Sapphire crystal is a synthetic material created by crystallizing aluminum oxide at high temperatures, making it one of the hardest substances on Earth. It offers excellent clarity and a vibrant shine that enhances the overall aesthetic of luxury timepieces. Its resistance to scratches and ability to maintain its brilliant appearance over time makes sapphire the preferred choice for high-end watches. Unlike other crystals, sapphire provides a superior, almost flawless finish, ensuring that your timepiece retains its beauty for years.

Rated 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire crystal is second only to diamond in terms of scratch resistance. This hardness makes sapphire crystal an ideal choice for luxury watches, ensuring that your timepiece remains free of scratches and preserves its pristine appearance over time. Sapphire's durability also means it can withstand daily wear and tear, making it a reliable and long-lasting material for watches designed for both style and function.

Sapphire crystal is highly scratch-resistant, which is why it’s favoured for luxury watches designed for longevity. It offers excellent clarity and transparency, allowing light to pass through with minimal distortion, enhancing the watch dial's visual appeal and readability. Additionally, sapphire’s remarkable shatter resistance adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring your watch remains in pristine condition for years. Although it comes at a higher price, sapphire crystal’s combination of durability and aesthetics makes it a top choice for high-end watches.

Pro Tip: Sapphire crystal can sometimes be highly reflective, so it’s wise to look for watches with a multi-layered anti-reflective (AR) coating for better visibility and reduced glare. For more shopping tips for your next luxury watch, check out our article on 9 Expert Tips For Buying Your First Automatic Watch.

The high cost of sapphire crystal stems from the intricate and precise process involved in its creation. First, pure aluminum oxide is crystallized at high temperatures, a process that requires expertise and advanced technology. After crystallization, diamond-coated saws are used to cut the crystal into precise discs. This multi-step process ensures a flawless finish, which contributes to the premium price of sapphire crystal. Its durability, clarity, and beauty justify the higher cost for watch collectors.

While sapphire crystal is the material of choice for luxury watches, mineral crystal is more commonly found in budget-friendly or mid-range timepieces. Made from tempered glass, mineral crystal offers reasonable scratch resistance but is much more prone to scratching and shattering compared to sapphire. While it's an affordable alternative, mineral crystal lacks the long-lasting durability, clarity, and overall visual appeal of sapphire, which is why it's not suitable for high-end watches.

Sapphire crystal is considerably more expensive than mineral crystal, reflecting the higher precision required in its manufacturing process. Mineral crystal is a more cost-effective option used in many entry-level watches, but sapphire’s superior durability and aesthetic qualities make it the preferred choice for luxury timepieces. The investment in sapphire crystal is well worth it for those who value long-lasting elegance and resilience.

Sapphire crystal is known for its durability, but it still requires proper care to maintain its pristine condition. Clean the crystal regularly with a soft microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints and dust. Although sapphire is scratch-resistant, avoid exposing the crystal to abrasive materials that could cause damage. Store your watch in a protective case when not in use to shield it from dust and accidental impacts, keeping your timepiece looking new for years.