A common, and unfortunate side effect of wearing watches on our wrists, so close to our daily activities, is the knocks and abrasions they constantly receive.
Buying a timepiece that is furnished with a high-quality watch face made of sapphire crystal is the first step towards avoiding such unfortunate incidents such as a scratched and damaged watch face.
Sapphire crystal watches come in all shapes and sizes, adorning watch faces on the simplest of designs right up to the more elaborate and expensive.
The simple addition of the sapphire glass to a watch can protect it for almost a lifetime. The strength of the synthetic sapphire imbues the watch with a protected surface that is scratch resistant and shatterproof.
The following men’s and women’s watches all come with the precious feature of a sapphire crystal dial window and they’re some of the best you’ll find on the market today.
Best Men's Sapphire Watches
| # | PREVIEW | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
 Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 2 |
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 3
Best For Higher Budgets
3Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Sapphire Watch
|
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 4
Best Overall
4Citizen Eco-Drive Perpetual Men's Sapphire Watch
|
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
1. Casio Wave Ceptor Men's Sapphire Watch
- A light-emitting diode that illuminates the watch face.
- Solar-powered cell.
- Displays time from around the globe.
- Battery level indicator.
This elegantly designed Casio watch is the perfect marriage of classic style and modern features. Constructed from titanium with a sapphire crystal glass dial window, this watch is both durable and scratch proof.
Using solar power to charge itself, this Casio is also energy-saving and eco-friendly, eliminating the need to constantly change the battery.
Perfect for those who need international time, this sapphire glass watch comes complete with a foreign time display as well the traditional hands showing local time.
Its lightweight durability and water resistance means that it can also be used in both sporty and everyday situations.
Specifications
Pros
- Water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters.
- Daily alarm feature.
- Equipped with a chronograph.
- Lightweight feel.
Cons
- White watch face may impair vision.
2. Luminox Black Ops 8880 Men's Sapphire Watch
- Night vision tubes.
- Features time and date on the watch face.
- Designed with military implications in mind.
- Stainless steel back for extra waterproofness.
- Solar powered.
As the name suggests, the Luminox Black Ops 8880 is designed with military precision in mind.
From its expertly designed glow in the dark tubes that light up the whole watch face, to its adjustable unidirectional rotating feature, this is an ideal watch for someone who is always on the move.
Its artificial leather PU strap grips perfectly around any wrist, keeping it sturdy and in place whatever the activity. The sapphire crystal watch face can also withstand any abrasions and knocks, again fitting in with its militaristic design.
Although the price may seem a little high to some customers, buying into a watchmaker that provides timepieces for worldwide Spec Ops groups shows the quality of your purchase and scream durability.
Specifications
Pros
- Can work in all levels of light.
- Adjustable strap for more secure wearing.
- Double security gasket.
- Unidirectional rotating feature.
Cons
- Price a little high.
3. Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Sapphire Watch
Both eye-catching and functional, the Victorinox Swiss Army watch cannot be ignored! The first thing you notice is the impressive attention to detail that went into making this gorgeous timepiece.
The beautiful combination of colors (brown leather strap, brown dial, and brown bezel), the stainless steel case, and the way the dial is organized show that Victorinox put a lot of thought into the design. In addition, the watch is also a chronograph that features tachymeter markings on the bezel.
At the heart of the watch, you’ll find a highly accurate Swiss quartz movement that feeds the luminous silver-toned hands, and the three subdials and date display. The movement is protected by a beautiful scratch-resistant triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal lens and a strong stainless steel case.
In addition, the watch will withstand a watery encounter and can even face some water sports such as swimming and/or snorkeling. However, it is not designed for diving or any other under the surface activities.
Specifications
Pros
- A gorgeous design that attracts the eye
- Chronograph and tachymeter functionality
- Luminous hands
- Good water resistance & overall durability
- Impressive accuracy
Cons
- It is rather large, so it doesn’t fit any wrists
- The hour markers are not luminous
4. Citizen Eco-Drive Perpetual Men's Sapphire Watch
- Eco-drive, powered by light.
- Perpetual calendar adjusts to every month.
- Alarm function.
- Water-resistant to 330 feet.
The Citizen Eco-Drive Perpetual Watch comes from one of the most renowned watchmakers in the business. This model, in particular, hones in on the eco-friendly nature of modern watch technology.
Using a solar-powered battery, there is no longer any need to replace the battery over and over again, making it super eco-friendly.
Crafted using stainless steel and sapphire watch crystal, this watch ensures that users can enjoy ultimate durability and scratch protection for as long as the watch is in use.
With a brand name you can trust and some of the best materials on the market, this watch is a timepiece that is one of the utmost luxury and style.
Specifications
Pros
- Displays days and months, as well as time.
- Extended warranty.
- Fold-over clasp for easy access.
- Solar-powered so no need for battery replacements.
Cons
- Numbers on the dial are a little too small for some.
Best Women's Sapphire Watches
| # | PREVIEW | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1
Best For Low Budgets
1Seiko SXA115P1 Sapphire Watch
|
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
| 2 |
|
Buy On Amazon |
|
|
|
|||
1. Seiko SXA115P1 Sapphire Watch
The Seiko name is synonymous with quality watches, and this titanium model for women doesn’t disappoint, combining quality with style.
It has a grey/silver titanium case and two-tone titanium bracelet, silver with yellow gold tone highlights. Even the bezel is titanium.
The watch face itself is white with gold-tone hands displaying second, minute and hour, and a day and date display at 3 o’clock. Features quartz movement and a scratch resistant sapphire crystal. It’s water resistant to 330 feet (100 meters).
Specifications
Pros
- Comes with the Seiko name, known for quality watches.
- Sleek and stylish dressy watch for women.
- Water resistant to 330 feet.
Cons
- Doesn’t have the extra bells and whistles of a smart watch, which some women may want.
2. Bering Slim Solar Watch
The slim profile and exquisite stainless steel design make this a beautiful timepiece for ladies. Like all Bering watches, it features a minimalist interface, with a clean dial (golden-toned three-hands movement and date window) and high-end materials.
This model fits both the highly-driven career woman who needs an accessory for formal outfits and the entrepreneur ladies who can enjoy a bit more freedom when it comes to their attire. Also, it comes in the traditional Bering packaging, so it makes for a very nice gift.
The analog dial is simple but the golden accents and hour markers give it a touch of luxury. Also, the mesh bracelet and case are made from silver IP-plated medical grade (316L) stainless steel, which is a beautiful and durable material.
Lastly, this is a light powered watch, since it can be charged when exposed to any source of light. As such, it looks good on your wrist in the office and it is extremely reliable since it won’t run out of battery anytime soon.
Specifications
Pros
- Minimalist design with elegant features
- High-quality & durable materials
- Powered by exposure to a light source
- Date window
- It can be easily accessorized with various outfits
Cons
- The dial can be difficult to read in various light settings
- The closing system of the strap takes a bit to get used to
Sapphire Crystal Watch Buying Guide
Sapphire Crystals
Second only to diamond in hardness, sapphire crystal is a synthetically produced crystal that is known for its durability and scratch-resistant qualities.
Created by heating the natural compound aluminum oxide to a temperature of nearly 2,000°C, sapphire crystal is typically created in cylindrical sticks called boules. When used in the world of watchmaking, the sapphire crystals are processed into sheets.
The long, slow, expensive, and energy-intensive nature of creating sapphire crystal means that it has long been a luxury material. When used in products such as watches, it inevitably pushes the price up to and, in turn, makes the product a high-end luxury item.
Features of Sapphire Crystal Watches
Sapphire crystal watches have long been top of the range when it comes to the world of luxury watches.
One of the main reasons for this is their plethora of features. From their famous durability and high-end luxury status, right down to the practicality of being scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal watches have many desirable features.
Scratch Resistance
One of sapphire crystal’s most famous features is the fact that it is known as ‘scratch resistant.’ Whether it is synthetic or natural, sapphire is one of the hardest substances on the planet, second only to diamond.
This hardness of sapphire means that crafting sapphire crystal has to be done with diamond tools, as simpler and rudimentary tools will have no effect. The offshoot of this is the ability to label the substance scratch resistance as it is very difficult, but not impossible, to scratch.
The hardness of substances is measured on the Mohs scale from one to ten. Sapphire crystal is measured at nine and diamond at ten. Bearing this in mind, any substance that measures between nine and ten on the Mohs scale can, in theory, scratch sapphire crystal watches.
Durability
The use of sapphire crystal in watches inevitably adds a whole new level of durability to the product. Along with its scratch resistant qualities, sapphire crystal is shatterproof and will take a lot more toil and use before it shows signs of wear and tear.
Sapphire crystal also has far more ability to withstand cracks and breakage than glass or plastic, and it is this that sets it apart when choosing what materials to use in a watch.
Luxury
The effort, cost, craftsmanship, and time-consuming nature of creating sapphire crystal and sapphire crystal watches inevitably pushes up the price tag and, in turn, makes them a high-end luxury item.
The luxurious style of sapphire crystal watches is not only a superficial price tag or label, but it also filters down through every element of the design, style, and quality. This can be seen through the entire wide range of sapphire crystal watches that are on the market.
Design & Style
The durability, scratch resistance, and luxurious nature of sapphire crystal means that it is widely and universally used across the industry.
There are numerous designs and styles that use the sapphire crystal dial window instead of acrylic crystal or mineral crystal, as it is the most durable out of the three.
Watches that use sapphire crystal come in all sorts of designs and styles, from titanium and stainless steel bands to more subtle and less flashy militaristic designed watches.
The one thing that all these designs have in common is their use of sapphire crystal. By using sapphire crystal, the design and style are instantly lifted from your average stainless steel or titanium watch to a watch with elegance and a sleek design.
Materials
There are a number of different materials used in sapphire crystal watches, and each one complements the crystal sapphire in its own unique way.
Though the strap, band, quartz, and other materials may change, the sapphire crystal is the one element that stays as the constant connection between them all.
As mentioned above, the use of sapphire crystal is the most luxurious out of all watch dial windows. This means that although the other materials may change, the use of sapphire crystal keeps the price tag fairly high, and the luxury element remains.
Titanium
The use of sapphire crystal in a titanium sapphire watch combines two of the most opulent materials in the watchmaking world.
It seems quite appropriate that these two materials should be twinned together, as titanium, much like sapphire crystal, is a hard and resistant substance. The use of titanium and sapphire together in a watch will create a timepiece that will resist even the most ardent ware and tear of everyday life.
Titanium sapphire crystal watches are often the pricier out of the three material combinations. This is down to the high cost of both the sapphire crystal and the titanium.
Leather
The use of leather combined with sapphire crystal is considered to be one of the most classic combinations. This is based on the fact that the leather strap can be replaced when it has become overworn, while the sapphire crystal watch face endures far longer.
As a general rule, the leather sapphire watches tend to be at the lower end of the price spectrum though this is not always the case. The use of leather in watches can also be a disadvantage if you are seeking a product that is either 100% waterproof or even environmentally friendly.
Stainless Steel
Only second to titanium, a stainless steel watch that uses sapphire crystal in its watch face is considered a watch of extremely high quality. Again, the strong reputation of the sapphire crystal being a material of durability and scratch resistance is married perfectly with the long-standing reputation of stainless steel.
Pricing Range
Although sapphire crystal is seen as a high-end material in the watchmaking world, it does not always come with a huge price tag.
This being said, putting your hand a little deeper in your pocket for high quality is not always a bad thing. The durability and scratch-resistant qualities of sapphire crystal mean that paying that little extra may go a long way in the long run.
Much of the price is taken up by many factors other than what material the dial window is made from. These include the brand name, what other materials make up the watch, and where you purchase the watch from.
As a general rule, you will rarely find a sapphire crystal watch for less than $150, and yet they can rise to an almost indefinite amount.
Our Verdict
The ability to apply sapphire crystal onto any design and material means it is one of the most versatile in the world of watchmaking.
Whether you seek that extra touch of scratch resistance or durability to a simple wristwatch, or you wish to add yet another luxury element to a watch that is already luxurious, sapphire crystal is the feature of choice.
Although considered a luxury item, sapphire crystal makes it way onto some of the most simplistic watch designs. Now the benefits of choosing such a material for a dial window have been well documented; it won’t be long until the majority of watches are fitted with sapphire crystal.
For now, when choosing any one of these watch designs, you are sure to be satisfied with the protection a sapphire crystal dial window can offer.
