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The cost of a new Hesalite Crystal

Bulldozer
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Archer Archer
In reality, it's not difficult to scratch or chip - I see watches with damaged sapphire crystals all the time.





And yes, in some cases scratches can be polished out, but have you ever done it? I have, and I can assure you it's not something that is done quickly or easily. In many cases the labour for polishing out a scratch would cost more than a new crystal would. For deep scratches you end up with a very distorted surface on the crystal also.

If you prefer sapphire, that's your choice, but each material has advantages and drawbacks. Personally I have watches with both sapphire and mineral crystal, and for the Speedmaster I would not want the sapphire version - it just doesn't look as good to me.

Cheers, Al

Thats fair enough and I too have all 3 types of crystal in the few watches that I own, the bottom line is that Sapphire crystal is the hardest at 9 on the Mohs scale and the hardest to scratch mineral crystal is next hardest to scratch and plexiglass of hesalite is softest and very easy to scratch or mark.

If I were going to Climb Everest or be in the field like in the military using the watch as a tool watch then maybe plexiglass or Hesalite would be a wise choice.
If I were going to simply wear the tool watch as a desk diver etc then I like Sapphire crystal best due to its clarity and toughness for little bumps and bangs that it may encounter.
This is simply a discussion as there is no right or wrong, only personal preference of what we like so each to our own but the bottom line is that Sapphire is a lot harder to scratch the way most people wear their watches and Diamond paste will take out most scratches on it.
One thing that I believe is that the price of Plexiglass or Hesalite crystal will quickly begin to rise. Time will tell.
 
Archer
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Bulldozer Bulldozer
One thing that I believe is that the price of Plexiglass or Hesalite crystal will quickly begin to rise. Time will tell.

Acrylic crystals have been used for many decades, and many brands have been using them for a long time on specific models. Prices go up for all kinds of reasons, mostly greed, but they will always be significantly cheaper than sapphire. Even with the recent price increase on Omega acrylic crystals (nearly tripled in price) the cost of a new acrylic crystal for a Speedmater is still approx. 1/10th the price of a sapphire one for a Speedmaster.
 
Bulldozer
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Archer Archer
Acrylic crystals have been used for many decades, and many brands have been using them for a long time on specific models. Prices go up for all kinds of reasons, mostly greed, but they will always be significantly cheaper than sapphire. Even with the recent price increase on Omega acrylic crystals (nearly tripled in price) the cost of a new acrylic crystal for a Speedmater is still approx. 1/10th the price of a sapphire one for a Speedmaster.

Yes but why has it suddenly tripled in price? I think we all know why.
 
Archer
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Bulldozer Bulldozer
Yes but why has it suddenly tripled in price? I think we all know why.

Yes, Omega is greedy.
 
SybariticStu
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7012E94E-8109-459B-9710-84BEF8A6FE08.jpeg
Well all, my tube of PolyWatch should be delivered today just for any future scratches or such. The place I brought it to last week, TimeKeepers in St. Louis did a excellent job and my Speedy is like new.
 
Wivac
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This thread has a sudden relevance to my interestes. Woke up this morning to find a scratch, not deep but visible. Polly watch in the basket and on the way. Are there any specific clothes to use / order? I'm sure Youtube will be my friend for technique...
 
gatorcpa
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SybariticStu SybariticStu
I’ve heard cotton balls or microfiber cloth are good for applying PolyWatch
Q-tips, followed by old cotton T-shirt.

Not a fan of microfiber for this purpose. That’s good for general clean up after wearing.
gatorcpa
 
Archer
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SybariticStu SybariticStu
I’ve heard cotton balls or microfiber cloth are good for applying PolyWatch

I use cotton balls - I keep the cotton ball in a plastic bag to keep it clean, and add more Polywatch to it as time goes by. Eventually I can just pull that out and give a crystal a quick polish without adding more if the crystal isn't too damaged.

I then clean the crystal using a microfiber cloth...

Cheers, Al
 
dan7800
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I was going to make some lame joke about how you had to use sandpaper with polywatch to allow it to get into the existing grooves
 
SACornhusker
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good info here. i'm set to by my Speedy on monday 😀 I have a Aqua Terra & LOVE it, I really debated and tried to do my due diligence on the sapphire vs the hesalite. I like the open back on the sapphire but the originality of the hesalite moonwatch won me over, along with the many veteran insights found here. thank you 😀
DSCN1460.JPG
 
N
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Owlsu Owlsu
If hesalite smashes it will break into about 3 large chunks then need to be replaced for under $100. If sapphire smashes it will break into hundreds of small fragments - most likely also getting inside the movement then the whole thing will probably require a full service at the cost of $500 upwards. Even a sapphire crystal alone can be a few hundred.
A 'Moonwatch' has a Hesalite crystal.... It just does, anything else is an amendment to the original.
 
N
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SybariticStu SybariticStu
I’ve heard cotton balls or microfiber cloth are good for applying PolyWatch
I use cotton balls... One to apply and polish, then at least two to remove the residue and final polish... Much more disposable than a cloth... Use once, less likely to have picked up grit with which to scratch your watch.
 
Kreindog24
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I just purchased my first Speedy right here on the OF last week. I’m so in love with this watch. I do have a pretty sizable scratch between 12 and 1 that extends through most of the crystal. It will need to get buffed out with some PolyWatch. My question is if I need to worry about the Omega logo in the center of the crystal. Is that underneath, where I can’t buff it out? Otherwise do I just tape it? Also should I tape up the Bezel? Will Polywatch harm it at all?

As always, thanks to the OFam.

Chris

30DEAA01-73FE-4DF1-9A21-7AAFBA153315.jpeg
 
gdupree
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Kreindog24 Kreindog24
I just purchased my first Speedy right here on the OF last week. I’m so in love with this watch. I do have a pretty sizable scratch between 12 and 1 that extends through most of the crystal. It will need to get buffed out with some PolyWatch. My question is if I need to worry about the Omega logo in the center of the crystal. Is that underneath, where I can’t buff it out? Otherwise do I just tape it? Also should I tape up the Bezel? Will Polywatch harm it at all?

As always, thanks to the OFam.

Chris

30DEAA01-73FE-4DF1-9A21-7AAFBA153315.jpeg
The logo is on the underside, so you can’t buff it out. I would avoid getting polywatch on the bezel when possible, as it is an abrasive, but it shouldn’t do any damage if you’re careful.
 
Kreindog24
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gdupree gdupree
The logo is on the underside, so you can’t buff it out. I would avoid getting polywatch on the bezel when possible, as it is an abrasive, but it shouldn’t do any damage if you’re careful.

Thanks so much! I appreciate it!
 
R
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I wonder how the crystals are installed - just pressed in?
 
fskywalker
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Can someone confirm if 063pw5139 is the correct hesalite for reference number 3572.50.00 ?
Edited:
 
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