Hesalite or Sapphire?

[ratty]

Hello

I would like to hear some different views on the above please.

I'm interested in buying a Speedmaster Professional Moon watch. I know they come in two different versions, one with a Hesalite crystal and one with a Sapphire crystal. I'm told that the Hesalite is easier to scratch, but in the real world, how much is it easier to scratch?

I have an older meteorite dial version of the watch and I find it very comfortable and accurate. My wife has a Silver Snoopy version and loves that as well. I think they both have Sapphire crystals.

Can I just have some of your views about the two different versions please? Is one recommended over the other etc?

Also, what sort of discount could I aim for in the UK?

Thanks very much.

[Swiss Mad!]

Hesalite is really easy to scratch. It's very soft so can even pick up hairline scratches from your clothing if you wear say a rough denim jacket or similar.

On the flip side its real easy to polish out and get to look as good as new with a product called Polywatch which is readily available and quite cheap from a multitude of sellers on the internet.

For authenticity the purists say a Moonwatch should only have a Hesalite crystal.

If you want practicality go Sapphire. There really is no right or wrong answer its 100% personal choice.

The Sapphire version does have a display case back which is a nice conversation piece showing off the movement. The Hesalite version has a solid case back.

Not sure about discounts - good luck which ever you choose

Regards

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[ratty]

Thanks for this.

Is the version with the Sapphire crystal version with the crystal back know as the sandwich model?

[mdgrwl]

Originally Posted by ratty

Thanks for this.

Is the version with the Sapphire crystal version with the crystal back know as the sandwich model?

Yes, Sapphire Sandwich.

[Magwitch]

Originally Posted by ratty

Thanks for this.

Is the version with the Sapphire crystal version with the crystal back know as the sandwich model?

Yes I think so, or called the "sapphire sandwich." I have one and it's very nice. Movement is nicely shown off.

[ratty]

Can I presume that neither of you have had any problems with your watches?

[Magwitch]

I though mine was running a bit fast when I got it, and the AD adjusted it N/C but I wouldn't call that a problem, really. I put mine on a burgundy strap and it looks great. Can't find a photo right now though. Very comfortable to wear and to read.

[Swiss Mad!]

I don't personally have a Moonwatch but I am an Omega fan (2 seamasters) and I have a Panerai that has a plexi crystal similar to Hesalite... soft easily scratched etc.
I don't think you will go wrong with either version of the Moonwatch - it's a classic.

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[corn18]

I didn't like the milky ring around the sapphire crystal so went with hesalite. The watch just looks nicer in hesalite, IMHO.

[beshannon]

I prefer mine with the Hestalite

[ratty]

Thanks to you all for these replies.

Having seen the watches, and read your replies, I think I will go with the Hesalite if I get one.

I only have to find out about possible discounts now.

[bdex75]

I prefer hesalite but mine has sapphire, and a solid back. I prefer the manual wind speedy's as well.


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[corn18]

Originally Posted by ratty

Thanks to you all for these replies.

Having seen the watches, and read your replies, I think I will go with the Hesalite if I get one.

I only have to find out about possible discounts now.

Do a search for hesalite in the for sale forum and buy from there. That's what I did. About $3495. With warranty card. No tax. Shipping usually included.

[Bruin Watch]

Another vote for hesalite if you needed one. The look of the hesalite surprised me (in a good way) when I first saw it and also when compared to speedy with sapphire. YMMV.

[mps354]

Hesalite for me...prefer the look

[HobokenRolex]

The hesalite is great. Has a nice warm look and feeling. I've had mine 7 or 8 months and wear it maybe 3-4 days a week. No significant scratches. There are good deals to be had in the US but I'm not sure about other countries. Good luck!

[mwallens]

I have the Hesalite as well. It definitely is easy to scratch but 2 minutes with some polywatch and it's as good as new. If you look hard you should be able to find one for around $3,300. I saw them for sale at an AD in the Madrid airport a month ago for the USD equivalent of $3,250.

[sager]

Originally Posted by corn18

I didn't like the milky ring around the sapphire crystal so went with hesalite. The watch just looks nicer in hesalite, IMHO.

I agree. this photo definitely proves your point.

[Stevec14]

I bought one 3 months ago. Hesalite is definitely the way to go. Ask them to bring both out and you will see.

With bracelet and hesalite you can get for approx £2,900 on the net. I paid 3,050 (from 3,520) with very little haggling and I am useless at that. (From Fraser hart)

Aim for gbp 3k to 3.1k and for that money you can't go far wrong. Obvs, sapphire is slightly more expensive.

Good luck, and post pics once the deed is done.

[GTS Dean]

The only proper place for sapphire on a Speedmaster is on the BACK of the case.

[ap1]

Hess

[dave023]

Hesalite

[ERok32]

I prefer the hesalite as well. If I'm not mistake there is also a hesalite version with display caseback isn't there?

[Bluside]

My wallet voted for Hesalite.

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by GTS Dean

The only proper place for sapphire on a Speedmaster is on the BACK of the case.

From a purist point of view there is no proper place for sapphire on a Speedmaster.

Hesalite on the front and a solid case back.




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[roaddog359]

I debated this also. I went Hesalite. It just looks so much better. I wear it daily and I dont baby it. I dont have any scratches on the bracelet or the Hesalite. Its a great watch for the money. Flys well under the radar too.

[PepsiBezel]

I recently picked up a Hesalite Speedy Pro, a new 3750.50 from an AD that had some remaining... I agree with all that say this watch is just meant to have Hesalite. Also, while sapphire may not scratch easily, AR coating can scratch.

[Hands90]

Sapphire is the best thing to ever happen to wrist watch technology. I will say that my Seamaster has so many knocks here and there, never has the sapphire scratched.

That being said I HAVE scratched sapphire on a Tudor BB.

For the Speedy go with the original hesalite it will scratch but it polishes EASILY

[chessebj]

I've scratched sapphire watch crystals. Boy does that suck. I somehow put a pretty deep pit on the face of the newest crystal on my pre-moon 145.022-69, last year. Automotive sandpaper, soapy water, and a thick piece of glass, followed by polywatch, had it looking great in about 20 minutes. Sure, the crystal has lost height, and I'll be replacing it next service, but the next service is a ways a way and I can continue to enjoy the watch, in the meantime. Impossible to do that with sapphire, if you damage it.

[ratty]

Are hesalite and Sapphire crystals interchangeable?