Depending on the model and its condition, Navitimer prices range from 2,200 to 39,000 USD.īlancpain has been equipping their classic Fifty Fathoms diving watch with sapphire crystal for years. Navitimer pilot's watch with sapphire crystal since the late 1990s. For example, Breitling has been crafting their iconic Since vintage models with sapphire crystal are so rare, modern takes on classic vintage timepieces make great alternatives.

You can call this watch your own for some 33,500 USD. However, Omega did introduce a few models with sapphire glass case backs in the 1980s, including the limited edition Apollo XI ref. The reason is that this watch was part of NASA's official equipment and the space agency insisted on Hesalite since it doesn't splinter upon impact. In fact, Omega outfitted this timepiece exclusively with synthetic Hesalite glass until the turn of the millennium. There are no vintage examples of the fan-favorite Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with sapphire crystal. This diving watch is water-resistant to 120 m (12 bar, 394 ft) and changes hands for roughly 3,900 USD in good condition. However, Omega wouldn't use sapphire glass for timepieces in series production until the late 1970s, starting with the CK 679, which sells for as little as 2,600 USD today. This resulted in watches like the Omega Marine ref. Omega began experimenting with sapphire crystal all the way back in 1932. However, at only 9,200 USD, it is relatively affordable compared to other Submariner models. Like all Submariners, the 16800 is a highly coveted collector's item.

16800 from the late 70s was Rolex's first sports watch to feature sapphire crystal. 1530 costs around 9,300 USD, while the two-tone Datejust ref. Both watches emerged in the early 1970s and are extremely rare today. 1630, were among the first timepieces to utilize this scratch-resistant watch glass.

1530 and its successor, the Datejust ref. Rolex was one of the first companies to recognize sapphire's potential and use it in series production.

Since sapphire crystal wasn't a common watch feature until the early 1980s, there are very few vintage watches with this material.

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