More likely, the plan was always to put sapphire glass on the watch, which is quite common from semi-expensive watches.
However, until one week ago, analysts and observers all thought that Apple would also put sapphire glass on phones. They risk nothing by pretending it, considering Apple emits about as much as a black hole.
By the way, sources in the know tell me that the next model will have a holographic display. You saw it here first!