Will omega make a haselite-shaped sapphire crystal for the speedmaster?

Archer · Nov 4, 2019

saulgoodman
I will assume that they have people looking at these forums. It is the best way to see what the watch buyers are thinking. It is probably at least part of the reason why you are here. It is a good business practice and if they are not monitoring then they are way behind where they should be.

As for facts not caring if you agree or not, right back at you. The fact remains that the so called domed crystal (industry term) looks boxy in the real world. I’m fairly certain that I am not the only one who thinks this is the case.

I’ve been on watch forums/discussion pages for pushing 20 years now, and this is the first thread I recall seeing with the specific complaint that the shape of the sapphire crystal is too “boxy” so although it might be very important to you and a few others, I doubt this is a high priority for Omega.

If Omega hasn’t gotten rid of the “milky ring” issue with all the complaining about that, then I don’t think your specific complaint is going to get solved any time soon, but good luck with your strategy...

Duckie · Nov 4, 2019

Archer
I’ve been on watch forums/discussion pages for pushing 20 years now, and this is the first thread I recall seeing with the specific complaint that the shape of the sapphire crystal is too “boxy” so although it might be very important to you and a few others, I doubt this is a high priority for Omega.

If Omega hasn’t gotten rid of the “milky ring” issue with all the complaining about that, then I don’t think your specific complaint is going to get solved any time soon, but good luck with your strategy...

Agreed.

STANDY · Nov 4, 2019

saulgoodman
Nope, read the thread. You missed it completely. It’s about the sapphire sandwich. No one said anything about changing the traditional hesalite version. Just a better sapphire for the sapphire version.

Ok so just change the one they made especially to keep the sapphire crystal people happy. Cool that's ok with me 😉

rainking · Nov 5, 2019

We seem to have semi-spiraled into semantic weeds (not like that ever happens on these forums LOL) and mini debates about what constitutes "domed" or not. Here's what I see in all of these comments, and it's extremely basic but I believe to the point it was meant to be in the first place: Put the hesalite Speedmaster next to the sapphire version (as posted here previously in a photo) and it's clear the shape of the crystals are not exactly the same. It's not outrageous to think it would be cool if the sapphire model featured the same crystal shape as the hesalite, keeping the aesthetic appeal of the original while adding the benefits of sapphire. Design and eye appeal are of course subjective, but I think it is likely most people prefer the shape of the hesalite. Obviously Omega could make it so. That's all this is really about. The sidetracking speculation about costs (mostly incorrect) as an excuse, or the definition of "domed," is kind of irrelevant. Summarize this thread by saying: It would be nice if the sapphire crystal Speedmaster Pro looked identical to the hesalite version and you wouldn't know the difference side by side until you touched the crystal or looked at it REALLY close.

STANDY · Nov 5, 2019

rainking
Summarize this thread by saying: It would be nice if the sapphire crystal Speedmaster Pro looked identical to the hesalite version and you wouldn't know the difference side by side until you touched the crystal or looked at it REALLY close.

But the minute you looked at the dial you would notice due to the refractive properties of the two different materials.
It may look the same side on but it will never look the same looking through it. That's the main point as I rarely look at the profile of a watch compared to the amount of time I actually look at the watch.

Just look at the distortion on this picture posted on page 2 ( this would annoy many more than the milky ring )

Longbow · Nov 5, 2019

Hesalite Speedy

Sapphire Tokyo Panda Speedy

Domo arigato

rainking · Nov 5, 2019

STANDY
But the minute you looked at the dial you would notice due to the refractive properties of the two different materials.
It may look the same side on but it will never look the same looking through it. That's the main point as I rarely look at the profile of a watch compared to the amount of time I actually look at the watch.

Just look at the distortion on this picture posted on page 2 ( this would annoy many more than the milky ring )

Interesting and great point. But now that's another thing to consider. Just depends on what is more important to someone. I've read plenty of comments on watch forums from people who get off on the distortion certain watches have, as you presented in your pic. Personally, I like distortion because it looks abstract and cool to me and is fun. Totally understand if another person feels opposite. For the people who dig it, if a new or re-issued version DOESN'T have the distortion and the original did, then they also complain.
When it comes to the Speedmaster and this thread, if what it took to not have the distortion results in the crystal's shape being boxier, people complain about that, too. The only way for the manufacturers to avoid any of this with this handful of historic, iconic watches, is to just literally make them identical to the OGs. Pretty sure no one would complain then, except they would. I guess you really can't have it all.

saulgoodman · Nov 5, 2019

STANDY
Ok so just change the one they made especially to keep the sapphire crystal people happy. Cool that's ok with me 😉

I'm sure your approval will go a long away in bringing about this long needed change! 😉

Archer · Nov 5, 2019

rainking
We seem to have semi-spiraled into semantic weeds (not like that ever happens on these forums LOL) and mini debates about what constitutes "domed" or not. Here's what I see in all of these comments, and it's extremely basic but I believe to the point it was meant to be in the first place: Put the hesalite Speedmaster next to the sapphire version (as posted here previously in a photo) and it's clear the shape of the crystals are not exactly the same. It's not outrageous to think it would be cool if the sapphire model featured the same crystal shape as the hesalite, keeping the aesthetic appeal of the original while adding the benefits of sapphire. Design and eye appeal are of course subjective, but I think it is likely most people prefer the shape of the hesalite. Obviously Omega could make it so. That's all this is really about. The sidetracking speculation about costs (mostly incorrect) as an excuse, or the definition of "domed," is kind of irrelevant. Summarize this thread by saying: It would be nice if the sapphire crystal Speedmaster Pro looked identical to the hesalite version and you wouldn't know the difference side by side until you touched the crystal or looked at it REALLY close.

I don't really using correct terms for something is irrelevant. This is how we all come to speak a common language and can communicate and know that the point is getting across. That's why I initially had to ask if a poster was referring to something other than the current sapphire crystal, since it's domed. Misunderstandings happen when we don't all understand the terms in the same way.

I just received a sapphire Speedmaster yesterday afternoon, and was going to post the exact pictures Longbow has already done, so I'll use his second photo to illustrate.

The sapphire crystal is clearly domed, and if were not the top surface would be the red line I've added. No one is saying that the sapphire and acrylic are the same shape, as that's obviously not the case, but the sapphire is most certainly domed. If it wasn't it would be like the "top hat" style crystals you see on some watches. I have this in an acrylic crystal on my 1680 Sub, and it's a different profile to the Speedmaster crystal on the top surface.

In fact the inside radius of the top of the crystal is 143.2 mm, and the outside radius is 145 mm on the Speedmaster sapphire crystal. As I noted previously, this is a double domed crystal if you want to be completely accurate. A single dome crystal would be flat on the bottom, so think of something like the Corum bubble watches...

Again why Omega doesn't make it more like the acrylic crystal is something only they can answer, so if people are that interested, they can always email Omega and ask.

Cheers, Al

saulgoodman · Nov 5, 2019

rainking
I've read plenty of comments on watch forums from people who get off on the distortion certain watches have, as you presented in your pic.

Precisely. The hesalite proponents speak not only of the "warmth" that hesalite offers over sapphire, they love the "distortion". It seems that Oris has created that same effect with their domed sapphire. There is no reason Omega can't follow this development.

saulgoodman · Nov 5, 2019

rainking
We seem to have semi-spiraled into semantic weeds... about what constitutes "domed" or not... The sidetracking speculation about...the definition of "domed," is kind of irrelevant.

You nailed it, and you get it. With all due respect to our watchmaker friends out there, and those who adhere to technical jargon, do we really care that technically the current sapphire crystal on the speedmaster is known in the watch industry as domed? Nope! The discussion is not about what is, but what could be.

Bugbait · Nov 5, 2019

My guess is that Omega chose the "less-domed" shape for the sapphire to reduce distortions. Why make exactly the same watch given all the other complaints of Omega rehashing the same model in too many variations? I like the reduced distortion and increased clarity on my sapphire Speedmaster, one of the many reasons I bought it. If I wanted something closer to the original Moonwatch then I would've simply purchased the Hesalite and saved several thousands of pounds at the same time. Variety is good for the customer I think.

saulgoodman · Nov 5, 2019

Bugbait
...If I wanted something closer to the original Moonwatch then I would've simply purchased the Hesalite and saved several thousands of pounds at the same time.

You mean several hundred pounds? The sapphire version is only a few hundred dollars more, unless you paid AD MSRP retail in which case it is $1000 more.

Archer · Nov 5, 2019

saulgoodman
You nailed it, and you get it. With all due respect to our watchmaker friends out there, and those who adhere to technical jargon, do we really care that technically the current sapphire crystal on the speedmaster is known in the watch industry as domed? Nope! The discussion is not about what is, but what could be.

I know you want to continue beating this (and me) to death, but the fact is the crystal is domed. Again no one is denying it's not the same shape, but if you have any basic understanding of what the term "domed" means, the sapphire crystal certainly is domed.

I understand completely what your complaint is, and what you want. The crystal could be many things, but it isn't. So again if this is such a concern for you, email Omega and ask why they don't make it the same shape, and let us all know what they say. I would certainly be interested in their answer, as I'm sure others would.

Bugbait · Nov 5, 2019

saulgoodman
You mean several hundred pounds? The sapphire version is only a few hundred dollars more, unless you paid AD MSRP retail in which case it is $1000 more.

I never specified the model of "sapphire Speedmaster" I own in this thread since I didn't feel it was relevant 😉. For the record though it's the Blue Side of the Moon in ceramic so it's generally "thousands" more when new, MSRP or discounted here in the UK. Current Omega UK MSRP has the Hesalite on steel bracelet at £4000 versus the BSotM (ceramic) at £10,170.

scapa · Nov 5, 2019

Archer
I know you want to continue beating this (and me) to death, but the fact is the crystal is domed. Again no one is denying it's not the same shape, but if you have any basic understanding of what the term "domed" means, the sapphire crystal certainly is domed.

I understand completely what your complaint is, and what you want. The crystal could be many things, but it isn't. So again if this is such a concern for you, email Omega and ask why they don't make it the same shape, and let us all know what they say. I would certainly be interested in their answer, as I'm sure others would.

Indeed. I'd be very interested to know this. And going straight to the source would surely thin the semantic weeds and save a lot of haselite.

saulgoodman · Nov 5, 2019

Bugbait
I never specified the model of "sapphire Speedmaster" I own in this thread since I didn't feel it was relevant 😉. For the record though it's the Blue Side of the Moon in ceramic so it's generally "thousands" more when new, MSRP or discounted here in the UK. Current Omega UK MSRP has the Hesalite on steel bracelet at £4000 versus the BSotM (ceramic) at £10,170.

Got it.

saulgoodman · Nov 5, 2019

Archer
I know you want to continue beating this (and me) to death, but the fact is the crystal is domed. Again no one is denying it's not the same shape, but if you have any basic understanding of what the term "domed" means, the sapphire crystal certainly is domed.

I think this is probably a good place to tell you that it is not all about you, although you seem fixated on pushing an issue that as the other poster perfectly pointed out is completely irrelevant to the conversation. You are just another voice in the wilderness. I gather that many here in their obsequious way yield to you opinion, but like the man said, just because you know how to change the oil in a Formula One race car it doesn't make you Mario Andretti.

Archer · Nov 5, 2019

saulgoodman
I think this is probably a good place to tell you that it is not all about you, although you seem fixated on pushing an issue that as the other poster perfectly pointed out is completely irrelevant to the conversation.

Nope, just trying my best to educate people. Some are willing to listen, and some clearly not.

Claven2 · Nov 5, 2019

As the op. I think I have it:

1) The closest thing is the sapphire sandwich models. Though the dome profile is markedly different than haselite.

2) people like to argue about horological nomenclature, and nobody on the OF is ever willing to admit they are anything less than 100% right, it seems.

3) no, there is no as-built speedmaster with a domed sapphire crystal (of any shape) and the standard solid moonwatch case back.