Titanium watches

[halfpenny43]

Hello all - I've seen a nice IWC I fancy (IW329701) but see it has a titanium case.

I've never had a titanium watch as I always found them too light but really quite fancy this one.

My question is - does titanium darken or "tarnish" like bronze does ??

Thanks in advance
1/2p

[OMITN]

Nope. Doesn’t tarnish.

I think titanium is a great material for watch cases and bracelets….

[halfpenny43]

Ah thanks for that.

I really like the look of this one.

[Pupp]

I like it, but be prepared for wrist weight… my Snowflake GS is disconcertingly light. Great material for watch making in my view…

[Wildfire]

I have a Magrette Moana Pacific Professional in Titanium and being a 44mm cushion case it is fairly large, recently compared it to a Breitling SuperOcean 44 and the weight is so much lighter!

[Mezzanine]

Someone more knowledgeable than me will probably correct this but aren’t titanium cases easier to mark/ding than steel?

Although this might also depend on the ‘mix’ of titanium used with specific brands perhaps.

[944 Man]

It does'nt darken that I have noticed. I have a titanium Oris diver that is approaching 15yrs old. Yes it is light, but light and insubstantial are very different. I see the lightness as an advantage and a watch of that size in stainless steel would be pretty heavy and unwieldy.

[Salted_Peanut]

Grade 5 titanium (as used by IWC) possesses good scratch resistance. Grade 5 is supposed to be harder than stainless steel, although I have no first-hand experience with it. Some others, e.g. Tudor, use grade 2 titanium. While grade 2 can scratch more easily, it “heals” over time as it oxidises, lessening the mark.

Moreover, you can use an ink eraser to remove the scratches from titanium. It works well, IME.

Several brands use hardened titanium, which is highly scratch resistant (significantly better than steel). E.g., Sinn’s tegimented titanium and Seiko DiaShield watches are highly scratch resistant. And I gather all Citizen’s titanium watches are hardened, too. Seiko DiaShield titanium is about 2-3 times hard than stainless steel, and Citizen Duratec titanium is 5-7 times harder than steel.

[944 Man]

I weighed them both a while ago, to show someone the difference.

Stainless steel BC3


1,000m Titan diver


Both together, showing their relative sizes


As you can see, despite being substantially larger and thicker, the Titan weighs over 5% less.

[Mezzanine]

Salted_Peanut said:

Grade 5 titanium (as used by IWC) possesses good scratch resistance. Grade 5 is supposed to be harder than stainless steel, although I have no first-hand experience with it. Some others, e.g. Tudor, use grade 2 titanium. While grade 2 can scratch more easily, it “heals” over time as it oxidises, lessening the mark.

Moreover, you can use an ink eraser to remove the scratches from titanium. It works well, IME.

Several brands use hardened titanium, which is highly scratch resistant (significantly better than steel). E.g., Sinn’s tegimented titanium and Seiko DiaShield watches are highly scratch resistant. And I gather all Citizen’s titanium watches are hardened, too. Seiko DiaShield titanium is about 2-3 times hard than stainless steel, and Citizen Duratec titanium is 5-7 times harder than steel.

The aforementioned more knowledgeable person has entered the room

[944 Man]

My Oris is made from grade 5 titanium, I believe: new models are made from grade 2 material. This would not bother me, as most of the "titanium watch problems" that a Google search will uncover are just waffle. A good example - 'brown powder' oxidisation residue: aye, alright...

[SlimJim16v]

I have a thing for anything titanium. Here are my watches. Currently looking for a well priced Chopard Mille Miglia.





[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/PNkFTKeg[/url]

[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/rcoKq6Bb[/url]

Edited by SlimJim16v on Tuesday 26th April 20:22

[halfpenny43]

Super helpful !!

Thanks guys

[WhisperingWasp]

Mezzanine said:

Salted_Peanut said:

Grade 5 titanium (as used by IWC) possesses good scratch resistance. Grade 5 is supposed to be harder than stainless steel, although I have no first-hand experience with it. Some others, e.g. Tudor, use grade 2 titanium. While grade 2 can scratch more easily, it “heals” over time as it oxidises, lessening the mark.

Moreover, you can use an ink eraser to remove the scratches from titanium. It works well, IME.

Several brands use hardened titanium, which is highly scratch resistant (significantly better than steel). E.g., Sinn’s tegimented titanium and Seiko DiaShield watches are highly scratch resistant. And I gather all Citizen’s titanium watches are hardened, too. Seiko DiaShield titanium is about 2-3 times hard than stainless steel, and Citizen Duratec titanium is 5-7 times harder than steel.

The aforementioned more knowledgeable person has entered the room

[Salted_Peanut]

It’s a shame my teachers didn’t use “knowledgeable” to describe me when I was at school

[Squadrone Rosso]

I have 3 Titanium watches. A TAG Monza, a Tudor Pelagos & an Oris TT3. It’s a strange feeling having a big watch that weighs nothing.

[Paddymcc]

I love the colour of titanium against the other metals and colours.

Pic of my Steinhart Ocean One Titanium 500

[halfpenny43]

Squadrone Rosso said:

I have 3 Titanium watches. A TAG Monza, a Tudor Pelagos & an Oris TT3. It’s a strange feeling having a big watch that weighs nothing.

Thanks for these. Didn't realise the Monza was titanium and love the Pelagos !

[Squadrone Rosso]

halfpenny43 said:

Thanks for these. Didn't realise the Monza was titanium and love the Pelagos !

It & the TT3 are PVD / DLC coated. The Monza feels like a toy to wear!

[catso]

Mezzanine said:

Someone more knowledgeable than me will probably correct this but aren’t titanium cases easier to mark/ding than steel?

I've got 2 Titanium watches, both Omega and yes I would say they mark very easily especially the bracelet clasp of my Planet Ocean.

It polishes out easily though using a grey scotchbrite pad (which still maintains the 'brushed' look), though I am currently wearing it on 1 of 2 aftermarket rubber straps that I bought as I find them more comfortable.