The recent post on Seiko and their pricing strategy led me to think back on my watches and their crystals. Specifically, is mineral crystal really that bad?
Yes, I do have watches with acrylic and mineral crystals that have scratched or slightly chipped over the years. I guess that already kinda points to sapphire being better than mineral, but my Orient has been doing quite well despite 6 months of wear. Definitely have not been babying it as well.
All that being said, what are your experiences with different glass materials? Show us your scruffed up watches if you have any pics! And is mineral crystal a no-no for you?
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Sapphire, everything else disappoints over time.
Mineral crystal is the "K-car" of watch crystals, cheap to make, easier to replace than fix.
Sapphire, everything else disappoints over time.
Mineral crystal is the "K-car" of watch crystals, cheap to make, easier to replace than fix.
I haven't had the pleasure yet but I'm guessing it can't be too costly to replace mineral crystals?
I have gotten to the point now that if is not sapphire, I will not buy it.
I haven't had the pleasure yet but I'm guessing it can't be too costly to replace mineral crystals?
More expensive than buying a watch with sapphire....
It really comes down to use, do you work in an environment that requires a shatter proof crystal? If no, sapphire is always better.
In the real world, sapphire is much harder to shatter than 99.99% of people will ever discover, so even in a "shatter proof" environment, sapphire is likely better.
How long have you had your orient? I would say, it is only a matter of time.
I get that mineral crystal is cheap, but it's downright poor. I even prefer hesalite, as while it scratches easier, it is far easier to polish and maintain.
I don't have a giant collection but there is a huge difference for sure. I got Saphire waches I knocked against countertops and tables with nothing happening and I have Watches with mineral and acrylic crystals that I bought just because I loved the watch so much I couldn't resist buying it even tho it had that kind of crystal. I don't have a picture of the scratches but I swear my Vostok scratches on the cuff when I wear a long sleeve shirt :D
I have to add I was really tempted by the New 5KX GMT watch but when I read it doesn't have saphire crystal at around 500$ it was over for me. I am going to wait for a microbrand that uses the same movement and offers Saphire crystal and great finishing at probably 400$
If a watch was available with a choice of either sapphire or acrylic I am pretty much always going acrylic. I really dig the warmth you get on an acrylic crystal and the wicked bubble shape with distortion. I have had my eye on the Sinn 356 for a year and when I eventually pull the trigger I'm going acrylic.
Sapphire crystal is definitely something I take into consideration with a new watch, or at least have the option to put one in.
I always think about different crystal materials in direct comparison to the ways we store our music:
Acrylic crystals are like vinyl records:
- charming, full of character, long lasting if taken care of
-there's a certain quality to the listening/watching experience that simply can't be emulated
-has made a noticeable comeback
Mineral crystals are like CDs:
-obviously a step up in scratch resistance
-but when it scratches, you're pretty much f'd
-less charming than hesalite with little to no romantic undertone
-pretty much obsolete by now, because the sapphire improves on it in almost every single way
Sapphire is HQ mp3/streaming:
-makes you pretty much forget about the underlying tech, because it's so convenient that you don't really have to think about it
-no degradation whatsoever
-when a major problem occurs, you're probably in trouble
-still not much charme or character, but that's why you have that one Lorier/Deep Purple vinyl sitting in the back of your shelf for the time when you're getting nostalgic
I have gotten to the point now that if is not sapphire, I will not buy it.
Understandable, it's enough pain to look at scratched cases 😫
How long have you had your orient? I would say, it is only a matter of time.
I think so too, it's only been 6 months though I have been much rougher with it than my other watches. Other watch that is ~10 years old have some scratches on it def.
I get that mineral crystal is cheap, but it's downright poor. I even prefer hesalite, as while it scratches easier, it is far easier to polish and maintain.
Excellent point.
Mineral Crystal might the worst? Acrylic are polishable and sapphire are unlikely to scratch badly. They say mineral shatters less easily than sapphire, but that is stricktly theoretical🤔
I always think about different crystal materials in direct comparison to the ways we store our music:
Acrylic crystals are like vinyl records:
- charming, full of character, long lasting if taken care of
-there's a certain quality to the listening/watching experience that simply can't be emulated
-has made a noticeable comeback
Mineral crystals are like CDs:
-obviously a step up in scratch resistance
-but when it scratches, you're pretty much f'd
-less charming than hesalite with little to no romantic undertone
-pretty much obsolete by now, because the sapphire improves on it in almost every single way
Sapphire is HQ mp3/streaming:
-makes you pretty much forget about the underlying tech, because it's so convenient that you don't really have to think about it
-no degradation whatsoever
-when a major problem occurs, you're probably in trouble
-still not much charme or character, but that's why you have that one Lorier/Deep Purple vinyl sitting in the back of your shelf for the time when you're getting nostalgic
That is a very cool way of looking at it!
I always think about different crystal materials in direct comparison to the ways we store our music:
Acrylic crystals are like vinyl records:
- charming, full of character, long lasting if taken care of
-there's a certain quality to the listening/watching experience that simply can't be emulated
-has made a noticeable comeback
Mineral crystals are like CDs:
-obviously a step up in scratch resistance
-but when it scratches, you're pretty much f'd
-less charming than hesalite with little to no romantic undertone
-pretty much obsolete by now, because the sapphire improves on it in almost every single way
Sapphire is HQ mp3/streaming:
-makes you pretty much forget about the underlying tech, because it's so convenient that you don't really have to think about it
-no degradation whatsoever
-when a major problem occurs, you're probably in trouble
-still not much charme or character, but that's why you have that one Lorier/Deep Purple vinyl sitting in the back of your shelf for the time when you're getting nostalgic
Your entire comment saved me the trouble of writing my thoughts down on this post. I feel exactly the same! Well said, sir! 🍻
Based solely on my experience, mineral glass is rather the worst compromise. Not that I think it matters all that much unless one is really abusive or too chintzy to pony up a few bucks for a new crystal every decade or so. The only problem I've had is some old casio circa 1995 that, after a dozen years or so, got some level of damage. The problem was that I, being used to fantastic plastic, used some light grit sandpaper to try to fix it, and that just doesn't work with mineral glass.
A crystal is like a windshield. It shouldn't last forever. And my Timex Easy Reader, if you move it around right in bright light, has all kinds of light scratching that doesn't bother me at all. I have to say it. The sapphire dependent people remind me of the perennial news story about some whacko person that has spent a fortune in cosmetic surgery to look like (whatever) and all sane people realize that this is all in vain as the problem is between their ears.
Serious question to the sapphire exclusivists: are you the reason that I can't go to a mall and buy some khakis that aren't smothered in some uncomfortable toxic concoction to appease those that really want "non-iron" and "stain-resistant" nasty pants? This Venn diagram is a circle, right, compulsives annoyed by the entropy of normal existence?
Based solely on my experience, mineral glass is rather the worst compromise. Not that I think it matters all that much unless one is really abusive or too chintzy to pony up a few bucks for a new crystal every decade or so. The only problem I've had is some old casio circa 1995 that, after a dozen years or so, got some level of damage. The problem was that I, being used to fantastic plastic, used some light grit sandpaper to try to fix it, and that just doesn't work with mineral glass.
A crystal is like a windshield. It shouldn't last forever. And my Timex Easy Reader, if you move it around right in bright light, has all kinds of light scratching that doesn't bother me at all. I have to say it. The sapphire dependent people remind me of the perennial news story about some whacko person that has spent a fortune in cosmetic surgery to look like (whatever) and all sane people realize that this is all in vain as the problem is between their ears.
Serious question to the sapphire exclusivists: are you the reason that I can't go to a mall and buy some khakis that aren't smothered in some uncomfortable toxic concoction to appease those that really want "non-iron" and "stain-resistant" nasty pants? This Venn diagram is a circle, right, compulsives annoyed by the entropy of normal existence?
A sapphire crystal could realistically last the life of the watch, so it's not only the better solution for unobstructed views of the dial, but is also more environmentally responsible than disposing of ruined mineral crystal, or worn thin acrylic.
As for the khakis, I can't help you there, I don't wear them. If I did, I'd likely stick to natural fibers, and iron when necessary. Ironing isn't hard, it's just annoying...
Based solely on my experience, mineral glass is rather the worst compromise. Not that I think it matters all that much unless one is really abusive or too chintzy to pony up a few bucks for a new crystal every decade or so. The only problem I've had is some old casio circa 1995 that, after a dozen years or so, got some level of damage. The problem was that I, being used to fantastic plastic, used some light grit sandpaper to try to fix it, and that just doesn't work with mineral glass.
A crystal is like a windshield. It shouldn't last forever. And my Timex Easy Reader, if you move it around right in bright light, has all kinds of light scratching that doesn't bother me at all. I have to say it. The sapphire dependent people remind me of the perennial news story about some whacko person that has spent a fortune in cosmetic surgery to look like (whatever) and all sane people realize that this is all in vain as the problem is between their ears.
Serious question to the sapphire exclusivists: are you the reason that I can't go to a mall and buy some khakis that aren't smothered in some uncomfortable toxic concoction to appease those that really want "non-iron" and "stain-resistant" nasty pants? This Venn diagram is a circle, right, compulsives annoyed by the entropy of normal existence?
I guess that kind of leads me to wonder, why aren't more people flocking to scratch-resistant cases like ceramic? Is it just the lack of offerings?
My khakis are mostly unironed... they'll straighten themselves out, though that usually means I've worn them long enough for another wash 😂
Acrylic > Sapphire > Mineral Glass
For me at least, but I also prefer vinyl to digital.
Acrylic > Sapphire > Mineral Glass
For me at least, but I also prefer vinyl to digital.
Acrylic does look very warm 👌
I like my vinyl setup to be as crystal clear as digital, so Sapphire for me.
I'm okay with mineral crystal. Of course I tend to wear G Shocks and the faces are sorta protected by the case/bezel design, so I only have 1 G with a scratched crystal. It wasn't even at work or something, I was trying a jacket on and the big heavy zipper smacked right into my watch at the perfect angle to give it a scratch. Eh, it's a g shock.
Sapphire will scratch. But it’ll take a hell of a beating. my brother wears a field watch that I assembled, seiko powered, sapphire crystal. He usually wears it on the inside of his wrist
A short while ago he wiped out on a one-wheel at about 32km/h on a gravel road. The watch hit the ground pretty hard, hard enough to completely dislocate both spring bars and fly off the nato strap into the forest. (They managed to find the watch and even the bloody spring bars).
The watch runs just as well as it did before, however the stainless steel case has loads of deep scratches in it, because it was sandpapered by gravel at 30km/h.
The crystal took two shallow scratches, almost perfectly parallel. they’re hard to see, located near the bottom where the case took the worst damage.
The point of this expulsion of letters, is go for sapphire. It‘s quite worth it.
Sapphire will scratch. But it’ll take a hell of a beating. my brother wears a field watch that I assembled, seiko powered, sapphire crystal. He usually wears it on the inside of his wrist
A short while ago he wiped out on a one-wheel at about 32km/h on a gravel road. The watch hit the ground pretty hard, hard enough to completely dislocate both spring bars and fly off the nato strap into the forest. (They managed to find the watch and even the bloody spring bars).
The watch runs just as well as it did before, however the stainless steel case has loads of deep scratches in it, because it was sandpapered by gravel at 30km/h.
The crystal took two shallow scratches, almost perfectly parallel. they’re hard to see, located near the bottom where the case took the worst damage.
The point of this expulsion of letters, is go for sapphire. It‘s quite worth it.
That's a very good story, hope your brother's well. That finding of the spring bars sound like a story on its own.
That's a very good story, hope your brother's well. That finding of the spring bars sound like a story on its own.
He has some minor abrasions, but he’s fine now.
I haven’t a clue how they located the spring bars, I expect it involved some sort of dark magic. 😂 Locating two spring bars on a leaf covered hillside…
He has some minor abrasions, but he’s fine now.
I haven’t a clue how they located the spring bars, I expect it involved some sort of dark magic. 😂 Locating two spring bars on a leaf covered hillside…
Wouldn't be surprised if someone's soul was sacrificed 😂