subject: Let's Be Crystal Clear About TAG Heuer [print this page] For years TAG Heuer has been recognized as a luxury sport watch maker. The Swiss made timepieces they produce are full of function, and loaded with style. Their Chronographs are legendary, making the TAG Heuer name synonymous with quality and precision. The phenomenal chronographs they create have different movements, each meticulously crafted by master watchmakers. Their watches come in varying styles, with collections planned for men, as well as women. From the TAG Heuer Grand Carrera, with its sophisticated looks, to the Formula One's fast track appeal, Tag Heuer offers diversity in design. The one aspect of the TAG Heuer watch that remains constant is the exceptional quality you get with each and every one of their creations. Their incredible timepieces are always equipped with either a sapphire crystal, a mineral crystal, or an acrylic one. I'm going to walk you through the differences in each, and how to handle the cleaning and repairing of the crystal, should the need arise. Which type of crystal does your TAG have? If you're not certain, the easiest way to check is to place a drop of water on the crystal. Tilt the watch and let the water drip off. If you have a synthetic crystal, the water will stick and spread over the crystal, on the other hand, if you have a sapphire crystal, the water will tend to bead up, and form a sort of bubble. This is not a fool-proof method, but it's pretty accurate. Now, let's discuss the various crystals, and what makes them different.
Sapphire crystal- A genuine sapphire crystal is a very hard material, that is virtually scratch proof. Sapphire crystals are generally coated with an anti-reflective coating. Although a genuine sapphire crystal is scratch resistant, it will shatter with strong impact. Sapphire crystal is the most expensive of the three, to produce and to replace. Today, most sapphire crystals are synthetic. The process is so good that the crystal, whether genuine or synthetic is the hardest material around.
Mineral Crystal- A mineral crystal is a glass, which has been hardened by a process called tempering. A mineral crystal can be prone to breakage, under stress, and is more likely to scratch.
Acrylic Crystal- Acrylic crystals are similar to Plexiglas. They are the least expensive and the most prone to breaking and scratching, although scratches may often timed be buffed out.
It's important that you know the type of crystal your TAG Heuer watch has and how to best care for it. If you have a broken crystal, of any type, take your watch directly to a TAG Heuer authorized service center for repair or replacement, immediately. The crystal is what keeps your watch free of damaging materials, and maintaining it will mean you can enjoy your TAG Heuer for years to come.
