sapphire crystal watch

Sapphire Crystal Watch Guide: Hardened Mineral Crystal vs Sapphire

Sapphire crystal watch – what is it and what makes it so desirable? Here’s a clue: sapphire is the best watch glass. Keep reading to learn exactly why.

What Is Sapphire Crystal & How Is It Made?

quartz crystal

Sapphire crystal is not actually a type of glass – it’s pure aluminium oxide that has been through a process of crystallisation. Watch sapphire is the most expensive type of watch glass as it is incredibly hard and therefore durable. This means sapphire is the best material to protect the watch dial against shock.

To make sapphire crystal, pure aluminium oxide is heated and then crystallised. It is then cut into small pieces, and these pieces can be used as the protective cover on a sapphire glass watch.

What Are The Pros & Cons Of Sapphire Crystal?

sapphire

The first question you may have when considering purchasing a sapphire crystal watch is ‘is sapphire crystal scratch resistant?’ Without a doubt, sapphire crystal is the most scratch-resistant watch glass on the market. It’s always useful to have a scratch-resistant dial, but particularly if you travel a lot or you wear your watch on a daily basis. Another benefit of sapphire crystal is that it brings clarity to dials, which means the visibility on sapphire glass watches is excellent.

On the other hand, sapphire crystal watches are more expensive than any other type, which can deter some consumers from purchasing them. They are also fairly high-maintenance as the glass is brittle and difficult to polish. Finally, the high reflectivity of sapphire crystal can be irritating. However, most watch brands use anti-reflective coating to counteract this.

How Expensive Is Sapphire Glass?

silver sapphire glass skeleton watch

We cannot deny that the sapphire crystal glass cost is high; it’s one of the hardest substances on earth and it requires expensive tools for the crystallisation. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly watch glass, sapphire is not for you.

Choosing Between The Different Types Of Watch Glass

mineral vs sapphire watch glass

Overall, if you’re looking for durability and prestige, sapphire is the best watch glass. However, other options may be preferable for different reasons. When comparing hardened mineral crystal vs sapphire, it’s important to remember that mineral is cheaper and will therefore be less robust.

However, if you’re on a budget but you want something that resembles sapphire, it’s a great option. It’s the most affordable scratch-resistant watch glass, and the bonus is that it isn’t as brittle as sapphire. An even cheaper option is plexiglass, which is low-maintenance and easy to polish.

3 Of The Best Sapphire Glass Watches

Now that we have gone through what exactly sapphire glass is, let’s take a look at 3 of the best sapphire glass watches.

3. Tudor, 1926 Automatic Ladies Watch, £1,340

Tudor, 1926 automatic ladies watch

We couldn’t resist the charm of this Swiss-made masterpiece. The materials that have been used to produce this automatic timepiece are second to none, including robust stainless steel and unrivalled scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass.

The petite 28mm dial is perfect for a women’s watch, as is the delicate colour palette of white and rose gold. To top it all off, Tudor has blessed us with a 100m water resistant watch, so you don’t have to worry about the British weather raining on your parade (or rather your watch!)

2. Omega, De Ville Prestige, £2,870

Omega, De Ville Prestige

Next up is a stunning men’s watch from Omega. Prestigious by name, the De Ville Prestige flaunts a sun-brushed blue dial, a stainless steel case, and of course scratch-resistant sapphire.

Fortunately, Omega has used an anti-reflective coating to counteract the high reflectivity of sapphire glass. This wonderful product is packed with modern features such as the practical bezel, yet the black leather strap reminds us of a charming vintage timepiece.

1. Uniform Wares, M37 PreciDrive, £300-£450

Uniform Wares, M37 PreciDrive

Finally, our number one sapphire glass watch is a Uniform Wares creation. Every single one of our beautiful designs features scratch-resistant sapphire with a multi-layered anti-reflective coating. This watch in particular also flaunts diamond-cut hands, hand applied appliqués, and traditional pad printed dial indexing.

We know that purchasing a Swiss-made watch is an investment, so we pull out all the stops to ensure you receive a watch that exudes luxury.

Our Final Thoughts On Sapphire Crystal Watches

I&W automatic sapphire crystal watch

It goes without saying that sapphire crystal watches are the best option if you’re willing to spend that bit more on your timepiece. They’re wonderfully robust and clear, which is everything you could ever want in a watch glass.

If we’ve successfully converted you, you don’t have to spend hours browsing the internet for the best sapphire glass watches. Right here on this website, we offer a range of men’s and women’s watches that all use sapphire glass. Make the most of our extensive collection today and browse our watches for sale.

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