SBGX261 crystal material?

[DJ2020]

I have been wanting to get my hands on some SBGX series GS's for awhile.
I know there are a entry level GS but the size and the looks is something I'm after and have always been intrigued by them. Especially the 269 and 263.

In doing some reading on the specifications it list the crystal as sapphire "coated" mineral. ???? All my other GS models list the crystal as Sapphire.

I had know idea that a sapphire could be used as a coating. Can anyone elaborate on this?, Are they as durable as 100% sapphire? would like to know.

[Old Expat Beast]

I know that Dan Henry uses (or used) sapphire-coated mineral crystals, but never heard of GS or Seiko using it. I thought Seiko was either sapphire or Hardlex, and modern GS only sapphire. Just as an aside, Seiko used sapphire quite a few years before Rolex, in the early 1970s, on some high-end Grand Seikos like the 6156-8010.

[DJ2020]

Did not know GS was the first. interesting. I too thought all GS was sapphire.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by DJ2020

Did not know GS was the first. interesting. I too thought all GS was sapphire.

Yep, and before that Grand Seiko and King Seiko were also quite a few years ahead of Rolex with things like hacking movements, quickset dates and double quickset day/dates (about 20 years ahead in the case of the latter). Problem was, you had to go to Japan to buy one in those days.