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Ck8 · 22 October 2012, 06:33 AM

What is the difference between mineral and sapphire glass? Which is better and why? Which type glass does Rolex use more or just one kind?

The GMT Master · 22 October 2012, 06:59 AM

A mineral crystal is essentially tempered glass - it's harder than an acrylic crystal, but still susceptible to scratches. Sapphire crystals are harder (therefore more scratch resistant), but are also brittle, which makes them more likely to chip or shatter. Sapphire crystals are usually seen as the 'best' for watch crystals, but all three principal kinds of crystals have advantages and shortcomings. I, for one, am beginning to appreciate the warmth of an acrylic crystal, it really does alter the look of a watch

77T · 22 October 2012, 08:46 AM

The soft tapered curve at the edge of an acrylic makes it nicer to me.

changzilla · 22 October 2012, 08:49 AM

Rolex grows their own Sapphire crystals. Not sure how but I think it's pretty cool.

Bulldurham08 · 22 October 2012, 09:52 AM

Love me some sapphire crystal...but the Acrylic does look great...

GradyPhilpott · 22 October 2012, 12:17 PM

I think that acrylic is a better option than mineral glass, myself.

deej · 22 October 2012, 01:51 PM

Sorry for a noob question. When was mineral crystals used?

padi56 · 22 October 2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deej

Sorry for a noob question. When was mineral crystals used?

Mineral crystals were not used on Rolex watches only acrylic and sapphire.

Ck8 · 22 October 2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

Mineral crystals were not used on Rolex watches only acrylic and sapphire.

Are all Rolex nowadays made with sapphire glass?

padi56 · 22 October 2012, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ck8

Are all Rolex nowadays made with sapphire glass?

Yes.

Vincent65 · 22 October 2012, 08:34 PM

plexi for me!

bigwatchman · 23 October 2012, 02:57 AM

Mineral crystals are awful. I almost never wear my watches with them... or i have given them away. My G shock is all scratched up from work. At least its a $100 scratched up watch instead of a $$$$ watch. Today all i will buy is sapphire crystal watches. Someday maybe a plexy though as they just look so cool.

gregdolley · 23 October 2012, 03:04 AM

Mineral crystal can scratch, sapphire crystal is virtual scratch resistant. Sapphire crystal can be scratched by a diamond or another sapphire, but not much else.

Sapphire crystal is very brittle though, so it's easy to shatter or chip. Mineral crystal is not as brittle.

Camel · 23 October 2012, 03:07 AM

I love the look of my acrylic AK Date !

Ck8 · 23 October 2012, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregdolley

Mineral crystal can scratch, sapphire crystal is virtual scratch resistant. Sapphire crystal can be scratched by a diamond or another sapphire, but not much else.

Sapphire crystal is very brittle though, so it's easy to shatter or chip. Mineral crystal is not as brittle.

How would I know if I have mineral or sapphire glass apart from trying to scratch it or how hard it would break?

watch watcher · 23 October 2012, 11:15 AM

^ Sapphire shows fingerprints like crazy. It's unmistakable.

ffighter556 · 23 October 2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watch watcher

^ Sapphire shows fingerprints like crazy. It's unmistakable.

Don't touch it. Lol

Psmith · 23 October 2012, 12:55 PM

I avoid mineral crystals as they seems to offer the worst of both worlds... scratch-prone without the warm look of acrylic

dannyp · 24 October 2012, 12:51 AM

These days, essentially all high-end watches use sapphire crystals, the notable exception being the Omega Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch", which still uses acrylic for historical purposes.

I thought I'd read somewhere (but could be mistaken) that the last time high-end watches used mineral glass was before there were adequate techniques to cut odd shapes out of sapphire, but I could easily be making this up and would welcome correction.

DJJon · 24 October 2012, 03:16 AM

Also, I have heard some Rolex fans say that Rolex uses "Diagonal Cut Sapphire", differentiating it from the rest of the pack.

Whether or not this is true, and if so what real good it might do, I cannot confirm.

22 October 2012, 06:33 AM	#1
Ck8 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Mark 哥 Location: UK Posts: 860	Mineral Vs Sapphire glass What is the difference between mineral and sapphire glass? Which is better and why? Which type glass does Rolex use more or just one kind? __________________ I like wonton noodles soup - Mark 哥

22 October 2012, 08:46 AM	#3
77T 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 41,801	The soft tapered curve at the edge of an acrylic makes it nicer to me. __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

22 October 2012, 12:17 PM	#6
GradyPhilpott 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Orient Bambino Posts: 34,441	I think that acrylic is a better option than mineral glass, myself. __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

23 October 2012, 03:07 AM	#14
Camel "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Real Name: Willem Location: Pretoria RSA Watch: ROLEXROLEXROLEX Posts: 1,072	I love the look of my acrylic AK Date ! __________________ Rolex Datejust II WG/SS Blue 116334 "8368xxxx" Rolex Sea-Dweller SD43 126600 "94A6xxxx" Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller 116660 "V84xxxx" Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Horizon 116660 "3170xxxx" Rolex Explorer II Polar 16570 "T20xxxx" Rolex Explorer II Black 216570 "G53xxxx" Rolex GMT-Master II 16710 "P32xxxx" Rolex GMT-Master II Ceramic 116710LN "V97xxxx" Rolex Submariner 16610 "Z61xxxx" Rolex Submariner Ceramic 116610LN "G79xxxx"

23 October 2012, 12:55 PM	#18
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	I avoid mineral crystals as they seems to offer the worst of both worlds... scratch-prone without the warm look of acrylic __________________

22 October 2012, 06:59 AM	#2
The GMT Master "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: England Posts: 8,149	A mineral crystal is essentially tempered glass - it's harder than an acrylic crystal, but still susceptible to scratches. Sapphire crystals are harder (therefore more scratch resistant), but are also brittle, which makes them more likely to chip or shatter. Sapphire crystals are usually seen as the 'best' for watch crystals, but all three principal kinds of crystals have advantages and shortcomings. I, for one, am beginning to appreciate the warmth of an acrylic crystal, it really does alter the look of a watch

22 October 2012, 08:49 AM	#4
changzilla "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Steve Location: Michigan Watch: Nothing yet Posts: 141	Rolex grows their own Sapphire crystals. Not sure how but I think it's pretty cool.

22 October 2012, 09:52 AM	#5
Bulldurham08 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Real Name: Kyle Location: PA Watch: 116610LN Posts: 404	Love me some sapphire crystal...but the Acrylic does look great...

22 October 2012, 01:51 PM	#7
deej "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 344	Sorry for a noob question. When was mineral crystals used?

22 October 2012, 08:34 PM	#11
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,297	plexi for me!

23 October 2012, 02:57 AM	#12
bigwatchman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Scott Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,307	Mineral crystals are awful. I almost never wear my watches with them... or i have given them away. My G shock is all scratched up from work. At least its a $100 scratched up watch instead of a $$$$ watch. Today all i will buy is sapphire crystal watches. Someday maybe a plexy though as they just look so cool.

23 October 2012, 03:04 AM	#13
gregdolley Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Greg Dolley Location: Los Angeles Watch: Rose Gold Daytona Posts: 1,283	Mineral crystal can scratch, sapphire crystal is virtual scratch resistant. Sapphire crystal can be scratched by a diamond or another sapphire, but not much else. Sapphire crystal is very brittle though, so it's easy to shatter or chip. Mineral crystal is not as brittle.

23 October 2012, 11:15 AM	#16
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	^ Sapphire shows fingerprints like crazy. It's unmistakable.

24 October 2012, 12:51 AM	#19
dannyp Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: usa Posts: 6,765	These days, essentially all high-end watches use sapphire crystals, the notable exception being the Omega Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch", which still uses acrylic for historical purposes. I thought I'd read somewhere (but could be mistaken) that the last time high-end watches used mineral glass was before there were adequate techniques to cut odd shapes out of sapphire, but I could easily be making this up and would welcome correction.

24 October 2012, 03:16 AM	#20
DJJon "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Jon Location: USA Watch: DJ - Need Sub Bad Posts: 1,889	Also, I have heard some Rolex fans say that Rolex uses "Diagonal Cut Sapphire", differentiating it from the rest of the pack. Whether or not this is true, and if so what real good it might do, I cannot confirm.

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