Titanium - David and Goliath

[AndrewWF]

If there was ever an image that represented how diverse the world of watches really is, and how much people's taste varies, it's this:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/78669534@N05/75555047...

[Ikemi]

I like titanium ... It's a warm metal with a lovely texture to it. I always found that scratches used to 'self heal' with time too. I don't have a titanium watch in my collection at the moment, but I do like some of Perrelet's offerings, most of which are cased in titanium

No watch funds at present, but when I have some spare cash, I'm thinking either the Big Date Chrono ...



... or a Turbine as a bit of fun! I love the 'Playing With Fire' edition:

[AndrewWF]

I've got a lot of time for Perrelet... we had a 50mm Turbine in on loan for a bit and it was one of the most comfortable watches I've ever worn. Even our ever-cynical creative director took a shine to it.

[Podie]

My parents bought me a Breitling Aerospace for my 21st. Been my daily watch for the last 13 years. Certainly agree with Ikemi about it being a warm metal.

Fancied a titanium Seamaster, but ended up with the steel 2255.80.

Think the only other titanium watch I ever fancied was the Omega Solar Impulse...

[AndrewWF]

Podie said:

Certainly agree with Ikemi about it being a warm metal.

It's weird that, isn't it? The feel has been likened to soap - a warm, waxy sheen. I like it, but I know a lot of people are put off by the weight (or lack of it).

[Zod]

The ridiculous thing is that the IWC is not a small watch, so the U Boat is enormous.

[Debaser]

I like titanium watches. Titanium's also hypoallergenic which could be useful to some.

[andy_s]

Definitely a Titanium fan myself, first used for a watch by IWC iirc, so your picture is very apposite Andrew.

Non-allergic, strong, light, non-magnetic (the reason IWC first used titanium in a watch was for the mine clearence divers issued BUND watches in the 80s) and very corrosion resistant; the outer layer is actually titanium oxide as it reacts instantly with oxygen, which is why it appears to 'heal' itself.

IWC also introduced the notion of hardenening titanium in watches, originally for use on screws/crown to prevent the two ti surfaces bonding I believe. Sinn now use (nitride?) hardening over the whole case of their EZM10.

It's a great material for a watch I think.

[MattOz]

My Omega X-33 is titanium and I love it.

[AndrewWF]

andy_s said:

Definitely a Titanium fan myself, first used for a watch by IWC iirc, so your picture is very apposite Andrew.

I didn't know that! I suppose that would be the Porsche Design Aquatimer

[Podie]

AndrewWF said:

andy_s said:

Definitely a Titanium fan myself, first used for a watch by IWC iirc, so your picture is very apposite Andrew.

I didn't know that! I suppose that would be the Porsche Design Aquatimer

That doesn't sound right. That would have been the early 80s. Pretty sure that Citizen released one in 1970.

[andy_s]

Podie said:

AndrewWF said:

andy_s said:

Definitely a Titanium fan myself, first used for a watch by IWC iirc, so your picture is very apposite Andrew.

I didn't know that! I suppose that would be the Porsche Design Aquatimer

That doesn't sound right. That would have been the early 80s. Pretty sure that Citizen released one in 1970.

That'd be interesting if so Podie; the one I was thinking about was the IWC Porsche Design 'Titan' ref. 3700, with integrated pushers.

I'd thought 1978, but various sources state 1980 for production, incl. wiki:

" IWC pioneered use of titanium in watch cases/bracelets together with F.A. in the development of the Titan Chronograph launched in 1980. The Titan Chronograph was the first watch to use titanium in wristwatches. IWC had to develop work processes paying attention to titanium's specific properties. The unique design aspect of the Titan Chronograph were the pushers to operate the stopwatch functions being integrated in the case's contour."



Perhaps there is a caveat that no one adds, like 'first mechanical titanium watch' or 'first mass-produced titanium watch'...?

A good article on the Bund at the end of this article here - http://www.timezone.com/2012/07/07/the-military-di... (in which he also states 1978 )

[andy_s]

Here's a more detailed article on it, the process and problems and the bit about nitride hardening of the thread components:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2009/2/19/porsche-des...

Looking back, it seems they made Ti bracelets from 1978, but the watch case only managed to get produced in 1980.

[andy_s]

There you go - in the original catalogue material the Titan is referred to as 'The first titanium chronograph' watch, so you're correct Podie, although the earliest titanium case watch I can find is the Seiko 600m from 1975.

[AndrewWF]

andy_s said:

There you go - in the original catalogue material the Titan is referred to as 'The first titanium chronograph' watch, so you're correct Podie, although the earliest titanium case watch I can find is the Seiko 600m from 1975.

It also appears to have featured the first titanium bracelet too.

[AndrewWF]

Zod said:

The ridiculous thing is that the IWC is not a small watch, so the U Boat is enormous.

55mm I believe!

[bobbybee]

Debaser said:

I like titanium watches. Titanium's also hypoallergenic which could be useful to some.

I can go one further, Ti is a little bit more than just hypoallergenic, it is the only naturally occurring element that the human body doe snot react to at all. Hence extensively used in surgery when pins / bolts etc have to stay inside the body for long periods of time.

the warm / soapy 'feeling' comes from your skin not really feeling it at all, you just feel the pressure of it as you touch it

[ApexJimi]

AndrewWF said:

Podie said:

Certainly agree with Ikemi about it being a warm metal.

but I know a lot of people are put off by the weight (or lack of it).

I'm one on 'em.

I appreciate titanium for what it is, but I like a bit of 'heft' to a watch.

[AndrewWF]

bobbybee said:

I can go one further, Ti is a little bit more than just hypoallergenic, it is the only naturally occurring element that the human body doe snot react to at all. Hence extensively used in surgery when pins / bolts etc have to stay inside the body for long periods of time.

the warm / soapy 'feeling' comes from your skin not really feeling it at all, you just feel the pressure of it as you touch it

I have some titanium bolts in my knee as it happens!

[Podie]

andy_s said:

Here's a more detailed article on it, the process and problems and the bit about nitride hardening of the thread components:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2009/2/19/porsche-des...

Looking back, it seems they made Ti bracelets from 1978, but the watch case only managed to get produced in 1980.

Seiko X8... http://yeomanorient.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/world...