Looking at Luminox, there appears to be a huge price difference between carbon-reinforced plastic case with mineral crystal and steel case with sapphire crystal. As a major goal is to have legible actively illuminated clock features, both would have this.

Being used to plastic sport watches worn most of the time, and preferring silicone bands, I'm having trouble not purchasing a highly-discounted model with plastic / mineral construction. Any reasons not to do so?

A sapphire watch crystal is damn near impossible to scratch. About the only thing that will do it is a diamond. That's the main reason.

I have an Omega Seamaster with a sapphire crystal that I wore every day for about ten years. The steel case and bracelet are covered in scuffs and scratches but there isn't a mark on the crystal.

I've had a Luminox with the plastic case break off a lug. Pretty much since then, I've gone with metal cases.

And sapphire is the bomb. It shrugs off most things that would mar other crystals. But if you're the careful sort, it probably doesn't matter.

Go for sapphire, but I'd lean away from luminox. I don't care for their movements, but that's just me.

I have two watches I wear depending on what I'm doing. One is a cheap gshock, and the other is an Omega Seamaster. The seamaster, as it's been said, shows marks on the metal casing and bracelet (occasionally swap to a nato strap), but the face is pristine being sapphire. The gshock, well, it's got a mist coating of cerakote on parts of it, and has been beaten up. Both work, I like the Omega better and tend to only not wear it when I work on guns, training days for work, and warrant detail days.

I'd strongly consider something similar priced from Citizen. For the money, they are hard to beat.

I have cracked the mineral glass crystal on my Luminox diver twice. Go sapphire.

Sapphire & stainless on my Citizen
Sapphire & tungsten carbide on my Movado.

Bit of band wear on the Citizen, Movado is immaculate after nearly 10 years.
Crystals are both scratchless & damage free.

From an accidental rough watch wearer.

I’ve raked my sapphire crystal across bricks with zero damage. My watch is getting close to 20 years old I guess. The lights are pretty much done. All in all the watch looks great for one I’ve worn daily for 15 of those 20 years.

Sapphire is the only way to go.

I bought my first watch with sapphire in 82 and never looked back.

As to the case, If this isn't a heirloom watch - luminox - then do what you want. No biggie if you lose it.

Just got this one, domed sapphire.



Had an aftermarket sapphire installed on this one.

quote:

Originally posted by TigerDore:
I have cracked the mineral glass crystal on my Luminox diver twice. Go sapphire.

Sapphire is more scratch resistant than mineral glass, but not necessarily tougher. Both will break, and shatter. Plastic is what you want if you need break resistant. But plastic scratches. It can be polished, though.

All are worthy materials and have strengths. Some great watches have plastic for the resistance to breaking. Speedmasters, for example. Rolex used to use plastic when they were really tool watches.

I have sapphire crystal on my Garmin Fenix 3. It is remarkably scratch-free.

However, with care, a simple Polar M430 face has also remained scratch-free.

I am concerned that more than one has panned the Luminox quality / design. Thanks for that insight.

I always ask the question for what purpose are you using the watch.
I own a Luminox watch I use as a beater. I bought it back in 2007 and use it regularly when I do shooting competitions and as a work watch.
It has a black metal case with a Sapphire crystal. In all of the abuse over the last 12 years the case and crystal are in almost mint condition however the band is pretty worn. Right now it is on a NATO strap. I had it services 2 years ago new battery and gaskets.
So far I have been impressed with it.