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Showing 1 of 47 conversations about:
jejeikr
0
Aug 19, 2016
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are these actually worth it if not for the tritium ?
Aug 19, 2016
ArmourLite
419
Armourlite
Aug 20, 2016
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jejeikrHi jejeikr, these Field Series models we are offering on Massdrop combine Swiss tritium illumination with a build quality not found anywhere else. These watches have a special shatterproof crystal that we developed call ArmourGlass. It's equivalent to having ballistic glass on your watch. The crystal has been tested to withstand impacts up to 6,000 Vickers whereas most watch crystals can only withstand about 700 Vickers. In addition, there is a protruding heavy duty rubber ring around the edge of the crystal to provide extra protection. We also power these models with a Swiss-Made Ronda quartz movement, which is a very reliable and trusted movement. These are by far the toughest built field-style watch on the market. No doubt that these watches can truly withstand any condition you encounter!
Aug 20, 2016
aslplsthx
17
Aug 25, 2016
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ArmourLiteHi,
This watch design looks right up my alley, and I'm highly interested.
Can you comment on ArmourGlass versus traditional sapphire? if in relation to Mohs Hardness Scale would be great.
Although it's definitely a cool factor that it's so shatter proof, more importantly to me is scratch resistance and clarity, the current watch I wear has sapphire, and it's been 'crystal' clear since the day I bought it, even though the rest of the watch is quite scratched up from daily use.
If ArmourGlasss has the same properties as sapphire in this regard, this is a definite sale for me.
Aug 25, 2016
ArmourLite
419
Armourlite
Aug 25, 2016
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aslplsthxHi aslplsth, thank you for your interest. ArmourGlass is a patented crystal that incorporates the elements of ballistic glass into a traditional watch crystal. Most traditional watch crystals have a hardness rating of 700 Vickers. Whereas sapphire has a hardness rating of about 1,200 Vickers, ArmourGlass is way ahead with a hardness rating of 6,000 Vickers. The way ArmourGlass is designed allows it to take impacts that no other crystal can withstand. During trade shows and demonstrations we hit the ArmourGlass with a hammer repeatedly to show just how strong it really is. ArmourGlass is also scratch resistant and provides exceptional clarity. Our reasoning behind developing ArmourGlass was that the crystal is essentially the access point to the watch. If the crystal fails, your watch is compromised and faces costly repairs. With ArmourGlass, you can feel comfortable that whatever condition you expose your watch to, it's going to come out ticking! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Aug 25, 2016
aslplsthx
17
Aug 25, 2016
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ArmourLiteWell, I'll give it a go, in for the blacked out version.
Aug 25, 2016
aslplsthx
17
Sep 23, 2016
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ArmourLiteSo, I didn't anticipate to have much to say after only wearing the watch for one day (had to wait several days for a pin pusher to arrive to adjust the band) but I do.
For context, I work in IT, 90% of my job is spent at my desk, 10% roaming around in data centers a very light role considering what this watch is marketed for.
The fit and finish of the watch is pretty good, but overall quality is questionable.
The most impressive aspect of this watch is the tritium markers, they're excellent. In my brief experience they are far superior to typical illuminated markers that require an external source of energy.
Disappointments and things to improve on:
(minor) The actual movement bugs me, as each tick is notably off of the marker on the face (maybe this is more of an issue with the implementation of the movement). This is my first quartz movement watch above the price of $40 (typically I'm into mechanical watches) and I'm not impressed.
The clasp on the band only has 3 adjustments before links need to be removed.
It would help if the ArmourGlass had an AR coating (as far as I can tell, it does not), but the material is otherwise acceptable for clarity, but definitely not sapphire level clear (but of course, this trade off is met with much improved impact resistance, which for what this watch is designed for is more suitable).
(major) The coating on the band is not bonded well. After one 9 hour work day, just from my wrist resting on my desk while typing, the band shows significant wear. You could argue this is purely aesthetic (regardless, fairly unacceptable) but it could also be argued that the integrity of the band is affected as the coating would help against degradation and corrosion of the stainless steel. Mind you, this is marketed as a tough watch.
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I don't have a jewelers loop, but I tried to clean this 'spot' extensively without resolve, and running my nail across it definitely feels like a chip/divot in the ArmourGlass surface.
I am unaware of this came factory, or if it was from my single day of use, but either way it doesn't seem acceptable (difficult to take a picture of, one picture is of the chip/divot, the other is angled towards light so the chip/divot reflects)
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Overall it's a nice watch, but I have had better value from other manufacturers in a similar price range.
Sep 23, 2016
aslplsthx
17
Sep 28, 2016
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ArmourLiteI do not want to spam this discussion or cause drama.
However, I did want to bring attention to the fact that I received extremely fast responses while I was inquiring to purchase, and no comment after pointing out some issues after purchase. Just something to think about for others considering a product from ArmourLite.
Sep 28, 2016
ArmourLite
419
Armourlite
Sep 29, 2016
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aslplsthxHi aslplsthx, our sincere apologies. We were just alerted to your message. We haven't been monitoring this discussion since the sale is no longer active.
We checked a handful of the Field Series models in our warehouse and they tick on the markers. As far as the clasp on the band having only 3 adjustment points, that is standard with even the most expensive watches. In order to have more adjustment points, the clasp would have to be much bigger which would make it uncomfortable and too bulky. The ArmourGlass does indeed have an AR coating. Moreover, we’ve tested the clarity of ArmourGlass against the sapphire crystal we use in some of our watches and there is no noticeable difference in clarity. The wear on the band you are showing us cannot be from just one day. We’ve had these bands tested in much more extreme environments for weeks on end without this kind of damage to the coating. More importantly, it is highly unlikely for the Armourglass to chip away in this matter considering the way it is constructed.
Please email us at customerservice@armourlite.com and we’ll do our best to address all your concerns and correct anything that must be corrected. We are known for providing the best customer service experience and we will be happy to prove this to you.
Sep 29, 2016
aslplsthx
17
Sep 29, 2016
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ArmourLiteHello ArmourLite,
I will take your word that you have not been monitoring this thread being that the sale is over. I had assumed since I replied directly to you, you would have received an email notification as it is the default setting for a MassDrop account.
Regarding the concerns with my watch, I will email you directly, but there are a few things I want to state here.
The reason I was unaware if it had AR coating or not is because there is no tinge of green, purple, or blue in any circumstance when attempting to look at the glass in a reflective scenario which is typically visible when an AR coating is present. I will also take your word on this, but I'm surprised it was not advertised in the description of the drop.
I will also take your word on the clarity level between your implementation of sapphire on your watches in comparison to your ArmourGlass implementations. However, for my previous daily driver ( Victorinox 241565 ) which sports a sapphire crystal with an AR coating the direct comparison is clearly in favor of the Victorinox. This is of course subjective, and not measured in any other way than my personal perception.
Lastly, I was merely commenting here to share my experience with this product with you and others, I was not looking to receive any support (but would have heavily valued a response), and had no interest in getting a discount, replacement, or any other motivating factors.
I find it conflicting that reading between the lines, you are accusing me of lying about the wear on the band, then immediately after boasting about your customer service level.
The wear shown in my original post is 100% truthfully from one day of use, and here is a picture taken tonight to show just how much more it's worn since:
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While I may be critical, I am a very understanding customer, and once again had no motive to fabricate any of what I said about the product. This watch's purpose was something I could feel okay with use, wear, and tear, it was just surprising to see significant signs of wear so rapidly, but ultimately I didn't 'care'. I do on the other hand care very deeply about how a company reacts.
For final transparency, I only share and write these type of experiences so others that do care can avoid the hassle. Watches are precision tools, and most people who are into them, have high standards as well as a high level of attention to such details.
Sep 29, 2016
ArmourLite
419
Armourlite
Sep 29, 2016
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aslplsthxHi aslplsthx, our Customer Service Team has received your email and is working on a solution for you.
Sep 29, 2016
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