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From sapphire glass to nickel rules
A watch consists of far more materials than most people think about: the glass protecting the dial, the case housing the movement, and the strap or bracelet holding the watch in place. As a watchmaker, material knowledge is part of daily client advice—because the choice affects durability, price, appearance, and in some cases the customer's health.
| Glass type | Property | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral glass | Heat- or chemically treated glass, reasonably scratch resistant | Everyday watches in the mid-price range |
| Sapphire glass | Synthetic crystal, very hard and scratch-resistant, but can break with a hard blow | Quartz watches and diving watches |
| Plexiglas (hesalit) | Light plastic glass, bends on impact instead of breaking, scratches polish away easily | Vintage-inspired clocks |
The choice of glass is often a balance between price, scratch resistance and the ability to withstand a hard blow. Sapphire glass rarely scratches in everyday use, but can in rare cases shatter with a hard, sharp blow, while plexiglass instead bends and absorbs the impact.
The EU's REACH regulation contains a so-called nickel rule that limits how much nickel objects with prolonged skin contact may release—this applies, among other things, to watch cases, clasps, and bracelets. The rule exists to prevent contact dermatitis, and is particularly relevant when you work with cheaper alloys or older, gilded cases where the coating may be worn through. As a watchmaker, you should be able to advise a customer with known nickel allergy about which materials are gentlest.
Material choice is rarely only a technical question. It is part of the trust the customer places in you as a professional that you can explain advantages and disadvantages in a language the customer understands — and that you choose solutions that suit both the watch's value and the customer's everyday life.