In effect, only a diamond is harder than synthetic sapphire crystal and this means that while a diamond could scratch a sapphire crystal, nothing else can do so.


O


f all the components in a watch the clear crystal – although virtually unseen – performs a crucial role. Covering the dial, it protects the watches from dirt, scratches and internal damage. There are three types of crystals commonly found in watches escalating in terms of quality from acrylic crystal to mineral crystal and finally to sapphire crystal. At Christopher Ward, all watches are protected with the finest anti-scratch sapphire crystal – another component that adds to the overall quality of the watch.


Sapphire crystal


Sapphire crystal is a virtually scratchproof material with a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale, a system that measures comparative hardness of minerals.


In effect, only a diamond is harder than synthetic sapphire crystal and this means that while a diamond could scratch a sapphire crystal, nothing else can do so. The Mohs scale is comparative. Minerals can scratch all others below it on the scale, but none above it. The natural mineral is known to gemmologists as aluminium oxide or corundum. When it is colourless it is called corundum,


At Christopher Ward, all watches are protected with the finest anti-scratch sapphire crystal – another component that adds to the overall quality of the watch.


measure in terms of the crystal used in a watchcase. It is the ability not to scratch, to remain “crystal clear”, that is the key characteristic.


Like other premium and luxury watchmakers, sapphire crystal has become the material of choice to protect the dials and components on all Christopher Ward timepieces.


crystal. In this way the hard sapphire crystal remains sharp, while the anti-reflective coating does its work in the protected environment on the inside of the watch face.


And together the sapphire crystal and the anti-reflective coating ensure that all Christopher Ward watches are crystal clear.


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when red it is the ruby, when blue it is sapphire and when green it is an emerald. Together with diamond, these three coloured gems make up the complete suite of precious stones.


The invention of synthetic sapphire crystal came in 1902, when French chemist Auguste Verneuil “grew” it through a process of flame fusion. The procedure accelerated into a few hours a process that naturally takes thousands of years to complete.


It is the hardness of sapphire crystal that protects watches, not its strength. Strength is, indeed, not that relevant a


Anti-reflectve coating In addition to the high quality sapphire crystal, Christopher Ward watches are further enhanced by the addition of an anti-reflective coating. However, this is a tricky addition. The coating, unlike the crystal, is not hard and can be scratched. Further, the coating tends to pick up smears and fingerprints. Consequently, the addition can sometimes be counter- productive. To get over these potential problems, the anti-reflective coating on Christopher Ward watches is added to the underside of the sapphire


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