There are a lot of options to choose from: mechanical, quartz, smartwatches, and even crystal watches. But what exactly are crystal watches? And why should you consider one for your next timepiece purchase?
Crystal watches are watches that feature a crystal or glass covering over the dial, rather than a traditional metal or plastic watch face. These crystals can be made from a variety of materials, each with its own unique properties and characteristics.
From the classic mineral crystal to the more durable sapphire crystal, there is a crystal watch for every taste and budget.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at the different types of crystal watches available, their pros and cons, and how to care for them.
We’ll also explore the history and evolution of crystal watches, so you can impress your friends with your crystal-clear knowledge of timepieces. So, grab your reading glasses and get ready to explore the dazzling world of crystal watches!
What are crystals in watches?
Clock glass varieties can be mainly divided into three types, though others are also derivatives. But in this post, I’m going to focus on these three accessories:
- Plex or plastic
- Minerals
- Sapphire
Plex Crystal
It is the oldest crystal for decades ago that has been used in watches. In many watches, they can be praised as acrylic or plastic. Certainly, we have seen the watches we have seen about our grandparents. Even today, many brands continue to use this type of glass. Plastic boxes, vintage models to imitate these old watches, or even diving watches.
It is an economic crystal, running because of its flexibility, but it is very easy to scrutinize. Usually, the cost of a Plex crystal is cheaper and unless it is a special or very solid model, the maintenance is usually cheaper.
Mineral glass
Mineral crystal is the type of crystal that is mostly used in watchmaking. Usually low and medium models. Certainly, no quartz clock that we see will take this type of glass per rule between € 30 and € 200 with prices.
It is relatively easier to scratch crystal, though not so that the Plex. The cost of this change should not be a problem, though there are brands that insist on receiving barbarism for this component. The price will depend on the thickness or diameter, but we will make little difference between them. Mineral crystal changes should be relatively affordable.
There are different types of mineral crystals, with different features. You will find brands that use in your mineral crystal model, which are tight or fused with sapphire particles.
Sapphire Crystal
Sapphire crystal is the most difficult of the three types. We will usually see such glasses in the high range of clockwise, though we will look at the maximum mid-range and in a limited edition. This is no longer an excessive crystal as it was before, the reason for it also has different features. Each time they begin to look more at less than 200 watches.
The cost of changing this type of glass is still high, so if we have to change it for a line, I recommend that you ask about the budget first.
I find many users who believe that this watch is “irreparable.” Purifying is a very difficult task, but it is not impossible in everyday life. And as I told you, sapphire crystal has different features.
Crystal resistance
Minerals hardening is measured on the Mohs scale. This means that the scale from 0 to 10, is where all the well-known minerals are classified. It will be easier or higher to scratch this severely, depending on what Ria is. These are 3 types of glasses hard:
- Plex Hardness 3-4
- Minerals, 5
- Sapphire, 9
- Diamond, 10
As you will see, sapphire as stated earlier is not irreparable. The diamond is 10 on the Mohs scale, so the only way to scratch the sapphire crystal is with the diamond.
And now you’ll say…. How am I going to scratch her from a diamond?
Yes, it’s difficult, but not impossible. Giving an example light, high rings and bracelets usually wear diamonds as stones. Going with one of these diamonds for the sapphire crystal of the clock will give him a scratch without hesitation.
A sapphire crystal is worth it, and if you are a bit disastrous and not very careful, the purchase is a good option.
Watch glasses shapes
The shape of the glass also affects whether it will be scattered before, or will be easily broken.
It would be more difficult to break a flat crystal than a curved one. However, do not make curves because there are two types. I’ll try to explain it to you.
A curved crystal is on both sides of the glass, and the whole glass has the same thickness. So it is easy to break and scratch. If you receive a blow there, a crystal is very exposed to walking and being delicate in the central zone.
The outside flat curve is curved, but the inner part is flat. This means that it is fine in the end, but in the central part, it is thicker. So unlike the previous one, this crystal has more body and if it gets blown to the central part, it is more difficult to break. Although it is the same on the subject of abrasive, it is like the previous, a crystal that stands on the bezel is very exposed.
Another crystal that is prone to chafing is a glass containing the mag-giving crystal. As with optical glasses, it usually stands on a bezel, so this section of the glass causes any shock.
With a clear picture, you will understand it better:
How to repair scratched glasses
This is a problem that creates differences between some watchmakers. I give you my opinion, though many people do not agree, today my opinion is that it is better to change it 90 % of the time and I explain it.
The cost of a Plex crystal is very low, even the minerals. So the biggest price is the watchmaker’s labor to change it.
In the lower or middle-class model, the crystal change time depends on several conditions, but if there is no problem, the glass must be replaced between 10 and 20 minutes. Here you will also rely on button studies, together, if you are camped or combined with and above all. The price for these tasks can be different than the price of the glass itself.
Some cases may be able to polish it. In these models the glass is expensive due to its immunity, the reasons for seniority or lack of spare parts may be the reasons for polishing it. Because it has a shallow line and does not need to open or open the clock, it can be another matter. But for the rest, it is better to change it. When you do, the change of joints, drums, and tests is already taken to make it if necessary.
Of course, minerals, it is not valuable because of the lack of pieces. The cost of polishing it is high due to hardship. And in the sapphires … okay, imagine. You have to change it and assume the cost.
How to differentiate sapphire crystals and a mineral
It is not difficult to distinguish the Plex. When this kind of glass hits it with the same nail, will you see plastic? The complex thing can be between minerals and sapphire crystals. So I’m going to tell them how to differentiate.
the color. Sapphire glass is more transparent, and minerals can have a more blue color. Although it is not always appreciated at first glance.
Due to the hardships, I have explained to you before, Sapphire will not be able to scratch him. With metal, you can try to scratch the glass, if it is sapphire, you will not be able to.
But it depends on the crystal, you also want to try this technique. It is running well if the clock you are going to get for example is the second hand. If you are sure that what you sell is true, you will have no problem doing it.
A drop of water. It does not fail. With a glass of airplane, a drop of water falls into the center. Now take the clock and start leaning a little until the dehydration begins. If the drop spreads and gets very fast, it is a mineral crystal. On the contrary, if the drop maintains its shape and less without opening the drop, it is sapphire.
Temperatures are also complicated if you do not have one in each right now. But sapphire glass will always be colder than minerals.
Final Results
In the same case, before a mineral, a plax scratches a glass, and it is before sapphire. On the contrary, sapphire glass breaks before minerals and acrylic before a shock.
Decide a watch for the glass type you have, I don’t think it’s important. But a watch that takes a sapphire crystal gives it a quality of quality. Certainly, the rest of the ingredients will be at the same height.
I hope I have taken you out of doubt, now the decision is just yours.
