“How to Identify the Three Types of Watch Glasses”
Identifying the type of glass used in a watch can significantly affect your choic
“How to Identify the Three Types of Watch Glasses”
Identifying the type of glass used in a watch can significantly affect your choice, especially when considering durability, scratch resistance, and aesthetic appeal. Here’s how you can differentiate between the three main types of watch glasses:
1. Acrylic Glass: Lightly tap the surface of the watch glass with your fingernail. Acrylic glass produces a sound reminiscent of plastic due to its softer, more flexible nature. It’s the lightest among the three and can feel slightly warm to the touch. Acrylic glass is more prone to scratches but less likely to shatter, making it a budget-friendly option for many vintage and entry-level watches.
2. Mineral Glass: Slightly harder than acrylic, mineral glass will feel more solid and produce a less hollow sound when tapped. It strikes a balance between being harder to scratch than acrylic and not as brittle as sapphire crystal, making it a common choice for mid-range watches. Though not as light as acrylic, it carries more weight than the plastic feel but less than sapphire crystal.
3. Sapphire Crystal: Known for its supreme scratch resistance and clarity, sapphire crystal is the heaviest and most luxurious option. Tap it, and you’ll notice a more dense and solid sound. One distinctive feature is its thermal conductivity; sapphire feels cold upon first touch. A unique test involves dropping a bead of water on the surface. If it holds together rather than spreading, it’s likely sapphire, indicative of the material’s smoothness and density.
Through these simple techniques, you can easily tell apart acrylic, mineral, and sapphire watch glasses, helping you make an informed decision based on the watch’s functionality, aesthetics, and your lifestyle needs.