Q
What is mica?
I heard that mica is a type of glass. Is this a material used in watches these days?
A
Yes, there are still watches that use mica as glass. Although it is called glass, 'mica' is not glass but acrylic, a type of plastic. Watch glass is mainly divided into mica and sapphire crystal. Mica is easier to manufacture and cheaper, so it is widely used in mass-produced field and tool watches. It is also evaluated as giving a warmer feeling compared to sapphire crystal, which is mainly used recently.
Datejust Ref. using mica. 16014 / ⓒ Bobswatches
Rolex watches such as the Daytona, Submariner, and Datejust also used mica at one time. Rolex's transition to sapphire crystal began in 1970, and it would take about 13 years for its entire catalog to change to sapphire.
Moonwatch with different types of glass. From the left, hesalite crystal, sapphire crystal / ⓒ Swisswatches magazine
Today, sapphire crystal has become more common in the luxury watch market, but some brands still produce watches made of mica glass. as soon as Omega Moonwatchno see. Continuing the heritage of the mica glass used in the first Moonwatch, we are currently selling a Moonwatch equipped with our own mica called ‘Hesalite’. Currently, the Moonwatch is being released in two versions: Hesalite and Sapphire Crystal.
Young