Critical damage to sapphire crystals
Hello WatchCrunch,
I’ve been active on this platform for a while now, however this is my first proper post.
Last night, somewhere in between brushing my teeth, practicing violin and writing in bed, I managed to shatter the sapphire crystal on a watch I assembled.
It’s a fifty fathoms inspired build, Seiko powered. My theory is that I caught the edge of the protruding crystal on the sink tap, though I don’t remember doing it.
Last night was a bit of a blur.
I wear a Vario 1918 every day, for nearly ever task. (I take it off for karate as the impact of punches would be unnecessary stress). The 1918 has been banged on several objects over the last year, with no significant damage. It has a different crystal profile though, I expect the box sapphire of the diver hit the tap at just the right angle to concentrate the force on a pinpoint area.
So, I’m posing the question to the community. How many of you have shattered a sapphire crystal, and how? I’m curious.
I’m a hobbyist watchmaker and mechanical watch enthusiast with a primary interest in marine chronometers, military timepieces and pocket watches. From Victoria BC
Wow. Luckily none so far.
None. (knock on wood)
Wow, A little hard on the beaver last night weren't ya Ward🤯 Haven't cracked any crystal yet
I did manage to scratch a sapphire. There is a reason why it's called scratch resistant and not scratch proof.
Wow, A little hard on the beaver last night weren't ya Ward🤯 Haven't cracked any crystal yet
Haven’t heard that quote in about 45 years or so 😂
I thought sapphire crystal was basically diamond and unable to be damaged by mere mortals. I’ve certainly tried, with out any success, happily. Given that watch is perhaps not the highest quality there might’ve been a tiny defect in the crystal?
In a bicycle crash the watch came off as bad as me at the time , destroying the watch along with the crystal.
Broke it on the kitchen Countertop. wasn't even a hard hit.
Haven’t heard that quote in about 45 years or so 😂
I thought sapphire crystal was basically diamond and unable to be damaged by mere mortals. I’ve certainly tried, with out any success, happily. Given that watch is perhaps not the highest quality there might’ve been a tiny defect in the crystal?
They're both astonishingly robust and surprisingly easy to damage. I scratched the sapphire on one of my first watches by accidentally brushing it against a brick wall once. Silicon carbides are basically kryptonite for sapphire crystals.
They're both astonishingly robust and surprisingly easy to damage. I scratched the sapphire on one of my first watches by accidentally brushing it against a brick wall once. Silicon carbides are basically kryptonite for sapphire crystals.
Crazy! - didn't know that. I regular smash into stuff but clearly have been smashing into the right kind of stuff to not damage my crystals (just scratch the hell out of my watches 😥)
And this is why seiko use hardex mineral glass on a lot of their watches rather than sapphire as its tougher, allegedly 🤔(and not because its cheaper). But any glass can crack,and when you look at the design of those box dome crystals I'm not surprised we don't get more of this,you've got a corner stuck up at just the right point to catch things. A great looking crystal to be sure but from an engineering perspective, rubbish.
You're correct, more often than naught the culprit is a swift and acute knock.
I've certainly had my fair share of bumps - my cases would corroborate but my crystals would plead the 5th.
Friend of mine asked me the other day if I can help him to fix his Invicta as his son accidentally throw a rock on his watch and on the picture you can see what a mess it was 🤷♂
Hello there.
No disrespect at all, I'm only giving this suggestion as a possible answer.
You mention it's a self build. Any chance the crystal is very, very slightly oversize and just gave way to the stress at the point it did? As I say, only a thought.
Love the watch by the way.
Hello there.
No disrespect at all, I'm only giving this suggestion as a possible answer.
You mention it's a self build. Any chance the crystal is very, very slightly oversize and just gave way to the stress at the point it did? As I say, only a thought.
Love the watch by the way.
On this particular build, the case came with the crystal already installed. Due to the number of high reviews it had, I expect it’s unlikely, as it would be a manufacturing error.
It’s certainly a possibility though, it could be that the crystal was over-stressed to begin with and the slight impact on the tap put it over the edge.
And this is why seiko use hardex mineral glass on a lot of their watches rather than sapphire as its tougher, allegedly 🤔(and not because its cheaper). But any glass can crack,and when you look at the design of those box dome crystals I'm not surprised we don't get more of this,you've got a corner stuck up at just the right point to catch things. A great looking crystal to be sure but from an engineering perspective, rubbish.
I always wondered if box sapphire crystals would be more susceptible to damage around the edges. I suppose I now know.
I’ve another watch that withstood a 30km/h one wheel crash on gravel. The watch slid facedown for quite a way, though the crystal wasn’t seriously damaged, only minor scratches.
It was flat sapphire mind, with no edges to catch.
Sapphire is the worst...
They're both astonishingly robust and surprisingly easy to damage. I scratched the sapphire on one of my first watches by accidentally brushing it against a brick wall once. Silicon carbides are basically kryptonite for sapphire crystals.
Silicon carbide.. The hardest substance know to man..
As quoted from Jeremy Clarkson
Never
Been there
Silicon carbide.. The hardest substance know to man..
As quoted from Jeremy Clarkson
I can almost hear him saying it now 😂
Been there
Ouch, that looks like it was quite the hit.
Weird, I've never had an issue with my watches during hockey, taekwondo, or playing bass or piano. I rarely if ever take my watches off, unless I'm swapping them out or going in water.
Weird, I've never had an issue with my watches during hockey, taekwondo, or playing bass or piano. I rarely if ever take my watches off, unless I'm swapping them out or going in water.
Karate is the only activity I take my watch off for, my watches are all pretty water resistant, and the 1918 has fixed lugs so I’m not too worried about the water. Most motions in karate cause the rotor to helicopter with enough force to rattle the watch on my wrist like a Centrifuge haha.
I think this issue was a combination of an acute knock to a pinpoint area of crystal, on an edge where there’s less strength. And perhaps a manufacturing defect in the crystal.
Weird, I've never had an issue with my watches during hockey, taekwondo, or playing bass or piano. I rarely if ever take my watches off, unless I'm swapping them out or going in water.
This is the first time I thought of a violinist being tougher than a bassist. It also makes me appreciate my Hesalite watch more. Shatter, not likely. Scratch, yes but a little toothpaste or polywatch and the scratches come off.
I scuffed one against rough brickwork on the side of the house. A month later I brushed up against the same wall and chipped a bit out. Fortunately for me it was the same watch - what are the chances! I actually put my hand behind my back when I walk past that wall now.
Never, I like that strap though. I have two of them.
Never shattered one, but I didn't manage to gouge a chunk out of a DD sapphire on my old Seiko SNK.
Maybe don't practice your katas in the bathroom
Are you going to get it repaired ?
Are you going to get it repaired ?
I’ll replace the crystal, I’ll have to take some measurements and see if I can fit a flat or domed sapphire. I’ll probably change the hands while I’m at it. The watch was originally supposed to have broad arrow hands, but they took simply ages to arrive.