Watch crystal accidentally shattered? Do not do this!

    Nowadays, watch crystals are generally made of sturdy and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Although durable and scratch-resistant, dropping it onto the ground will still inevitably cause scratches, or worse, shatter the crystal. If accidental wear or breakage occurs while wearing the watch, how should we handle it?

　　Treatment of crystal scratches and scuffs

　　If it is surface wear, such as friction or minor scratches, handling this situation is relatively straightforward. You can place a few drops of clean water onto the crystal, squeeze on a small amount of toothpaste, and rub back and forth with a cotton ball. This will buff out the scratches and restore the crystal's pristine look. Remember not to use alcohol, as it may react chemically with the crystal glass and cause more severe fracturing.

　　Treatment for a shattered crystal

　　First, we need to know that a cracked crystal generally falls into two categories: chipped edges or complete breakage; both situations require replacing the crystal. A shattered crystal not only causes the watch to lose its seal, thereby compromising water resistance. Regarding the material, older watches used plastic glass which did not shatter, whereas mineral glass, especially the popular sapphire crystal of today, is prone to shattering.

　　So how should a fractured crystal be dealt with?

　　1, first pull out the crown to stop the movement. The reason for pulling out the crown to halt the watch is to prevent the hands from driving glass shards across the dial and calendar disc, causing secondary damage. Furthermore, the dial is more expensive than the crystal, and repairing or replacing it is no small expense.

　　2, do not pull out the crown or quick-set the date, and do not attempt to clear glass shards from the dial yourself.

　　3, the watch must be placed flat, meaning with the crystal facing downwards, inside its box before being taken to a service centre. Avoid severe shocks and shaking as much as possible during transport.