Can a sapphire face be fitted........

[Aaron]

to a Hesalite Speedy.

or

Is there a Speedy Pro with a sapphire face and a normal back.I have nothing against the display back model 3573 but I have no need or desire to look at the movement.

Don't get me wrong<I love the display back however if cost can be lowered it will make living with the wife bearable.(Note spelling) ;D

I've been looking at Speedies and love the Pro however the Hesalite crystal concerns me as I use my watch everyday,and I don't work in an office much.

I know the Hesalite can be polished but......... ;D ;D

Cheers

[Houston]

Well Amigo

I'd love to grant your wish but they don't mount in the same way so as in the old Porsche ad " There Is No Substitute " sadly.

Tell you what though. I've heard of someone who was looking to change the display back of a 3573.50 to a standard metal one. That would be a more costly endeavour of course even if one could sell the display back for which incidentally, there is demand but unless you can find a metal back you would have to buy the case and then sell off the parts you don't want.

Fr John knows a lot more about this procedure than I. I'm sure he'll be along to assist before long.


Be well pal


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

[jmsrolls]

I've owned a couple of dozen Speedy Pros including a sapphire crystaled moonphase. I currently own three and all have hesalite crystals. As a matter fo fact, only two of my ten Omegas have sapphire crystals.

From experience, hesalite scratching is a non-issue. I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I have polished a crystal. (I use toothpaste and a wash cloth.)

The initial cost of the sapphire Speedy and the cost of repair should the sapphire shatter is just not worth the cost. A little TLC and rubbing every year or so is no big deal.

The sapphire crystal makes the head of the watch heavier and thicker and lacks the "warmth" of the hesalite.

Typically those who buy the sapphire are "newbies" with no experience with the hesalite. I have yet to hear of a hesalite owner switching to sapphire.

Two things I hate to see when someone buys a Speedy Pro:
1. Buying new
2. Buying sapphire Speedy

Now as to your question, I heard recently that parts are available to replace the hesalite with sapphire but the cost would be more than a new 3573.50 sapphire Speedy.

My suggestion is to buy a nice previously owned 3570.50 hesalite/steel and try it for a while. If you are unhappy with it, you can flip it and risk losing little if any money on the watch. The market for Speedy Pros is very strong and owning one is about as liquid as any one can get with a watch. I have never lost any money on one.

Fr. John+

[Aaron]

Thanks for the tip guys.

Regards Aaron

[MikeS]

Hey AAron buy it and enjoy it if not do what i do best sell sell!lol

[GJ]

Couldn't have said it better Fr. John...

[Aaron]

mikes said:

Hey AAron buy it and enjoy it if not do what i do best sell sell!lol

Oh Mike

Cheers Mate

[talktime]

If you MUST have Sapphire, I know there are several specially shaped ones available for the Rolex oferings, to replace plastic on their earlier models.

I would think a very good watchmaker would be able to make something like this work on a speedy.

The issue is that the case is different, as the plastic allows more room under the crystal, and the glass is (more or less) flat, so if you try to replace the plastic with glass, ther is not clearance for the hands to move.

These glass replacement crystals are VERY expensive, as the blank is about 3 times the thicknes of the typical glass blank. It also requires a lot of specialized grinding to get the proper shape.

My vote is to go with plastic, and replace it annually if needed. I think that option will be cheaper than a glass replacement for a watch not intended for it.