Maya Ellison
Rolex watches are often shipped in protective plastic boxes, which are also used when the watches are sent for repair or service. However, Rolex has recently switched to cardboard shipping boxes. Historically, the watch faces used acrylic (a type of plastic) but have since been replaced with sapphire crystals. This is because sapphire is more scratch-resistant and transparent, although it is more prone to shattering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic on Rolex watches | Some Rolex watches have acrylic (a.k.a. plastic) crystals. Sapphire crystals gained popularity around the mid-20th century, so modern Rolex watches are more likely to have sapphire crystals. |
| Plastic on new Rolex watches | New Rolex watches are delivered in clear plastic service boxes. These boxes are not marked with the Rolex logo and are used for shipping to and from repairs or services. |
| Plastic on Rolex gears | There is no plastic on the gears of Rolex watches. |
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What You'll Learn
- Rolex uses plastic service boxes to ship watches to and from repair or service
- Rolex watches with plastic/acrylic crystals are considered vintage
- Sapphire crystals are more scratch-resistant than plastic/acrylic crystals
- Plastic/acrylic crystals are more shatter-resistant than sapphire crystals
- Rolex replaced plastic with crystal because people would be paying for a watch with plastic
Rolex uses plastic service boxes to ship watches to and from repair or service
Rolex has used plastic in various components of its watches, including the crystal, bezel protector, and gears. However, the brand has transitioned away from plastic in some elements, such as the crystal, where it now favours sapphire crystals over acrylic or plastic ones. This shift occurred due to the higher scratch resistance and improved transparency of sapphire.
While Rolex no longer uses plastic for watch crystals, they have employed clear plastic service boxes for shipping new watches to authorised dealers (ADs) and for repair or service purposes. These boxes, also known as "watch coffins," are devoid of any Rolex branding or logos, making them versatile for other watch brands. The boxes are designed to securely transport the watches, with some featuring a square hole and others being solid.
The plastic service boxes have been the subject of counterfeiting, with counterfeiters creating knockoffs and selling them in bulk to resellers. Rolex has since discontinued the use of these plastic boxes, opting for cardboard shipping containers instead, to address the issue and prevent millions of discarded boxes from creating a potential public relations problem.
It's worth noting that while Rolex has transitioned to cardboard for shipping boxes, the authentic plastic service boxes were once the standard and provided a safe means of transporting Rolex watches to and from repairs or servicing. The presence of these plastic boxes in the market today indicates their continued use until the remaining authentic stock is depleted.
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Rolex watches with plastic/acrylic crystals are considered vintage
Rolex watches with plastic or acrylic crystals are considered vintage, and for good reason. The use of acrylic crystals signifies a distinct era in the Rolex brand's history, one that watch enthusiasts and collectors find appealing. This material was used in the production of Rolex watch crystals until the late 20th century, after which it was gradually replaced by synthetic sapphire crystals.
Acrylic, also known as polymethyl methacrylate, is a transparent thermoplastic that served as a shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It was favoured by Rolex for its durability and ability to withstand bangs without shattering. While it is prone to scratching, acrylic is relatively easy to buff and polish, maintaining its crystal-clear appearance. This is in contrast to sapphire crystals, which, despite their superior scratch resistance, are more likely to shatter and potentially damage the watch's interior if broken.
The acrylic crystals on vintage Rolexes contribute to their retro aesthetic. They possess a warmth and lack of shine that many collectors prefer over the sleek, modern look of sapphire. Additionally, acrylic crystals are associated with practicality. They are lighter in weight, less reflective, and easier to repair if scratched. These characteristics made them particularly popular among pilots, who favoured the improved visibility of acrylic crystals in bright sunlight.
Despite the advantages of acrylic, Rolex made the transition to sapphire crystals due to their scratch-resistant properties and improved transparency. Sapphire's extreme hardness, ranked at a level nine on the Mohs scale, made it a desirable upgrade for high-end watchmakers. However, this very hardness also presents a challenge when it comes to repairing or replacing the crystal, as special tools and techniques are required.
Today, all Rolex watches feature sapphire crystals, but the acrylic crystals of yesteryear continue to hold their charm. For those seeking a piece of horological history, a vintage Rolex with an acrylic crystal is a coveted find.
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Sapphire crystals are more scratch-resistant than plastic/acrylic crystals
While acrylic crystals are valued for their warm, vintage appearance, they are significantly less scratch-resistant than sapphire crystals. Sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, while acrylic plastics typically have a rating of around 3 or 4. This means that when most hard objects come into contact with an acrylic crystal, they are likely to leave some sort of mark or scratch.
Acrylic crystals do acquire blemishes rather easily, and while light scratches and scuffs can be remedied at home using polishing compounds and a soft cloth, they are more susceptible to permanent damage. On the other hand, sapphire crystals are very hard and difficult to scratch. However, they are prone to chipping and shattering if subjected to a significant impact. When a sapphire crystal shatters, the tiny, hard crystal shards can create permanent marks on the watch's surface and get into the inner workings of the movement, requiring professional cleaning and servicing.
The superior scratch resistance of sapphire crystals gives the watch a more modern and refined look, and ensures that the face of the watch remains clear and pristine. This is one of the reasons why sapphire crystal is the default choice for high-end watches. However, neither acrylic nor sapphire can be considered unequivocally superior to the other, as each has its own unique advantages and drawbacks. For example, while acrylic is more prone to scratching, it is also inherently more flexible and better at accommodating hard impacts. Additionally, acrylic crystals are significantly less expensive to replace than sapphire crystals.
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Plastic/acrylic crystals are more shatter-resistant than sapphire crystals
Acrylic crystals, on the other hand, are shatter-resistant. Acrylic was first used in watches during World War II when governments and militaries required "non-breakable" crystals for military timepieces. This feature also made it the crystal of choice for NASA's manned space missions. While acrylic scratches more easily than sapphire, these scratches can be polished out with relative ease using products like PolyWatch.
For these reasons, some people prefer acrylic crystals over sapphire. Acrylic is also cheaper to replace than sapphire, and some people prefer the distorted, "warmer" appearance of an acrylic crystal. However, sapphire crystals have the benefit of being extremely clear and sharp, with better scratch resistance, and are the default choice for high-end watches.
Ultimately, both types of crystal have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences and the intended use of the watch.
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Rolex replaced plastic with crystal because people would be paying for a watch with plastic
Rolex watches can feature either acrylic (a.k.a. plastic) or sapphire crystals. Acrylic was used as a shatter-resistant alternative to glass, and it is also durable and resistant to bangs. However, it is not scratch-resistant, and it is more likely to get scratched. While acrylic scratches are relatively simple to buff out using polishing pastes, they require frequent replacements to maintain the watch's waterproofness.
Sapphire crystals, on the other hand, are highly scratch-resistant and offer improved transparency. They are also harder than acrylic crystals, which makes them prone to shattering. If shattered, the crystal will splinter and could damage the interior of the watch. Due to these properties of sapphire crystals, they are considered more premium and are used in high-end watches.
The switch from plastic to crystal by Rolex could be attributed to several factors. Firstly, sapphire crystals were introduced by Rolex's competitors, Ebel and Cartier, which made their watches more popular. Rolex had to switch to sapphire crystals to maintain its market position. Secondly, customers with acrylic Rolexes complained about the use of outdated plastic crystals, and the company had to upgrade to a more premium material to satisfy its customers. Finally, as pointed out by some Rolex owners, people might not want to pay for a watch with plastic components. Thus, the switch to sapphire crystals could be a response to customer expectations of a luxury watch.
In summary, while acrylic has its benefits, such as durability and shatter resistance, sapphire crystals offer improved scratch resistance and transparency. The switch to sapphire crystals allowed Rolex to keep up with competitors, meet customer expectations, and potentially enhance the perceived value of its watches.
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Frequently asked questions
Rolex watches can come with plastic on them, but only as a protective case during shipping to and from repair or service. Rolex has since switched to cardboard shipping boxes.
Yes, Rolex used to use acrylic (a.k.a. plastic) crystals for their watch crystals. However, they have since switched to using sapphire crystals exclusively.
Sapphire crystals offer improved transparency and scratch resistance compared to acrylic crystals. While acrylic crystals are more prone to scratching, they are also relatively easy to buff out and less likely to shatter compared to sapphire crystals.
Yes, acrylic crystals have a retro look that is preferred by some vintage Rolex collectors. Acrylic is also cheaper to replace and less prone to shattering compared to sapphire.
No, Rolex does not use plastic for any other components of their watches. Some people believe that the red gears in Rolex Automatic movements are made of plastic, but they are actually coated metal.
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