Image credit: Quill & Pad
A watch crystal is the front cover of a watch, which is usually made of plastic, glass, mineral crystal, or sapphire crystal. Since the crystal literally faces the front, it usually takes most of the hits and everyday wear and tear. They can easily crack, scratch, and break just by falling on the ground. Watch crystals are made out of different materials to ensure that they remain strong. Plastic crystals are the most flexible of all, which is why they are ideal for most watches. Thankfully, most watch crystals are easy to replace. This blog post will explain how to get a watch crystal replaced and how much it costs.
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Cost of Watch Crystal Replacement
Some high-end timepieces have crystals that are made out of synthetic sapphire, while a few entry-level or mediocre watches often have acrylic crystals. If the crystal gets cracked after an impact, it can be replaced. The cost of crystal replacement can range from $30 for an acrylic type to $150 for a sapphire crystal from a Swiss manufacturer.
If your watch crystal is constantly breaking or being scratched, a better option would be to switch to a sapphire crystal, which is much stronger. Sapphire crystals are also much stronger than mineral glass crystals and are also scratch-resistant.
The crystal repair cost of different brands is mentioned I the table below:
Brand Name | Cost |
Citizen | $85 |
Fossil | $27 |
Michael Kors | $70 |
Movado | $65 |
Seiko | $60 |
Skagen | $34 |
Where Can I Buy Watch Crystals?
Long’s Jewelers recommends getting a watch crystal replaced from or repaired by a high-end Swiss manufacturer. You can also get your watch crystal replaced from Watch Gnome, an online watch repair service that costs about $50 for replacement. This fee applies to all huge brands.
Factors That Determine the Price of Crystal Replacement
The cost of replacing a watch crystal is determined by many elements, such as the kind of crystal, the size, and the repair service being used.
Type of Crystal
The face of a watch can be made of plastic, glass, or sapphire. Generally, plastic is known as the least expensive of all options but can also easily wear and tear. Mineral glass is comparatively a better option than plastic; however, the smudges and dirt on glass can be quite annoying and must be cleaned on a regular basis. Moreover, glass is prone to more damage with just one fall or hit. Sapphire glass is the best option among the three as it is more durable and is scratch-free.
Unfortunately, this option is also the most expensive one. Common types of glass material include flat, domed, pyramid mineral, domed sapphire, and plastic.
The Shape of the Crystal
Watch crystals are usually round in shape, but they may also come in square or rectangular shapes. Very rarely, you will find an irregular shape of the crystal, which can make it even more difficult to find a replacement. If you are not able to find the right replaceable crystal for your watch, you might have to invest in a new, customized one, which will increase the cost.
The Size of the Crystal
The size of the crystal also impacts the cost of replacement. If the crystal is larger in size, the cost of replacement will also be higher.
How Do I Measure the Size of a Watch Crystal?
The following method can be used to measure the size of a round glass watch crystal. Whether you have your old crystal with you or not, you can find out the correct measurement before getting it replaced. The only tools you will need to do this are a measurement gauge and a cleaning cloth. A digital measurement gauge provides accurate results and is also easy to read.
Step 1
Lay out the watch on a flat surface, making sure that the watch crystal is pointing upwards. The next step will be easier if you remove the crystal from the strap. But it can work even if you are not able to remove it.
Step 2
Next, pick up your gauge and open it wide enough to fit both sides of the crystal, and hold it over it. Slowly close the gauge so that its ends are secured around the crystal, and the distance can be recorded from the upper side to the lower side. Make sure that the edges of the gauge are as close to the crystal as possible, and write down the measurement. If your crystal is slightly worn out and is not exactly round in shape, you can adjust the measurement by adding a millimeter to the measurement you first recorded.
Step 3
Turn the watch crystal over and open the sides of the measurement gauge once again. Slowly close the gauge again around the crystal, making sure that the edges touch the ends of the crystal. Measure the distance from one side all the way to the other on the dial. This measurement should match the first one you recorded.
Step 4
The final step is to measure the depth of the watch crystal. Hold the crystal in your hand and place one end of the digital gauge on the top of the crystal piece and the other one on the bottom. Close the gauge so that you can determine the depth of the crystal and note it down.
Conclusion
The replacement of a watch crystal is not as difficult as it may look. You can also get in touch with your local watch manufacturer or watch dealer and inquire about crystal replacement. If you take good care of your watch and protect it from damage, a replacement will probably not be required.
Nathaniel Eckert is an engineer/ property manager with a focus on electro-mechanics and multifamily real estate. He works in New York City with a passion for wristwatches and tequeyoyos.
