Tool Watches and Domed Crystals
Maybe I'm the minority, but am I missing something with crystal selections on tool watches? I find domed crystals, ie double dome, top hat, box, ECT, to be counterintuitive for watches that are meant to be used in a way that dress watches aren't. Divers, field watches, ECT.
I get that the dome and vintage look is looks great with some dials, and especially on dressier watches, but on a watch that is going to take significant wear, why put a dome on the crystal. I feel like that is asking for increased rate of wear and decreased durability. Am I missing something? What are your opinions?
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Raleigh
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Member since
Last active: 10 hrs ago
7.00” / 17.78 cm
When I picked up my explorer 2 from the AD I asked why for a tool watch is the glass raised above the bezel especially if the watch is designed to move around caves with lots of sharp edges ,I'm afraid he had no answer,so I'm with you ,why are they raised
Because you can read the time at any weird angle. I didn't realize how much so until I got my BB58. You really can see it in any light, at any angle, any off edge
I’m wondering if it has something to do with the dome being stronger against impacts and pressure than a flatter crystal. The more domed shape helps to better distribute impact and pressure across the entire surface.
It could be to avoid flashing reflections from a flat crystal which could reveal a hiding spot.
I’m wondering if it has something to do with the dome being stronger against impacts and pressure than a flatter crystal. The more domed shape helps to better distribute impact and pressure across the entire surface.
Theres probably something to that, and maybe a carry over from vintage plexi or mineral crystals.
Watches taking significant wear?
This is 2024, not 1964.
For the most part, tool watches are not used as the tools they were designed to be. They are more jewellry, than tool now.
The tool watches of this point in history are G-shocks & cheap Casios & their copies/homages.
The dome shape adds strength to old school style plexis.
Its vintage aesthetic and with saphire not a scratch worry. But looks better with a mineral crystal. The dome shape used to be a necessity for water resistance.
Real tool watches have a raised bezel to protect the crystal like the plastic G-shocks. Fun fact : the G bull bars will fit on some of the other cheaper Casio plastic watches.
Wabi Sabi
#useyourtools
The highly domed plexiglass crystals on vintage dive watches was done because the curve helped it to withstand pressure at deeper depths. Below is the domed crystal on a 1979 Rolex Sea Dweller 1665. This and the helium escape valve (on the other side) are what distinguished the Sea Dweller from the Submariner.
Watches taking significant wear?
This is 2024, not 1964.
For the most part, tool watches are not used as the tools they were designed to be. They are more jewellry, than tool now.
The tool watches of this point in history are G-shocks & cheap Casios & their copies/homages.
I too take my G Shock to the cheap Casinos!
Wabi Sabi
#useyourtools
👌