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Apple Watch's Sapphire Crystal Display Evaluated With Diamond Tester

Tuesday April 28, 2015 7:53 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
YouTube channel Unbox Therapy has shared a new video that tests the stainless steel Apple Watch with a basic diamond tester to determine if it actually has a sapphire crystal display like many regular mechanical watches. The video also tests the Apple Watch Sport, LG G Watch R, iPhone 6 and a Tissot watch that is verified to have a sapphire crystal display.

applewatchunboxtherapy
The results of the test confirm that the Apple Watch does have a sapphire crystal display as advertised, with the diamond tester recognizing the thermal conductivity of the scratch-resistant material. The verified Tissot watch also displays a reading on the meter, while the Apple Watch Sport, LG G Watch R and iPhone 6 do not yield any results because all three devices have traditional or ion-strengthened glass displays.


Sapphire crystal is a harder and more scratch resistant material than traditional glass, which is why Apple chose it for the more expensive Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition display and lenses of the heart rate sensor. Apple cut the sapphire crystal with a diamond-encrusted wire to allow for a precise fit and polished it with diamond-covered pellets for a smooth and glossy finish.
"Sapphire is the second-hardest transparent substance after diamond," reads the Apple Watch materials page. "That’s why we chose it to cover the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition faces, and to make the lenses of the heart rate sensor. Our sapphire crystal comes from the highest-quality boules. Only the purest, clearest, and strongest sapphire crystal is harvested. To ensure a precise fit for the case, the crystal is cut using a diamond-encrusted wire. To make room for an integrated antenna, a tiny groove is laser-ablated around its perimeter. And to create the smoothest possible finish, the crystal is polished with diamond-covered pellets."
Apple Watch has been put through a variety of tests since it was released last week, giving users an idea of how the wrist-worn device manages based on both normal and unrealistic usage. CNET shared an Apple Watch torture test on Friday that, among other things, involved submerging the watch in hot water and pouring ketchup and maple syrup on it, while another video took the Apple Watch into the shower and swimming pool as part of a waterproof test.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5, watchOS 6
Tag: Unbox Therapy
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
[ 93 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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OllyW
54 months ago
I don't think there was ever any doubt about Apple using real sapphire crystal displays. :confused:
Rating: 61 Votes
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arubinst
54 months ago
So... was anyone expecting a different outcome?

It's not like Apple is going to sell something else and label it as sapphire :rolleyes:
Rating: 28 Votes
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Patriot24
54 months ago
I think the Unbox Therapy guy is nice and knows his stuff, but my god does he take forever to get to the point in all of his videos. This one in particular could've been 30 seconds.

"Oh look, it really is Sapphire." ROLL CREDITS.
Rating: 27 Votes
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DavidTheExpert
54 months ago
I would have gone with the stainless steel model for the sapphire display if only there were more color options. I went with sport because I liked the space gray color better. The space black stainless steel was nice, but it only comes with the link bracelet putting the minimum price at a thousand dollars. Eff that.
Rating: 13 Votes
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kdarling
54 months ago

I don't think there was ever any doubt about Apple using real sapphire crystal displays. :confused:


No kidding! :rolleyes:

How about testing something that we don't know yet. Like:

- What's the battery size in the 42mm????

- How long does a watch go if you put it into Reserve Mode at 100% battery?

- Is there a way to fool the wrist detection and move the watch to another arm?

- Heck, what if you just put a piece of white tape (or a band-aid) under the watch? Does this allow the owner to wear it looser?

- I.e. Is the detection looking for a pulse? And if so, is that only every ten minutes?


- etc
Rating: 13 Votes
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realeric
54 months ago
Don't feed the troll(=Unbox Therapy).
Rating: 11 Votes
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mbh
54 months ago
The Tissot watch says "sapphire crystal" on the back, so we know for a fact that it's a real, pure sapphire crystal.

The Apple Watch says "sapphire crystal" on the back, so we must test it to make sure Apple isn't lying.
Rating: 10 Votes
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icrude
54 months ago
6 minute video to say yes.
Rating: 9 Votes
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2457282
54 months ago
The Apple Watch was billed as having a Sapphire crystal. Thank you for confirming the obvious -- apple indeed will ship with a sapphire crystal. If you have any more questions, like if there crown really rotates, we have a 15 minute video on a very complete and exhausting scientific battery of test to determine if the crown really rotates or not. Stay tuned.:D
Rating: 8 Votes
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Tycho24
54 months ago

Tissot > Apple watch all day :)
https://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=546886&stc=1&d=1430233515


Actually... (free maths lesson):
Tissot =/= Apple Watch.

They are about as similar as a Porsche and a Peterbilt....
To continue with that metaphor- while you may not want to take a girl out on a date in a Peterbilt... you may not want to try to ship 1,000 Christmas trees cross country in a Porsche either.
Due to the dissimilar use cases it would be idiotic to ascribe a "better" moniker to either.
And so it is with Tissot & Apple Watch.
One will look better & last decades, the other will track your health & make your life easier. There is not a clear comparison to draw.
Rating: 7 Votes

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