Watch Glass Replacement in Dubai
In case you have broken the glass of your watch, it is not advisable to wear it. Depending on the damage, the watch should be taken to a watchmaker as quickly as possible. If the glass just has a minor crack, it is easy to replace it. The watchmaker just needs to take the watch apart, remove the glass, and install a new one. Once done, he puts back the watch together and your watch looks like new again. However, if you shattered the glass, then the process takes a different turn.
What Happens When Watch Glass Breaks?
When a watch glass breaks, the shards of the glass can get under the hands, potentially damaging the watch. If not taken to a watchmaker instantly, the time the shattered glass moves, it will scratch the dial, the hands and other parts of the watch. But this is not where the damage stops. The small bits and pieces of a broken glass can also enter the movement and potentially damage the watch even further.
Hence, when a watch glass breaks, you should get a full service for your watch. This will make sure every bits and pieces are taken out and the watch is fully clean from inside out.
Types of Watch Glasses
Besides what to do, you should also be aware of the types of watch glasses available. There are primarily two types of crystals available. And they are explained as follows.
Acrylic Crystal (Hesalite or Plexiglass)
Acrylic crystal is a lightweight plastic commonly found in vintage and entry-level watches. These glasses are affordable to use and are even used on retro-inspired timepieces. These types of crystals are usually impact-resistant. However, the biggest con of having one of these glasses is that they get scratched quite easily. Some buffing and polishing can remove light scratches but deeper grooves always remain unless you opt for a glass change.
Mineral Crystal (Hardlex)
This is a relatively uncommon crystal but it can be found on some entry-level watches. Mineral crystal offers better scratch protection than acrylic and it is also less reflective than sapphire. But it is not as scratch-resistant as a sapphire crystal.
Sapphire Crystal
Sapphire Crystal is the most common type of watch glass used on high-end luxury watch. These glasses are exceptionally scratch-resistant making them the perfect material to use on an every-day watch. They are highly durable as well but all of this comes at a price. These glasses are relatively more expensive, which also means if you break one of these, it is going to cost you relatively more than what an Acrylic crystal would have costed.
Lastly, there are both options available – original glass or an aftermarket glass. Usually, we recommend people going in for the original glass. But, if you are on a tight budget, an aftermarket can do the same job while also saving you some money.
