Crystal and case durability of CW watches
Crystal and case durability of CW watches
So out of curiosity, I would just like to know if the case and the crystal scratches easily? I am not going to wear the watch for any sort of extreme activities, but I do plan to wear it often and sometimes you'd get the odd bump or knock here and there, against a wall, door etc. How well do they hold up?
Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
In my experience the cases and crystals on CW watches are neither more or less prone to scratching than those of other brands.
I think that watch collectors fall into three broad categories…
- Those that are afraid to wear their watches, other than when sitting on a sofa at home.
- Those that just wear their watches, but are sufficiently self aware not to get them banged up, whilst accepting an occasional scratch as part of normal watch ownership.
- Those who lack spatial awareness and seem to find difficulty not scratching up their watches, even though they are only worn for normal everyday activity!
Neil
I think that watch collectors fall into three broad categories…
- Those that are afraid to wear their watches, other than when sitting on a sofa at home.
- Those that just wear their watches, but are sufficiently self aware not to get them banged up, whilst accepting an occasional scratch as part of normal watch ownership.
- Those who lack spatial awareness and seem to find difficulty not scratching up their watches, even though they are only worn for normal everyday activity!
Neil
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Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
Not just Cw, I don't think I have a single sapphire crystal that looks marked in any way.
I don't baby my watches, but I don't go out of my way to try to abuse them either, and my CW watches still look like new, I would like to think.
I don't baby my watches, but I don't go out of my way to try to abuse them either, and my CW watches still look like new, I would like to think.

Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
This is me - My C60 Mk2 bought in Jan 2015 was worn every day for over 4 years as my main watch. It still looks good now and runs well.nbg wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:12 pm In my experience the cases and crystals on CW watches are neither more or less prone to scratching than those of other brands.
- Those that just wear their watches, but are sufficiently self aware not to get them banged up, whilst accepting an occasional scratch as part of normal watch ownership.
Neil
Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
^^^@Mikkei4
I agree it’s really not difficult to keep a watch in good condition whilst wearing it.
I took a couple of watches to a dealer today (one to sell, the other just to get a price), he remarked that both were in rather good condition, considering how long I had owned them. Both were regularly worn in the water, on mountains, cooking and gardening. Miraculously both were free from anything other than hairline scratches.
Neil
I agree it’s really not difficult to keep a watch in good condition whilst wearing it.

I took a couple of watches to a dealer today (one to sell, the other just to get a price), he remarked that both were in rather good condition, considering how long I had owned them. Both were regularly worn in the water, on mountains, cooking and gardening. Miraculously both were free from anything other than hairline scratches.

Neil
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- Tonywalker
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Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
Never had any major problems with CW cases and crystals. Judging by the many 2nd hand CWs I have bought - some many years old - which have come to me in fantastic condition, I think it is safe to say that CW cases and crystals are of a very good standard for the price point.
A good bit of advice I read once - always be stood over a carpet or sat on a couch, ideally, when removing or fitting your watch.
One slip, when putting the watch aside to wash the pots, could prove to be a very expensive mistake.
Slate/stone/tiled/concrete floors and watches don't get along with one another too well
A good bit of advice I read once - always be stood over a carpet or sat on a couch, ideally, when removing or fitting your watch.
One slip, when putting the watch aside to wash the pots, could prove to be a very expensive mistake.
Slate/stone/tiled/concrete floors and watches don't get along with one another too well
CW watch count - enough to keep me very happy, but always room for more!
- ajax87
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Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
To answer the OP, the cases are for the most part 316L stainless steel (some titanium and bronze) and the crystals are all sapphire. They are industry standard for fine timepieces! Good quality material that is used in watches a lot more expensive than CWs.
Is there a difference in the stainless steel that JLC uses in a Reverso vs. the stainless steel CW uses? As far as I knew, almost everyone uses 316L stainless steel, and Rolex and maybe a couple others use 904L. And as far as crystals go, sapphire is the standard and is the same for everyone, barring some that put the AR coating on the outside and scuffs up a bit.
Is there a difference in the stainless steel that JLC uses in a Reverso vs. the stainless steel CW uses? As far as I knew, almost everyone uses 316L stainless steel, and Rolex and maybe a couple others use 904L. And as far as crystals go, sapphire is the standard and is the same for everyone, barring some that put the AR coating on the outside and scuffs up a bit.
Alex
C5A Mk1|C65 316L LE|C63 GMT, Elite, 2023ish FLE|C1 Moonglow|Omega Seamaster DeVille|Speedmaster Racing|MoonSwatch Mercury|RZE Endeavor|Tudor BB58 925
C5A Mk1|C65 316L LE|C63 GMT, Elite, 2023ish FLE|C1 Moonglow|Omega Seamaster DeVille|Speedmaster Racing|MoonSwatch Mercury|RZE Endeavor|Tudor BB58 925
Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
I don't baby my watches, but I also don't wear them to occasions they are in obvious danger of getting scratched more than normal. I've never had any problems with sapphire crystals in this sense.
But, due to my own stupidity, I accidentally once got some leather care agent or similar on my sapphire crystal, which, for some reason, I couldn't wash off. This lead to me trying to wipe it off a number of times and at some point, some sort of debris got between the polishing cloth and crystal which resulted in a few very minimal scratches on a sapphire crystal.
But, due to my own stupidity, I accidentally once got some leather care agent or similar on my sapphire crystal, which, for some reason, I couldn't wash off. This lead to me trying to wipe it off a number of times and at some point, some sort of debris got between the polishing cloth and crystal which resulted in a few very minimal scratches on a sapphire crystal.
Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
@ajax87 Good points. To add, Rolex’s choice of steel allows for a higher polish and a bit greater resistance to corrosion. However, it’s a softer steel and therefore more prone to scratching.
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- tikkathree
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Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
The only watches I own with scratched crystal came with scratched crystal and are of a make other than CW.
Case dings scratches or gouges? What's the phrase? "Nothing to see here, move along please, move along."
Case dings scratches or gouges? What's the phrase? "Nothing to see here, move along please, move along."

C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
Just adding to the overall sentiment…
Minor marks on cases and bracelets are a fact of life for normal watch wearers. I’ve never yet had a sapphire crystal from CW that showed any damage.
Minor marks on cases and bracelets are a fact of life for normal watch wearers. I’ve never yet had a sapphire crystal from CW that showed any damage.
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
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Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
Let's turn your question on it's head @egeek
What watches do you own at the moment, and what sort of condition are they in?
Guy
Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk
What watches do you own at the moment, and what sort of condition are they in?
Guy
Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk
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And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)
Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
Hi Guys, thanks for all your comments! I learned a lot from what all of you have shared and I really appreciate it
Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
@Bahnstormer_vRS
That is a fantastic question. I have a Rolex perpetual oyster that my old man left behind for me, and a tissot powermatic le loc. They both have held up well because I only use them occasionally. I am fascinated by the design of the moon phase watches by CW and I have a feeling I will be wearing the watch more often than the others which is the reason why I am asking the question. I always dreamed of owning a good looking moon phase watch.
That is a fantastic question. I have a Rolex perpetual oyster that my old man left behind for me, and a tissot powermatic le loc. They both have held up well because I only use them occasionally. I am fascinated by the design of the moon phase watches by CW and I have a feeling I will be wearing the watch more often than the others which is the reason why I am asking the question. I always dreamed of owning a good looking moon phase watch.
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Re: Crystal and case durability of CW watches
Been wearing CW watches for around 9/10 years and haven't scratched the crystal on any of them yet. They are all worn and do get a little love and respect, when I am playing delivery driver or working on an install I tend to wear an Apple Watch. From the rest of my collection I have a Seiko Kinetic from 2000 which led a hard life early on which has a scratch on the crystal from my days working in a warehouse and my old Apple Watch series 2 which is scratched to hell but it was my daily beater/ gym / biking watch.
C11 MSL, C65 Super Compressor, C8 Regulator, C9 ME109 SPC, C8 Regulator LE, C65 GMT Pepsi, C11 Ti Extreme, C1000 Typhoon.
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