What Does "Better Crystal" Actually Mean?

[AriGold77]

I'm currently debating between Clean and VSF for a Black 41 Submariner With Date Window.

I've seen a few people say that the Clean has better aesthetics but the VSF has better movement and "better crystal". Can someone tell me what this actually means in literal, practical terms?

I obviously know what "better" means (!) but better how? As in, the crystal looks thicker? Deeper? Less reflective? Glassier?

 

[gnomechild]

Generally speaking, a "better crystal" is less reflective both on the inside and outside of the crystal making it easier to see the dial clearly. I suppose there could be other metrics by which a crystal is worse or better, but less reflective/clearer is almost always what they mean.

 

[APjumbo]

For Rolex it also means a higher quality cyclops with good magnification and less reflection.
Somewhere here is a thread that shows the difference in cyclops

Try doing a google search for “RWI halo black hole cyclops” it might pop up

 

[AriGold77]

Generally speaking, a "better crystal" is less reflective both on the inside and outside of the crystal making it easier to see the dial clearly. I suppose there could be other metrics by which a crystal is worse or better, but less reflective/clearer is almost always what they mean.

Thank you!

 

[Reaps]

Since this thread is active, I'm pondering, is there a difference between crystal clarity and anti reflective coatings?

What I mean is that I've always theorized that there's two properties of crystal that impact the quality :

1) Crystal "clarity", not to be confused with ANTI REFLECTIVE COATING. Basically if a crystal looks "foggy/muddy" or not.

2) Anti reflective properties/AR coating. How much light is diffracted off a crystal due to the AR coating applied.

Am I correct in this assumption? Both probably have some impact on one another, but that's what i feel is important. Or are they both the same?

Look at Mineral vs Sapphire crystal, Mineral is often clearer without the need for AR, sapphire glares more without AR coating, but there's clearly a difference between both stock without AR coating, this is what I mean by crystal clarity?

 

[gnomechild]

Since this thread is active, I'm pondering, is there a difference between crystal clarity and anti reflective coatings?

What I mean is that I've always theorized that there's two properties of crystal that impact the quality :

1) Crystal "clarity", not to be confused with ANTI REFLECTIVE COATING. Basically if a crystal looks "foggy/muddy" or not.

2) Anti reflective properties/AR coating. How much light is diffracted off a crystal due to the AR coating applied.

Am I correct in this assumption? Both probably have some impact on one another, but that's what i feel is important. Or are they both the same?

Look at Mineral vs Sapphire crystal, Mineral is often clearer without the need for AR, sapphire glares more without AR coating, but there's clearly a difference between both stock without AR coating, this is what I mean by crystal clarity?

From a material science standpoint, I‘d agree there are multiple aspects to what makes a crystal “better”. Whether that be because of refraction, light transmission through the material, anti-reflective coating.

Regardless, I think 99% of the time, the discourse around which crystal is “best” is related to the least inhibited view of the dial. It is interesting; the differences.

 

[Zenz0]

My rule of thumb is getting a deep xtal fitted on any clean watch

 

[only_watches]

My rule of thumb is getting a deep xtal fitted on any clean watch

Is it possible to buy clean sub with deep crystal already inserted, or you have no choice but to do it yourself / send it to someone else to replace

 

[asusundevils1971]

If you buy from a TD you can ask them to instal a Deep crystal before the watch is shipped to you. Think most charge around $50 - $60 for the crystal and the installation.