I swung my arm and smacked my AP Royal Oak against a metal doorframe. The sapphire crystal shattered. The repair quote from AP is $1,800 (crystal + full service required to remove shards). My deductible is $1,000. Is it worth claiming?
Key Takeaways
- Accidental Damage is Covered: “All Risk” policies cover breakage. Smashing a crystal is a standard claim.
- Mandatory Service: When a crystal breaks, microscopic shards enter the movement. The manufacturer will require a full movement service. Insurance covers this “consequential damage.”
- The Deductible Math: If your deductible is $0 (Hodinkee), claim it. If it’s $1,000 (Homeowners), paying $800 out of pocket might be better than having a claim on your record.
- Partial Loss: This is a “Partial Loss.” It doesn’t total the watch.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Claims History vs. Payout.”
Filing a claim for $1,800 might seem smart. But a claim stays on your CLUE report for 5-7 years.
If you have a Homeowners policy, filing a small claim for a watch could cause your home insurance premiums to jump by $300/year. Over 5 years, that’s $1,500. You break even, but now you are “high risk.”
Rule of Thumb: Only file watch claims on standalone policies (Hodinkee/JM) where it doesn’t impact your home insurance (usually).
The Investigation (My Analysis of Repair Claims)
I asked insurers about the “Shard Service.”
Hodinkee Insurance
- The policy: $0 Deductible.
- The Math: Claim value $1,800. Payout $1,800. Premium impact: Low/None (they are lenient on small accidental claims). File it.
Jewelers Mutual
- The policy: You chose your deductible ($0, $500, $1000).
- The Math: If $0 deductible, file it. JM is separate from Homeowners.
State Farm (Homeowners Rider)
- The policy: No deductible usually on scheduled items.
- The Risk: Filing this might flag you. If you have another claim (water leak) next year, they might cancel you for “frequency of claims.” Don’t file.
[IMAGE: Photo of an AP Royal Oak with a shattered sapphire crystal and glass dust on the dial]
Comparison Table
| Policy Type | Deductible | Claim Impact | Recommendation |
| Hodinkee / Wax | $0 | Low | File Claim |
| Jewelers Mutual | $0 – $500 | Low | File Claim |
| Homeowners Rider | $0 | High (Home Rates) | Pay Cash |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Get a Quote: Send it to the brand (AP/Rolex). Get a written estimate detailing “Crystal Replacement” AND “Movement Service due to glass.”
- Submit Quote to Insurer: Do not authorize the repair yet. Wait for approval.
- Check the Dial: Did the shards scratch the dial? Make sure the quote includes dial replacement if needed.
- Authorize Repair: Once the insurer sends the check (or agrees to pay the jeweler directly), give the go-ahead.
FAQ
Does insurance pay for shipping to the repair center?
Yes, usually included in the claim cost.
What if I replace it with an aftermarket crystal?
Insurance pays for “Like Kind and Quality” (OEM). If you choose cheap aftermarket, that’s on you, but they owe you the OEM price.
Will they total the watch?
Only if the repair cost > Value. $1,800 on a $30k watch? No.