Such a shame they don't just offer a sapphire back on every model (keeping the hessalite up front).

 

Don't know why they ever got rid of the 3572.50. Best of both worlds.

 

is adding a thomas preik caseback sacrilegious?
http://www.customwatchconcepts.com/product_info.php?products_id=26

 

Not to me!




Just don't lose the original!

 

Its always a delight to see the movement though all my watches-wise, I can't see them as I am into divers and chronographs

 

Anyone else getting bored hearing how you should get the hesalite model cause that's what went on the moon? I happily paid over £500 more for the sapphire model, cause it's a beautiful model and I know the sapphire can take the knocks it gets on walls & doorframes when moving in my wheelchair.
It's interesting how I see more snobbery in the Moonwatch than in my Submariner. My Sub is the ceramic model, yet I never hear that it's not the 'real' Bond Sub cause it's got a sapphire crystal, yet when you tell people your Speedmaster is the sapphire model!!!

 

My hesalite preference isn't "original moon" based. Much less glare, less finger-printy-smudge, and there's a grey/white ring around the dial on the sapphire that isn't there on the hesalite. For me it makes for a warmer look than the sapphire. Both great watches, I'm just surprised they stopped the hesalite because there is a big contingent who prefers it. To be sur though you're right, there's some real "authentic" snobs out there. To them I say go spend $12k on a broken down 321 or get over it.

 

buy what you like, like what you buy.

 

nothing wrong with sapphire in my view.

 

Absolutely not!
It is required

 

And the front of you watch is always going to look new all the time. I love my sapphire sandwich.

 

Could not agree more, I just watch mine spin while I need a relaxing break.

 

Love that movement view

But the solid case back does have that additional anti-mag shield

 

NIce photo.

 

It makes no sense to me. You just got to laugh at some people. None of their 1861 movements made it to the moon either.

 

I always thought that as puzzling.

 

Not sure where you normally hang out, but I don't see that stated as a reason here much - in fact I can't really recall seeing that here. For me I bought a version with acrylic because it looks better.

 

A hesalite 1861 may have never made it to the moon but flip that case over and it reads "Flight-Qualified By NASA For All Manned Space Missions" the 1861 hesalite is still the only watch as far as I know that is and the sapphire one isn't.

Even in 2017 manual wind, hesalite 1861's are part of the standard issue kit given to the people up on the International Space Station - though these days they can wear other watches too if they prefer.

It's not a moonwatch anymore but it's sure as hell still the "official" space watch, even in it's current form you can go buy today.

The sapphire one isn't.

I don't walk around trying to convince people my 2014 Speedmaster went to the moon because I know it didn't. I just like it because of the history the line itself has had over the last 60 years, how true to form it's remained design wise and how it's still part of the current modern day space program kit that's still in use. It's also a real workhorse of a movement regardless of if yours has a piece of sapphire OR hesalite on the front of it.

Not even about a week ago I saw a video from the International Space Station in 2015 and Samantha Cristoforetti, an Italian astronaut was wearing a Speedmaster so they're definitely still in use up there.

 

I don't believe that NASA has an "Official Space Watch", or an official "Standard Kit", though Omega's marketing efforts have certainly convinced people otherwise. As you even indicate... "they can wear other watches". The point of my earlier comments was that yes, the 1861/3 movement is consistent with what some Astronauts choose today, it is not close to the 321 movement that actually did go to the moon. And regardless of it being on a strap, bracelet, hesalite crystal or sapphire crystal... It is a Speedmaster Professional, and a Speedmaster Professional has a storied legacy, history and design. Be proud of the watch you have... Cheers