Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Hesalite VS Sapphire

[@7Gia_]

Tried on the Speedmaster yesterday and was left speechless. It looks even better in real life!

[@Mega-zi7ys]

Yes they are indeed. Pics never do them justice and you have a lot of rabid Rolex fanboys always bashing what they've never seen in person too. I am not a Rolex hater, i have them...but just to be fair.

[@redhunterandgatherer2367]

I am a hesalite guy...dont know why...just like it and i bought one...and i love it..🙂

[@porscheguy5848]

Reasons I purchased a Hesalite about 6 months ago. 1) Looks better in person. The cloud around the outside bothers me a lot. 2) You can buff out most scratches once a month. Adds to my watch routine which I like. If it’s a deep scratch, it’s super cheap to replace at your AD. 3) And finally, I got an OEM Omega clear back from my AD and they installed it on the watch. Best of both worlds!

[@lyso666]

Hi @porsheguy thanks for the tip regarding the clear back ! How much does it cost please? Movement is also the very same details that the for the Sapphire version right? Thanks

[@stevens1041]

No wrong answer here. For me, I choose hesalite. I like the fact that no other watch I will own has this type of 'glass', something unique for my collection.

[@davidbruce5682]

You know Vostoks use hesalite and cost under 100?

[@stevens1041]

@@davidbruce5682 I'm not into brands like that. Not into Vostoks or Chinese brands or any of it, not for me.

[@davidbruce5682]

@@stevens1041 Agreed they are low quality. Which is kind of the point I was making about hesalite.

[@Mega-zi7ys]

​​@@davidbruce5682and you just missed the point again 😂

[@milaweitz]

It has also Sinn 103 ST I believe

[@jooger69]

Hesalite all the way!

[@johnnybgood7812]

I chose hesalite. Once I saw that halo on the sapphire I couldn’t unsee it.

[@Zim89]

what are you talking about?

[@johnnybgood7812]

@@Zim89 The sapphire crystal has a quite deep and sharp angles edge to it. From some angles this takes on an opaque almost white ring around the face. Personally I don’t care for it but others may well love it.

[@tricky92x]

The milky ring is unsightly... and I love the fact that the Omega logo is etched in to the hesalite.

[@chriscon8463]

I don’t have a Moonwatch, but I do have a Lorier Falcon II with an acrylic crystal. It looks really amazing, and it has so much more personality than my watches with flat sapphire. I wouldn’t have only watches with Hesalite crystals in my collection, but I love having a few!

[@anthonystevens8683]

I love the Speedy regardless of sapphire or hesalite. I have the some years discontinue4 1863 sapphire sandwich and It's great to be able to see the movement without a winding rotor obscuring the view. Yes mine lacks the current model is METAS certifies, coaxial escapement and hacking but I'll be sticking with it for the foreseeable future as I see no need to change, it also has the Omega symbol printed on the dial. On my wrist today is an Oris Aquis cal 400 blue dial 41.5.

[@CorvusHyperion]

The sapphire open back is just so gorgeous and the price difference so small (relatively!) that it is the one to go for.

[@denbo74]

Just got the new Speedy in Hesalite the other day. Wearing it now

[@julianmoriati4682]

Yup! I have my 3861 Speedmaster in hesalite on my wrist.

[@Snowkone81]

Same! My daily watch, no issues with scratches and is just so handsome. Don’t care for the milky ring or looking at the movement, but to each their own.

[@oentusiastaderelogio]

I have one with hesalite on the front and sapphire on the back. Spectacular. I can have the best of the two worlds, I can see the movement and I can keep the originality of hesalite.

[@andrewd7586]

A few years ago Chisholm I bought an early 2000’s model Speedy with the hesalite crystal. I bought this one because I wanted the more true, authentic version. Honestly I don’t how people can scratch up a good, high end watch. I have a vast collection covering over 100 years & apart from my beater Casios, for manual work, I’ve never scratched a crystal.🙄🙏🏻🤞🏻

[@damonz1]

wearing the sapphire - unbelievable watch

[@mamo1872]

You can't go wrong with any of them, but I must say that the sapphire version really is a beautiful quality piece. It's my daily driver since I got it, if I went with the hesalite it would have been so scratched right now because I bumped the crystal into so many things, I forget I'm wearing a watch sometimes and I hit doors, walls etc, the sapphire still look great, even the bracelet I hit so many things with it and no scratches yet, pretty good quality watch. My favourite.

[@desireless4092]

I chose the sapphire. Awesome watch and I don't have to think about the glass getting scratched every other week. The bracelet's polished links are not garish and look quite tastefully. Best modern Omega to own.

[@ralfwindte5986]

Is it possible that your calibers aren't very precise? Other sources report 13.2 vs 13.6 mm for the sapphire and Hesalite versions respectively. 15mm would be a dealbreaker for me as I don't like too thick watches. I tried on the sapphire version and it wasn't too thick for my taste. Would you say that, when on the wrist the Hesalite version feels remarkably thicker or is it basically unrecognisable? I think the scratch resistance isn't an issue and if I can save 1000 euros with the hesalite version that would be appreciated. Also, does the added thickness come from the domed shape of the crystal or from the case and caseback?

[@daffidavit]

My Speedmaster was given to me as a BD gift 10 days after Buzz Aldrin wore his on the moon. I still wear it occasionally. It cost about $300 when new back in 1969.

[@robynsjp]

Hesalite on both my 1967 321 and 1969 861. Didn't have a choice really and I wanted the legend thing. On the wrist today 1966 Omega 165.027 - 37 mm Seamaster 120 auto - with original bracelet.

[@LAM_AUT_ECU]

I had both in my hands and had a hard time choosing, I must admit, at least from a horological point of view. Being both a watch enthusiast and a lifelong fan of Space Exploration, I had to go for the hesalite version and I did so.

[@petermcleod1507]

Great video - I am looking keenly at the Speedmaster moonwatch and love history. Cant wait to try it on my wrist. Looked at this watch before and to my regret passed up on a Snoopy watch back in 2001! Anyway I am wearing today a Hamilton khaki Field automatic with a 40mm champagne dial on a brilliant Strap Taylor leather strap! Every bit of this watch, whilst being modern ouses vintage charm! 🙂

[@derekbrettell8121]

Ive owned both watches and the sapphire suits me much better for daily wearing. The scratches on the hesalite drove me mental! I just couldn't get over it. Choose sapphire unless you're planning on actually going to the moon

[@tricky92x]

I've had the hesalite version for a year and a half now, and have had 0 scratches. It makes me wonder what you people are doing to your watches! Haha

[@climbmaintain]

@@tricky92xI got a good scratch on mine from the 737 cockpit….sucked, then I used some polywatch and it was back to looking brand new again 😊

[@Shawn-ky2tw]

@@tricky92x You'll eventually hit it on something and see the damage. Unless you don't go outside much or don't wear the watch as a daily.

[@tricky92x]

@@Shawn-ky2tw Yeah, I definitely don't wear it as a daily. I have dive watches that are better suited for that, or a G Shock. Honestly, I don't think chronographs make for good daily beaters in general (and I have 4 of them).

[@Shawn-ky2tw]

@@tricky92x I see. Why are chronographs not good as a daily?

[@pauldewar626]

The price increase from the 1861 to the 3861 for both the Hesalite and Sapphire versions in Australia is outrageous

[@Mega-zi7ys]

It's the new norm. Nothing outrageous

[@docsimon33143]

Hesalite! wearing mine right now, love it

[@seanlukecorroon]

If you are going to get one moonwatch it only makes sense to get the hesalite version of the watch which is the most authentic version. If you dont want the glass being scratched and you want to see the movement, then get the Ed White version

[@edwintreffers]

Great video !!! Have been thinking for a while now to pull the trigger on a Speedy. And I think that the sapphire version is my favorite. And no, don’t really care for ‘originality’… just like the open case back more 🙂

[@ChisholmHunterOfficial]

Appreciate that mate, thank you!

[@tricky92x]

I wind up looking at the movement once or twice when I get the watch, and never really bother again... so decided to remove that from my criteria.

[@luke9437]

Very good comparison video between the two models. Minimal differences.

[@s.beasley8926]

Cloudy border? No it’s moonlight. Omega engineers were genius to put a moonlight ring around dials that look like moon craters. Lol. I know that wasn’t intentional, it was made for racing, but interesting nonetheless. I have the sapphire version but you can’t go wrong either way. But let’s start today and stop saying cloudy border or milky ring. It’s MOONLIGHT! Enjoy your Speedmaster.

[@joshbordes7625]

Would buy a Hesitate if it also had an open back

[@scottgreig8175]

Wrist check and I have on my Speedmaster professional sapphire ❤🎉 open case back wins every time ⌚️

[@hknspc]

I got Pelagos 39 on my wrist right now. Will definitely get sapphire sandwich of Omega soon.

[@masakimclellan9682]

I got the Hesalite version of the 3861...I wish I got the sapphire because that open case back is so sexy. I wanted my Speedy to be true to history but these watches are pretty far from what the astronauts used in the 60s and 70s. Regardless both are nice watches.

[@alyoshakaramazov8469]

I figured out why you picked out that color for your jacket. In another matter, I think I will be getting a Speedy in Hesalite soon. I'm wearing my Tissot Day-Date today.

[@pouryajannesari1204]

@chrishoolm What year is that speedy with the hesalite? Case back also looks like mine so im trying to figure out what year mine is.

[@Drjfever]

Watching this with a 2013 speedy hesalite, bought in London at the Omega store. I watched the 1969 moon landing on TV. The only version to buy for me. The face has a beautiful liquid look to it through the hesilite

[@peterrussell3854]

Speedy Hesalite on the wrist at present.

[@NCF80M3]

3861 Sapphire in my wrist … love the new bracelet design …. Had to have the open case back tbh love the decoration and gives the watch a much cooler vibe. I’m not going to space so why the hell would I want the original one and also the cheaper less luxury version … I like this watch more than my GMT 2 tbh …. And Omega boutique has such great service … I go in and they change bands and links for me for free and also provide beer and Fiji water …. Try that at your AD without giving them a BJ first

[@petrokersta5293]

I’m wearing my Hesalite Speedy 3861 as I watch this 😊

[@philmanson2991]

I bought the sapphire b/c of the presentation case. It's worth the extra money to view the exquisite movement.

[@AmitBhandari82]

Woah what the hell…. Harrison no joke the timing of this video is seriously spooky - I’m literally doing this comparison right now as I’m thinking of re-adding a Speedy 😮😮

[@MontyPiper]

I have the sapphire 3861 version. I want to see the movement

[@ahha6304]

Harrison, you are hitting 50k submariner, I mean subscribers now!

[@ChisholmHunterOfficial]

Haha thanks bud, appreciate it. Almost there!!

[@waterfordrs22]

Sapphire is likely far heavier a material, that it weighs more isn’t all that surprising. Omega has in the past offered the Pro with a hesalite crystal and a sapphire back. That would be a great compromise and likely still is an option for those willing to go third party for the crystal caseback. I would think most people would favor the sapphire version, but it’s very cool they offer it in hesalite and the look of the acrylic crystal is quite cool.

[@redfishstick]

curently wearing my speed master hesalite. it has the most wrist time of all my watches.

[@DrCook69]

I think if you’re planning on keeping the watch for a long time, the sapphire is a must. It’s scratch proof which is perfect

[@ChanaMoo0]

Speedmaster with leatherstrap so underrated

[@ChisholmHunterOfficial]

I agree, I don’t normally go for leather straps but on a speedy is great.

[@dl14say67]

Sapphire owner, but wearing 116710BLNR today.

[@JasonMilner]

The cloudy border on the Sapphire comes from the thickness of the glass. Many Sapphire watches have a flat disc of sapphire set in the rehaut, but the speedy rehaut is not deep enough for that. If they made a curved sapphire in the shape of the Hesalite it would be a) very difficult (& expensive) to manufacture, and b) not strong enough, so they added a rim to the sapphire to raise it above the watch face. The cloudy appearance comes from looking through the thickness of that rim.

[@jakedooom]

wrist check : seiko 5 kelly green, 36 mm pilot-style … just for fun today!

[@dwine888]

Coincidentally, ..Yes. My Speedy 3861 sapphire on wrist when watching your video

[@salukibeancounter9589]

Good review, as always. You pointed out differences I hadn't seen before. However, they're both too big and thick for my girlie wrist. Besides that, I want a date complication. Today I'm sporting a polar Explorer II, 16570, with the 3186 movement.

[@matts6551]

To anyone saying the sapphire is the better choice, that’s your opinion, and you’re entitled to it, but I’d rather admire a watch when it’s on my wrist instead of taking it off just to see the movement, and when it’s on I have to stare at that unsightly milky ring ruining the quintessential timeless appeal that is the Speedmaster .

[@JensEser]

For me Hesalite all day. Nothing is more beautiful & genuine than the original. It’s an icon.

[@jaydeepchavda2607]

If one have vintage moonwatch hesalite version so can a person replace the glass with sapphire? Please help

[@Mega-zi7ys]

Hesalite has more provenance. 🎉

[@Rodolfoguerra12]

On my wrist today Speedmaster 3861 Sapphire Sandwich

[@emmanuelrodriguez5044]

I went with the sapphire sandwich for 3 reasons 1 I can see the beautiful movement on the back 2 I hate scratches 3 I’m no planing to go to the moon any time soon 😂

[@Gumby56]

I have the Oris day/date 45mm blue dial on my wrist as I watch your video. BTW, I will take the sapphire version.

[@michaelceulemans9566]

I am on the market for a speedy and this video just made me doubt everything again 😅 Gonna take my time do think this through! On my wrist today the green dial nomos club campus

[@cgimovieman]

I totally get the purist mentality of having the hesalite face, not having the transparent case back, and a few of the tiny subtle other features more original to…the original. But even with the $1K more price, my plan has always been for the sapphire version. It just has that slightly nicer look for a luxury watch, while still honestly looking almost exactly like the other. Plus, part of the hesalite face was to avoid any shards of glass floating around getting into things in space, if the watch was knocked really hard and damaged. But I’m not going to be going into space anytime soon. So I think it’ll be fine. Also, I sometimes hear people complain about the 50M water rating on this watch. But it’s not a diving watch. If you want that, buy a Seamaster 300M, not a Speedmaster. The Speedmaster is more about space, flight, and land and air activities involving speed. And 50M, or around 150 feet, is still fairly deep for normal water activities.

[@MrWhiterunGuard]

Hesalite looks better in the front until it gets scratched up, but Sapphire looks better in the back. No reason to hide that beautiful Cal. 3861.

[@matts6551]

You can still upgrade the case back to sapphire for a moderate cost.

[@MrWhiterunGuard]

@@matts6551 Really? Is it done in house by Omega?

[@Mega-zi7ys]

Super thin soft self healing TPU film no more scratches

[@matts6551]

@@MrWhiterunGuard I’m not certain about that but I have seen it done. It’s an easy upgrade one can do themselves or taken to an expert to do it for a price. If you intend on sending it back to Omega for servicing, they may turn it away or claim any damage wouldn’t make them responsible. So I would change it back to the OEM design prior to mailing.

[@MrWhiterunGuard]

@@matts6551 I don't own a Speedmaster, its kinda low on my priority list in terms of collection due to its 5bar I also rarely use the chronograph function on a watch. This doesn't mean I do not appreciate what goes into the Speedmaster. I know the heritage and being true to the original is important. But I also want to appreciate the amount of labor and engineering that goes into the movement.

[@greenmagic7389]

Trying to choose between the speedmaster moonwatch sapphire or the globe master white dial had my eye on them for a while now and have the funds to pull the trigger just can't make my mind up Would love to hear all your thoughts on the dilemma im in Thanks

[@Totemparadox]

Did you pull the trigger yet?

[@greenmagic7389]

Hi No not yet I tried the globemaster on was very nice I'm going to try the moonwatch on this week What's your thoughts on the matter which would you choose 🤔 Thanks

[@Totemparadox]

@@greenmagic7389 I'm going to first ask what kind of a man you are. You got two choices to. A: Nice suit, modern sports car and a nice restaurant. B: Casual maybe a leather jacket, vintage sportscar, burgers from a nearby small joint. If neither of these sound like you, then please tell me more about yourself. What do you do and what would you like to do.

[@greenmagic7389]

@@Totemparadox Hi thanks for the reply I'm more of a vintage person my favourite car is a aston martin db5 I don't we're suit's that much but more like a nice jumper and Jean's if I had to pick somewhere to eat it would be a nice quiet country pub with home cooked food with a log burner I am into science love anything to do with space and own a couple of telescopes Thanks

[@Totemparadox]

@@greenmagic7389 Oof that's a tough cookie. Either watch would fit a lifestyle like that perfectly. Personally, I'd go with the Speedmaster. The Globemaster is beautiful, but it doesn't really fit my personality and is a bit too simple for my taste.

[@walshie4317]

Just got the SS Speedy, have a Pelagos T black dial on.

[@joshuakaplan5726]

DJ36, blue-fluted motif dial on wrist. The only choice between the two is the hesalite.

[@ph1lo]

Sapphire speedy and my Tissot PRX in green get the most wrist action for me. ❤

[@songoku-jx3cb]

My name is harrison as always When is it going to change ?

[@LavisP]

On the wrist is my ZENITH Pilot auto in ceramic. Dam sexy watch.

[@PassiveSmoking]

Whoa, a hesalite Speedmaster costs six grand now? I paid 1800 new for mine, which according to the Bank of England inflation calculator would be about 2850 today. Why has the price shot up that much? (I wear an apple watch as my daily driver, and save the speedmaster for special occasions)

[@TrendyStone]

Sapphire is just so much more practical in real life.

[@sgoody1]

If you want the hesalite version as a collector to have that vintage look, why not just buy a vintage Speedmaster? It’s similar money to a new hesalite version but it’s the real thing, and will probably hold its value better. And if it’s tritium, it will have that amazing lume patina.

[@eagleq1]

I chose the hesalite and added a the same caseback that the sapphire one has

[@manusebastin]

Mind sharing the link for the back case?

[@manusebastin]

Could you please share the link for the caseback?

[@dean5346]

I prefer it when these watches cost around the £4000 mark. Bigger box. Some of the old models the speed master professional Tritium calibre 861 are much more interesting. An iconic watch that is now overpriced. On the wrist today I am wearing a Tudor panda chronograph.

[@TheCrystalLakeKiller]

My choice would be the upcoming white dial Speedy that Daniel Craig was wearing at the Omega Event. That would be the perfect combo to the white SMP300🤤

[@danchen8647]

Missed one of the biggest differences. Sapphire has a milky gray ring around the edge of the crystal when looking at the watch straight on but hesalite is all clear

[@jamescraft7509]

The model 3572.50 has the Hesalite crystal and Sapphire case back with the 1863 movement, the bracelet is brushed SS with polished center edges like the Sapphire watch you've shown. This was my 1st "luxury" watch purchase back in 2004. I'll never sell or trade this watch.

[@elvisahmed]

Good info

[@Miroslaw-rs8ip]

Sapphire is better since you can view the beautiful movement!

[@matts6551]

But not when it’s on your wrist, and when it is you have to stare at that milky ring. But to each their own, I prefer to admire a watch when it’s on my wrist.

[@philipperry9372]

Omega seamaster 501 gold capped 1961 pristine condition 🥇

[@BuzzOff.]

Sapphire on my wrist.👏🇦🇺

[@WatchMeEDC]

Great video. Here’s to $0.02 Hesalite is for people who want to own a Moonwatch & sapphire sandwich is for people who want an Omega Speedmaster. Small but significant difference.

[@DavidBehan-gz1gp]

Stapphire. all the way

[@bingefreak1]

I never knew the were so many differences

[@EricKarpich-un1jk]

Speedmaster 3861 Hesalite

[@UNLISTEDWEB]

Wearing Omega x Swatch Speedmaster Mission to Mercury

[@FriendBangla]

very nice

[@schunkelperser1794]

Great review 🎉

[@chris_f_eden]

Rolex Datejust 16203

[@samgrant83]

Apart from a '67 or earlier vintage or the new Ed White 321 version, the modern versions are just that, modern - so you might as well get the sapphire sandwich and enjoy the movement for what it is and to get a view of it. There's nothing particularly authentic about the modern Hesalite versions, unless you enjoy collecting micro-scratches. My Omega dress chrono has the old 321 movement, but sadly it's a closed case back.

[@casperskestrel]

That £900 price difference will eventually get eaten into replacing the scratched Hesalite if you keep the watch long enough.

[@bayflowshow65]

Nice beanie head🤙🏾

[@jingjoh5297]

dont hesitate for sapphire sandwich

[@raygat1544]

Didn’t do your research good enough. Look up Hesalite sandwich or 3572.50.00 and you’ll find your mullet speedy.

[@tachillecremonini387]

Nel dubbio li prenderei tutti e due ❤

[@oleksandrpavlov6290]

The main difference between them is movement

[@MrMatt1923]

You’re completely wrong about how the hesalite crystal came to be. NASA grabbed these watches out of the jewelry store same as anyone else. Being hesalite was only a bonus that it didn’t shatter. They didn’t design them for space, they were off the shelf watches that passed NASA’s testing.

[@Will67267]

Amiga ..

[@Angry_Gnome]

Hesalite is for the purist that appreciates the Speedy's heritage and wants as close to the original as possible. Sapphire for everyone else. For the wrist check, wearing the Helm Miyako blue dial on this cold, rainy NY day.

[@nec4608]

Is HESALITE , not hesitate……

[@ronmarcelo8551]

Wearing a 3861 sapphire sandwich.

[@Mega-zi7ys]

If you want jewelry feel don't get a sapphire speedmaster.. get a Rolex. If you want a real tool watch look and feel + provenance...get the hesalite.❤

[@peterlaurence-couzens8913]

Neither for me I’m afraid. I just don’t like the 1/3 of a second markers, and definitely prefer the older dials with more graduations between seconds.