Sapphire crystal
Also called sapphire glass
Sapphire crystal is a synthetic sapphire cover used over the dial on most modern luxury watches, prized for its scratch resistance and clarity.
It's very hard to scratch but can chip or shatter from a sharp knock, especially at the edges. Many are treated with an anti-reflective coating, which can itself wear or scratch.
A chipped or cracked sapphire crystal is a replacement cost to factor into your offer, and a crack also compromises water resistance.
Anti-reflective coatings on the outside of the crystal can scuff in a way that looks like scratches, which is worth distinguishing when you describe condition.
Related terms
Where this comes up
Pages on this site that use the term.
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