Hypothetical all Titanium Collection?
Some people love titanium. Some people think lightness=cheap. If there is a material that can make my watches lighter without making them less durable I am all in so count me in the former group. Thanks to my love of titanium my collection currently has… 0 titanium watches. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot less options for watches in this super material.
I do plan to buy a titanium watch later this year, and I have owned a handful over the years. But today I decided to think what I would have as an all titanium watch collection if I was to start over and only buy Ti watches. Since watch collectors love to have one watch for each “category” I decided I would pick 5 watches that each represent the 5 pillar categories that each collector absolutely has to have in their collection.
1) Underwater Navigation Timer: Pelagos FXD
(Source Worn and Wound, obviously)
We’ll start with the most obvious category, the underwater navigation timer which I know for many of us was our introduction into this hobby. There is really only one option for this category (quite literally) the Pelagos FXD. It’s a cool watch with a great tie in/backstory and I love it. Plus it is quirky as hell and that’s what I want to want in my collection (but instead I buy boring watches). This is actually on my buy list for the year. Thus this is my pick for an Underwater Navigation Timer Watch
2) Quartz Mall watch: Citizen AQ6021-51E (Cal. 0100)
(Source Hodinkee Community via a Google image search)
Ah yes, the super generic design Quartz watch you buy at the mall on sale for $80. This is kind of like that but not at all in any way (other than the design being kinda generic). This was a limited edition (although I can’t find how many were produced) only sold in Japan for ¥880,000 (around $6k USD) with a solar quartz movement that is accurate to +/-1 SECOND PER YEAR! It is only 9mm thick, weighs 65g. It is an impressive feat of engineering and would wear incredible on wrist and thus would be great for my Quartz Mall Watch.
3) Homage Watch: Grand Seiko SBGE285 (Mistflake)
(Source: Monochrome Watches)
Yes everybody needs something in their collection that if you squint so hard your eyes are practically closed that it could be mistaken from something from the crown. This watch has a light colored dial, 4 hands, and a steel bezel with 24 numbers/markers on it. Personally I find tracking a second time zone pretty useless, but it is a beautiful watch, cool movement, and just looks cool. Therefore this is my pick for the homage watch category.
4) Beater Watch Expensive Enough to Baby: G-Shock Titanium
(Source: Reddit user chachachachaowa)
Everybody needs a beater watch, why not get one for 4 figures so that you want to take it off when you are doing anything that might actually scratch it? Well in that case a titanium G-Shock is the perfect watch! I have a few G-shocks but never seem to get overly attached. I think I just prefer analog watches over digital. Still, a G-shock should probably make the list.
5) Movie Tie in Watch: Omega Seamaster 2231.50
(Source WatchGecko)
I know what you are thinking, this is very different than the Bond Seamaster of the time. But have you considered that I like this watch but am running out of tongue in cheek categories? I never really liked the skeleton hands and 9 link bracelet of the bond Seamasters. This has a super slim case, sword hands, and more traditional oyster style bracelet making it my favorite Seamaster. Thus my pick for movie tie in watch.
Honorable mentions:
Magazine cash grab watch: Longines Spirit Zulu Time Hondinkee
Dubious nature tie in watch: SBGA413 Shunbun (or really any Ti Grand Seiko).
What would you do for a full titanium watch collection?
Current Collection: Cartier Santos (medium) Ginault Ocean Rover Omega Speedmaster Rolex Explorer Seiko SLA049 And a pair of G-Shock’s
I don’t think I can justify the cost of it, but it is an incredible watch! I’m hoping as Citizen makes more Cal 0100 watches the price will come down, but so far they only have steel watches in the regular production catalog
The 2231.50 is on my list if I can ever find one in good shape. I already have the 2264.50 and it’s among my favorite watches. Would love the Ti version 👍
I have these two beauties, could be a perfect 2 piece titanium collection, I love these 2 watches btw - I wear the MRGb5000 everyday and have the gmwb5000 as the ultimate high quality stealthy-beater
I love my Citizen Titanium Eco Drive Diver. Yes, I know what you mean about the feeling of, well, a feather tied to your wrist but I love it and I love how much how much I paid for it😉
https://imgix.watchcrunch.com/images/2023/11/30/e0e27663-f9db-44eb-98e3-cce3121bcace.png?auto=format&fit=max&h=4096&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=4096&s=37f1fbc713467bfd571879543b8d50fe
I love titanium but I’m really fussy about it so I tend not to keep a lot of Ti watches that I buy but starting again I’d go, using different qualifications from yours as I don’t have the imagination for anything clever just now.
1.Titanium diver
Christopher Ward Elite C60 1000. Big Christopher Ward fan so had to have one of their divers here.
2. Titanium GMT Fortis Fliger F43 Triple GMT
Been interested in these guys for a while and the lightness of the Ti should combat the large size of this and I feel a modern dream collection should have a gmt.
3. Ti chronograph (just as essential as the gmt). Raymond Weil Freelancer POP Chronograph
Love RW’s Freelancer line my GMT Worldtimer piece from them is one of my favourites and that’s bronze and steel so I’m sur I’d love a Ti watch from them.
4. Titanium Field Watch. Formex Field.
My Essence 39 has turned me into a huge fan of Formex cases, so I’ve got to have one of these.
5. Beater Watch. Zealos Blacktip
Actually ordered up this one and as it’s the most affordable of this imaginary collection it makes sense to make it my beater.
Other than the Zealos though I’m probably not going to get any of these as I already have a Formex, Raymond Weil and CW and I try to not have too many from any one brand, and I’ve got so many gmts that some of them would have to go before I’d consider the Fortis.
Was thinking about asking the AD for the titanium yacht master but then I’d probably have to sell something else and I don’t want to
Great choices! I think your honorable mentions would even deserve to be on the proper list.
6k for a quartz Citizen is insane though 😂
Titanium is indestructible. An excellent excellent case material!
Was thinking to get the Certina DS action diver 38mm in titanium
The Pelagos FXD for me!
I’m the same don’t own any titanium watches but do own 3 dive watches so I put this on the back burn ever since it came out, but now is the time, besides it being titanium what makes it unique and stand out from my others is its Blue, countdown bezel & the fixed lugs of course! Just put my name down on the list and I think there easier to get now
Was thinking about asking the AD for the titanium yacht master but then I’d probably have to sell something else and I don’t want to
Get a Pelagos 39 instead and save yourself the money
If you're open to microbrands, I know...
DuFrane makes titanium California dial field watches
Swiss Watch Company uses a lot of titanium, field watches & fliegers
RZE makes titanium field watches
BOLDR makes their notable Venture line utilizing Titanium too
That Citizen blows my mind. Imagine having that watch for a decade and it only being 10 seconds off. That level of over-engineering is my jam
Have you thought about Titanium scratches pretty easily unless coated. Also if you are looking for well made and affordable you should check out RZEs latest color choices released
Never thought of it but I know a Helson shark diver would definitely be part of it
Nice selection.
I only look for titanium. I wish there were more options.
Have you thought about Titanium scratches pretty easily unless coated. Also if you are looking for well made and affordable you should check out RZEs latest color choices released
In my experience it's totally fine. Had mine for a couple years and the only scratches are extremely fine and not visible in day to day use.
I've owned a Snowflake and a GS Diver in Titanium. Right now I have a Longines Spirit 40mm Titanium piece that is an amazing GADA watch! I also have a Casio Oceanus OCW-S100-1AJF that I call my "Clasio" The fit and finish is incredible! If the watch had a screw down crown it would be a perfect 10 Titanium solar quartz! If/when Tudor offers a blue dial Pelagos 39mm I'm in. I'll probably add something Titanium Sinn this year