A Guide to Watch Crystals: A Clear Look
A watch crystal is the transparent cover that protects the watch's dial and movement.1 The type of crystal used can significantly impact the watch's durability, clarity, and overall aesthetics.2 Here's a breakdown of the most common types:
1. Acrylic Crystal
- Pros: Highly scratch-resistant, relatively inexpensive, and easily repairable.
- Cons: Prone to yellowing over time, can easily develop scratches, and offers lower clarity compared to other options.3
- Best for: Budget-friendly watches, vintage-style watches, and watches that are subjected to rough handling.
2. Mineral Crystal
- Pros: Harder and more scratch-resistant than acrylic, offers better clarity, and is more affordable than sapphire.
- Cons: Can still scratch if subjected to significant impact, and may not be as durable as sapphire.
- Best for: Everyday watches, dress watches, and watches that require a balance of durability and affordability.
3. Sapphire Crystal
- Pros: Extremely scratch-resistant, offers the highest level of clarity, and is highly durable.4
- Cons: More expensive than acrylic and mineral crystals, and can shatter if subjected to severe impact.5
- Best for: Luxury watches, sports watches, and watches that require maximum protection and clarity.6
Choosing the Right Crystal When choosing a watch, consider the following factors:
- Budget: Acrylic is the most affordable, followed by mineral, and then sapphire.
- Durability: Sapphire offers the highest level of scratch resistance, followed by mineral, and then acrylic.
- Clarity: Sapphire provides the best clarity, followed by mineral, and then acrylic.
- Style: Some watch styles, like vintage or military, may look better with an acrylic crystal.7
By understanding the different types of watch crystals, you can make an informed decision when purchasing a watch that suits your needs and preferences. At ATL Watch Company we mostly use Sapphire Crystal, which is the standard in the luxury watch world. If you would like your own custom timepiece with Sapphire Crystal, please visit us at www.atlwatchcompany.com.
