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Stainless steel or titanium watch cases?
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Treated titanium > untreated steel. Haven't tried treated steel yet
Treated titanium > untreated steel. Haven't tried treated steel yet
Interesting, I hadn't heard of treated titanium, I need to learn more about it!
Steel, really dislike the feel & lightweight of titanium.
Ti lightness benefits doesn’t warrant its price imo.
Lightness is only a real issue with massive watches (42mm+ with chonk bracelets). And you can get SS with polished to brushed to coated finishes. So outside of the “look” I find it a bit gimmicky. Not to mention that some grades of Ti are better than others. 316L is pretty ubiquitous across many industries, and the material cert requirements are extremely standardized.
Never try titanium before but I heard it was really like weight, so I would take steel over it.
Strong preference to steel here. If you do titanium then do one that is hardened like the Citizen Duratec, Ocean 7 hardened titanium or similar. Otherwise it is brittle and kinda crummy.
Some solid badge whoring today.
This question gets asked at least a few times per month.
I'm happy with either.
Some solid badge whoring today.
This question gets asked at least a few times per month.
I am new here. I haven't seen a post or poll about this yet, but I believe you. No need to go on the offensive, I asked this because I am considering building a watch and using a titanium case, and was wondering what the community thinks about it vs steel. I don't pay attention to my badges.
Thank you for voting anyway.
Ti lightness benefits doesn’t warrant its price imo.
Lightness is only a real issue with massive watches (42mm+ with chonk bracelets). And you can get SS with polished to brushed to coated finishes. So outside of the “look” I find it a bit gimmicky. Not to mention that some grades of Ti are better than others. 316L is pretty ubiquitous across many industries, and the material cert requirements are extremely standardized.
Good points. I mentioned in another reply that I am thinking of building a watch with a titanium case; after reading your comment, I think it'd probably be smarter to just go with steel than with Aliexpress titanium cases. 😉
I’ve got both. I prefer titanium for wearing but I prefer the watch that’s made in steel. My Seamaster is a little more visually interesting with a better bezel than my citizen
Im on the fence on hardened titanium. Seems like a coating, which I dislike. But man, my Ti Mako is Bulletproof.
They coat drill bits out of TiN. That stuff drills through concrete, steel, or stone.
Titanium been looking to add more to my collection.
Titanium all day.
If a watch could be weightless, I would prefer that.
Yes.
I would always pick a titanium watch over SS… unless it was twice the price
Interesting, I hadn't heard of treated titanium, I need to learn more about it!
Bens watch club did a great video on the different case material a few months ago. That is worth a look
I’ve got a titanium tuna and love that but it’s smooth and pvd coated and has some heft due to its size and the ceramic shroud. I have disliked every other titanium watch I’ve tried I don’t like the texture of the brushing on any titanium
Titanium, if only because it doesn't irritate my wrist when I have gout flare-ups.
Grand Seiko can shine Titanium Luke nobody's business! My Longines Spirit 40mm Titanium has an amazing finish as well
Titanium, if only because it doesn't irritate my wrist when I have gout flare-ups.
Doesn’t it, really? I’m literally about to get my first titanium because of that reason. I live in Indonesia and because of the hot weather I can’t wear steel bracelets, always get “wrist-rash” after a week or so. When I’m back home in Europe it’s all good tho, really it’s because of humidity and hot temp here. So do you recommend titanium for that reason?
Doesn’t it, really? I’m literally about to get my first titanium because of that reason. I live in Indonesia and because of the hot weather I can’t wear steel bracelets, always get “wrist-rash” after a week or so. When I’m back home in Europe it’s all good tho, really it’s because of humidity and hot temp here. So do you recommend titanium for that reason?
Go with titanium and rub aloe vera gel on your wrist before sleeping, I guess.
Go with titanium and rub aloe vera gel on your wrist before sleeping, I guess.
Yeah thanks man will try titanium, otherwise I’m only wearing rubber outside and leather at home 🤷🏼
I prefer steel. Not due the weight or etc. I wear my watches to work. I can bang it up and not worry if I need to clean it up at some point. Not only it’s VERY HARD to clean up titanium watches, the scratches on titanium will oxidise and make it darker and more prominent.
Whenever there's a discussion regarding titanium, the focus is always on being lighter (I think that's preferable, others disagree) and the scratch resistance (grd 2 > stainless steel > grd 5 in order of easiest to hardest to scratch. As others have pointed out, treated titanium will be damned-near impossible to damage. Titanium is an incredibly strong material - it is commonly used in artificial joints).
Something that doesn't come up as often and - to me - is at least as important as its weight: titanium's low thermal conductivity. Unlike stainless steel that can feel very cold against the skin in the winter or get too warm in the summer, titanium is always like the porridge that Goldilocks ate: it's *just right.* Strapping a titanium watch onto the wrist is absolutely sublime, and feels more like a part of your wrist rather than an accoutrement sitting on top of it.
At this point in my collecting, titanium is 100% worth the additional cost and easily a "must have" feature for me.
Great write-up and good points, thanks for sharing your experience!
Titanium is definitely worth it. Love the light weight of my Shunbun and FXD.
It’s one of those things that you have to experience to appreciate.
Got spoiled with my FXD… now my Speedy feels uncomfortablelt heavy on a strap 😂
Beautiful watches! I guess I'll have to try titanium for myself at some point!
Bens watch club did a great video on the different case material a few months ago. That is worth a look
Ooh, I'll definitely take a look, thanks! Love that channel but haven't seen that video!
Ooh, I'll definitely take a look, thanks! Love that channel but haven't seen that video!
https://youtu.be/0oX1itHnqcY?si=BRLieOOEBKp2kxC8
https://youtu.be/0oX1itHnqcY?si=BRLieOOEBKp2kxC8
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
No problem 👍