Q.Which would you prefer(Speedy Hesalite/Saphire)?

[erik]

I am checking some Speedmaster models.. (just curious i want to own one some day)
There are a few things i like to have...
See thru caseback.. And not a hesalite glass.. (it scratches to easy in my eyes, i own a watch with hesalite...)

What are your opinions?
And does someone know the model number of a speedy pro.. still produced this day by Omega.. with see thru caseback(saphire) + saphire crystal?

Thank you for reading!

[rambler]

Erik,

I too like the idea of a Speedy with display back and sapphire crystal.

The 3873.50.31 has Sapphire Crystal ( on leather strap) (Water resistance 30M) as does the 3573.50.00 (all SS) (water resistance 50M).

The 3575.50.00 has display (sapphire crystal) back, I think.

It's a Speedmaster Professional


Not sure if there are others.

Any experts?

Also, there's a very good caseback article here on Chuck Maddox's site

home.xnet.com/~cmaddox/moonwatch_casebacks.html


Best

Rambler

Sorry, that should have read 3573.50.00 in the second instance.

[Sam]

I want to own a Speedy Pro eventually. It will be someting I know I won't wear often but just want to have one in the collection. I want one as true to the original as possible....hesalite crystal for sure!

If it is going to be an everyday wearer, I could see going sapphire.

3570.50 - Hesalite no display back
3572.50 - Hesalite with display back
3573.50 - Sapphire with display back

I'm not claiming to be a Speedy expert, so someone double-check those model numbers.

[erik]

Thanks Rambler and Sam.

The Speedmaster Pro. 3573.50 would be my dream Speedy, with that black leather strap Jon has..
The see thru display back is too beautiful to be hidden by steel

[jon]

Erik, I would for sure have choosen a hesalite one, and if you want a display caseback, you can put one on later, or look for a used on with hesalite crystal and sapphire caseback

I think the hesalite is an important part of the speedmaster pro history.
You can do some useful reading about the hesalite on Jean-Michels speedmaster website in the HOW TO part.
There you can also see how to fit a display back, and read of the models available

And another idea is to look for a used one. There is a lot of good ones for sale at $1000-1500, You shoul even be able to find an older display back speedmaster if you are hunting for a while. They do have a very nice looking movement


btw a calibre 321 looks very nice in the display back

You can see a lot of pictures if you do search a bit on WUS


Cheers Jon

[erik]

Thanks Jon!

I also like the look of a hesalite crystal, (i own a watch with hesalite, but scratches very fast, and don't want to polish it)
That watch will be worn a lot.. and it feels much more safe to have a Saphire glass (i hate scratches on the glass)

But you are right about the history, and the custom display backs is also something i prefer straight from Omega.

you wrote :
(There is a lot of good ones for sale at $1000-1500)

Now you make me really hungry. ;D

(But i will probably buy the watch fresh from Omega, important to me, i want to know that i am the only owner, if someting is wrong with it i would have know .)

I am jealous on yours Jon, and the SMP300!

[bruces]

I preferred the display back because I actually found it a bit more comfortable on the wrist. BTW, I didn't have any problem with the hesalite scratching much and what little it did buffed out easily. I prefer it, honestly.

[mike]

I understand the "freedom" the sapphire crystal gives,but I would also have to go with a hesalite crystal.
So much history,so much tradition.

[erik]

Yes i know guys,...
But the see thru caseback would also be something not associated with the history of the real moon watch.

I found something interesting on Speedmaster website :
(I translated it with an online translation website)

Some will say that sapphire which cannot be allowed on board a space vehicle, the 3573 is thus far away from the definition first of Speedmaster. Good, Ben so much worse, I will be made lend a watch approved for the space flights when that is necessary. In this connection, I wonder it is not a question myself there of a legend as there exists such an amount of about it because the Omega X-33 which was chosen by NASA for the flights about Mars has glass sapphire. Astonishing not? I could thus, while arguing a little to keep my Professional Saphir/Saphir if I am invited to take seat in a spaceship.

bruno.cracco.free.fr/montres/revues/omegaspeedmaster/speedmaster.html

[bruces]

Erik, just to clarify.....my preference for hesalite on the Speedy has nothing to do with history. I just like the look better on that watch. And, as you say, the display back isn't part of the history

[erik]

Bruces,

I also like the look of hesalite, i agree.
They both have their pros and cons.

Thanks guys for all the reply's!

[jon]

erik said:

Yes i know guys,...
But the see thru caseback would also be something not associated with the history of the real moon watch.

I found something interesting on Speedmaster website :
(I translated it with an online translation website)

First of all Erik, nothing wrong in a sapphire, if that whats you want. Any speedmaster pro is a watch to have IMO, even if I would have choosen another direction

The quote might a bit missleading

There is a BIG differense of being approved for space flight, and aproved for EVA (walking in space) The speedmaster pro is the only one approved for that by Nasa.
Even a lot of TIMEX watches has made it into a space flight

The X-33 is one of the watches, qualified for space flights today. The others are Omega Speedmaster Pro, but not the sapphire models, Casio G-Shock and Timex Ironman

Cheers Jon

[erik]

Thanks for the information Jon.
The Speedmaster will be my next watch..

[CHIP]

Hesalite for me.
I'll just baby it.

[mamas]

hesalite all the way.. ther is no need to baby it though..hesalite is very tough..dont forget it was chosen for the space program because it doesnt shatter and its toughness..! any scratches can be buffed `out with polywatch or brasso very easily...also the hue and warmth of hesalite looks better than saphire imho on speedy pro.
mamas