Despite the countless variety of watch models, there are not so many types of glasses for them. To make it easier to make the right choice, let's compare their main types, descriptions and characteristics.
Types of glasses for watches
PLASTIC
Plastic watch glass
Its other name is organic or plexiglass. The most budgetary option, used mainly in inexpensive watch models.
Advantages:
bends easily and takes any shape;
light weight;
combination of good strength and low brittleness;
low price.
Plexiglass, although cheap, is far from ideal, unfortunately, because it is prone to scratches and abrasions. From a slight contact with an abrasive or just a harder object, for example, with keys, buttons, and even with clothes, organic glass can "rub off" from everyday contact. Moreover, it does not withstand rafiqsonsonline.com/product-category/omax-watches/ a lot of pressure. But it is really difficult to break it down due to its fibrous structure.
MINERAL
Mineral glass can be of two types: quartz ("artificial crystal") and silicate, depending on the raw material, into which metal oxides are added during the melting process. The heated glass mass is given the required shape with gradual cooling.
"Mineralka" has reference characteristics in terms of price, weight, wear resistance and strength, therefore it is the most popular among watch manufacturers rafiqsonsonline.com/product-category/tissot/ and buyers. It is not surprising why more than 70% of watch products are equipped with such glasses.
To scratch it with clothes, unlike plastic, you can no longer be afraid. But, unfortunately, when hit by a sharp object, the glass can break or become cracked. It is not recommended to use this product in dusty places or near chemicals as its surface may tarnish. Fortunately, the mineral material lends itself to sanding and polishing.
SAPPHIRE
The sapphire crystal is based on monocrystalline aluminum. These are artificially grown crystals of aluminum oxide, with natural gemstones, sapphires, which are used in the production of jewelry, they belong to the chemical formula Al 2 O 3 .
Sapphire glass is much more expensive in production and processing, but at the same time it can only be scratched with a material whose hardness is higher, for example, diamond. In everyday life, this seems almost unrealistic. It is the sapphire crystal that is used in the most expensive and prestigious watches, which can be passed down from generation to generation without a single scratch on it. The only drawback is that it is more fragile than mineral, so it is easier to crack it, for example, on a brick wall, when subjected to impact. But even this risk can be minimized thanks to the protective frames that you can see on our Group A and Saboteur watches .
COMBINED
There are combined options. For example, sapphire-coated mineral glass, when the inner layer consists of a mineral, and the thin outer layer is sapphire. Manufactured using this technology, it is significantly more scratch resistant than just mineral, but it costs almost the same. That is, in terms of price / quality ratio, this is the best choice. In addition to sapphire spraying, an anti-reflective coating can be applied to watch glasses, similar to that applied to the lenses of glasses.
Which watch glass to choose?
It is advisable to determine the budget for the future purchase and the appointment of future hours. This will reduce the choice, which will allow you to make a more balanced decision, the price of the product has a fairly large dependence on the class of watches.
Plastic glasses will be appropriate for watches for every day, or, for example, for a child, since, together with a plastic case, they have a low weight and price.
Mineral is already suitable for various tasks, universal for ordinary buyers, especially since, if necessary, it can be returned to transparency by polishing. Alternatively, spray glass is a good choice.
Sapphire is the most scratch resistant. If you need to buy a watch “for centuries” and there is no price limit, then this is the best option!