Article: Mineral glass watch: The advantages at a glance!
Mineral glass watch: The advantages at a glance!
The watch glass plate
A watch has multiple parts. But perhaps the most important part of a watch... the glass. The glass protects the dial and all other fragile parts in a watch. In this blog we dive deep into the world of the mineral glass watch . What is it? How does it perform? And is it the right choice for your tough, masculine watch? This article will answer all your questions.
Sapphire crystal: luxury you can see, strength you can trust.
What is a mineral glass watch?
A mineral glass watch is a watch that is equipped with a watch glass made of mineral glass. This material is also called simply mineral glass and is one of the most common materials for watch glasses in the mid-range segment.
Your time deserves the brilliance of sapphire.
What is a mineral glass watch made of?
A mineral glass watch has a dial made of treated glass with added minerals. The production process of mineral glass involves fusing silicon dioxide with various minerals, followed by a heat treatment that increases hardness. Some manufacturers add additional components to improve scratch resistance. Mineral glass is essentially just glass that has been thermally (or chemically) treated to make it stronger than regular glass. The base material is silicon dioxide (quartz), supplemented with various minerals such as sodium, potassium and aluminium that improve its properties. The exact composition varies by manufacturer and can affect the properties of the glass.
Example watch with mineral glass
Did you know? Mineral glass is manufactured under extreme heat (over 600°C) which changes the molecular structure and makes the material significantly stronger than regular window glass.
Mineral glass watch scratches
A frequently asked question about mineral glass is how scratch-resistant it actually is. While mineral glass is certainly stronger than regular glass, it is not completely scratch-proof. With a hardness of about 5-6 on the Mohs scale (a scale used to measure the hardness of materials), it can be scratched by harder materials such as sand, rocks and even some metals. For example, if you have a bunch of keys in your pocket and you go with your wristwatch in your pocket, it is possible that your watch will be scratched.
Can I remove a scratch from my watch glass?
Good news: Unlike sapphire glass, light scratches on mineral glass can often be removed or reduced. There are several methods for this:
- Polishing Pastes - Special watch polishes such as 'PolyWatch' can reduce superficial scratches
- Toothpaste with Fine Abrasives - As a home remedy, toothpaste with mild abrasives can sometimes reduce light scratches
- Professional Polishing - For deeper scratches, a professional watchmaker can re-polish the glass
- Replacement - In case of serious damage, replacing the glass is often the best option, which is relatively affordable with mineral glass
It is important to be careful when removing scratches yourself, as aggressive polishing can weaken the glass or damage the coating.
You can polish a scratch in your mineral glass watch. You can do it yourself... but a watchmaker can probably do it better.
Urban Ace watches with mineral glass
Zephyr 2.0
Zephyr Legacy
Hardlex mineral glass
Hardlex is an improved variant of mineral glass, developed and patented by Seiko . It is in fact a premium version of standard mineral glass with improved properties.
The difference between standard mineral glass and Hardlex lies in the treatment method and the added components that provide extra strength. Hardlex combines the affordability of mineral glass with improved scratch resistance and break resistance. Hardlex is often used in Seiko diving and sports watches because it is more resistant to impact and pressure than standard mineral glass. It is a good compromise between affordable mineral glass and premium sapphire glass.
Shine without compromise — that's the power of sapphire glass.
Example of mineral glass and sapphire glass
Mineral glass vs. sapphire glass
One of the most important choices when buying a quality watch is the type of glass. The two most common high-end options are mineral glass and sapphire glass . But what are the differences?
| Characteristic | Mineral glass | Sapphire glass |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 5-6 | 9 (only diamond is harder) |
| Scratch resistance | Average | Excellent |
| Breakage resistance | Good - flexes slightly on impact | Moderate - harder but also more brittle |
| Price | Affordable | Premium (3-5x more expensive) |
| Repair/Replacement | Simple and affordable | More complex and expensive |
| Polishing | Scratches can often be polished out | Scratches are almost impossible to remove |
When do you choose mineral glass?
A mineral glass watch is an excellent choice in the following situations:
- You are looking for an affordable but good quality watch
- You wear your watch in environments with a risk of impact or falls
- You want to be able to polish out small scratches
- You want a good balance between price and durability
- You do not wear your watch during extreme water sports activities or other outdoor sports.
Although sapphire glass is superior in terms of scratch resistance, mineral glass has the advantage that it is less likely to break when hit hard. It bends slightly, while sapphire glass can shatter when hit hard. Sapphire glass, on the other hand, is actually more resistant to scratches.
Sapphire crystal: where clarity meets invincibility.
How do you recognize a mineral glass watch?
Identifying the type of glass in your watch can sometimes be tricky without knowing the specifications. However, there are a few ways to recognize or test a mineral glass watch .
What kind of glass does my watch have?
The most reliable way to find out what type of glass your watch has is to check the manufacturer's specifications. This information or specifications are usually:
- The product page on the manufacturer's website.
- The packaging or, for example, a warranty card.
- Engraved codes on the back of the watch case e.g. Quartz, 10 ATM or sapphire glass.
How can I test myself what type of glass my watch has?
If you can't find the specifications, there are some simple tests you can perform to identify the type of glass:
- The water drop test - Place a small drop of water on the glass. On sapphire glass the droplet remains more spherical due to the oil-repellent coating, while on mineral glass it spreads out a bit more.
- The condensation test - Breathe on the glass. Condensation on sapphire glass disappears faster than on mineral glass.
- The Sound Test - Lightly tap the glass with your fingernail. Sapphire glass usually produces a brighter, sharper sound than mineral glass, which produces a duller sound.
- The temperature test - Hold your finger on the glass for a few seconds. Sapphire glass feels cooler and heats up less quickly than mineral glass.
Please note: These tests give indications but are not 100% reliable. For absolute certainty, it is best to consult a professional.
What different types of glass watches are there?
There are different types of watch glasses on the market, each with its own characteristics and applications:
- Acrylic glass (plexiglass) - Cheap, light, very break-resistant but scratch-sensitive. Often used in vintage watches and cheaper models.
- Mineral Glass - The middle ground in price and performance. Thermally or chemically treated glass with added minerals for extra strength.
- Hardlex - Seiko's improved version of mineral glass. More scratch resistant than standard mineral glass.
- Sapphire Crystal - Premium material, almost as hard as diamond. Very scratch resistant but relatively brittle on impact.
- Sapphire coated mineral glass - Mineral glass with a thin layer of sapphire crystal for improved scratch resistance at a lower cost than pure sapphire crystal.
What is the best glass for your watch?
The question of which type of watch glass is "best" depends on your personal situation and preferences:
- For daily use in office work - Mineral glass or sapphire glass, depending on budget
- For active lifestyle/sports - Hardlex or mineral glass for better shock resistance
- For luxury or formal watches - Sapphire crystal for its appearance and durability
- For vintage lovers - Original acrylic glass for authenticity or mineral glass for an upgrade
- For adventurers/outdoor sports enthusiasts - Mineral glass or Hardlex for its good balance between scratch resistance and shock resistance
Is a mineral glass watch strong?
A mineral glass watch can certainly be considered very 'strong', although the definition of strength includes several aspects:
- Scratch Resistance - Mineral glass is fairly scratch resistant for everyday use. It withstands light contact with hard surfaces, but can be scratched by materials such as sand, metal keys or hard jewelry.
- Shatter resistance - Here mineral glass performs particularly well. It has better shock resistance than sapphire glass because it can bend slightly under pressure instead of breaking.
- Pressure Resistance - Mineral glass is suitable for most diving watches because it can withstand water pressure well.
- Longevity - With proper care, a mineral glass watch can last for many years without needing glass replacement.
For most men looking for a stylish, robust watch for everyday use, a mineral glass watch offers the right balance between durability and affordability. It is strong enough for almost all daily activities, from office work to light sports activities.
Conclusion: Is a mineral glass watch the right choice for you?
A mineral crystal watch is an excellent choice for men who want a sturdy, stylish watch without paying the price of sapphire crystal. It offers a good balance between scratch resistance, shatter resistance and affordability. For those who want a reliable watch for everyday use, sports or casual occasions, mineral crystal will more than meet their expectations. The ability to polish out minor scratches is an added benefit that many watch enthusiasts appreciate.
At Urbanace.nl we offer a carefully selected collection of men's watches with high-quality materials, including models with mineral glass that are perfect for the modern, active man. Our watches combine style, durability and affordability for men who value quality and design.
