Pilot Pro - Sapphire or Mineral?

[okayfine]

Before I make the plunge, I need to confirm that the crystal is sapphire but I've read some reviews of other Fortis watches where the crystal was mineral. Can someone please shed some light? Thanks in advance.

[Dimitris]

Sapphire

regards
Dimitris

[hess]

okayfine......that's odd since i've seen both stated.

i've see print that said the pilot pro came with a mineral crystal and there was an option to have a sapphire installed after purchase along with a glass back case and various other types of straps......

and i've seen places state that the crystal was sapphire.

the only thing i can figure is that at some point the watch came with a mineral crystal stock and was changed on later models.

i've got a 2002 catalog (which may be out of date...i'm ot sure how often the specs change) that doesn't specifically say that the pilot pro, pilot pro gmt, and the pilot pro chrono come with sapphire crystal.

on every other model they do _specifically_ state that the crystal is sapphire.

does anyone know if there was a running change?

[cnmark]

Before I make the plunge, I need to confirm that the crystal is sapphire but I've read some reviews of other Fortis watches where the crystal was mineral. Can someone please shed some light? Thanks in advance.

There are still both versions around, depending on your location. Basically the sapphire crystal was an option that did cost a huge premium. Only recently Fortis has changed to sapphire crystals only - for current production watches.

The 2007 printed catalogue lists all watch models with sapphire crystal only. As with the new crowns on the B-42 series: 40mm watches with mineral crystal might still be in stock at the ADs.

Fortis' US distributor (LWR Time) does offer the Flieger and the Flieger Chrono with the sapphire crystal only (no more mineral glass) since February 2007. Not sure about the status of the Pilot Pro in the US - in the most recent lists of available products I do have at hand (Feb. 2007) the PP is still listed with mineral crystal only. The 2006 catalogue (internet edition, PDF for download, basically same as the 2004 printed edition....) did not include statements about the crystals.

Added info, in case somebody goes shopping in Hong Kong:
Pilot Pro watches currently in stock/on display at the HK ADs all have mineral crystal only - the new sapphire crystal watches are 3+ months delayed in delivery now. Fortis' HK distributor is out of stock for the PP. But since July 1st the price on the hangtag on the PP is for sapphire crystal watches already (so I would currently stay away). Flieger watches, mixed stock problem: Watches on display the ADs most likely mineral crystal only, when ordered from the distributor via the AD it's sapphire (new stock since early July 2007). Hangtag price is same(!).

All the black PVD watches available only have mineral crystals - because they are out of production... same applies to the ETA 2893-2 powered 40mm watches (GMT and 24H).

[martinpulli]

The Pilot Pro came standard from distribution with MINERAL until about the beginning of July this year. Now all FORTIS watches come standard with SAPPHIRE.

I'm sure some folks still have the mineral crystal pieces in stock. It would be good to ask, if it's a concern.

Also the standard MSRP is more now too, on the "'07" models with standard sapphire. The pricing might help you to know if it is an earlier model.

[hess]

et al...i called LWR to get it straight from them......

turns out that while the more current models of the pilot pro day/date come with sapphire crystals.....the sapphire crystal that is stock on these do not come with the anti-glare coating.

i was under the impression that if a pilot pro day/date had the sapphire crystal then it automatically had the anti glare coating.

it seems...according to LWR...this is not the case.

[cnmark]

LWR Time is right.

The sapphire crystals on the newer production 40 mm watches do not have the AR coating - this has to do with pricing. The price increase that would have been caused by using an AR coated sapphire crystal as standard would have put the 40 mm watches into the same price range as the B-42 (well, they nearly are...).

The older, only optional (and extremely expensive) sapphire crystals for the 40 mm watches did have AR coating.

[cuckoo4watches]

hi Hess,
my one buddy, who is a Fortis AD and watchmaker, has a Pilot Pro in stock.
he also has AR coated sapphire crystals for that model.
he can swap the crystal and water test the watch is you would prefer to buy
one with AR coating.
let me know if interested and I can point you in the right direction.
** I know that for a fact, cuz the one I got for my father was done in that fashion.

[flame2000]

How to differential between the old and new model? Are there any wording engraved on the case back indicating it uses a sapphire crystal? :thanks

[csheldrick]

My Pilot Pro is a "standard" 2007 model - Sapphire crystal, no AR treatment. The only statements engraved on the caseback are regarding water resistance and stainless steel. As mentioned earlier, I believe that options for a display back, AR coating and different straps can be ordered.

Hope this helps.

[viktorbear]

I have a scratch on my B-42:s glass that appear white is it possible to make it dark somehow? If it was dark it wouldnt be visible, or do I have to change the glass? Anyone knows a product that work on a crystal mineral? Thanks.

[dohmer]

Sounds like a scratch on the AR coating, if that's the case, live with it or remove the coating.