Sofia Martinez
Watch crystals are an important part of every watch, providing protection to the vital mechanisms of the timepiece while subtly adding to its look and feel. There are three types of crystals used in watches: acrylic glass, mineral glass, and sapphire crystal. Acrylic glass, also known as plastic, is the cheapest and most common type of crystal. It is flexible, transparent, and lightweight, making it ideal for children's watches and watches used in space. Plastic crystals have been used in watchmaking since the 1920s and are still widely used today due to their low cost and ease of replacement. While plastic crystals scratch easily, these scratches can be polished out at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Acrylic, Hesalite, Plexiglass |
| Price | Cheapest |
| Durability | Scratches easily but cracks rather than shatters |
| Repair | Scratches can be polished out at home |
| Use case | Common in children's watches and vintage watches |
| Appearance | Can be made thicker to protect the watch without compromising elegance |
| Sound | Makes a different noise when tapped on than sapphire or mineral glass |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic watch crystals are also known as acrylic glass
Plastic watch crystals, also known as acrylic glass, are made from a plastic compound. They are the cheapest type of watch crystal to manufacture and replace. Plastic has been used to make watch crystals since the 1920s, and vintage watches with their original plastic crystal are often more desirable to collectors. Plastic scratches easily, but these scratches can be polished out at home. Acrylic glass is flexible, transparent, and very light. It is also hard to break, which is why it is often used for children's watches.
Acrylic glass is also used for more expensive watches, such as the Omega Speedmaster, which was taken into space. NASA deemed it safer for astronauts to have watch faces that crack rather than shatter, as small shards of glass could be very dangerous in zero gravity. Acrylic glass can also be made thicker to better protect the watch, without the high cost of using mineral or sapphire glass.
Acrylic glass is the easiest type of crystal to identify. If the watch crystal appears to be made out of a hard plastic-like material, it is almost certainly acrylic. It is also usually warm to the touch, unlike mineral glass or sapphire crystal, which are cold.
There are a few ways to test the type of crystal used in a watch. Firstly, a drop of water can be placed on the glass. If the water stays in a drop shape, it is probably sapphire crystal. If the water spreads, it is likely mineral glass. Another test is to tap the crystal with a fingernail and listen to the sound it makes. A high-pitched sound indicates mineral glass, and a low-pitched sound indicates sapphire crystal.
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They are flexible, transparent, and lightweight
Watch crystals are an important part of timepieces, providing protection to the mechanisms of the watch while subtly enhancing its look and feel. The three types of watch crystals are acrylic glass, mineral glass, and sapphire crystal. Acrylic glass, also known as plastic, is flexible, transparent, and lightweight.
Plastic watch crystals are usually made of acrylic, plexiglass, or hesalite. They are lightweight and easy to shape, allowing manufacturers to make them thicker to better protect the watch without compromising on elegance. This flexibility also means that they crack rather than shatter, making them a safer option for children's watches and even the watch that went to space with NASA astronauts.
Plastic is the cheapest watch crystal to manufacture and replace, and its flexibility means that while it scratches easily, these scratches can be polished out at home. This makes it a common choice for inexpensive watches, especially those aimed at children.
The drawbacks of plastic watch crystals have led many manufacturers to move to mineral glass. Mineral glass is more scratch-resistant and less likely to shatter than plastic, but it is also more expensive and less flexible. Sapphire crystal is the most expensive and scratch-resistant of the three types, but it is also the most durable.
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Plastic is the cheapest crystal to manufacture and replace
Plastic watch crystals, also known as acrylic glass, are the cheapest to manufacture and replace. Acrylic glass is a plastic compound that is flexible, transparent, and lightweight. It has been used to make watch crystals since the 1920s and is still widely used today, especially in children's watches.
One of the main advantages of plastic watch crystals is their affordability. They are inexpensive to produce and easy to replace if they break. This makes them a popular choice for watchmakers when creating cheap watches. Additionally, plastic crystals are shatter-resistant, which means they are less likely to break into small pieces that could be dangerous, especially in children's watches.
Another benefit of plastic crystals is their flexibility. Unlike mineral or sapphire crystals, plastic crystals are more likely to crack than shatter. This was one of the reasons why NASA chose to use a plastic crystal on the Omega Speedmaster taken into space, as a cracking watch face was considered safer for astronauts than shards of glass in zero gravity. The flexibility of plastic also allows for thicker crystals that curve elegantly into the bezel, providing better protection for the watch movement without the high cost of mineral or sapphire glass.
While plastic crystals scratch easily, these scratches can be polished out at home, making it convenient and low-maintenance for the wearer. Despite the disadvantages of plastic crystals, many vintage watches are considered more desirable to collectors if they still have their original plastic crystal, such as the Rolex 'Plexiglass' and Omega 'Hesalite' Speedmaster.
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Plastic crystals scratch easily but can be polished at home
A plastic watch crystal is a type of watch crystal made from plastic. They are also referred to as acrylic, hesalite, or plexiglass. Plastic watch crystals have been used since the 1920s and are the cheapest type of watch crystal to manufacture and replace. They are also more flexible than other materials, making them less likely to shatter, which is why they were used in the Omega Speedmaster worn by astronauts during space missions.
Plastic crystals are prone to scratches, but these can be polished out at home. Polishing crystals usually involves sanding or grinding down the surface by hand using sandpaper. It is important to start with the mildest sandpaper and work up to finer grades to achieve a consistent finish. Safety precautions, such as wearing safety goggles, gloves, and an air mask, should be taken when sanding to avoid irritation from the dust and powder produced.
To polish a plastic watch crystal at home, you can follow these steps:
- Clean the crystal with soap and water using a soft-bristled brush to remove any dirt or grime.
- Soak the crystal in full-strength vinegar for 8 to 12 hours, followed by a soak in washing ammonium for the same duration. Rinse and wipe the crystal dry.
- For heavily stained crystals, treat them with oxalic acid. This step should be done while wearing rubber gloves as oxalic acid can cause chemical burns if it comes into contact with skin.
- Start sanding the crystal with 50-grade sandpaper, gently working it over the surface for an even finish.
- Continue sanding with 150-grade sandpaper and then move on to the finest grade, such as 300 to 600-grade sandpaper, until the crystal is bright, clear, and shiny.
By following these steps, you can polish out scratches on a plastic watch crystal and restore its clarity and shine.
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Mineral glass is more scratch-resistant than plastic
When it comes to watch crystals, two of the most common materials used are mineral glass and plastic. While both have their own advantages and find their place in the watch industry, there are distinct differences between the two, especially when it comes to scratch resistance. Mineral glass is a type of hardened glass that has been treated to increase its durability and scratch resistance. On the other hand, plastic watch crystals are typically made from acrylic or polycarbonate materials, which are known for their impact resistance and affordability.
Mineral glass is known for its superior scratch resistance compared to plastic. This is because mineral glass has a higher hardness and is less susceptible to abrasions and scratches. The Mohs hardness of mineral glass is typically around 5-6, while plastic crystals generally fall in the 2.5-4 range. The Mohs scale measures the hardness of minerals and is often used as a reference for watch crystals as well. A higher Mohs rating indicates a harder surface that is more resistant to scratches and abrasion.
The scratch resistance of mineral glass is due to its non-porous and highly polished surface. Through heat treatment and chemical processes, the glass is hardened and its surface is made extremely smooth, making it difficult for foreign particles to penetrate or cause scratches. This treatment also gives mineral glass its glossy and transparent appearance, enhancing the overall look of the watch.
On the other hand, plastic watch crystals, while being more impact resistant, are more prone to scratches. The softer nature of plastic makes it easier for sharp objects or abrasive materials to leave marks on the surface. Over time, plastic watch crystals may become cloudy or develop scratches that can obscure the dial and diminish the overall aesthetic appeal of the timepiece.
That being said, plastic watch crystals have their advantages too. They are highly affordable, making them a popular choice for casual or fashion watches. Additionally, their impact resistance makes them less likely to shatter or crack upon impact, which is why they are often used in sports or outdoor activity watches.
In summary, when it comes to scratch resistance, mineral glass outperforms plastic. Mineral glass watches are more durable and can maintain their clarity and aesthetic appeal over time. However, plastic watch crystals offer their own benefits in terms of affordability and impact resistance, making them a viable option for certain types of watches. Ultimately, the choice between mineral glass and plastic depends on the specific needs and preferences of the watch owner.
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Frequently asked questions
A plastic watch crystal, also known as acrylic glass, is a type of material used to protect the vital mechanisms of a watch.
Plastic watch crystals are flexible, transparent, lightweight, and inexpensive. They are also shatter-resistant, cracking instead of shattering, which makes them safer.
Plastic watch crystals scratch easily. While these scratches can be polished out at home, they may be seen as a disadvantage.
If your watch crystal appears to be made out of a hard plastic-like material, it is most likely acrylic. You can also try a water test or sound test—if a drop of water spreads on the surface, and a fingernail tap produces a high-pitched sound, it is not a sapphire or mineral crystal, which leaves plastic as the most probable option.
There are three main types of watch crystals: acrylic glass (plastic), mineral glass, and sapphire crystal.
