An acrylic glass watch is a timepiece that uses acrylic glass, a type of plastic, as the protective cover for its face. This material, also known as Hesalite or Plexiglas, is utilized because of certain distinct characteristics.
Acrylic glass is a material made of plastic and is sometimes used as watch glass. It serves the purpose of protecting the watch dial and hands from dust, moisture, and impacts. Unlike glass made from silica, acrylic is a polymer.
Characteristics of Acrylic Glass
Acrylic glass possesses several key properties that make it suitable for certain types of watches:
- Softness: As a soft material, it is susceptible to scratches.
- Scratch Resistance: Due to its softness, it gets easily scratched compared to harder materials like sapphire.
- Polishability: Despite getting easily scratched, a significant advantage is that it can be easily polished a few times to remove minor scuffs and restore clarity.
- Flexibility: As a flexible material, it can absorb shocks.
- Impact Resistance: Due to its flexibility, it is quite impact resistant, making it less likely to shatter upon impact compared to mineral glass.
- Cost: As a material, it is inexpensive, which contributes to the overall affordability of watches using it.
Here's a quick summary of its properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Hardness | Soft |
| Scratch Tendency | High (easily scratched) |
| Polishability | Easy (can be polished a few times) |
| Flexibility | Flexible |
| Impact Resistance | Quite impact resistant |
| Cost | Inexpensive |
| Typical Use Case | Often in more affordable watches, e.g., children's watches |
Common Applications
Given its durability against impact and lower cost, acrylic glass is often found in watches designed for rugged use or affordability. It can be used for example in children's watches or vintage-style timepieces where its warmth and dome shape might be desired. While it scratches easily, its ability to be polished is a practical advantage for everyday wear.
