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Showing 1 of 149 conversations about:
Gev66
11
Mar 16, 2017
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Hardlex crystal - thats a no go for me
Mar 16, 2017
Motorrad
2898
Mar 16, 2017
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Gev66phht.
Mar 16, 2017
PixelPusher21
139
Jul 24, 2017
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Gev66I will never understand this line of thought. I have three Seikos with the Hardlex and have never had any issues with anything you could bring up to support what I assume is a Sapphire only mentality (feel free to correct me if I am wrong). Crystals are easy to replace but Hardlex is much less likely to shatter on impact than Sapphire even if it does scratch easier. Since this is an under 300 dollar watch almost everywhere this argument seems elitist. Even at 500 dollars. Plus you can always replace it with Sapphire later if you really want too.
Jul 24, 2017
Motorrad
2898
Jul 24, 2017
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PixelPusher21It's true. This sapphire only attitude is not only elitist, but counterproductive and, frankly, ignorant. It's a dive watch! You want a shatter-resistant crystal on a dive watch.
Jul 24, 2017
kingping
107
Jul 24, 2017
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PixelPusher21I must disagree with the core of your idea that "sapphire only" is elitest or ill advised. All I really need to do is look at the daily wearing watches I've bought pre-sapphire-awareness and compare those to the dozen or so low-cost to mid-range watches I've discovered which come with sapphire glass. IMO the only reason mass market makers don't offer it more is that we (consumers) keep buying watches built to scratch. The small difference in price represents more profit to the company an addition to an admittedly lower price point-- but the difference is small. Changing out the mineral glass on a $200 watch is not worth it; why make future trouble for yourself. Hardlex? Hardly.
Jul 24, 2017
Motorrad
2898
Jul 24, 2017
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kingpingBravo kingping! From now on, Hardlex shall be banished. Sapphire for all. The Era of Sapphire Enlightenment has begun!
...and I heard Winter is coming...
Jul 24, 2017
PixelPusher21
139
Jul 24, 2017
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kingpingUnless you are terribly rough on your watches and wear them in situations where scratches are unavoidable there is no cost/value advantage to Sapphire. A blow to the watch face that would shatter Sapphire would only mark Hardlex. It is a far more durable material. Sapphire is hard to manufacture at thicknesses needed for dive watches since any imperfection renders the crystal unsuitable for a dive watch. It is much more expensive per mm due to the low yields. Your cheap daily wear sapphire watches probably have a very thin sapphire crystal. maybe .5 to 1.5 mm and they do not need to stand up to high pressures. Dive watches typically have between 3 and 5 mm glass or more. Its not the same thing at all. That being said, I would not buy a very expensive watch without a Sapphire crystal, but something like this where the company is well established and has always made their watches this way... well calling out that it doesn't have a Sapphire crystal is elitist. Seiko sells plenty of higher end dive watches that do have Sapphire crystals but you will pay for them.
Jul 24, 2017
kingping
107
Jul 24, 2017
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PixelPusher21 Thanks for the reply dude. Your first sentence actually perfectly describes my situation hence a cost/benefit advantage to me.
This has come up repeatedly on WatchSeek and other forums and the call went out for stories of shattered sapphire crystals; I have no doubt it could and has happened, shattered sapphire crystal is like voter fraud--it just doesn't happen! ;-)
Also, fwiw, I don't dive, but I love me nice diver watch. I wonder what percentage of 1000m diver sold see the ocean?
Lastly, I still take umbrage with being labeled elitist: I simply prefer one material over another and will make buying decisions based on such.
adjective-elitist 1.(of a person or class of persons) considered superior by others or by themselves, as in intellect, talent, power, wealth, or position in society.
Seiko design, engineering, movements are usually solid as f*ck, but I can't hang with the Hardlex.
Jul 24, 2017
Motorrad
2898
Jul 24, 2017
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PixelPusher21Exactly. and if one is a watch nerd, quit worrying about it; buy the watch enjoy it, buy another watch...repeat... The srp is a cool watch, not a lifestyle or commitment. If one is wearing this 48mm chunk as your daily, you should probably be more concerned about all the scratches you're leaving on the items around you. One can whine about not getting the sapphire they deserve(!) all they want...but they aren't going to be the one with the watch... just a whiner.
Jul 24, 2017
PixelPusher21
139
Jul 24, 2017
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kingpingI did not mean Elitist as a personal slight... Only against the dismissal of Hardlex over Sapphire as if Sapphire somehow is a superior material that devalues a watch. If you don't dive, thin Sapphire is cheap. You can get a new one for about 40-70 dollars and it is super easy to replace. Modding Seikos is super popular because they look great, take a beating and are relatively cheap. They come ready to pop right in so if you don't care about your warranty I am sure you can find a watch maker to do it for you on the cheap in about a half hour once you order it. I just wouldn't dive with that crystal.
Jul 24, 2017
kingping
107
Jul 24, 2017
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PixelPusher21All good! I've done a little repair and have cheap tools (mistake btw)but have never replaced a crystal.
I picked up Maratac auto w/ domed sapphire years ago and wore that thing every day for two years! The stainless case was scratched as f*ck and I wore out the band, but with some breath and a swipe on the t-shirt and the crystal looks like the day I got it. That's my anecdotal moment when I swore off mineral glass for better or worse.
We're all taking time here because we love wearing (and collecting?) watches. I have Hardlex issues and likely overreacted. Peace.
Jul 24, 2017
PixelPusher21
139
Jul 24, 2017
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kingpingHahha, yeah, for scratch resistance you cannot beat Sapphire.. no arguments from me there!
Jul 24, 2017
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