( 😟 ). I can only recommend you try both on and make up your mind based on how you like them rather than anything you read on the forums.

In any case, it's a cool dilemma to face. All the best!

Paul
 
Donn Chambers
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Lonestar Lonestar
thanks. i have to admit I am somewhat surprised... I thought the "hesalite is king" mantra was a collector thing only, and that collectors are far outnumbered by regular watch buyers. I stand corrected (once again!). Thanks!

I’m not surprised that “regular” buyers purchased the standard Speedy Pro over the sapphire sandwich — it’s always been cheaper. And to the regular consumer, it will look identical. Why would they pay $1000 more just to see the movement and have a different crystal.
 
Archer
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Lonestar Lonestar
thanks. i have to admit I am somewhat surprised... I thought the "hesalite is king" mantra was a collector thing only, and that collectors are far outnumbered by regular watch buyers. I stand corrected (once again!). Thanks!

I think this thread has established that the popularity of the plastic crystal is driven completely by NASA nerds. But at the same time it is also completely driven by non-watch collectors who don't want to spend the extra $1000. 👍

😉
 
SpeedyPhill
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international telephone number reference 311.30.42.30.01.005
the rumor goes some people actually tried to phone that number 👎
 
glg
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Polywatch will help.
Sapphire is a good choice too but the Haselite is close to original ,
 
Martin_J_N
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SpeedyPhill SpeedyPhill
international telephone number reference 311.30.42.30.01.005
the rumor goes some people actually tried to phone that number 👎

I thought that was the number that you used when calling the occupants of interplanetary craft 😗
 
Muyfa666
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I finally put down an order. I thought about which was most important to me; the legacy or the looks/function. I decided it was the latter.

I decided to go for a new racing 44,25mm (329.30.44.51.01.001).

Will post pictures as soon as it arrives. 😀
 
Bugbait
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Muyfa666 Muyfa666
I finally put down an order. I thought about which was most important to me; the legacy or the looks/function. I decided it was the latter.

I decided to go for a new racing 44,25mm (329.30.44.51.01.001).

Will post pictures as soon as it arrives. 😀

Nice, solid choice. But I'm bias and tend to like more modern watches. Glad you bought what you liked the most in the end. 👍
 
Dor_42
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Muyfa666 Muyfa666
I finally put down an order. I thought about which was most important to me; the legacy or the looks/function. I decided it was the latter.

I decided to go for a new racing 44,25mm (329.30.44.51.01.001).

Will post pictures as soon as it arrives. 😀
Wouldn’t have been my pick but I guess that’s the beauty of it all, different things make us tick (pun intended).
Enjoy it!

By the way, from the product page of this watch on the omega site-
“Small seconds:
A hand on a sub-dial which tracks seconds typically it completes a full rotation in one minute.”

Typically if I was to buy a watch for $8,750 I would have expected it to always complete a full rotation in a minute, not just when it feels like doing so...
 
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