6. Are Scratch-resistant crystals new?
No. Synthetic sapphire was invented in the 19th century and first used for watch crystals in the 1960s. Now really all high-end watch brands use synthetic sapphire crystals in at least some of their models.

7. Are all scratch-resistant crystals made of synthetic sapphire?
No. Some mineral-glass crystals are also marketed as “scratch resistant.” These crystals have a hard coating that makes them less likely to get scratched.

8. The terms “lunette”, “bombé”, “chevé”, and “boule” are sometimes used to describe watch crystals. What do they mean?
All are French words that refer to the shape of the crystal. “Lunette” simply means round – like a full moon (lune means “moon” in French). Bombé, chevé and boule all mean concave, or dome-shaped.

There are other words used to describe watch-crystal shapes. A “raised” crystal is flat on top but raised up, like a birthday cake. “Shaped crystals” are any that aren’t circular – rectangles, square and ovals being the most common. “Cocktail” shapes are the more exotic and extreme examples of shaped crystals. They include elongated baguette and octahedral (eight-sided) crystals.

9. What are “anti-reflective” or “glare-resistant” crystals?
This type of crystal has been coated on one or both sides with a substance – the same one used on anti-reflective eyeglasses – that lessens reflections and glare and makes it easier to read the watch face. Anti-reflective crystals can be made of either mineral glass or synthetic sapphire. One interesting feature of these crystals is that, viewed from the front, they are virtually invisible because they aren’t reflecting any light. In some instances, the coating gives the crystal a telltale bluish tint, as it does on eyeglasses. This tint is easiest to see if the watch has a light-colored dial.

10. How much do watch crystals cost to replace?
Consumers can expect to pay anything from perhaps $20 to $25 for a plexiglass crystal to more than $100 for a shaped synthetic sapphire one. (At Baume & Mercier, for example, synthetic sapphire crystals range from $65 to $135.) The average cost of a round mineral crystal is about $30 to $60. An anti-reflective coating adds to the cost of any crystal. In general, the more expensive the watch, the more the consumer will have to pay to replace its crystal.

Article Post by Swiss Replica Watches Store