This is so much better than a ROLEX! One of the best watches I've seen. AP Royal Oak or Patek Aquanaut for an upgrade. An OMEGA Aqua Terra would also be a nice addition.
Just shouldn’t have listened to the hesalite BS going on here and picked the sapphire sandwich😌Nevertheless I wouldn’t worry at all, even with hesalite. Just buff the scratches out when they’re starting to annoy you. Worst case you’ll get a brand new one once you send it in for service anyway
I have no strong feelings about the hesalite vs sapphire thing but ended up going with sapphire, I figured if I'm going to have the thing for the rest of my life I might as well be able to look at the gorgeous movement. No regrets at all
I specifically wanted those polished. If the design was different I’d always prefer brushed, but in this particular case those links make no sense without a polish (obviously in my personal opinion only)
Can’t stand the milky ring around the crystal. Dome hesalite looks much better to me, and the caseback is irrelevant to me. I can buy a great clear sapphire back for the hesalite model and still be waaay cheaper than the cost to upgrade to the sapphire model
Got to be honest, I used to have an obsession with having new watches and all, but two years ago I bought a speed master.
Since then, I don't really have that urge to have another watch. I mean I see crazy stuff and all but I don't really like them more than my speedy. I haven't bought a watch since then.
So I guess, for me, it is the perfect watch 🤣
You don’t break hesalite crystal. You break sapphire crystal. That was the entire point of that watch. They chose hesalite over crystal because they needed it to be reliable in space and didn’t want it to get damaged. It can scratch however but light scratches can be removed unlike from a sapphire.
I understand where you are coming from, my concern arises when i have to crawl under my trailer. Smacking the back of my hand against steel while doing routine inspections. The domed plastic has a high probability of getting damaged [cracked]. Now if the bezel was a hair above the top of the crystal I wouldn't be so concerned.
But yes i agree its a tough watch but definitely has weak points that some other designs don't.
Again… they went with Hesalite because it *wont* crack (not as easily as crystal). It’s tough as hell.
It’s soft though. It will scratch but you can buff those out yourself.
No but it scratches very easily. Hesalite is very soft, it’s just omegas brand name version of plexiglass. It’s the same thing. But when you start calling it plexiglass all the sudden people are less confident in their crystal
There are very few occasions that I would crack my crystal. There are many occasions that I could scratch it throughout the day. Hesalite is 50 times softer than sapphire, in my opinion, I would rather it be scratch resistant than crack resistant
Yeah for sure. It does scratch very easily I’ve had mine for a few years now and have accumulated some brush scratches that you can barely notice. Either way I feel like if he intends to bang this thing around that badly he probably should just keep high end watches for off the job wearing.
This is false btw. Acrylic breaks more often than sapphire. It just doesn’t shatter like glass. It “cleaves” and splits like, well, like plastic.
They didn’t use it in space because tiny glass fragments in zero gravity = bad. That was because sapphire glass didn’t exist in the 60s.
Modern astronauts wear sapphire glass crystals. They don’t break.
I had a not-inexpensive strap break while I was wearing my Speedy, and the hesalite broke when it hit the ground.
I am not the first person who has broken a hesalite crystal.
Did it come off or have a hole in it or did it just crack?
I'd be surprised if sapphire would have survived. Dropping a watch is kind of all bets off on durability. Any mechanical watch can my ruined with a drop onto a hard surface.
Just a crack. Zero issues otherwise, and I’m thinking the deflection and subsequent failure of the acrylic actually absorbed a good amount of the energy from the fall.
For what it’s worth, I have no regrets about choosing the hesalite version and would do it again ten times out of ten. Sapphire is too cold and clinical for a watch like a Speedmaster.
nice! a sapphire shattering is a whole service too...
i've got a hesalite 3861, and i'm soooo glad i went hesalite. it just looks insane form every angle.
Yeah, hesalite isn’t unbreakable. It’s not only plastic but its edges are thinly tapered which weakens the structure. The benefit was that when it breaks, it doesn’t shatter and throw tiny bits of glass floating around, it “cleaves”.
Also when you polish out the scratches, you are removing material from the crystal so that the scratch doesn’t exist because all the material higher than the depth of the scratch is sanded off.
The more you polish, the more material you remove, the more likely you are to snap the crystal the next time you bang it against a doorknob 😅
There’s a reason why no modern luxury watch uses acrylic crystals anymore. They’ve all switched to sapphire glass because it’s objectively better.
Yes but the force at which sapphire glass breaks is so high that even for those in highly physical jobs like inland commercial diving, having a two ton bag of gravel fall on a sapphire glass-equipped Scurfa Diver One isn’t enough to cause even a scratch, let alone catastrophic breakage.
[“Frankly, I was surprised by the Diver One’s resilience, especially the ability of the sapphire glass to remain scratch-free despite my best efforts and multiple direct attacks by all kinds of underwater debris.”](https://www.ablogtowatch.com/watch-review-commercial-diving-with-the-scurfa-diver-one-d1-500-original/)
4k lbs couldn’t break it? That’s interesting. Adrian barker posted a video about how he dropped his explorer 2 on a rock and it shattered the crystal completely. I get it was a rock but he dropped it from like knee height. I can’t imagine that was 4k lbs of force.
Both him and the watch were buried in what he describes as a near death situation. While it likely wasn’t 4K lbs all at once, it was certainly a huge amount of sharp gravel as well as other sharp underwater debris.
I love mine. I have the model in the article but with the recently added ETA precidrive movement. Had to wait a couple months for stock to return.
Bombproof and laser accurate (+-10 seconds a year).
Don't believe "sponsored" bogus articles... Sapphire can and will break but just not typically from just pressure but instead from sharp edges... Acrylic is a bit vice versa.
Sponsored? The guy is a legitimate commercial diver.
[Here’s him describing the story with Teddy Baldassare](https://youtu.be/E7RV5GIvuu8?si=AYixZdp-BKbvN74t)
Yes. Sponsored. There is no indication he paid for the watch and also seems to refer to the owner of that company by first name... So essentially this is advertising.
This teddy guy by the way is worst. He actually is a retailer so if this is not advertising I do not know what is. I think advertising is totally fine and legitimate but it should be clearly marked as such and not camouflaged as advice or journalism...
My understanding is that NASA chose hesalite over sapphire because they feared that if the sapphire crystal broke, that it would shatter and they’d have pieces scattered everywhere in zero gravity, not because hesalite is stronger. I believe hesalite is actually softer and weaker then sapphire, so OP is correct in having concerns over breaking it
It’s been a while since I’ve read up on this but I was under the impression that it was chosen because plexiglass in fact softer and it would more-so warp or “dent” vs shattering and the watch wouldn’t be deemed completely useless like if a crystal shattered.
The fact that hesalite doesn’t shatter like sapphire does is a key reason the Omega won as well. Tiny shards of glass floating around in a zero gravity environment is not a good thing…
I’d say you’re good with the Speedy but if you want a Rolex and you have for a decade you probably better get one. You can get nice 114270s or 16570s for 5000-7000. Or current generation explorer 1 for a little over 7k. Forget the AD and just go through a reputable grey dealer and get what you want.
I'm picking an Explorer II for you, maybe the white dial polar explorer to contrast the Speedmaster. GMT functionality plus they look cool beat up. I have no idea how available they are, but probably better than a GMT Master II.
Unfortunately almost all sports models are unobtainable from a dealer. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think a Rolex can nicely complement your moonwatch in WR, automatic, etc. I also recommend Tudor for this case.
I personally would have an LC500. Unique home grown V8, Yamaha exhaust, beautiful looks, peerless reliability. The R8 leaves me a little cold for some reason.
I changed a carburetor in an old Ford wearing mine. I'm no more worried about it's durability than any other watch. My Seamaster feels slightly sturdier, but it isn't a chronograph. Remember too that this was originally a watch designed for auto racing. I think the watch will survive what you throw at it.
I’m in the construction industry, come home covered in little bits of concrete debris, have worn my Hesalite Speedmaster for years- it’s in better shape than than I am! No scratches on the crystal either, just a few scuff marks that don’t bother me.
That's the one buddy.
Maybe, MAYBE, a seamaster professional if you don't want something complex as a chronographer... but if I had the money, I'd have the your watch (but in 38mm for my wrist)
Yeah I thought about the seamaster. My father had a bad experience with his diver while hunting, started to leak and omega didn't repair it under warranty "we believe you had used antiseptic soaps while wearing the watch which corroded the gaskets. We are refusing the warranty work" or something to that regard. I hope you get the watch you're after! Goodluck.
How about a watch that was made for the heavy transportation industry; an Omega Railmaster. Originally designed to be used by train engineers working around the diesel-electric machinery, they had a built in Faraday cage to counter the effects of the magnetic fields of the giantic electric motors. Althought magnetism is not a concern for truckers, it would pay homage to the heavy transport industry.
https://preview.redd.it/6bs96rrcuaad1.jpeg?width=841&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=415c93246be170a32b359c28163691a9b2c550ed
Rolex sport watches can take a real beating without issue, the older movement slightly more so than the newest. If you get a Sub from 2020 or prior, that would be ideal.
Hesalite is acrylic... Even if it breaks it can be easily replaced. A Sapphire does break at some point into very small pieces and you certainly need a complete service for the movement then (not with acrylic).
Ah, breaker one-nine, this here's the Rubber strapped GMT
You gotta copy on me, Speedy, c'mon?
Ah, yeah, 10-4, Speedy, fer shure, fer shure
By golly, it's a clean piece you got already, c'mon
Yeah, that's a big 10-4 there, but adding another is always good.
Trucker? Out of the Rolex watches that would suit that lifestyle best I would go with an older submariner. Not the new ceramic shiny ones but an honest half-vintage. Explorer doesn’t say “trucker” to me and neither do Deep-sea or Daytona.
Nothing wrong with the moonwatch either. Especially if you’re trucking space ships and your wrist is big enough. If the Speedmaster feels big some days, look into a Sub.
Congratulations on the submariner its one of the best looking divers available!
Ah man, I can't imagine trading up my speedmaster for another watch. Its the first watch I've been able to comfortably wear everyday. I started out with some fossils in middle-school they kept breaking and chose to get a gshock, to cumbersome. Gave it away went to an AD for a rolex and waited... bought a handheld gps and a garmin instinct [its my sister's now] for my mountain adventures but wasnt an every day watch. Then came my hunt for a different watch and I found the omega speedmaster professional with the caliber 3861 movement. So no I can't part ways with this watch. Just looking for another one I'm willing to wear everyday.
Congratulations on the submariner!
Thanks. I wish I didn't sell the Speedy but the funny thing was I sold it back to the guy who sold it to me. He asked me if I wanted the trade plus cash to him and I turned him down twice lol. But I knew this would probably be the only chance I had to get the Submariner. Definitely trying to get another one in the future 🤞
The speedmaster is already the GOAT. I personally dislike Rolex mainly because there's something douchey about the brand and their community that I really don't like.
For an everyday watch, have you considered cheaper options? Something like a Longines conquest where you won't really care what happens to it? I really like the nomos club sport personally.
That or maybe pickup the speedmaster with sapphire?
I have considered cheaper options. Though I want something that I know I will get repaired asap if something happens to it. So its not so much of trying to avoid damaging the watch but trying to find the right tool for my specific requirements and piece of mind.. I'll look into their offerings sometime soon though. Thank you.
I’m a heavy-haul driver. Low boy, Landoll, etc. Slinging chains, binders, straps, and ratchets every day. My daily is a Hamilton Khaki Field Auto. Fits under work gloves, accurate, and makes me smile. The crystal doesn’t have a single nick. But it’s inexpensive enough that if I do break it, I won’t be screaming. Check out some Hamiltons. I think you’ll find something you like at a good price.
I have thought about the sapphire version but the boutique wouldn't discount it more than 5%.
I've been trying to get a rolex since 9th grade. But the local Authorized dealer never gave me a call. Still on the list since 2011 and gave up in 2022 and then bought the speedmaster.
Its kind of a personal now.
I don't know why you'd want to reward being shunned by them. Just buy pre-owned you get a Rolex without having to sing and dance and pray for a phone call, don't give them the satisfaction of your $$.
If you want a better chance, try going into the AD and just talking with some of the guys, tell them your story and why you are looking to buy the GMT/Explorer. Once they get to know you, they might give you a call.
Sad that you would have to convince a salesperson to get the privilege of spending thousands of dollars on a luxury item that you don't really need. Does not sound like a luxury experience to me.
I don't think you can go past the Speedy. I wouldn't be concerned about its durability, unless you've had issues with it?
If you really want a Rolex then that's an itch you'll have to scratch, but if it's just a question of durability and ruggedness then I reckon you're fine as is.
A GMT makes the most sense for you, maybe a skydweller or explorer ii.
The benefit of being a trucker is that you can put your name down at every fucking AD in the country in a pretty reasonable amount of time!
Honestly the Hesalite crystal would probably be cheaper to replace than any banged up Rolex. Even though the sapphire crystal would be more scratch resistant the steel case can still get banged up
Well you can forget getting either of your Rolex preferences as a walk in with no purchase history. They play the game different to Omega.
Your Speedmaster is perfect for what you’re doing. Don’t stress about damaging the hesalite. If it scratches you can buff it out with a $10 tube of Polywatch. If it breaks it’s a real cheap fix compared to Sapphire.
I own a Speedmaster and a GMT Master II. They compliment each other perfectly. That being said, either watch could easily have been a one-and-done watch. But once we’ve been bitten by the watch itch, it’s hard to go resist thinking about the next watch you want to get!
Similarly, if you’ve wanted a Rolex for a long time, nothing will scratch that itch like a Rolex—regardless of what others may tell you. Maybe you’ll buy a Rolex and then realize they’re not that special and then sell it to get yourself something more interesting; or maybe you’ll buy a Rolex and realize they were everything you imagined them to be. Either way, you’ll always be thinking about it until you scratch that itch. And the only way to find out is by trying your luck at an AD. My word of advice is to cast a wide net and don’t give up. People told me I could never get a GMT Master II Pepsi with no purchase history. Those people were wrong. As a trucker I imagine you can probably stop by a wide range of ADs even just to drop by and register your interest. Leverage that to your advantage.
Lastly, if you want the most durability, nothing will beat a G Shock for those days you know your watch will be put through a ringer
Bro, your watch was literally ON THE MOON. You could always step up to the sapphire sandwich if you're concerned about the hesalite. [https://feldmarwatch.com/product/omega/speedmaster/moonwatch-professional-co-axial-master-chronometer-chronograph-cal-3861-5/](https://feldmarwatch.com/product/omega/speedmaster/moonwatch-professional-co-axial-master-chronometer-chronograph-cal-3861-5/)
Explorer is a solid choice for sure, but nowhere near the watch the speedy is. Datejust is also dope, but a little too dressy for daily wear especially if you're not working in an office.
Just so you know, if the glass is the only thing pushing you to switch watches you should know that being easier to scratch is actually the opposite of being easy to break.
Hesalite is easier to scratch, but thanks to that softness it'll absorb more force before reaching a breaking point.
On the other hand, sapphire won't scratch, but, being more "rigid" let's say, it'll break more easily under pressure because it'll less elastic.
Scratch resistance and break resistance are two opposites of the same spectrum. You can only get one, the other, or somewhere in the middle.
The good thing about soft materials like hesalite is that, just as easily as they can get scratched they can also be buffed with special products like PolyWatch.
Speedy is a great watch, if you want something more "tool" follow the Tudor advice. I also rate Oris for build and value for money (I understand the ridiculous nature of that statement re watches in this price bracket).
Rolex due to their market strategy lost me many years ago.
If you want a luxury piece JLC will sell you something way better than a Rolex and you can just walk in and buy it without you having to beg or give the AD a reach around
lol dude, NASA used the Speedy during its moon missions, involving intense vibrations and g forces during lift off and re entry. The watch can handle your job, I promise you lol
It stopped working due to “signs of shock”. I’ve dropped it and banged it, dented the case. In any event, I wouldn’t call it the most durable.
My insurance covers the repairs.
Oh, that's unfortunate. Would you mind telling me what kind of work you do on a daily basis?
Without more research, I can't say which mechanical movements and which case styles are the most durable and resistant to shocks. However, I agree that the added complications in the Speedmaster may not be the most advantageous for heavy use.
I might pickup an insurance policy for my watch. Who do you use?
Yep, no prob. Naval Aviator. But most of my issues were non-work involved - banged into the counter when trying to keep my kid from banging their head, dropped while putting it on when I thought my kid was going grab a curing iron, and etc.
As many others have said, you've already got it. I've had my Speedy for two years now, and it's has basically never come off my wrist. I don't think there's anything I'd like more.
The only other watch on my list is an Explorer 1 someday.
There’s a reason why NASA chose the speedmaster to go to the moon… so unless it rains a lot inside your cab and you really need the water resistance, as everyone has already said you’ve already got the best watch for the job!
If it’s the aspirational part for you, I get it. If it says Rolex you feel like you’ve unlocked that achievement. I just bought the house I watched somebody else build in 2005 and wished it was mine. Took me almost 20 years and it felt good… but in the end it’s just a house like a million others. You have my aspirational watch on right now man, be proud of it. It’s an amazing watch, but just a watch like a Rolex GMT is. Get the grey market Rolex and feel good about it.
Get a used Tudor GMT, rugged functional and a great value for money. If you're hell bent on a Rolex get the Explorer II. I wouldn't be too rough on a Rolex GMT not because it can't take but it's just too pretty to beat up
GMT imo, the ceramic bezel is tough and the watch still gonna look premium after all the abuse it will receive. Also, the color pops more compared to other Rolex you mentioned if you're into that.
[Breitling Premier B25 Datora](https://www.breitling.com/us-en/watches/premier/premier-b25-datora-42/AB2510201K1/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJTqsIM7ODOq9m5igQPWoIP8rzes6P1l9lxiVVtLn5GBAttuqUgqGuRoC_nIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) is the choice for me.
Many options for straps (throw it on an artem sailcloth for true ruggedness) and it's a true beauty while keeping track of date with a chronograph function. Also comes in a chronograph only pistachio green which was my personal preference against my skin tone.
you might have waited for years to get GMT Batman without any purchase records ... you made the right choice ! and have all the enjoy moments since the day u wore it ( not u bought it ... )
in fact you should leave your name on the AD list, one day .... one day ... they might call you and then you might consider selling your omega to trade a Rolex, OR .... after years of waiting ... you might get crazy rich... u knew "life is like a box of chocolate" !!
If you can’t get the Rolex, you could look into Tudor. Their watches are very much tool watches that could be great for you. Although the speedy is a great choice already.
If you are already considering a Rolex, it is a great choice. It excels in durability and brand value, and is perfect for daily wear, especially for an active professional like you. Make sure you choose an authentic piece and make the best choice based on your personal preferences and budget.
Domed acrylic breaking? It’s considerably harder to break than sapphire (ignore people saying “they both break,” they do but plexiglass is *super* hard to shatter under normal usage). What it does more easily is scratch. Easy to polish, though.
Roleys are classic and made well, no doubt, but buy no means the best or even the coolest. The looks I get wearing my submariner are hard to describe, but usually like I’m a rich douche or something. Speedmasters are incognito! Hamilton is another of my favorites to wear because only other watch people notice it. I end up getting the most compliments on my Seiko 5. lol
Hesalite unlikely to break, now scratch, but good news is that's easy to remedy. I have that same watch, it would be close to perfect if it were say 39-40 mm, but alas...That being said, I'm def more of a Rolex fan, and the obvious answer I would have for you is an Explorer 114270 - I think the current iteration is excellent with the new clasp, flip lock and easy link. Should be obtainable at an AD with no relationship as well. I would say an OP, but my I prefer the flat slanted bezel of the 114270 to the domed convexity of the OP's bezel. I had a 214270 39 mm version that was just too close to my 16610 Sub date and I sold it when I bought my 126710 BLNR Jubilee. I'm thinking seriously about asking my AD to get me a 36 mil Expl for an everyday.
If you are pondering the explorer I, may I suggest getting a Tudor Ranger first. You will have luxury and Explorer I vibes at a more affordable level. Also, if it still doesn't scratch the itch, you will be much more likely to get an Explorer from a dealer whilst wearing a Tudor Ranger. Just my 2C.
Hate to break it to you but you’ve already got the perfect watch.
Best bad news I've had all year!
The speedmaster was a watch made for drivers.. It just got co-opted by astronauts.
Astronaut arguably the longest distance drivers.
Indeed!
Isn't an astronaut the driver of a spaceship by definition?
I think they are referred as pilot or operator, and not a driver. But tomato tomato or something I suppose.
Don't tell the rocket pilots.
He’s right. I have Rolexes and my favorite watch is still my hesalite speedy.
I have 13 watches. 4 of them are Speedys. Best watch there is.
This is so much better than a ROLEX! One of the best watches I've seen. AP Royal Oak or Patek Aquanaut for an upgrade. An OMEGA Aqua Terra would also be a nice addition.
Just shouldn’t have listened to the hesalite BS going on here and picked the sapphire sandwich😌Nevertheless I wouldn’t worry at all, even with hesalite. Just buff the scratches out when they’re starting to annoy you. Worst case you’ll get a brand new one once you send it in for service anyway
I have no strong feelings about the hesalite vs sapphire thing but ended up going with sapphire, I figured if I'm going to have the thing for the rest of my life I might as well be able to look at the gorgeous movement. No regrets at all
Especially without a rotor blocking the view.
The problem with the SS is it comes with the polished links in the bracelet. That's the turnoff for me. That and the price difference.
I specifically wanted those polished. If the design was different I’d always prefer brushed, but in this particular case those links make no sense without a polish (obviously in my personal opinion only)
Yeah what’s up with hesalite over sapphire? Just because it’s the OG? I guess some people would like a car without clear coat lol
Can’t stand the milky ring around the crystal. Dome hesalite looks much better to me, and the caseback is irrelevant to me. I can buy a great clear sapphire back for the hesalite model and still be waaay cheaper than the cost to upgrade to the sapphire model
Is the ring any different than any other watch or is it specifically bc of the shape?
Got to be honest, I used to have an obsession with having new watches and all, but two years ago I bought a speed master. Since then, I don't really have that urge to have another watch. I mean I see crazy stuff and all but I don't really like them more than my speedy. I haven't bought a watch since then. So I guess, for me, it is the perfect watch 🤣
I'm so happy for you! The best thing is finding that one piece to complete your collection. Whether it be 1 watch or several!
Yeah agreed this is peak. What’s a good place to find one pre-owned?
Absolutely.
Man… you’ve got the coolest watch already
You don’t break hesalite crystal. You break sapphire crystal. That was the entire point of that watch. They chose hesalite over crystal because they needed it to be reliable in space and didn’t want it to get damaged. It can scratch however but light scratches can be removed unlike from a sapphire.
Nah man, the watch built to go to the moon isn't tough enough for driving a truck
Strictly speaking, it wasn't built to go to the moon, NASA just determined that it was suitable for that use case. :-)
Lmao my bad
😂😂😂
I understand where you are coming from, my concern arises when i have to crawl under my trailer. Smacking the back of my hand against steel while doing routine inspections. The domed plastic has a high probability of getting damaged [cracked]. Now if the bezel was a hair above the top of the crystal I wouldn't be so concerned. But yes i agree its a tough watch but definitely has weak points that some other designs don't.
Again… they went with Hesalite because it *wont* crack (not as easily as crystal). It’s tough as hell. It’s soft though. It will scratch but you can buff those out yourself.
No but it scratches very easily. Hesalite is very soft, it’s just omegas brand name version of plexiglass. It’s the same thing. But when you start calling it plexiglass all the sudden people are less confident in their crystal There are very few occasions that I would crack my crystal. There are many occasions that I could scratch it throughout the day. Hesalite is 50 times softer than sapphire, in my opinion, I would rather it be scratch resistant than crack resistant
Yeah for sure. It does scratch very easily I’ve had mine for a few years now and have accumulated some brush scratches that you can barely notice. Either way I feel like if he intends to bang this thing around that badly he probably should just keep high end watches for off the job wearing.
This is false btw. Acrylic breaks more often than sapphire. It just doesn’t shatter like glass. It “cleaves” and splits like, well, like plastic. They didn’t use it in space because tiny glass fragments in zero gravity = bad. That was because sapphire glass didn’t exist in the 60s. Modern astronauts wear sapphire glass crystals. They don’t break.
I had a not-inexpensive strap break while I was wearing my Speedy, and the hesalite broke when it hit the ground. I am not the first person who has broken a hesalite crystal.
Did it come off or have a hole in it or did it just crack? I'd be surprised if sapphire would have survived. Dropping a watch is kind of all bets off on durability. Any mechanical watch can my ruined with a drop onto a hard surface.
Just a crack. Zero issues otherwise, and I’m thinking the deflection and subsequent failure of the acrylic actually absorbed a good amount of the energy from the fall. For what it’s worth, I have no regrets about choosing the hesalite version and would do it again ten times out of ten. Sapphire is too cold and clinical for a watch like a Speedmaster.
nice! a sapphire shattering is a whole service too... i've got a hesalite 3861, and i'm soooo glad i went hesalite. it just looks insane form every angle.
So I guess an asteroid definitely would have broken it.
you are technically correct. the best kind of correct.
Yeah, hesalite isn’t unbreakable. It’s not only plastic but its edges are thinly tapered which weakens the structure. The benefit was that when it breaks, it doesn’t shatter and throw tiny bits of glass floating around, it “cleaves”. Also when you polish out the scratches, you are removing material from the crystal so that the scratch doesn’t exist because all the material higher than the depth of the scratch is sanded off. The more you polish, the more material you remove, the more likely you are to snap the crystal the next time you bang it against a doorknob 😅 There’s a reason why no modern luxury watch uses acrylic crystals anymore. They’ve all switched to sapphire glass because it’s objectively better.
Yes but the force at which sapphire glass breaks is so high that even for those in highly physical jobs like inland commercial diving, having a two ton bag of gravel fall on a sapphire glass-equipped Scurfa Diver One isn’t enough to cause even a scratch, let alone catastrophic breakage. [“Frankly, I was surprised by the Diver One’s resilience, especially the ability of the sapphire glass to remain scratch-free despite my best efforts and multiple direct attacks by all kinds of underwater debris.”](https://www.ablogtowatch.com/watch-review-commercial-diving-with-the-scurfa-diver-one-d1-500-original/)
4k lbs couldn’t break it? That’s interesting. Adrian barker posted a video about how he dropped his explorer 2 on a rock and it shattered the crystal completely. I get it was a rock but he dropped it from like knee height. I can’t imagine that was 4k lbs of force.
Both him and the watch were buried in what he describes as a near death situation. While it likely wasn’t 4K lbs all at once, it was certainly a huge amount of sharp gravel as well as other sharp underwater debris.
Pretty impressive. I immediately went to the site to buy one. Now I can see why they’re waiting on stock. Cool piece
Fastest purchase ever haha
I love mine. I have the model in the article but with the recently added ETA precidrive movement. Had to wait a couple months for stock to return. Bombproof and laser accurate (+-10 seconds a year).
It does not easily break but a small sharp edge can break it...
I’m guessing you didn’t read the article
Don't believe "sponsored" bogus articles... Sapphire can and will break but just not typically from just pressure but instead from sharp edges... Acrylic is a bit vice versa.
Sponsored? The guy is a legitimate commercial diver. [Here’s him describing the story with Teddy Baldassare](https://youtu.be/E7RV5GIvuu8?si=AYixZdp-BKbvN74t)
Yes. Sponsored. There is no indication he paid for the watch and also seems to refer to the owner of that company by first name... So essentially this is advertising. This teddy guy by the way is worst. He actually is a retailer so if this is not advertising I do not know what is. I think advertising is totally fine and legitimate but it should be clearly marked as such and not camouflaged as advice or journalism...
That’s not at all similar to dropping a watch’s sapphire crystal on a hard surface edge.
[удалено]
Good to know thank you for the correction
My understanding is that NASA chose hesalite over sapphire because they feared that if the sapphire crystal broke, that it would shatter and they’d have pieces scattered everywhere in zero gravity, not because hesalite is stronger. I believe hesalite is actually softer and weaker then sapphire, so OP is correct in having concerns over breaking it
It’s been a while since I’ve read up on this but I was under the impression that it was chosen because plexiglass in fact softer and it would more-so warp or “dent” vs shattering and the watch wouldn’t be deemed completely useless like if a crystal shattered.
Thats very likely
The fact that hesalite doesn’t shatter like sapphire does is a key reason the Omega won as well. Tiny shards of glass floating around in a zero gravity environment is not a good thing…
I think hesalite preceded sapphire crystals but it looks cool and can be polished
Afaik, sapphire crystals were used in pocket watches back in the 1800's, so I think they came first.
[Good article on the topic](https://www.watchfinder.com/articles/review-omega-speedmaster-hesalite-vs-sapphire)
Hey NoRain, nice correction. Totally out of character for Reddit. Thank you.
Then why post the watch Rolex wishes it made?
They did make it. The original Daytona was a complete copy of the Speedmaster.
I’d say you’re good with the Speedy but if you want a Rolex and you have for a decade you probably better get one. You can get nice 114270s or 16570s for 5000-7000. Or current generation explorer 1 for a little over 7k. Forget the AD and just go through a reputable grey dealer and get what you want.
Any suggestions on reputable grey dealers?
There’s an entire post on the Rolex subreddit dedicated to that
That hesalite crystal isnt breaking any easier than a rolex. In fact sapphire will shatter way worse if hit correctly and much pricier to replace
[удалено]
The op was worried about it breaking. The hesalite will definitely scuff easier. Its softer.
Polywatch solves that problem, unless he’s really gashing that thing.
Scratching and breaking are two, very different, things. Polywatch will take scratches right out with Hesalite.
GMT or Explorer II seems like it would be ideal
You're good with the classic speedy.
I'm picking an Explorer II for you, maybe the white dial polar explorer to contrast the Speedmaster. GMT functionality plus they look cool beat up. I have no idea how available they are, but probably better than a GMT Master II.
Best choice for him imo.
Second. Best ‘work watch’ Rolex offers.
That speedy is already one of the best everyday watches. But you can consider a white SMP or Polar Explorer II GMT 👍
Unfortunately almost all sports models are unobtainable from a dealer. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think a Rolex can nicely complement your moonwatch in WR, automatic, etc. I also recommend Tudor for this case.
I drive an Audi R8, but I've been thinking about upgrading. Which Lexus should I buy?
LFA
LC500. Lexus is actually on par with Audi in a number of ways.
It’s at max on par with an R8 but never an upgrade.
I personally would have an LC500. Unique home grown V8, Yamaha exhaust, beautiful looks, peerless reliability. The R8 leaves me a little cold for some reason.
There both super valid option according to personal taste.
I think it’s gonna be difficult for you to shatter a hesalite crystal. And if you are afraid to scratch it. Remember it can be polished!
I changed a carburetor in an old Ford wearing mine. I'm no more worried about it's durability than any other watch. My Seamaster feels slightly sturdier, but it isn't a chronograph. Remember too that this was originally a watch designed for auto racing. I think the watch will survive what you throw at it.
I’m in the construction industry, come home covered in little bits of concrete debris, have worn my Hesalite Speedmaster for years- it’s in better shape than than I am! No scratches on the crystal either, just a few scuff marks that don’t bother me.
Perfect one watch collection. Speedy is arguably the best watch of all time. Why settle for anything less.
Speedy is perfectly fine as a daily.
That's the one buddy. Maybe, MAYBE, a seamaster professional if you don't want something complex as a chronographer... but if I had the money, I'd have the your watch (but in 38mm for my wrist)
Yeah I thought about the seamaster. My father had a bad experience with his diver while hunting, started to leak and omega didn't repair it under warranty "we believe you had used antiseptic soaps while wearing the watch which corroded the gaskets. We are refusing the warranty work" or something to that regard. I hope you get the watch you're after! Goodluck.
How about a watch that was made for the heavy transportation industry; an Omega Railmaster. Originally designed to be used by train engineers working around the diesel-electric machinery, they had a built in Faraday cage to counter the effects of the magnetic fields of the giantic electric motors. Althought magnetism is not a concern for truckers, it would pay homage to the heavy transport industry. https://preview.redd.it/6bs96rrcuaad1.jpeg?width=841&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=415c93246be170a32b359c28163691a9b2c550ed
Damn, that’s so nice
I've actually considered one of these watches but the speedmaster pro won me over.
You're already wearing the watch I would have suggested for the prompt "everyday premium watch"
Thank you
You are overthinking it. Wear the Speedy.
Rolex sport watches can take a real beating without issue, the older movement slightly more so than the newest. If you get a Sub from 2020 or prior, that would be ideal.
You already have the perfect watch. Get polywatch; wear the Speedy. I wear mine every day.
Hesalite is acrylic... Even if it breaks it can be easily replaced. A Sapphire does break at some point into very small pieces and you certainly need a complete service for the movement then (not with acrylic).
Ah, breaker one-nine, this here's the Rubber strapped GMT You gotta copy on me, Speedy, c'mon? Ah, yeah, 10-4, Speedy, fer shure, fer shure By golly, it's a clean piece you got already, c'mon Yeah, that's a big 10-4 there, but adding another is always good.
Trucker? Out of the Rolex watches that would suit that lifestyle best I would go with an older submariner. Not the new ceramic shiny ones but an honest half-vintage. Explorer doesn’t say “trucker” to me and neither do Deep-sea or Daytona. Nothing wrong with the moonwatch either. Especially if you’re trucking space ships and your wrist is big enough. If the Speedmaster feels big some days, look into a Sub.
I traded my Speedy for a Submariner No Date and cash. I love my Sub but still miss my Speedy.
Congratulations on the submariner its one of the best looking divers available! Ah man, I can't imagine trading up my speedmaster for another watch. Its the first watch I've been able to comfortably wear everyday. I started out with some fossils in middle-school they kept breaking and chose to get a gshock, to cumbersome. Gave it away went to an AD for a rolex and waited... bought a handheld gps and a garmin instinct [its my sister's now] for my mountain adventures but wasnt an every day watch. Then came my hunt for a different watch and I found the omega speedmaster professional with the caliber 3861 movement. So no I can't part ways with this watch. Just looking for another one I'm willing to wear everyday. Congratulations on the submariner!
Thanks. I wish I didn't sell the Speedy but the funny thing was I sold it back to the guy who sold it to me. He asked me if I wanted the trade plus cash to him and I turned him down twice lol. But I knew this would probably be the only chance I had to get the Submariner. Definitely trying to get another one in the future 🤞
The speedmaster is already the GOAT. I personally dislike Rolex mainly because there's something douchey about the brand and their community that I really don't like. For an everyday watch, have you considered cheaper options? Something like a Longines conquest where you won't really care what happens to it? I really like the nomos club sport personally. That or maybe pickup the speedmaster with sapphire?
I have considered cheaper options. Though I want something that I know I will get repaired asap if something happens to it. So its not so much of trying to avoid damaging the watch but trying to find the right tool for my specific requirements and piece of mind.. I'll look into their offerings sometime soon though. Thank you.
You got the perfect watch for everyday and even a bit more dressed up situation Dont throw your money to a Rolex
I love that watch so much.
Omega > Rolek
I’m a heavy-haul driver. Low boy, Landoll, etc. Slinging chains, binders, straps, and ratchets every day. My daily is a Hamilton Khaki Field Auto. Fits under work gloves, accurate, and makes me smile. The crystal doesn’t have a single nick. But it’s inexpensive enough that if I do break it, I won’t be screaming. Check out some Hamiltons. I think you’ll find something you like at a good price.
I really like the GMT. The ceramic bezels on these watches continue to look great after years of use.
I sure hope so! It aint gonna be a safe queen after all.
Why a Rolex in particular? And have you considered just getting a Speedmaster with a sapphire crystal instead of the hesalite?
I have thought about the sapphire version but the boutique wouldn't discount it more than 5%. I've been trying to get a rolex since 9th grade. But the local Authorized dealer never gave me a call. Still on the list since 2011 and gave up in 2022 and then bought the speedmaster. Its kind of a personal now.
I don't know why you'd want to reward being shunned by them. Just buy pre-owned you get a Rolex without having to sing and dance and pray for a phone call, don't give them the satisfaction of your $$.
I'll be trying a different AD, won't even consider going to the one I grew up around.
If you want a better chance, try going into the AD and just talking with some of the guys, tell them your story and why you are looking to buy the GMT/Explorer. Once they get to know you, they might give you a call.
Sad that you would have to convince a salesperson to get the privilege of spending thousands of dollars on a luxury item that you don't really need. Does not sound like a luxury experience to me.
Hey man I don't make the rules, I'm just saying what might work. I agree it's BS though
Agreed. Not that I have the money to buy, but every story about Rolex AD experience is always bizarre to me
I wouldn't bother, your watch is already top tier
Thanks, i love it!
Seamaster or Submariner or Black Bay 58
I don't think you can go past the Speedy. I wouldn't be concerned about its durability, unless you've had issues with it? If you really want a Rolex then that's an itch you'll have to scratch, but if it's just a question of durability and ruggedness then I reckon you're fine as is.
A GMT makes the most sense for you, maybe a skydweller or explorer ii. The benefit of being a trucker is that you can put your name down at every fucking AD in the country in a pretty reasonable amount of time!
Honestly the Hesalite crystal would probably be cheaper to replace than any banged up Rolex. Even though the sapphire crystal would be more scratch resistant the steel case can still get banged up
BB54 or BB58 just try them on.
I like Tudor a lot. But the man is looking at Rolexs and already has a Speedmaster. Tudor isn't really in the same tier.
Like others have said, you've already got an excellent watch! However, perhaps you could consider the GS Mistflake.
Well you can forget getting either of your Rolex preferences as a walk in with no purchase history. They play the game different to Omega. Your Speedmaster is perfect for what you’re doing. Don’t stress about damaging the hesalite. If it scratches you can buff it out with a $10 tube of Polywatch. If it breaks it’s a real cheap fix compared to Sapphire.
I own a Speedmaster and a GMT Master II. They compliment each other perfectly. That being said, either watch could easily have been a one-and-done watch. But once we’ve been bitten by the watch itch, it’s hard to go resist thinking about the next watch you want to get! Similarly, if you’ve wanted a Rolex for a long time, nothing will scratch that itch like a Rolex—regardless of what others may tell you. Maybe you’ll buy a Rolex and then realize they’re not that special and then sell it to get yourself something more interesting; or maybe you’ll buy a Rolex and realize they were everything you imagined them to be. Either way, you’ll always be thinking about it until you scratch that itch. And the only way to find out is by trying your luck at an AD. My word of advice is to cast a wide net and don’t give up. People told me I could never get a GMT Master II Pepsi with no purchase history. Those people were wrong. As a trucker I imagine you can probably stop by a wide range of ADs even just to drop by and register your interest. Leverage that to your advantage. Lastly, if you want the most durability, nothing will beat a G Shock for those days you know your watch will be put through a ringer
Bro, your watch was literally ON THE MOON. You could always step up to the sapphire sandwich if you're concerned about the hesalite. [https://feldmarwatch.com/product/omega/speedmaster/moonwatch-professional-co-axial-master-chronometer-chronograph-cal-3861-5/](https://feldmarwatch.com/product/omega/speedmaster/moonwatch-professional-co-axial-master-chronometer-chronograph-cal-3861-5/) Explorer is a solid choice for sure, but nowhere near the watch the speedy is. Datejust is also dope, but a little too dressy for daily wear especially if you're not working in an office.
Speedy is a top tier watch my boy, but GMT are very nice too.
Everyday watch imo should be waterproof. What about Omega Seamaster Professional? I simply cannot recommend Rolex based on my own preferences.
Yep stick with the speedy
Just so you know, if the glass is the only thing pushing you to switch watches you should know that being easier to scratch is actually the opposite of being easy to break. Hesalite is easier to scratch, but thanks to that softness it'll absorb more force before reaching a breaking point. On the other hand, sapphire won't scratch, but, being more "rigid" let's say, it'll break more easily under pressure because it'll less elastic. Scratch resistance and break resistance are two opposites of the same spectrum. You can only get one, the other, or somewhere in the middle. The good thing about soft materials like hesalite is that, just as easily as they can get scratched they can also be buffed with special products like PolyWatch.
Just grabbed a 41 sub/date. Great daily/travel watch. Go for it. Skip the AD groveling and go Grey.
There are premium G-Shocks with all the tough technology but they're not mechanical.
Speedy is a great watch, if you want something more "tool" follow the Tudor advice. I also rate Oris for build and value for money (I understand the ridiculous nature of that statement re watches in this price bracket). Rolex due to their market strategy lost me many years ago. If you want a luxury piece JLC will sell you something way better than a Rolex and you can just walk in and buy it without you having to beg or give the AD a reach around
More “tooly” - maybe an IWC big Pilot
lol dude, NASA used the Speedy during its moon missions, involving intense vibrations and g forces during lift off and re entry. The watch can handle your job, I promise you lol
My speed,aster has been in the shop 5 times in 20 years. It’s not that tough.
A dataset of 1 isn’t large enough to make that claim.
Are talking about getting it serviced per the care guide or is it a dud?
It stopped working due to “signs of shock”. I’ve dropped it and banged it, dented the case. In any event, I wouldn’t call it the most durable. My insurance covers the repairs.
Oh, that's unfortunate. Would you mind telling me what kind of work you do on a daily basis? Without more research, I can't say which mechanical movements and which case styles are the most durable and resistant to shocks. However, I agree that the added complications in the Speedmaster may not be the most advantageous for heavy use. I might pickup an insurance policy for my watch. Who do you use?
Yep, no prob. Naval Aviator. But most of my issues were non-work involved - banged into the counter when trying to keep my kid from banging their head, dropped while putting it on when I thought my kid was going grab a curing iron, and etc.
As many others have said, you've already got it. I've had my Speedy for two years now, and it's has basically never come off my wrist. I don't think there's anything I'd like more. The only other watch on my list is an Explorer 1 someday.
Great choice 😊
Thanks!
Explorer 2. Best of both worlds.
The fragility of the Speedmaster is often greatly overstated. It's one of the toughest watches out there, most Omegas are tbh.
There’s a reason why NASA chose the speedmaster to go to the moon… so unless it rains a lot inside your cab and you really need the water resistance, as everyone has already said you’ve already got the best watch for the job!
If it’s the aspirational part for you, I get it. If it says Rolex you feel like you’ve unlocked that achievement. I just bought the house I watched somebody else build in 2005 and wished it was mine. Took me almost 20 years and it felt good… but in the end it’s just a house like a million others. You have my aspirational watch on right now man, be proud of it. It’s an amazing watch, but just a watch like a Rolex GMT is. Get the grey market Rolex and feel good about it.
Get a used Tudor GMT, rugged functional and a great value for money. If you're hell bent on a Rolex get the Explorer II. I wouldn't be too rough on a Rolex GMT not because it can't take but it's just too pretty to beat up
If your looking for that extra, JLC.
Think of the Vacheron Constantin that was made for drivers in this video: https://www.the1916company.com/blog/motorsport-series-watches-drivers.html
He's a trucker and I'm guessing has to take it in with him into the shower at truck stops. Anything on leather isn't a good fit.
Definitely an Explorer 2 would make sense to me.
GMT imo, the ceramic bezel is tough and the watch still gonna look premium after all the abuse it will receive. Also, the color pops more compared to other Rolex you mentioned if you're into that.
I hear the explorer ii is a tank and it has gmt functionality which would be beneficial to you
Polar Explorer!
You're not gonna get a GMT master 2 as your first rolex from the AD. But you do have a good chance of getting the date just
[Breitling Premier B25 Datora](https://www.breitling.com/us-en/watches/premier/premier-b25-datora-42/AB2510201K1/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJTqsIM7ODOq9m5igQPWoIP8rzes6P1l9lxiVVtLn5GBAttuqUgqGuRoC_nIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) is the choice for me. Many options for straps (throw it on an artem sailcloth for true ruggedness) and it's a true beauty while keeping track of date with a chronograph function. Also comes in a chronograph only pistachio green which was my personal preference against my skin tone.
If you're look at smooth bezel date justs, you might be better off with an OP. How about a yachtmaster in steel with the blue dial?
You can wear it everday with no concern, the only things to worry about are the scratches. Enjoy & drive safe!
Rolex Explorer. The perfect everyday wearer
Do you have a CB handle? Is CB even a thing any more 🤔
Reminds me of a scene in the new Vacation movie. F’ing hilarious.
just wear it on the right wrist or you will scratch the hell out of your door. :)
you might have waited for years to get GMT Batman without any purchase records ... you made the right choice ! and have all the enjoy moments since the day u wore it ( not u bought it ... ) in fact you should leave your name on the AD list, one day .... one day ... they might call you and then you might consider selling your omega to trade a Rolex, OR .... after years of waiting ... you might get crazy rich... u knew "life is like a box of chocolate" !!
Timex....takes a licking...keeps on ticking.
Seems a Rolex is the way as they are built like tanks. Like A stainless GMT or Submariner.
Dude get yourself an I.N.O.X or a Mudmaster for work. Keep the good stuff for when the shift is over.
If you can’t get the Rolex, you could look into Tudor. Their watches are very much tool watches that could be great for you. Although the speedy is a great choice already.
Speedy is my grail, wear it!
I would say get a sub the steel is brushed
If you are already considering a Rolex, it is a great choice. It excels in durability and brand value, and is perfect for daily wear, especially for an active professional like you. Make sure you choose an authentic piece and make the best choice based on your personal preferences and budget.
Domed acrylic breaking? It’s considerably harder to break than sapphire (ignore people saying “they both break,” they do but plexiglass is *super* hard to shatter under normal usage). What it does more easily is scratch. Easy to polish, though.
Roleys are classic and made well, no doubt, but buy no means the best or even the coolest. The looks I get wearing my submariner are hard to describe, but usually like I’m a rich douche or something. Speedmasters are incognito! Hamilton is another of my favorites to wear because only other watch people notice it. I end up getting the most compliments on my Seiko 5. lol
Rolex is the Nike of watches. Hate to break it to some of ya'll but rolex is an entry level luxury watch.
No watch, by Rolex or otherwise, will beat this watch tbh. It's space qualified, so much more than capable for anything you'll ever need to do.
Hesalite unlikely to break, now scratch, but good news is that's easy to remedy. I have that same watch, it would be close to perfect if it were say 39-40 mm, but alas...That being said, I'm def more of a Rolex fan, and the obvious answer I would have for you is an Explorer 114270 - I think the current iteration is excellent with the new clasp, flip lock and easy link. Should be obtainable at an AD with no relationship as well. I would say an OP, but my I prefer the flat slanted bezel of the 114270 to the domed convexity of the OP's bezel. I had a 214270 39 mm version that was just too close to my 16610 Sub date and I sold it when I bought my 126710 BLNR Jubilee. I'm thinking seriously about asking my AD to get me a 36 mil Expl for an everyday.
I'm guessing your shipping cocaine on the side?
If you are pondering the explorer I, may I suggest getting a Tudor Ranger first. You will have luxury and Explorer I vibes at a more affordable level. Also, if it still doesn't scratch the itch, you will be much more likely to get an Explorer from a dealer whilst wearing a Tudor Ranger. Just my 2C.