Sapphire or Acrylic..........

[Tools]

Sapphire crystals are fitted to all new Rolex watches... But they used to use an acrylic crystal (Plexiglas)

Sapphire watch crystal is made in a laboratory by high heat crystallizing Aluminum in an oxygen enriched environment, producing Aluminum Oxide Al2O3 or corundum. This is virtually indistinguishable from the natural occurring Sapphire minerals in nature.

Sapphire is one of the hardest substances on earth measuring 9 on the Mohs scale with Diamond at the top at a rating of 10.

While not entirely scratch-proof, it is as close as you can get and still have a solid surface you can see through clearly and without distortion. It's a marvel in watch history and used exclusively in high end watches.

While Synthetic Sapphire was "invented" in 1902, it wasn't until the 1960's that it became used in watches with Rolex first using the material in 1977 and now throughout the line.

Acrylic is .........well..........it's plastic..

I don't really care that much for the "look" of plastic crystals, and the "advantage" of being able to polish out scratches doesn't thrill me when I know my Sapphire crystal isn't going to scratch.. Sure, I know that early watches are loved for the warm glow of their plastic covers, but, over time, they will disintegrate or develop fine cracks and lines.

Bottom line.......I'm a Sapphire kind of guy....



How about you....??

[oneillba]

Sapphire for me too. For all the same reasons as you mentioned.

[dsimon9]

Sapphire, although their brittleness makes me a bit nervous. I suppose you can't have everything.

[boxbrownie]

Sure I have always been a "hard" guy but my recently aquired DJ which is now 35 years old with no record of new dial/hands/crystal (although the hands do bear witness to 35 years of age slightly so I am confident everything is original and nothing replaced yet as per RSC report) and as you can see....it is still er....crystal clear...no cracks....no scratches...no crazing.

I think acrylic on a vintage watch suits it fine, but would be an odd choice on a modern day high end ticker for sure!

[redshirt1957]

Since I swing both ways, I enjoy both. I am talking about sapphire vs acrylic you bunch of dummies.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Since I swing both ways, I enjoy both. I am talking about sapphire vs acrylic you bunch of dummies.

Yeah, right.

I appreciate the benefits of both. How's that for not taking a stand?
dP

[Jimbits76]

I have the acrylic on my OD and it is a pain in the arse. Every little knock or slight graze will mark it.

Although the marks can be polished out with Colgate or Polywatch etc, it is only when the new acrylic is fit as part of it's service that it looks shiny and new again.

J

[ratae1950]

Based on recent posts describing potential movement 'collateral' damage from a shattered crystal the functional side of my brain says acrylic however.....

[frostie]

Sapphire all the way

[mgm]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

I have the acrylic on my OD and it is a pain in the arse. Every little knock or slight graze will mark it.

Although the marks can be polished out with Colgate or Polywatch etc, it is only when the new acrylic is fit as part of it's service that it looks shiny and new again.

J

Every now and then I tape off the bezel and case of my sub and then wet-sand with whatever grit is needed to remove the scars; generally 2000 followed by 3000 followed by 4000, and then buff briefly and lightly with wool and 3M polishing compound. Looks brand new when it's done. It would be interesting to know how much acrylic has been removed by repeated polishings, but I'm willing to bet not very much. Divers may wish to be more circumspect.

[Numismatist]

There's something about the reflectivity of sapphire.

I always catch myself glancing at other people's watches, and I can tell you, I can almost always pick up on a high end watch just by the crystal alone. It has a level of sparkle and shine you just don't get on other watches.

Sapphire for me please.

[bardm]

I think any watch NOT having saphire crystal looks plain cheap. Only the lowest segment of watchmakers use plexyglass today. Any high end brand wanting to be taken serious have to use crystal.

I for sure would never even consider a "high end" watch having plexiglass. (I'm of course NOT talking of vintage watches here).

[jasonbellevue]

Originally Posted by oneillba

Sapphire for me too. For all the same reasons as you mentioned.

X2

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Since I swing both ways, I enjoy both. I am talking about sapphire vs acrylic you bunch of dummies.

[Jimbits76]

I for sure would never even consider a "high end" watch having plexiglass. (I'm of course NOT talking of vintage watches here).

Moonwatch?

J

[dkpw]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Moonwatch?

J

x2

Hesalite was specifically chosen by NASA because unlike sapphire, it may scratch but it does not shatter. This is much safer in certain environments, both space and earth based.

Both look excellent on the Speedmaster IMHO.

[SSD]

Each have advantages IMHO! I love the "luster" of acrylic, especially the domed variety, and the "hardness" of sapphire, despite the corresponding brittleness. Both are just fine in my book.

[mike]

I'm the first to admit sapphire brings a lot to the table. Nevertheless, acryllic for me.

[bardm]

Originally Posted by dkpw

x2

Hesalite was specifically chosen by NASA because unlike sapphire, it may scratch but it does not shatter. This is much safer in certain environments, both space and earth based.

The vast majority of my time i'm spending on earth, but if I ever am going to outer space I will certenly consider it.

[Gurmot]

No surprises if this forum has a majority going for sapphire as most of the guys (and girls) around here seem to prefer newer models. This thread is kind of like asking if you like the cyclops. Come-on, we all know what the answer is going to be.

For my part, I've had a number of Rolex with both sapphire and acrylic and I actually prefer the acrylic, but then I prefer my older Rolex to the newer ones.

Why? Well I find the sapphire has two main drawbacks in everyday life when compared with acrylic. 1 - the sapphire smudges much more easily and 2 - it's easier to catch glare on sapphire which makes it harder to read. The domed acrylic makes this much less of a problem.

Now I know some of you won't like to read this but it's my experience and opinion.

[ramz7887]

I have both but the one I wear mountain climbing is my explorer 2 and its been through hell and looks like new. The plastic crystal on my older day-date has held up well to daily wear too though, only bad part about the plastic is that it is domed kinda high

[stevemulholland3]

sapphire!!!
I wish I could put sapphire crystals on vintage pieces,it would make all the difference.

[SPORTSFAN]

Hi.
Another vote for Sapphire here,I would not like scratches on the acrylic.
They do look good on the vintage pieces though.



Regards Mike.

[buz-lh]

I prefer the sapphire but I do wish they would put AR coating on the inside.

[Art161]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

Sapphire for me please.

Would the gentleman care for an olive?

[oneillba]

Originally Posted by boxbrownie

Sure I have always been a "hard" guy but my recently aquired DJ which is now 35 years old with no record of new dial/hands/crystal (although the hands do bear witness to 35 years of age slightly so I am confident everything is original and nothing replaced yet as per RSC report) and as you can see....it is still er....crystal clear...no cracks....no scratches...no crazing.

I think acrylic on a vintage watch suits it fine, but would be an odd choice on a modern day high end ticker for sure!

You have a very nice watch there. I love the strap and plastic. Very nice indeed!

[Brcmpbl]

Sapphire for this guy given the option.

[marshallr47]

I like acrylic because it's easy to buff out scratches but I do like the durability of the sapphire crystal though.

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Since I swing both ways, I enjoy both. I am talking about sapphire vs acrylic you bunch of dummies.

Cats out of the bag

[billswim]

I like the chunkiness the plastic gives to the profile of my watches. While i acknowledge the superiority of the sapphire crystal, I prefer the chunky, warm, acrylic.

[Z-Sub]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Since I swing both ways, I enjoy both. I am talking about sapphire vs acrylic you bunch of dummies.

I have an older watch with acrylic and it is holding up fine, only tiny scratches here and there. But I didn't wear it as much as I did with my old TagHeuer 1000 series which I wore it a lot in the past and it has scratches on the bezel but none on the Sapphire crystal.
I personally will take only Sapphire for any watch that I acquire in the future.