Scratching Every Watch Crystal To See Which Brands Are Lying! - Ultimate Crystal Scratch Test

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
  • Shop the WatchShop Black Friday sale for up to 70% off, use code BF30 for an additional 30% off selected lines: www.watchshop.com/events/sale...
    Check out the Depth Charge dive watch here: tidd.ly/3qaNLSb
    Thanks to WatchShop.com for sponsoring this video.
    In this watch crystal scratch test video, I work out which watch crystal is best for scratch resistance by using a Mohs hardness rating testing kit. Here I test acrylic vs mineral vs sapphire vs Flame Fusion crystal vs Krysterna vs K1 crystal vs Hardlex vs sapphire-coated mineral crystal, to see if any can supplant sapphire as the king of watch glass.
    🛒 PRODUCTS FEATURED (Affiliate Product Links)
    Mohs Hardness Test Kit:
    US ➡ amzn.to/3gy2qqR
    UK ➡ ebay.us/84q9eP
    Worldwide ➡ tidd.ly/3AzHFBS
    🎬 Chapters
    0:00 Which Watch Brands Are Lying To You?
    0:10 Acrylic vs Mineral vs Sapphire
    0:20 'Innovative' Proprietary Crystals
    0:37 Mohs Hardness Test Kit
    1:26 Methodology
    1:46 The Crystals & Scratch-Resistance Claims
    2:00 K1 Crystal
    2:39 Hardlex
    3:07 Sapphire-Coated Mineral Crystal
    3:36 Flame Fusion Crystal
    4:18 Krysterna
    5:11 My Predictions
    5:21 WatchShop Black Friday Deals (Sponsor)
    6:18 Early Findings - 'Proprietary' Materials Exposed?
    7:12 Pick 2 Scratch Tests
    7:22 Pick 3 Scratch Tests
    7:32 Pick 4 Scratch Tests
    7:49 Pick 5 Scratch Tests
    8:16 Pick 6 Scratch Tests
    9:01 Invicta Fail Fusion?
    9:44 Pick 7 Scratch Tests
    9:54 Mineral Eliminated
    11:19 Pick 8 Scratch Tests
    11:42 Hardlex Eliminated
    11:58 K1 Eliminated
    12:59 Krysterna Eliminated
    13:54 Flame Fusion Eliminated?
    14:10 Pick 9 Scratch Tests
    14:48 Sapphire Coated Crystal Eliminated
    15:37 Watch Crystal Tier List
    15:47 D Tier Crystals
    16:02 C Tier Crystals
    16:12 B Tier Crystals
    16:44 A Tier Crystals
    17:00 S Tier Crystals
    17:18 Crystals vs Key Scratch Test
    17:29 Crystals vs Knife Scratch Test
    17:54 Knife Scratching Krysterna Coating
    18:54 Is The Marketing A Lie?
    📺 Related Videos
    Acrylic vs Mineral vs Sapphire: • Types Of Watch Glass -...
    Stuhrling Watch Review (Krysterna): • This Watch Is "Amazon'...
    Beginner's Guide To Watches: • Everything You MUST Kn...
    👀 Subscribe: bit.ly/Sub2BensWatchClub
    🚨 Disclosures
    I use affiliate links when linking products in the video description. Ben's Watch Club is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We also utilize affiliate programs with retailers such as Jomashop, Aliexpress, WatchShop, and more. Please assume any product links could be affiliated.
    ✍ Read the full article here: www.benswatchclub.com/blog/wa...
    ⌚ Blog: benswatchclub.com/start-here
    💪 Get early access to videos: / benswatchclub
    🌐 Socials: linktr.ee/benswatchclub
    #ad
    🎼 Music
    Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
    Riviera by Smith The Mister smiththemister.bandcamp.com Smith The Mister bit.ly/Smith-The-Mister-YT Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/al-riviera Music promoted by Audio Library • Riviera - Smith The Mi...
    LEMMiNO - Aloft & LEMMiNO - Cipher: / lemminomusic
    Stock Media provided by Melodex / Pond5
    Ben's Watch Club tends to cover affordable watches like Seiko, Timex, Casio, Citizen, MVMT, Vincero, Bulova, Orient, Hamilton, and more. We rarely feature luxury watches like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Grand Seiko, Cartier, Omega, Audemars Piguet, or Hublot due to their price.
  • Jak na to + styl

Komentáře • 627

  • @BensWatchClub
    @BensWatchClub  Před rokem +28

    Shop the WatchShop Black Friday sale for up to 70% off; use code BF30 for an additional 30% off selected lines: www.watchshop.com/events/sale.plp
    Thanks to WatchShop.com for sponsoring this video.

    • @konspiracy0
      @konspiracy0 Před rokem

      I'd really loved if you talked about prices for the material as well. How much is a sapphire watch glass? Is it justified to not have it on a 500usd watch, a 800usd watch etc?

    • @loveanimeyt9622
      @loveanimeyt9622 Před rokem

      Hi Sir Ben. Did you ever tried the brand aries gold g? They claimed their watches have sapphire glass and price under 100USD

    • @ethanspaziani1070
      @ethanspaziani1070 Před rokem

      I really liked the video I am interested however in a video going over the best budget mechanical watches you can get right now most videos I've tried to find on the subject are about a year old now and are pretty much just completely out of date
      I'd really like a look at the movements if possible

    • @JayasimhaMangipudi
      @JayasimhaMangipudi Před rokem

      Would you look into Titan (I suggest the EDGE and Xylys collection) watches they have a good collection? even sonata (they have watches with small dial sizes) has a few good watches. they are affordable.

    • @edwardfletcher7790
      @edwardfletcher7790 Před 3 měsíci

      This was an excellent comparison, thank you !
      It would be complex, but I'd love to see a crystal impact test one day 👍

  • @marc1979
    @marc1979 Před rokem +1657

    Scratches at level 6, with deeper grooves at level 7

    • @brianmsahin
      @brianmsahin Před rokem +45

      Exactly and it doesn't matter what fancy name they give to a mineral glass, it will scratch at a level 6 and sometimes if there are impurities it could be a level 5!👍👍👍

    • @laplthelullemann
      @laplthelullemann Před rokem +231

      I’m not sure if everyone here will get the reference lol.

    • @welsan2074
      @welsan2074 Před rokem +157

      @@laplthelullemann the bald hero of durability testing

    • @shyamkrishnansuresh7283
      @shyamkrishnansuresh7283 Před rokem +50

      I wonder how many will get this reference 😄

    • @brianmsahin
      @brianmsahin Před rokem +5

      @@shyamkrishnansuresh7283 Yes!! 😂😂

  • @bbwt9991
    @bbwt9991 Před rokem +232

    Excellent test!! Studied materials engineering back in the day and yes this reflects the situation perfectly. You have to be careful to clean the tip before testing each crystal to be sure that you're not depositing small grains from a previous crystal. Looks like you did that. Anyway, a warning to all watch lovers! Remember when going to the beach, the quartz crystals in beach sand is at a level 7 and will scratch your mineral crystal and if you're unlucky and there are microscopic gemstone crystals in the sand it could even scratch your sapphire crystal. Well done Ben, been waiting for someone to do this. KUDOS!!

    • @vewert.photography
      @vewert.photography Před rokem +15

      Thanks for the advice, mate!

    • @bbwt9991
      @bbwt9991 Před rokem +19

      @@vewert.photography Very welcome, and I have a scratchy old Seiko dive watch to prove it. 😂

    • @HW.0029
      @HW.0029 Před rokem +10

      ok now I’ll never wear anything to the beach

    • @tarasmathers7423
      @tarasmathers7423 Před rokem +4

      huh......the sand I had considered before, but not the proposition of microscopic gemstones being present. Good advice, and ty

    • @bbwt9991
      @bbwt9991 Před rokem +3

      @@HW.0029 I know what you mean! I only wear a watch that already has a scratch!

  • @TheElly750
    @TheElly750 Před rokem +180

    The sapphire coating seems like an interesting option. It nearly matches sapphire's performance but logically should have better impact resistance.

    • @athmaid
      @athmaid Před rokem +30

      Question is, does it delaminate upon impact

    • @fewik8567
      @fewik8567 Před rokem +8

      @@athmaid depends on the glue used but considering the surface tension and many glues abilities to create a bond stronger than the material it's unlikely, there's likely a film adding further absorption like a car windscreen where it won't shatter but instead cave in to a concave shape, considering this issue has never occurred before and being a very simple concept I don't think any impact is going to separate the two layers without enough force to seriously damage the body and movement also.

  • @BrianHartman
    @BrianHartman Před rokem +301

    I'm actually surprised how well some of these held up. The sapphire-coated vs. sapphire was particularly impressive, given the price difference.

    • @mrkiky
      @mrkiky Před rokem +17

      They just have to make the coating thicker. Technically there will be a point where it will perform exactly like sapphire.

    • @BrianHartman
      @BrianHartman Před rokem +46

      @@mrkiky I'm sure there's a cost/benefit point where they might as well just make the whole crystal sapphire. That's probably why they choose the depth they do. :)

    • @konspiracy0
      @konspiracy0 Před rokem +6

      How much is the price difference, though?

    • @BrianHartman
      @BrianHartman Před rokem +2

      @@konspiracy0 Good question. I don't know. :)

    • @BN99239
      @BN99239 Před rokem +4

      Would be interesting to see if sapphire coated will wear off over time and what sort of things will wear it off, such as the normal things people use to clean their watches etc.

  • @PlugInRides
    @PlugInRides Před rokem +96

    Hardlex has a Mohs of about 7.5. Mohs is a very imprecise scale, since it isn't linear, but comparative. Hardlex is made by treating mineral crystal with a high temperature salts bath, and the various salt ions fill in the voids in the mineral crystal lattice. Seiko also produces a High-End Hardlex, that applies a similar high temp salt bath to borosilicate glass.
    Kysterna was a version of Dragontail glass, a competitor to 3M's Gorilla Glass. I believe it used a process similar to Hardlex.
    The older versions of Seiko Sapphlex used a thin laminated sapphire veneer, over a Hardlex crystal. Often the sapphire would begin to delaminate.
    Flame Fusion seems use a high temperature PVD process to deposit a multi molecule thin layer of sapphire to the top surface of a mineral crystal, fusing it to the substrate.
    It is hard to know what current process is used to bond the sapphire to the coated cystal, or how thick the sapphire layer is. Too thin, and the sapphire layer will yield to the softer mineral base material with moderate pressure, much like we see with Invicta's Flame Fusion.
    Sapphire is the penultimate watch crystal material, and can be purchased for a surprisingly small upgrade price compared to a replacement mineral part. I have purchased watches as cheap as $20, that have sapphire crystals, so I wonder how much cheaper these other solutions can be made, and still make any financial sense.

    • @TerminusVox
      @TerminusVox Před rokem +11

      Penultimate means something like "just short of ultimate" or "the second best" or "one short of the end of your scale". I think you probably meant ultimate. (Sorry, I'm a word nerd! 🤓)

    • @raidenpz
      @raidenpz Před rokem +18

      @@TerminusVox A diamond crystal would be the ultimate, though I don't think it exists yet.

    • @PlugInRides
      @PlugInRides Před rokem

      @@TerminusVox And the "ultimate" watch crystal would be a synthetic "diamond glass" material, made from Fullerenes, like AM-III (Mohs 10+), so my word choice was correct. Science over semantics, for the win!
      czcams.com/video/VrC8kVOEOEQ/video.html

    • @alexandrevieira2410
      @alexandrevieira2410 Před rokem +3

      @@TerminusVox lol yeah I was waiting for him to say what is the "ultimate" if sapphire is the penultimate. But he provided us a good in depth of the materials anyway

    • @sammorrissey9094
      @sammorrissey9094 Před rokem +2

      @@raidenpz There are materials theorised to have a higher mohs, like wurtzite boron nitride. Whether those can be formed into actual crystals usable for a watch lens I have no idea, and those are theoretical numbers based on chemistry.
      Also there is lonsdaleite, basically hexagonal carbon rather than cubic carbon (diamond) which is harder than regular diamond, and also pretty much only found in meteor craters...

  • @d3xmeister
    @d3xmeister Před rokem +62

    I have a lot of experience with almost all these materials as a watch collector, amateur watchmaker and intensive watch wearing for over 35 years. Your test conclusions are right in line with my experiences with these.

    • @chazdean201
      @chazdean201 Před rokem

      What’s your recommendation for a durable & classy sport sub $500 watch? Thanks

    • @d3xmeister
      @d3xmeister Před rokem +5

      @@chazdean201 Depends on your preferences, for a tough automatic with great value, look at Islander watches. Nothing really beats them, they have dressy and sporty models, all built with great specs, at great prices. For set and forget quartz, that still look and feel high end and super durable, the Oceanus line from Casio is in its own class.

    • @darthsaren6519
      @darthsaren6519 Před rokem +1

      Buna Mihai :) scriu in engleza mai departe / Im curios whats your opinion for Vostok Europe brand ? in terms of watch crystals and sturdiness in general

    • @d3xmeister
      @d3xmeister Před rokem +1

      @@darthsaren6519 Homestly they are too big and bold for me. They are very well made watches, but never liked their designs. For the glass, there are always trade-offs. The best option is of course sapphire with good anti reflex coating on the inside. I would prefer hardened mineral instead of a non-coated sapphire. Sapphire needs AR coating otherwise is way to reflective. For me that’s a big issue

    • @peteclegg1578
      @peteclegg1578 Před 8 měsíci +1

      "Intensive watch wearring" 👀

  • @JusttheWatch
    @JusttheWatch Před rokem +23

    All I can say is, thank you very much Ben! Been looking for some clarity on this subject for quit some time! Personal experience: I've scratched mineral, hardlex, and sapphire coated crystals with normal wear, but I've never had a watch with a sapphire crystal scratch or chip on me. I haven't had enough time wearing a watch with one of those other types long enough to know their performance.

  • @markiangooley
    @markiangooley Před rokem +7

    Sapphire or nothing. But I do own one watch with a mineral crystal and managed to scratch it in the first week because I’m a klutz.
    Sapphire is fairly cheap now and there’s no good excuse for using anything less. Lots of bad reasons including an authentic look for a vintage-style watch.
    Silica is 7 and there’s a lot of it out there - certainly there are bits of it in concrete and soil - so sapphire gives a comfortable margin of resistance in everyday use.

    • @Jake-bt3fc
      @Jake-bt3fc Před 10 měsíci

      I agree that mineral crystals are pretty much obsolete, but acrylic crystals are a cool vibe and I wish they made more of them. Complaining about scratches on an acrylic crystal is like complaining about oxidization on a bronze watch.

  • @Mr_Memer.876
    @Mr_Memer.876 Před rokem +153

    Would have been good if you had used polywatch on the acrylic to show at what point the scratches become too deep to buff out.

    • @markw.4679
      @markw.4679 Před rokem +23

      Maybe that can be part 2!? 🤔

    • @skalarhaubitze
      @skalarhaubitze Před rokem +8

      That would really be helpful! Acrylic may be the most prone to getting scratched but other than with the harder materials the scratches are still easily reversible which should be considered when comparing crystals. Part of that could be to take polywatch to the test.

    • @Mr_Memer.876
      @Mr_Memer.876 Před rokem

      @@anmalaag1225 wind your neck in, I was just suggesting a way of extending the test for those of us with a few watches with acrylic crystals.

    • @HudsonGTV
      @HudsonGTV Před rokem +5

      @@anmalaag1225 Suggesting future videos is not entitlement. Calm down.

    • @jjakiefte2165
      @jjakiefte2165 Před rokem

      Why?

  • @hugh_betcha
    @hugh_betcha Před rokem +64

    That was one of the (if not the) most useful videos I've seen on CZcams to educated watch enthusiasts. Nice work Ben, very well done!

  • @alexabney7913
    @alexabney7913 Před rokem +11

    The peace of mind of sapphire is just nice to have. I like knowing that it wont get scratched by a zipper or if I reach into a small space without thinking and bump it into some rough metal(happens often for me lol)

  • @gunjja13
    @gunjja13 Před rokem +21

    This was so good and well made Ben! I was really surprised about Hardlex actually,

  • @richardnedbalek1968
    @richardnedbalek1968 Před rokem +48

    🤓Really appreciate Ben’s scientific methodology here in accurately testing the durability of these various crystal substances. 👍

  • @turnbasedtoddy7664
    @turnbasedtoddy7664 Před rokem +1

    Thanks you!! I think the whole watch community has been waiting for this video and you where the only channel with sense enough to do it. Thanks for this, I was surprised by some of the results.

  • @_Ker
    @_Ker Před rokem +49

    Mineral glass has improved slightly over the years. Not enough to get close to sapphire though.

    • @Ferien7
      @Ferien7 Před rokem +5

      It’s much less reflective than sapphire tho. Sapphire is way too reflective for casual watches, even with ar coating. It’s best for dress watches only

    • @MrMadvillan
      @MrMadvillan Před rokem

      @@Ferien7 oil slick coating on a dress watch tho? ar never looks good.

    • @Ferien7
      @Ferien7 Před rokem +1

      @@MrMadvillan translucent ar coating is much better. The blue kind you can see shouldn’t be used imo

    • @MrMadvillan
      @MrMadvillan Před rokem

      but still goes milky at extremes like double domed bc the ior is so high.

  • @SpaceMonkey13X
    @SpaceMonkey13X Před rokem +2

    Quite an enlightening video. Thanks for filming that test. I often wonder about this very topic, and thanks to you I now have a little more knowledge in this hobby. 👍

  • @moarguitars6322
    @moarguitars6322 Před rokem +5

    Really brilliant work here Ben! Thanks so much for putting in the time to do this testing.

  • @maninthestreet01
    @maninthestreet01 Před rokem +5

    I managed to scratch the sapphire coated mineral glass on my Spinnaker Hull chronograph watch when it came into contact with a door handle. Having said that, it is a very light scratch, and you need to look closely with the light in the right direction to see it.

  • @dunderhay9169
    @dunderhay9169 Před rokem +14

    Interesting 👍 .Scratches, although annoying, don't destroy the watch in an accident. A crystal shattering with impact will really damage the hands and dial, particularly if wet! A would bet acrylic will survive impacts better than sapphire or mineral. You could set up a rig to drop ball bearings from a controlled height with the crystals supported on a ring so the middle is unsupported as xit would be n a watch.

    • @wayneholmes637
      @wayneholmes637 Před rokem

      I dropped my CWC G10 from about 160cm onto a hard tiled floor, landing on its acrylic crystal. It had a couple of scratches and some pits that I removed easily with plastic polish. I highly doubt a sapphire crystal would have survived.

  • @tmsods2874
    @tmsods2874 Před rokem +1

    I was watching this on my watching this on my work computer. Had to pull out my phone to give it a big like. Awesome experiment and really useful for everyone. Thanks Ben!

  • @KillingTimeWithNorman
    @KillingTimeWithNorman Před 5 měsíci

    Brilliant video! It's soo great to see exactly how these crystals perform - side by side.

  • @BarbaraA.MertzRN-CCRN

    WONDERFULLY done!
    I don't think I have EVER seen this type of study done prior. Thank You!!

  • @ManVsPixels
    @ManVsPixels Před rokem +2

    Been watching watch channels for a couple of years and never seen this done - awesome job.

  • @TerminusVox
    @TerminusVox Před rokem +1

    Good idea presented well! Thanks! I've unintentionally tested the impact resistance of "Flame Fusion" having started in on the job of changing brake pads and hitting the crystal three times before slowing down to remove my watch. "Flame Fusion" survived unscathed. I've no illusions about its relative merit and would sort it about where your test results place it. Maybe tougher than my Casios and Timex but less so than my Chinese watches.

  • @walterhernandez7283
    @walterhernandez7283 Před rokem +4

    This video is hard to watch, but it's extremely informative. Thanks for doing this, I have always wondered how much of a difference is Hardlex from mineral.

  • @phillipwilliams4674
    @phillipwilliams4674 Před rokem +2

    Great video for pointing out the scratch resistance of crystals. Definately interested in impact resistance though, as this would round off the 'real world' testing of different materials, and which one is overall best. My guess is Seiko Hardlex would be up there, as it is a softer material that improves its impact resistance.

  • @Mauricio.Solorzano
    @Mauricio.Solorzano Před rokem +2

    As always, your videos are very impressive, Ben, very professionally done and excellent research reporting here - great work mate!

  • @MyRetroWatches
    @MyRetroWatches Před rokem +5

    No watches were harmed in this video! Well done Ben this is the sort of content that I would have eventually covered. You did this very well and its interesting to see the results. Sapphire should really be fitted into most watches now. Its not terribly expensive and as you have proved worth every penny.
    Really enjoyed this one and will share on my Facebook group.

  • @youngmanslipp6660
    @youngmanslipp6660 Před rokem +1

    excellent video Ben, would love if you made a video about third party movements. I’ve recently gotten into microbrands, and have been curious about the various movements they use from seiko, miyota, etc.

  • @sopapillas6398
    @sopapillas6398 Před rokem

    this was an excellent and very educational video Ben! Thank you for spending the time and money and making the necessary (watch) sacrifices to put this together.
    It looks like flame fusion is probably a lower quality sapphire coating with poor consistency and weak areas as you pointed out. Perhaps the bonding process isn't as good? No clue as to the manufacturing process.

  • @robertpeluse3586
    @robertpeluse3586 Před 8 měsíci

    I loved this test. Thank you for showing determination, curiosity and integrity and sharing the results with the community.

  • @Theleastofusofficial
    @Theleastofusofficial Před rokem +3

    Just bought a Seiko with Hardlex Crystal in it (SSK001) and was slightly concerned about future wear of the piece. However, thanks to your video, I do feel a LOT better about how Hardlex performs as a crystal! Appreciate the video man!

  • @Seantears
    @Seantears Před rokem

    Really interesting video Ben and interesting to see these lesser known to me crystals in the mix and to be aware of them more.

  • @mrd64
    @mrd64 Před rokem +11

    Would be interesting to see a similar test on case materials, which are also prone to scratches and dents.

  • @3rdstone1
    @3rdstone1 Před rokem

    Excellent video, Ben. I've always been curious about how scratch resistant Seiko's hardlex and sapphire coating actually is.

  • @FUN2XTREM
    @FUN2XTREM Před 8 měsíci

    Very nicely done!!! I came here to see if I should get a protector for my budget mineral casio watch. It looks like I don't have to worry since lvl 6 n 7 are basically like current phone screens lvl of resistance

  • @kobusvanrensburg4092
    @kobusvanrensburg4092 Před rokem +14

    Ben, note that Mineral glass can be polished. It's not tricky at all. You will need some diamond polish. It's usually sold in a 10ml syringe ($10-15), but a little goes a looooooong way. Apply a dab, and buff with a dremel/rotary tool.

    • @nintendokings
      @nintendokings Před rokem +1

      Does it buff out evenly?

    • @kobusvanrensburg4092
      @kobusvanrensburg4092 Před rokem +1

      @@nintendokings yes, circular motion across the surface will do the trick.

    • @oceanzu6585
      @oceanzu6585 Před rokem +2

      with $15 you just buy another glass...

    • @nintendokings
      @nintendokings Před rokem +13

      @@oceanzu6585 tell me where I can buy old square/rectangular/hexagonal mineral crystals? Many with a specific fit

    • @AniviaS
      @AniviaS Před rokem +4

      @@oceanzu6585 not always an option, and you can use the polishing paste lots of times

  • @jc.baptiste
    @jc.baptiste Před 6 měsíci +1

    Huge amount if work and well done benchmark. Very instructive. Thanks a lot, I can’t believe you don’t get more likes.

  • @BrittPearceWatches
    @BrittPearceWatches Před rokem +3

    Yet another reason why you are the best watch channel! Absolutely loved this Ben! 👏🏻💕

  • @HRM.H
    @HRM.H Před rokem +1

    Absolutely great video idea !! I would love to see a similar test done with hardened coatings on watches

  • @townazier
    @townazier Před rokem

    Very cool video. I was curious about a direct comparison like this for a while, so thanks!

  • @labnine3362
    @labnine3362 Před rokem +7

    I work in engineering (auto) so this was my favorite Ben's Watch Club video! I would really love to see how a hardness test goes. For that you would use a Rockwell hardness tester, available from most manufacturing shops. Maybe there's one out there that would let you borrow one? The harder a material is, the more brittle it tends to be. So I suspect that even though the acrylic is soft and more prone to scratches, it might be the most durable when it comes to impacts.

    • @seandownes6968
      @seandownes6968 Před rokem +4

      I’ve often heard that sapphire crystal shatters easier than mineral, so I would also love to see something like that

    • @labnine3362
      @labnine3362 Před rokem +1

      @@seandownes6968 Here's an interesting video that shows that while sapphire is more scratch resistant than gorilla glass (context: phones) it is more brittle. I would love to see this test performed on the watch crystals! czcams.com/video/kVQbu_BsZ9o/video.html

    • @nirfz
      @nirfz Před rokem

      ​ @Lab Nine The problem with comparing phones to watches in my opinion is that the "glass" may be used as structural part of a phone to not have to make it heavier by adding other strengthening/stiffening material. So it is intended to "catch" some of the impact force when a phone is dropped. And phones almost always land on an edge.
      A watch crystal often times is not rectangular in shape and way thicker in relation to its diameter/length than a phone display. Also, it is structurally supported consistently around it's edge.
      So when you drop your watch in any normal situation, and it lands on anything but a sharp opject with the glass, i doubt the saphire will shatter.
      (I dropped a watch with a saphier crystal two weeks ago. If fell down roughtly 1m of height and landed on it's crown on the sheet metal floor of a cabinet.
      Interestingly the crown was not scratched and the crystal did not show any damage either.
      (But i am quite surprise about the amount of flexibility the saphier glass in the phone video actually had!)

  • @patricklgreen
    @patricklgreen Před rokem

    Well done! This is the study I have been hoping to see from anyone for a long time. Truly appreciate you taking point on this issue as comprehensively as you did.
    If you would like to retest the flame fusion due to the #6 anomaly I would be happy to send you an invicta collecting dust in my sock drawer! It would be a pleasure if you felt it would be helpful.
    Surprises? A few.
    -Did not expect sapphire coated to do as well as it did. As an owner of a Wenger I have a little more security wearing it out and about.
    -I did not expect K-1/Hardlex/Flame Fusion to be any different than mineral. To be honest, I always assumed Hardlex and Flame Fusion were just rebranded K1.
    Wishes but not criticism since you are the only one I know of that went this deep down the rabbit hole.
    -I would have liked to have seen if AR coated sapphire would have performed differently than uncoated sapphire.
    -I wish there had been multiple samples of the crystals to see if things like the Flame Fusion at 6 was consistent or a faulty crystal.

  • @eu7435
    @eu7435 Před rokem

    Thanks so much for doing these tests for all of us. In my experience, K-1 is troubling murky to look thru compared to other crystals.

  • @EmilioBaldi
    @EmilioBaldi Před rokem +3

    A test of the resilience of these glasses would be as interesting. Great video!

  • @csachevauxsansabri2612

    Interesting test. Realy enjoyed the video thank you. Yes please test case and wristband, clasps ect

  • @peakrider4886
    @peakrider4886 Před rokem +2

    Well done Ben, enjoyed watching this comparison of some of these proprietary glasses. Just goes to show the marketing b.s for what it is. However to make this a truly scientific study, the pressure exerted on each crystal type should be able to be measured precisely as this may separate out the ones in Category C further. But overall, excellent test!

  • @ender1077
    @ender1077 Před rokem +3

    Great video! Would be interested in an impact resistance test too if you are looking for ideas.

  • @mixedcontent9060
    @mixedcontent9060 Před rokem

    I've been waiting for so long for a vid like this; good job mate!

  • @JULEIBS
    @JULEIBS Před rokem

    Outstanding video, I'm very clumnsy, so am aways hitting things with my watches, and have aways find difficult to categorize this "branded" glass types, for sure will use this video in future purchases.

  • @emm_arr
    @emm_arr Před rokem +2

    Very interesting. I'd wondered for a while whether how hard you press down makes much of a difference. I think Ben's cleared that up.

  • @cristophergamil845
    @cristophergamil845 Před 8 měsíci

    Thanks,now i can see which watch has a better materials and thats orient kamasu among budget divers,easy pick after i saw your vedio.salute sir.

  • @ashoktomar1
    @ashoktomar1 Před rokem

    i have been following you recently and i love your video👍. I just wanted to request that can you please make a video on the best casio watch for everyday and which is also cheap. I would really appreciate it

  • @-Dash-
    @-Dash- Před rokem +3

    Good video... I am very easy going on my watches (>100 from ALL brands and price ranges) and have only ever scratched acrylic, so sapphire is nice but I am not put off by Seiko Hardlex at all.

  • @holgermuller3597
    @holgermuller3597 Před rokem

    Thanks for this informative video, Ben! You made very complex tests and giving answers the watchindustrie does not deliver . So, I own some Jacques Lemans watches; they call their glasses "Crystex". Ithink it´s comparable to your tested "Krysterna". I wear all my watches and from practical experience of daily use I can say that none of my watches have visible scratches. So, thank you and go on 👍

  • @willburn1741
    @willburn1741 Před rokem

    Thanks Ben! I went over to WatchShop and used your BF30 code on a nice Accurist watch. Cheers! Happy belated Thanksgiving.

  • @amurtag
    @amurtag Před rokem +1

    One of your best videos yet! I've rarely bought into the hype about proprietary anything, and tests such as these just reinforce this... educated guess and principle of mine. Not sure if I'm a sapphire absolutist, the next argument tat can be made for mineral over sapphire is perhaps in optical properties, i.e. mineral being more translucent than sapphire and even though I have watches with all types, still can't make up my mind. They're different shapes, too, and that plays a factor. Anyway, I don't consider sappire premium anymore and AR coated sappire should be in anything costing more than $500, i..e. "entry level luxury".

  • @bensieber6960
    @bensieber6960 Před rokem +1

    Excellent test, very relevant to us watch nerds.
    Now we need an impact comparison test!!
    As always, great content made with great skill.

  • @phantomspaceman
    @phantomspaceman Před rokem

    Thanks for doing this test. I've had several "mineral" crystals scratched by a lot less than a metal pick. Bricks and rough aluminum have damaged those. Hardlex field watches will get really banged up on granite.
    I also found a watch I really wanted on the watchshop sale and got the immediate nut punch of it being UK/EU only.

  • @johannguasch754
    @johannguasch754 Před rokem +1

    I love acrylic and sapphire watches. What i appreciate with acrylic is that it that it never has oil smears unlike sapphire that’s a smear magnet!

  • @twraia
    @twraia Před 5 měsíci

    Interesting video thanks! One thing to test out if you do ever get to do this again is a test that simulates impact with sharp objects, since I am assuming we tend to damage watch crystal through bumping them into things instead of gently scratching them. Would the result be different if you "stab" the crystals with the picks?

  • @JasonTheWatchGuy
    @JasonTheWatchGuy Před rokem

    Really good experiment to show. I wonder how much these hold up due to a outer coating like the sapphire coating and how many are completely different compounds.

  • @tmsods2874
    @tmsods2874 Před rokem +1

    I have a Dan Henry with a sapphire coated crystal. I used to believe that the hype was BS, but I did bang it pretty hard on a pointy metallic railing once and it didn't get a single scratch on it.

  • @kenlivingston3111
    @kenlivingston3111 Před rokem

    Thanks I really enjoyed this video,very interesting.
    What about one on SS bracelet locks of different
    types to see which are more secure, Thanks

  • @omurbeknurlan7995
    @omurbeknurlan7995 Před rokem +1

    Thank you for the review. It's really informative 🔥

  • @catalinsoare1261
    @catalinsoare1261 Před rokem

    Very informative video. Thanks, but my problem is that some manufacturers say it's saffire crystal, but I doubt that. Is there any device to know this for sure?

  • @allisonsmith9050
    @allisonsmith9050 Před rokem +2

    I bought my first watch (Citizen Blue Angel) before I really researched them and was ecstatic to learn my model has a sapphire crystal. I had some unintentional bangs against some sharp objects which I thought for sure would scratch it - but nothing. Will never buy another watch without it.

  • @karm42yn
    @karm42yn Před rokem

    I almost stopped caring about tanything else once I saw those working cufflinks! I needs them!

  • @adrianyong3805
    @adrianyong3805 Před rokem

    Could you follow up with a video on how to fix/buff out scratches on different glasses? I've recently gotten a minor scratch on my own Iron Annie

  • @Zanzibar2Far
    @Zanzibar2Far Před rokem +1

    Good test, interesting results. couple of notes;
    1. some of the lighter marks may be the material of the pick being deposited, as the weaker of the two colliding materials will wear.
    2. as someone else said, cleaning the picks between tests is important, as you don't want contaminants mucking up the results.
    I will say, I own a few Wenger watches, so very pleased to see the great performance of the sapphire coated crystal.

  • @SuperBG78
    @SuperBG78 Před 11 měsíci

    great video,thanks! for which materials for hardness 8? knife? or harder? Sorry I don't know for these kits. Also on the web,sapphire watchs are for nohs 9. which material for nohs 9? Thank you

  • @YOutsider
    @YOutsider Před 4 měsíci

    your tests on cases and crystals is valuable!

  • @chief2036
    @chief2036 Před rokem

    Great video. I've always wondered about all their claims. Very nice to see that there is some truth to their marketing. Thank you.

  • @thebaldwatchcollector

    Fantastic video Ben, very informative and fun

  • @ahill209
    @ahill209 Před rokem

    Good test. Did any of the samples have an AR coating on the outside? Sometimes, those coatings also add some level of scratch resistance. That could explain the Flame Fusion failure at level 6. Sapphire hardness does vary by the crystal orientation. I think most watch companies try to orient the crystal a certain way, because you'd otherwise get a shadow / double reflection in a certain orientation. Opaque sapphire gemstones aren't necessarily a single crystal but an amorphous mass of microscopic individual crystals and you'd get a more consistent scratch test result with an amorphous, opaque sapphire sample.

  • @JustWatches1
    @JustWatches1 Před rokem

    Thank you so much for testing these! Going to reference this video often :)
    Edit: Yes!! Please test case materials!

  • @rajdeepchakraborty1397

    Yesss my new watch is sapphire screened, this video made me happy.
    As a request: please test DLC (diamond-like-carbon) coated titanium watch case vs. other case materials.

  • @CasualWatchReviews
    @CasualWatchReviews Před rokem

    Wow great job on that upload Ben!

  • @EricBishard
    @EricBishard Před rokem +3

    I was very impressed with the Sapphire coat, typically I wouldn't buy a watch unless it was a Casio throw away with anything but Sapphire. But the Sapphire coated actually seems like something I might consider.

  • @Engineersoldinterstingstuff
    @Engineersoldinterstingstuff Před měsícem +1

    Think of a surface coating as aluminium foil on a chocolate. If you press crusch the coating you measure the hardness if the chocolate if not you measure the hardness of aluminium. If the coating is thick and adheres prooerly to the substrate it works like sapphire - if its to thin or not adhering it peels off.

  • @kabdu68
    @kabdu68 Před rokem

    Brilliant work Ben. You’ve settled a thousand online debates. Thank you

  • @lloydh65
    @lloydh65 Před 11 měsíci

    Your test is well done, good methodology and presentation of results.

  • @sethhinman1045
    @sethhinman1045 Před 2 měsíci

    Late to the party, but really good info. I'm pleasantly surprised with the Hardlex... I just can't do mineral crystal on a $150+ watch with how easy it is to synthesize sapphire now, but I wouldn't rule Hardlex or K1 out now for something cheaper and rugged, but there's always G Shocks for that 🤔. I wonder how much difference there is (really) in shatter resistance.
    Subbed.

  • @marcinzak1925
    @marcinzak1925 Před rokem

    Great content as always, I think we all needed video like this. Thank you.

  • @GerardoVillarreal1101

    Once I read somewhere that sapphire was more likely to crack all over from a har hit than mineral, saying mineral was maybe getting some deep chip (from a pointy surface hit maybe) so I was a little reluctant getting a sapphire watch since sometimes I bump pretty hardly against things at work. Got a Pro Trek with sapphire and I always take it off, have no scratches after some years but still wouldn't risk getting it slammed against a hard surface.

  • @bravejulius
    @bravejulius Před rokem

    Amazing content, it's highly appreciated. Keep it up!

  • @vicg5323
    @vicg5323 Před rokem

    Very informative test. Thank you.

  • @ChristyOFaghan
    @ChristyOFaghan Před rokem +1

    i'm a bit late to the party on this video, but i think it's one of more valuable examples of testing i've seen and very useful for new enthusiasts
    i wasn't particularly surprised by the results, but curiously it gave me more confidence in seiko's 'hardlex' which _did_ perform much better than i was expecting

  • @HeavyRain845
    @HeavyRain845 Před rokem +2

    Another test you can try is breaking/cracking/shattering. Harder materials tend to be more brittle. There’s always trade offs selecting a material.

    • @allisonsmith9050
      @allisonsmith9050 Před rokem

      I have heard that too, but haven’t found any vids which test this hypothesis. For me, I think the main issue with the crystal is smacking it against something inadvertently. Not worried about an impact as much.

  • @ferdianpermana
    @ferdianpermana Před 10 měsíci

    like this ben! definitely informative!

  • @ca8064
    @ca8064 Před rokem +3

    Very interesting video. A case material test would be neat :)

  • @mikebirkett010
    @mikebirkett010 Před rokem

    Ben, Mate, when I slap my Tudor into a wall trying to avoid capture by my dealer, what mohs hardness is the concrete?

  • @georgmclaughlin9661
    @georgmclaughlin9661 Před rokem

    Excellent video, Ben. Pretty much lined up with my guesses.

  • @shadiahmad9986
    @shadiahmad9986 Před 6 měsíci

    I bought a Wenger nomad. Supposedly has a sapphire crystal coating? but I put a big gouge right in the center from bumping it against a steel corner.

  • @philspencelayh5464
    @philspencelayh5464 Před rokem

    Interesting video, Acrylic is great looks the best easy to look after and cheap to replace if it gets too bad. Never had any broblems with Sapphire. If a watch has anything else I might buy despite the crystal not because of it.

  • @thecleeze6359
    @thecleeze6359 Před rokem

    Nice. I really enjoy this type of video. I've been curious about Wenger's 'sapphire coated' crystal for a long time. What I'd be equally curious to know is whether some of the Ali Express brands that claim to be using sapphire crystal actually are, but then, that would probably be a much more expensive video to make if they're not... I'd be curious about some of the water resistance claims too. On the water resistance, I'm probably never going to go more than 20 feet under water - I just want to know if I can swim in the ocean with it, maybe take it surfing, and that it'd survive in the shower.

  • @MrBruno7447
    @MrBruno7447 Před rokem

    Doing my part dropping a comment to increase engagment in this video, to have it recommended to more people. This is some important stuff!

  • @jim4742
    @jim4742 Před rokem +1

    Very informative thank you 😁

  • @denisdaly1708
    @denisdaly1708 Před rokem

    Great, useful video Ben..