Except, of course, the most popular smartwatch (Apple Watch) which extends the glass above the case, giving it zero protection against impacts from the front.
FWIW the same is true of the Rolex Daytona and Patek Philippe Nautilus.
There’s probably an actual reason for why this is done. On a mechanical watch I’d often prefer for the crystal to be damaged rather than the case, though I’m not sure that the same logic works for Apple Watches.
Does one ever polish a crystal? Having it raised would make that much easier (also if one does, tell me who can do it to mine, my crystal is scratched to the point where I can't read my watch if the main lighting is behind me).
Having a soft but easily polishable crystal made of acrylic was a feature of old military watches. The softer crystal was more easily scratched, but fixable; and less prone to shattering, which would completely break the watch.
