Well if the competition is offering sapphire at that price point, why cant seiko?
I find my hardlex get scratched often enough for it to be annoyance to me. In a sub 300 dollar watch, no problem.
Not to rattle on, but seiko did offer sapphire in their sarb line, at a great price point. Sarb033 is my daily and I love it.
Personally, yes the nautilus and aquanaut are my least favourite offerings.