I am making this decision currently as well. Everything I read and hear is that you go traditional hesalite for your first or only. 

But I am a movement gazer. My leading COA right now is to go with the hesalite and source a sapphire case back for the best of both worlds. I have checked with my local AD about doing this and they would not allow the purchase. I have found the casebacks online however. FYI, not cheap but the total is still less than the sapphire sandwich. 

I own an Aquatico Bronze Seastar. It's not on the same level as an Iris, Tudor, etc. but it scratches my itch well. The patina has developed well and build is great.  

When I picked mine up a couple of years ago it was only available with an NH35 but can now be had with an SW200. It's good enough that I've considered flipping mine for the upgraded movement for long-term ownership. 

Aquatico also has some bronze pilots but that's not my bag. Hope this helps. 

Depending on the movement these go for $399 to $599. The good news is right now they are running a 30% off for Father's Day. 

This is what I expected. When I said slaved I meant that the relative time difference between the GMT hand and main hands is kept constant after setting the GMT position in the ETA and similar functioning movements. 

I travel frequently and I dislike adjusting main hands then going back and adjusting my home time (GMT hand). First world problem but my search continues. 

Question regarding this GMT movement. As discussed this a caller-GMT vs a flyer. I've read a couple of articles on these references. One specifically stated that "a caller-GMT is not a reason to complain...just set the GMT hand to home and adjust hour hand as you travel" (or something to this point). This is fine I suppose but all non-true-GMTs that I've handled have the GMT hand slaved the main hands.

Does anyone know if these will operate the same; i.e. slaved, or if you will be able to adjust the main hands without the GMT hand moving...by the way I'm not sure how this would work movement-wise. 

Also, has anyone read how the bezel will operate; 120-click undirectional or 24 click bidirectional? Can't find any articles that have described the operation. 

Whoa! I think you may have me convinced. That complication is really odd. Well done EightEyes!

I am going to have to look that one up. I have never heard of it.

A movement swap in a Vostok is easily accomplished; putting the hands back on should be the only semi-tricky step.