[whitemonster]

I'm thinking about buying the MM SBDX001 and I worry a lot about the quality of the Hardlex crystal. I am thinking about having it replaced by sapphire right away, because I hate scratches and I don't believe that the higher end Seiko's have better quality Hardlex. It's just not as good as sapphire.
Gogiant gave me a new worry: scratches on the bezel! On the other hand: it's such a beautiful, iconic watch!

My questions to the experts are: what kind of state of mind do you need to own and wear a Marine Master?
Do you still have the Hardlex crystal on?

 

[minidriver]

Are you that hard on your watches? ???

 

[whitemonster]

No, I am a WIS of the worst kind.

 

[Isthmus]

You don't have to believe that hardlex is better on divers than on more down-to-earth models, read it straight from the designer's mouth:

http://www.larrybiggs.net/scwf/index.php?mod=103&action=0&id=1037842045

Question:

I understand that Hardlex is used in the Marinemaster due to its shatter resistance. My question is why doesn't Seiko use an acrylic crystal in this case? Acrylic crystals are shatter resistant and unlike Hardlex can be buffed if scratched. Could a Sapphlex crystal be used in this application?
[hr]
Reply:

The materials currently used as watch glass and its main characteristics are shown in the following table.

Since the acrylic resin (1) has soft hardness and a heat-resistant temperature is very low, concerning the glass of PROSPEX watches which have high durability performance, such as a MARINEMASTER of this question, we couldn't use acrylic glass in which a lot of scratches and deformation are occurred on the surface.
Although (2) and (3) glass are used by SEIKO with the trademark of "HARDLEX" (glass which raised mechanical intensity by special chemical strengthening processing), they are used for standard watches.
On the other hand, sapphire glass (4) is used abundantly for the dress watches and high-class water-resistant watches and also diver's watches, such as CREDOR and Grand SEIKO and also some PROSPEX watches, such as LANDMASTER watches, SCUBAMASTER diver's watches of SEIKO brand, and hardness and theoretical intensity are excellent, there is also a problem of being unable to make as theoretical strength by the mechanism in destruction of the glass with which a cut angle control is important and a micro crack being detected in microscopic examination in case of large and thick glass.

In SEIKO watches, in addition to the above-mentioned general materials, "High- quality HARDLEX" (the high intensity and highly efficient glass strengthened on (3) Borosilicate glass) and original "SAPPHLEX"(the high cost performance combined glass which adhered thin plate of (4) on (2) or (3) glass) are put in practical use, and those are used according to the aim and specification of the watches.

"High- quality HARDLEX" which is the high intensity and the highly efficient article of the glass are used for the PROSPEX watches and ordinary sports watches. Also "SAPPHLEX" glass is used for the sports watches or the sporty watches,

In case of diver's watch which are required so many characteristics totally, such as resistance to pressure, water resistance, shock resistance, wear resistance, heat resistance, and durability etc., we usually use "High- quality HARDLEX" glass having the most excellent cost performance and sometimes use sapphire glass as a glass of some PROSPEX diver's watches.


Ikuo Tokunaga

 

[Selym]

I'm thinking about buying the MM SBDX001 and I worry a lot about the quality of the Hardlex crystal. I am thinking about having it replaced by sapphire right away, because I hate scratches and I don't believe that the higher end Seiko's have better quality Hardlex. It's just not as good as sapphire.
Gogiant gave me a new worry: scratches on the bezel! On the other hand: it's such a beautiful, iconic watch!

My questions to the experts are: what kind of state of mind do you need to own and wear a Marine Master?
Do you still have the Hardlex crystal on?

Just buy it already!

If you scratch the original Hardlex, you can either replace it with a genuine one, or buy an aftermarket sapphire. The AR coating on the original Hardlex is beautiful, and not matched by that on the aftermarket sapphire replacements IMHO.

Myles

 

[GasGuzz]

I wouldn’t worry about it. I see no crystal wear difference between my Swiss’/Monster/Samurai. If any, there is more wear on the clasps from desk diving. I am honestly surprised however the MM doesn’t have a gemstone crystal given its price, but I can understand Seiko’s philosophy on the subject.

Better yet, enjoy and wear it as-is then move forward from there. Personally, I wouldn’t change a thing as my watches have to be original factory as-issued (preserving historical significance).

Dan

 

[Gogiants]

I may be over-worried about the bezel, but I am not worried at all about the hardlex. My Black Monster has a scratch that goes from around the 10 minute mark across the bezel and crosses the bezel at the 40 mark, Whatever I scratched it on certainly dragged across the crystal, but there is not a mark on it.

 

[geran]

Here's an example of Hardlex my Sumo, was worn every day for two and a half years, I am in the construction business but not directly on the tools just every day knocks.

Geran

 

[TheTigerUK]

I wear a watch 23.30/7 and it is normally my 6105 Dirty harry and that includes for work, for leasure, for gardining (if i have to ) etc etc and in over a year there has not been a single scratch added to it so i dont see why you are worried, and why change the crystal before you perhaps scratch it ?? i can understand you wanting to if it got scratched but it hasent.

Or you could buy 10 cheap watches such as a nice little casio for $30 each and all identical and then if one got a mark on it put it in a drawer and wear one of the others that way you will not have to worry and you will always have a scratch free watch ;D ;D

 

[thieuster]

A new Hardlex will not be the problem in years to come. There's even a company overhere in Holland that can make any new glass from sapphire if you have the dimensions for them http://www.horlogeglas.nl/indexn.html (I'm sorry, in Dutch). What worried me more is the fact that the bezel scratches easily. That's why I bought an new bezel and gasket from Rob (http://monsterwatches.nl/) and I stored in a dark place!

We all know what will happen in years to come: these bezels will become obsolete... and if I ever want to sell the watch, a new and unused bezel will add to the value.

Menno

 

[TheTigerUK]

Good thinking, how much are the bezels to buy ? did you also get a dial and hands ? would of been good if guys had done this back in the 60s and 70s with there Seikos ;D ;D

 

[NelsonE]

I had a MM for a couple of years and never had a problem with the xtl. The issue to me was the bezel. I hit mine on a door frame and it took the finish clean off the bezel and put a large gash in addition so to me that bezel isn't meant for a sport watch. I understand a new bezel is about $90 or so but you can't order the part you have to send the watch back to Japan.

 

[seikosha]

Whitemonster,


December 21, 2012 is around the corner and approaching FAST!!! ;D . Just get yourself a nice Marinemaster and wear the heck out of it AND NOT WORRY about scratches here and there BEFORE all things end.

 

[seikomatic]

I would then buy a 007 and rest asure to enjoy the watch rather than spending money on a MM and worry always...