Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Your watch’s crystal material is the main factor in how readily its face gets scratched. Sapphire generally stands up to everyday abrasion better than mineral glass or acrylic, but it is not scratch-proof—and scratch resistance does not mean the watch can withstand a hard impact. Check the specifications or manual for your exact model to find out which crystal it uses.
How the three common watch crystals compare
| Crystal | Scratch resistance | Care and repair |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | The softest of these three materials and the most prone to scratches. | Timex says small scratches can be buffed out. Follow guidance for the specific watch. |
| Mineral glass | More scratch resistant than acrylic, but less so than sapphire; it can still be scratched. | Do not assume scratches can be polished away. Check model-specific care instructions. |
| Sapphire | The strongest routine scratch resistance of these three, but not immune to scratches. | Avoid hard abrasives. If the crystal has a coating, abrasive treatment could affect it; consult the manufacturer or a watch service professional. |
These comparisons describe crystal materials, not every part of a watch. A case, bezel, or bracelet can show wear differently from the crystal.
Timex compares acrylic, mineral, and sapphire watch crystals. TAG Heuer also explains the differences among these materials in its 2024 sapphire-crystal guide.
What hardness figures do—and do not—tell you
Casio describes sapphire crystal as 9 on the Mohs scale and mineral glass as 5. Mohs is a relative hardness scale: these numbers help compare resistance to scratching, but they do not predict how many years a crystal will remain mark-free or how it will fare in a particular accident. See Casio’s sapphire-crystal guidance.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Size - Diameter: 30mm / 1.18" (diameter tolerance is ±0.05mm.); edge thickness: 1.5mm / 0.06". Please use a precision caliper to measure the diameter/thickness before purchasing. Do not use tools with low precision such as soft rulers, straight rulers.
- Material - Made of quality sapphire crystal glass, watch lens provide excellent hardness and scratch resistance, durable and long-lasting. The hardness test of sapphire is 9, second only to diamond. The flat round sapphire glass has a smooth surface, adding a touch of sophistication to the watch.
- Features - Clear and transparent, scratch-resistant, wear-resistant, no scratches, polishing and chamfering surface technology. Providing clear dial visibility, ensuring accuracy without distortion.The sapphire glass adopts a flat round design, providing a classic and elegant look to the watch.
- Applications - Sapphire glass lenses are widely used in luxury watches, sports watches, dive watches and fashion watches. These lenses are quality, durable, highly scratch-resistant to withstand rough use, water-resistant, and clear enough to add a touch of elegance to fashion watches.
- Notes - Clean the sapphire glass lens with a soft, lint-free cloth. While sapphire glass is very durable, avoid strong impacts or hitting the watch against hard surfaces to prevent damage. Although sapphire glass is water-resistant, make sure your watch is also water-resistant before placing it in water.
Rado gives a hardness rating of 2,500 Vickers for the sapphire crystal it uses as standard. Vickers and Mohs are different scales, so the raw figures should not be compared as if they were equivalent. Rado’s material FAQ also defines scratch-resistant in practical terms as “capable of withstanding scratching that occurs with normal everyday use.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why sapphire can still be damaged
Sapphire is highly scratch resistant, not indestructible. Rado says materials as hard as or harder than sapphire can scratch it, and cautions that a watch may break if dropped. Timex likewise notes that sapphire can be vulnerable to heavy impact.
Rank #2
- Compatible Brand：Rolex Datejust II 116300, 116333, 116334
- Material: Sapphire Glass
- Size：32.7mm
- It will fit the watch just like original and the watch will be waterproof. It is made to exact specifications and size as the original.
- Package: 1 x Sapphire Watch Glass
Hardness and toughness describe different concerns: a crystal that resists routine abrasion can still be damaged by a sufficiently hard blow. There is no universal impact ranking for all watch models established by these manufacturer comparisons, so do not treat sapphire as an impact-proof guarantee.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Compatible Model: Compatible Model: Rolex Datejust 16014,16018, 16200, 16220, 16220, 16624 and16550, 16570, 16610, 16613, 16618, 16700, 16710, 16713, 16718, 16758, 16760, 16803, 16808 and others.
- Size：30.6mm
- Material: This crystal is made of top quality sapphire crystal made to exact specifications and size as the original.
- It has a 2.5x cyclops magnification and is designed without any lens distortion. No logo or markings on the crystal.
- Product Features:Scratch Resistant Surface; No Lens Distortion Effect; Make the watch waterproof
Rank #4
- Compatible Brand：Rolex Datejust
- Material: Sapphire Glass
- Size：30.4mm
- It will fit the watch just like original and the watch will be waterproof. It is made to exact specifications and size as the original.
- Package: 1 x Sapphire Watch Glass
Rank #3
- Size - Diameter: 37mm / 1.46" (diameter tolerance is ±0.05mm.); edge thickness: 1.5mm / 0.06". Please use a precision caliper to measure the diameter/thickness before purchasing. Do not use tools with low precision such as soft rulers, straight rulers.
- Material - Made of quality sapphire crystal glass, watch lens provide excellent hardness and scratch resistance, durable and long-lasting. The hardness test of sapphire is 9, second only to diamond. The flat round sapphire glass has a smooth surface, adding a touch of sophistication to the watch.
- Features - Clear and transparent, scratch-resistant, wear-resistant, no scratches, polishing and chamfering surface technology. Providing clear dial visibility, ensuring accuracy without distortion.The sapphire glass adopts a flat round design, providing a classic and elegant look to the watch.
- Applications - Sapphire glass lenses are widely used in luxury watches, sports watches, dive watches and fashion watches. These lenses are quality, durable, highly scratch-resistant to withstand rough use, water-resistant, and clear enough to add a touch of elegance to fashion watches.
- Notes - Clean the sapphire glass lens with a soft, lint-free cloth. While sapphire glass is very durable, avoid strong impacts or hitting the watch against hard surfaces to prevent damage. Although sapphire glass is water-resistant, make sure your watch is also water-resistant before placing it in water.
How to find the crystal in your watch
- Find the exact model name or reference number on the watch, packaging, warranty information, or product record.
- Open that model’s manufacturer product page and look in its specifications for the crystal material. Timex points readers to the Specs section; Casio recommends checking the watch’s instructions or manual.
- If the listing does not say, consult the manual or contact the manufacturer or an authorized service provider with the model reference. Do not try to identify the material by scratching or otherwise testing the crystal.
What to do about a scratch
- Acrylic: Timex says scratches can be buffed out. Check the model’s care instructions before attempting polishing.
- Mineral glass: It is more scratch resistant than acrylic, but do not assume a scratch can be polished away; ask the manufacturer or a qualified watch service professional about the specific model.
- Sapphire or coated crystal: Avoid abrasive DIY treatment unless the manufacturer gives model-specific instructions. A coating may be affected, and the right service depends on the watch’s construction.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
