Watch Crystal Replacement Near Me

Damage to your watch crystal is heartbreaking. It’s potentially an expensive repair on a luxury watch. What’s more troublesome than the cost is the crystal itself represents the overall integrity of the watch. When the crystal is damaged, it’s the first thing someone will notice. In this article, we’ll discuss crystal repair and replacement, where to go for work, and how the watch crystal replacement near me works.

Map of Watch Crystal Replacement Near Me

If you need  “watch crystal repair near me” or watch crystal replacement near me”, see the map below for locations…

Before selecting a watch crystal replacement near me, you should consider whether or not you are covered under warranty. You should also assess if the shop you select has any special authorizations or certifications to work on your particular brand. Shop around to various repair shops, jewelers, and your brand’s authorized service center to get an estimate of cost. If you have a vintage watch you should only be considering antique watch repair or an authorized service center.

What Is a Watch Crystal?

A watch crystal is a transparent cover that sits over the watch face and protects the dial. Some refer to it as the watch glass.

Types of Crystals

There are 3 types of watch crystals commonly used on the market:

1. Plastic: often made from plexiglass (acrylic) which is a clear lightweight kind of plastic. It is the least expensive material, the least likely to shatter, and the easiest to scratch
2. Mineral: Ordinary glass that you would use in a home window. It has a moderate cost, is more likely to break than plastic (even though it has a hardening process), but is more scratch-resistant than plastic. This is the most commonly used popular crystal across all brands.
3. Sapphire: Known as synthetic sapphire which is made from a flame fusion process. It is the most expensive and the most scratch-resistant, but it is brittle and hard. That means it shatters much more easily than plastic or mineral crystals.

There is also a crystal called Sapplex, which is used by companies such as Seiko. It is a hybrid compound of both synthetic sapphire and mineral glass.

How Can I tell What kind of Crystal My Watch Glass is Made Out Of?

You can tell what kind of crystal you have, but it is a bit challenging.

A plastic crystal will feel flimsy and will flex a little bit when you press on it. Many of them have a dome shape because it is easier to do in the manufacturing process.

A mineral crystal can be flat, domed, or beveled. It will make a “tink, tink, tink” sound if you tap a metal tool on it, just like a window would sound.

A sapphire is almost always flat and will be almost impossible to scratch unless you cut it with a diamond. Often a sapphire crystal will have an anti-reflective or anti-glare coating applied to it. When it’s on your watch at certain angles it will almost appear is if there is no glass on your watch.

Common Crystal Issues

The two most common issues with watch glass crystals are scratching and shattering. Broken crystals are some of the most common issues that technicians deal with.

Scratch

A scratch is a shallow tear into the material that leaves a crevasse in the watch glass. These can often be buffed out with a buffer and a compound When a buffing repair is done, you are technically applying abrasion onto the glass, filing it down, and polishing it. Whether or not a scratch can come out is dependent on the crystal type and the depth of the scratch.

Generally, if the scratch is deep enough to get your fingernail in it, buffing it out to repair it is very difficult. You can try, but the more you buff you also risk scratching your case and doing other damage to your watch.

Shatter

A shattered crystal is when it cracks and breaks the material altogether. This is considered total damage to the crystal and the only thing you can do is replace it.

Depending on the material is what determines how easily it will shatter. To replace a shattered crystal requires the old one to be removed and the same size and shape crystal to be put in. You can however change the type of crystal you replace it with.

A third issue, which is uncommon in most reputable brands, is the glass completely separating from the casing.

To recap the materials again here. Plastic scratches easily, but doesn’t shatter. Sapphire doesn’t scratch easy but shatters easily. Mineral falls right in the middle.

Can a Crystal Be Repaired or Does It Have to Be Replaced?

A scratch in plastic can be buffed out with a compound and a buffer. There is a good compound called Polywatch that looks like toothpaste that you can use to fix a scratch in plastic. If you have a deep gouge big enough to put your fingernail into, it may be time to consider a replacement.

A scratch is mineral glass that can be buffed out with a compound, but only if it’s a lite surface scratch. It may take a while to buff it out and hard to do because you have to do it while it’s on the watch. Any scratch more significant will need a watch crystal replacement.

If you do happen to scratch a sapphire, it can be buffed out with a compound, but it will take about 30 to 45 minutes of continuous buffing. It may be worth a try given the cost of replacing sapphire, but you risk doing other damage to the case when you are buffing. It may be worth getting a pro technician to advise you if a repair or replacement is needed for a sapphire.

Where to Get a Watch Crystal Replacement Near Me?

There are three different business types that can repair a scratched crystal or replace the crystal altogether. These are shops you can consider for watch crystal replacement near me…

Watch Repair Shop: A watch repair shop will have the correct compounds and buffers to use for each crystal type. They can advise you on whether it can be repaired or if you need a full replacement. Depending on your timepiece make and model, they may have replacement crystals that will fit your watch. If they don’t they may need to order one on your behalf. A repair shop is great because it is the shortest turnaround time and you can talk to a technician directly.

Jewelry Store: This will have the correct compounds and buffers for each crystal type. They are generally good for repair, however a full replacement of the crystal, will mean they will either send your watch out or need to order one. A jewelry store is great for a small buff job, talking directly to a technician, and offers quick turnaround on repairs. Replacements often take longer.

Authorized Service Center: This is your most expensive option, but the ideal choice if your watch is still under warranty and you want an authentic manufacturer crystal placed back in your watch. They will give you guidance on repair or replacement and provide an estimate before performing any work. The downside is that this will be the option that takes the longest, you will correspond with a technician via email, and you will need to mail them your watch. You can find your authorized service center by brand here.

Is My Crystal Covered Under Warranty?

Technically yes, any part of your watch should be covered under warranty. Your specific coverage will also vary based by brand as well as the time period it exists after purchase.

The thing about crystal damage is that it is not usually the result of a manufacturer’s defect, which is what most watch warranties are. If you damage your crystal it is because you scratched it, dropped it, or banged it into something that caused the issue.

Those types of user causes will not be covered under warranty. Now if you have a crystal issue that you believe is a defect, you are covered. You will need to provide a warranty card or receipt with proof of purchase, price, and watch model shown on it. This claim can only be made at an authorized service center or brand store.

Here is the tricky situation though, let’s say you scratch your watch glass. The rest of the watch may still be covered under warranty, but having someone other than an authorized technician work on any part of will void the warranty.

Let’s say you shattered a sapphire glass and you had your local jeweler replace the crystal. Then a month later you have an actual manufacturer defect with the stem. When you go to make a warranty claim, the manufacturer will say that an unauthorized repair occurred on the watch and your warranty is voided. This is why my default advice is normally to find and visit an authorized service center…

Finding and Using an Authorized Service Center

Most authorized repairs require you to mail in your watch. There are no authorized watch crystal replacements near me, because none of my manufacturers have service centers nearby. When you deal with an authorized service center be prepared to describe the issue in detail via a web form.

If you cracked the glass, say how high you dropped it from. This may be important to a technician who may also want to assess that the movement is still operating correctly and no other damage is done.

When they receive your timepiece, they will reach back to you with a quote. From there you can decide whether or not your timepieces, replacement or repair of the glass is worth it.

If you go the authorized service center route be sure to: ensure your package for the value of the watch, include warranty info if you have a claim, and pack your watch securely in a box with bubble wrap.

How Much Does a Replacement or Repair Cost?

A repair is cheaper than a replacement. The cost will vary depending on the size of the scratch and the type of crystal you scratched. Scratch repairs generally don’t hit too hard in the pocket, usually in the range of $15 to $40 depending on where you go. Replacement is where is gets pricey…

At the watch crystal replacement near me, you can expect $20 to $25 for a plastic acrylic crystal to upwards of $100 for a shaped synthetic sapphire crystal. The common range of prices on sapphire is about $65 to $150 depending on the shape. The average cost of a mineral crystal is in the range of $30 to $60. If your synthetic sapphire has anti-reflective coating the cost will go up more.

Generally speaking the more luxurious the watch, the more the crystal will cost to replace.

How Long Will It Take?

At the watch crystal repair near me, a surface scratch can often be done the same day. A replacement can be done same day in a shop if they have the appropriate crystal size and shape on hand. If you deal with an authorized service center it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on how busy they are. This is true for both scratches and replacements.

Repair vs Replacement

In the world of watches, the decision between repair and replacement often hinges on the condition of the watch’s crystal. The crystal is a vital piece of the watch, protecting the dial and ensuring the watch’s aesthetics remain intact.

Repairing a Crystal

When is it feasible?

If you’ve accidentally scratched your Rolex or Omega, don’t be too nervous. Many times, minor scratches or dents on the crystal can be fixed by watch repair services. These services often have a team of specialists who have searched for and learned the best techniques and craft to restore the crystal to its original state.

Methods and compounds used

The craft of repairing a watch crystal involves using specific compounds and methods tailored to the type of crystal. For instance, a Rolex with a sapphire crystal might require a different approach compared to a Citizen watch with a mineral crystal.

It’s always best to contact a specialist to check the best method for your watch. They might offer polishing or buffing services, using specific compounds that can make the crystal look as good as new.

Replacing a Crystal

When is it feasible?

There are times when the damage to the crystal is too extensive, making repair unfeasible. If you’ve dropped your apple watch and the crystal has shattered, or if your vintage watch’s crystal has deep cracks, it might be time to consider a replacement.

Factors to consider

When thinking about replacing the crystal, several factors come into play. The location of a reputable service, the type of watches they cater to, and the parts they have in stock are crucial. You wouldn’t want to place an apple watch crystal on a Rolex, for instance.

It’s also essential to trust the service you choose. Many people go shopping for services today based on related searches and reviews to ensure they get the best results. The care with which the service handles your watch, the speed at which they can ship the fixed watch back to you, and the warranty they offer on their work are other vital considerations.

In conclusion, whether you decide to repair or replace your watch’s crystal, always ensure you’re making an informed decision. Take the time to learn about the process, check the results of the service’s previous work, and ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.

Can I Replace A Watch Crystal Myself?

You can replace the watch glass yourself, but my recommendation is to advise against it. You can order a watch crystal online which either is the exact crystal you have or you can get something else as long as the size specifications are the same.

Remember if you have a diving watch you need a thick sapphire crystal that can withstand deep water pressure. You will also need some tools like a press to get the glass out and back in securely. If you have a scratch you can try and buff it out yourself. Here are some items you may find helpful if you are going to do a DIY watch crystal repair or replacement.

Watch Crystal Replacement Near Me – Conclusion

A watch crystal replacement can be costly depending on the type of material and brand of watch. If it’s just a surface scratch, you may have some means to buff it out on your own. No matter what, damage to the glass is an eyesore that needs to be addressed. This is what i have learned from the watch crystal replacement near me.

FAQs (Based on the People Also Ask section)

What is the difference between a mineral and a sapphire crystal?

A mineral crystal is typically made from ordinary glass, similar to what’s used in windows. It’s more scratch-resistant than acrylic but less so than sapphire. On the other hand, a sapphire crystal is made from synthetic sapphire. It’s the hardest and most scratch-resistant crystal, often found in high-end watches like Rolex and Omega.

Can I buff out scratches from my watch crystal at home?

Yes, it’s possible to buff out minor scratches, especially on acrylic or mineral crystals. However, it’s essential to be cautious and use the right compounds and methods. If you’re nervous about doing it yourself, it might be best to contact a watch repair service or specialist to ensure the best results.

Is it better to repair or replace a damaged watch crystal?

It depends on the extent of the damage. Minor scratches or dents can often be fixed by polishing or buffing. However, if the crystal is shattered or has deep cracks, replacement is the better option. Always check with a professional to make an informed decision and trust their expertise.