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sleepyD · 29 June 2007, 12:05 PM

My husband and I were looking to purchase our first set of his/hers Rolex's. We did alot of research on the web, and we noticed that some websites describes the face of the watch as "non-scratch crystal" and that some don't mention the material of the face of the watch at all. I was under the impression that all Rolex watch faces were sapphire crystal. Is this a correct assumption?

roadcarver · 29 June 2007, 12:13 PM

Modern Rolexes uses sapphire... the earlier models (don't know when they converted - probably late 80s) uses acrylic crystals.

Sapphire is not prone to scratches but whe hit hard, it can crack. Acrylic although scratches easily, it can easily be buffed out.

Someone also mentioned that sapphire attracts finger prints while acrylic does not.

Alcan · 29 June 2007, 09:24 PM

Hi sleepyD, welcome aboard!

Vernon pretty well has it covered for you. I'll just add that sapphire crystals can chip around the edges, too, if they're banged around. I found that one out the hard way.

SPACE-DWELLER · 29 June 2007, 09:42 PM

SUPERLATIVE WELCOMING
OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED

Well, I guess your questions were answered

nko51 · 30 June 2007, 12:56 AM

Welcome on board!

astcell · 30 June 2007, 01:01 AM

I think in 1988 mine was synthetic sapphire. Are they real sapphires now?

SPACE-DWELLER · 30 June 2007, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astcell

I think in 1988 mine was synthetic sapphire. Are they real sapphires now?

As real as the sapphires on the crown on this "face":

mike · 30 June 2007, 09:23 AM

Depends on the reference. For example the Sub. first received a sapphire crystal with the reference 16800 circa 1979-80.

It replaced the great reference 1680 that had the wonderfull "tall" acryllic,

Interestingly it wasn't till late 1983 the GMT received a sapphire with the introduction of the reference 16760 "fat-lady"

29 June 2007, 12:05 PM	#1
sleepyD "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1	Rolex face material? My husband and I were looking to purchase our first set of his/hers Rolex's. We did alot of research on the web, and we noticed that some websites describes the face of the watch as "non-scratch crystal" and that some don't mention the material of the face of the watch at all. I was under the impression that all Rolex watch faces were sapphire crystal. Is this a correct assumption?

29 June 2007, 12:13 PM	#2
roadcarver "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Vernon Location: C-a-n-a-d-a Watch: 16600 Posts: 5,641	Modern Rolexes uses sapphire... the earlier models (don't know when they converted - probably late 80s) uses acrylic crystals. Sapphire is not prone to scratches but whe hit hard, it can crack. Acrylic although scratches easily, it can easily be buffed out. Someone also mentioned that sapphire attracts finger prints while acrylic does not. __________________ I'm just a cook...

29 June 2007, 09:24 PM	#3
Alcan 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Al Location: Way Up North Watch: your P's & Q's Posts: 10,473	Hi sleepyD, welcome aboard! Vernon pretty well has it covered for you. I'll just add that sapphire crystals can chip around the edges, too, if they're banged around. I found that one out the hard way. __________________ Member #1,315 I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!

29 June 2007, 09:42 PM	#4
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	SUPERLATIVE WELCOMING OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED Well, I guess your questions were answered __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

30 June 2007, 12:56 AM	#5
nko51 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Alex Location: USA Watch: TT Blue Sub Posts: 2,542	Welcome on board! __________________

30 June 2007, 01:01 AM	#6
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	I think in 1988 mine was synthetic sapphire. Are they real sapphires now?

30 June 2007, 09:23 AM	#8
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Depends on the reference. For example the Sub. first received a sapphire crystal with the reference 16800 circa 1979-80. It replaced the great reference 1680 that had the wonderfull "tall" acryllic, Interestingly it wasn't till late 1983 the GMT received a sapphire with the introduction of the reference 16760 "fat-lady"

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