Sapphire vs hesalite regret?

[tna23]

I'm curious to know whether owners of a sapphire speedy regret not purchasing a speedy with hesalite and versa. I had a sapphire sandwich which I sold partly because the sapphire felt a bit clinical. I'm now considering buying a hesalite speedy but wondering whether the lack if scratch resistance will annoy me. Be interested in feedback.

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[GST15]

I chose the hesalite several years ago, as I also preferred the look of the dial as opposed to the sapphire. I will note that I do not use mine as a daily and am pretty easy on my watches, so the scratch resistance, or lack thereof never bothered me. I also liked the fact that the original variant was in hesalite.

[brandrea]

The modern sapphire crystals used on the 321 give off a vintage vibe. So too does the ceramic bezel.

Not that I had a choice, but if I did, I’d still take the sapphire over the hesalite. For my daily wearing habits it’s the better choice.

[1William]

I have owned multiples of each over the years and have always enjoyed them. The sapphire case back is nice but not nice enough to overcome the cost. In the end, now, I only own a 1861 which is the hesalite.

[AdamW]

My speedy was the last year of the 1861 hesalite. Had to have the original. Wasn't even a question. Not a daily driver but it's still perfect. Love it and no regrets.

[dg8dg7]

4 years now with my hesalite, and was a daily for almost 2.5 of those years. Not a single regret. The hesalite is just nicer than the sapphire. It's warmer, and has so much more character without the milk ring look.

I'm naturally fairly careful with all my watches, so never found it to be an issue with the acrylic crystal. That said, I did want a see through caseback so bought a spiralwinder one and cannot recommend it enough. Fantastic quality.

My vote is for, and will always be, the hesalite.20240323_192446.jpg20240308_203612.jpg

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[SvenNikolai]

At that time I was also faced with the choice of Saphires or Hesalit. Then I could see them both side by side and the decision was clear, it was Hesalit. Just looks great. I'm still happy with my Hesalit Speedmaster. I had fine scratches on the Hesalit that I was able to easily polish out with PolyWatch. Alternatively, you can take a look at the beautiful new FOIS. Although it is a sapphire glass, it is impressively close to hesalite.

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[0nly5iv3Digits]

I’m a hesalite guy, personally. Never liked the boxy crystal of the sapphire sandwich. I also prefer the “all brushed” bracelet, although I’d like to be able to see the movement!

It’s possible that soon we won’t have to make the choice - I’d reckon that in years to come, the Speedy pro will be fitted with the new FOIS sapphire crystal; perhaps exclusively. I think the days of offering both the sapphire and hesalite are numbered now. Writing is on the wall imo. We’ll see. I’d welcome it. But I’d never jump ship to a sapphire sandwich. Never once have I been “disappointed “ or thought that I made the wrong choice going hesalite

PS: I find the scratches give character. It never gets scratched up too bad unless you’re unnecessarily negligent. Whenever it’s gotten to the point of bothering me, a quick 3-4 minute hand-polish with poly watch and she’s good as new!

[Tools]

No regrets.

[daysky1]

I have one of each the hesselite stays in the safe in the Box it's in my collection I can always pull it out and look at it but I don't want to wear it because it's hasselite. I did buy the sapphire sandwich and I thoroughly enjoy looking at the back awesome movement and I just feel a little more confident wearing Sapphire.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by tna23

...I'm now considering buying a hesalite speedy but wondering whether the lack if scratch resistance will annoy me. Be interested in feedback.

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I know you've read it many times on the watch fora, and it's true: just treat the Hesalite with Polywatch once or twice each year and you'll love it.

I just handed my 10-year-old (worn nearly daily) Speedmaster Pro off for service today and the watchmaker commented about what nice condition my watch is in. It may be my imagination but I swear the crystal looks nicer having been maintained twice per year with Polywatch than it did when new.

[samson66]

I was never a fan of the "milky ring" you get with the black model w/ sapphire. Other than that I prefer everything about the sapphire over the hesalite, particularly the caseback. Also on the white dial there is no issue with the ring around the edge.

[FloydRedford]

I prefer the hesalite by miles. It has a warmer character, no milky ring, and very easily maintained with Polywatch. I do, however, like the applied logo on the sapphire version but you don’t really see it anyway with the central seconds hand blocking it at 12.


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[WatchGuy1966]

IMO Hesalite for your first moonwatch.

[Trogster]

For space missions, I always wear hesalite

However down here on the planet, it's sapphire for me.

[bonovox]

I bought my Hesalite Speedy 20 years ago. I wore it as a daily for around a decade and continue to wear in rotation. I think I've polished the crystal with Polywatch twice in that 20 years. Zero regrets.

[2001jesper]

Sapphire - never crossed my mind to buy hesalite and hence no regrets

[Edwardfry3]

It's interesting that you found the sapphire to feel a bit clinical. Many owners of the Hesalite Speedmaster appreciate its warm, vintage feel and the way it adds character over time, despite the lower scratch resistance. Some find that the charm and authenticity of the Hesalite outweigh the potential for scratches, while others prefer the durability of sapphire. Since you’ve had a sapphire sandwich before, it might be worth trying a Hesalite one to see if you enjoy that classic feel.

[alllexandru]

hesallite here 0 regrets and I still love it after almost 5 years

[omar10213245]

I'm a sapphire guy, personally.

[chaosiwe]

I went hesalite 10 years back. Had some regrets when I saw sapphire sandwich on my friend’s wrist. Very beautiful movement and no distracting rotor. But still love my hesalite version

[h20addict]

Sapphire all day.

[Tqmb79]

I have a sapphire 3861 and I love it. Recently acquired a 145.012 and has hesalite. I must say I love the hesalite more. Just love the way it bubbles, if that makes sense.

I went sapphire on 3861 since I wanted the display back. Had I known at the time you can retrofit a clear case back to the hesalite, I would have gotten that.

One of my next watches will be a speedy from the 1990s that has a hesalite front and display case back with the gilt 861. Looking forward to that purchase.

[Gebbeth]

I am not a hesalite guy at all. Prefer sapphire all day, all night, all century.

[ppierce]

for folks who are super paranoid about the hesalite scratching. i know that a lot of the scratches and scuffs can be buffed out. However, can the hesaltie be replaced by Omega if ever needed?

[Sice]

I like speedmaster - swatch

[Gebbeth]

Originally Posted by ppierce

for folks who are super paranoid about the hesalite scratching. i know that a lot of the scratches and scuffs can be buffed out. However, can the hesaltie be replaced by Omega if ever needed?

Anything can be replaced.

Knowing Omega though, that's going to be the most expensive piece of plastic you will every buy.

[Gebbeth]

....and let's face it. "Hesalite" is plastic. It's a piece of plastic. Like "bio-ceramic" is plastic.

Not sure why we criticize the "bio-ceramic" thing, exclaiming that this is just marketing talk for plastic, while we don't put the same burdens on "Hesalite."

And yes, "acrylic" is also another name for a type of plastic.

Beyond being plastic, there is no display caseback on the "Hesalite" versions, so that's another minus for me.

The new FOIS also shows that you can get the domed, distortion effect with sapphire if you really wanted that "warmth" effect.

[ERH]

I bought the satellite sandwich in 2015. I have no regrets, never thought about it. I examined both. I liked the sandwich better. If I had been presented with a genuine vintage in good condition I would have considered it, the hesalite would have been baked into the vintage model.