The BEST type of watch case is.. 🤔

316L SS for me. Tried a Ti Zelos, really don't like it (tho that could just be the watch ).

Not remotely tempted by bronze, just don't get why I'd want a watch that looks tatty & dirty....

Love the diashield coating on my nicer Seiko's, really wish Omega had it on theirs, so my vote goes for coated SS. 👍

I own stainless steel, titanium, and composite watches. For me depending on the situation. I absolutely love titanium and is my favorite for look and feel. Stainless steel is great for just putting on and not worrying. Composite is great for lightweight and for taking a beating.

My favorite in each are: Titanium, my Tudor Pelagos LHD (favorite wach I own). SS, my Scurfa Diver One (GADA). Composite carbon core, my G-shock GBD-200 (Work watch).

I voted titanium, because it's my favorite. But, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the materials. Find what you like in the budget you can afford and enjoy this fun hobby of collecting watches or as my wife says "YOU BOUGHT ANOTHER WATCH?! YOU OWN 40 ALREADY!" Just kidding, she's OK with it.

Obviously there’s no one answer to this. There are many case materials and each is good at something.

I do love the weight and feel of titAnium at the moment but haven’t had opportunity to try other case materials except stainless steel … oh right bio ceramic!! I forgot about that one 🤣… it’s ok too light I think…

White gold speedmaster for me. Simply the best there is.

I voted steel.

I like the idea of a Ti watch but I am very scratch averse! However , the green Hamilton KFA is calling to me, often!

Ceramic also appeals. I like the Rado pictured below (Rado stealth), but I can't see it getting to the top of a long list

Classic stainless steel, shiny titanium, extravagant bronze, dressy white gold, and resin because of G-Shock, obviously. I don't have a favourite, it depends on the design/watch.

I think it has to good old steel for me. I do like the idea of alternative case materials and think they look cool AF.

I have tried grade 2 Ti and wasn't a fan, I just didn't like how the material shows wear compared to steel.

It really depends on the individual needs and requirements.

I personally hate scratches. And I also don't like heavy watches or cold materials in the winter.

Im my "case" ceramic cases works really well. I have two:

My Rado True Square Plasma High Tech Ceramic. Which looks awesome like high polished steel.

And my Junghans Spektrum.

The material is light, adapts the body temperature and stay clean and shiny.

But it's nothing for active lifestyle as it is not shock resistant as steel. There is also differnces within the quality of the ceramic, the design and processinf.

Especially on cheap ceramic watches. But Rado and Junghans are highly specialized and experienced with ceramic. And I think it complements every collection.

In case of steel watches I would always prefer Titanium. Feels super comfortable on the wrist It's a warm material and very light. Or hardend steel as like from Rado (Diastar), Archimede or Circula.

I said steel. However, that is not because I think it's the best case for the watch but because most aftermarket buckles come in steel. I don't like having mismatched materials and there is very rarely a titanium or ceramic option from third party suppliers. PVD is okay but it isn't ideal.

I would choose titanium case because it's light and hypoallergenic. I'm a leather band kinda guy, sorry.

Hum, what feels best when putting it on (and I assume wear it). I really do not look at it that way though I will say a cermamic case and bracelet feel fantastic (think Rado). The weight, the smoothness, the shiny finish (though I also love the matt cermic finish on a Tudor ceramic BB), all very nice. But in reality, once on, they all sort of wear the same and the material doesn't affect the comfort. Now maybe I'm a bit different in that I do not mind a heavy watch so....

Oh what the heck, make that case out of lead! (No, no, no...it dents too easily). 😂

My oldest watch has a Ti case, and it's what I have worn mostly. I would probably prefer it over stainless steel, but it is not offered all that much. Otherwise brushed stainless steel is fine.

Maybe it's because of my memories of shattered ceramic bezel inserts, I haven't trusted it much as a material for watch cases. The same goes for bioplastic / soylent green type of materials.

PLATINUM!!

ROLEX DAYTONA

PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA

I'm old fashion so I like steel. I've seen Citizen polish their titanium and it looked really shiny (mirror polish).

The Tudor ceramic is great looking watch.

I do like a lighter watch, very small wrists mean a large heavy watch bounces around and can be painful

Funny you mention lead - gold is only slightly lighter and slightly less scratchable than lead and people love it - so maybe you are on to something 😜

So subjective that there is no definitive answer and it comes down to personal taste.

For me, it’s more about the weight. I don’t mind a light SS watch. Titanium enables bigger watches to stay light (and they look amazing). I like the carbon fiber watches for their looks but most are not as slim as their titanium counterparts. Bronze/brass is nice, just because they get this nice patina and they’re this subdued gold color.

Here’s a good example of a titanium watch that allows a big watch to still be comfortable:

Grand Seiko Ti - Light and bright 😁

Steel photo's the best by bar of the choices. I actually prefer anything silvery lol

Love platinum! Hate the cost! 😂

I don't own one yet but citizen all titanuim , SAPPHIRE, a

Slim eco drive is a very good deal .

Hi, why is titanuim good for diving ? Personally, for diving , nothing Beats a double" case" a metal core covered one then another titanuim case on top . Eg Victorinox pro diver

My only field watch, Columbia CL-1312, is Seiko VJ32 quartz powered, and the case is a brass-like metal. It's quite light.

It's lightweight and doesn't reflect light. If you're scuba diving, reflections from steel will attract sea creatures such as sharks but titanium will prevent unnecessary attention

Shark attack scuba diving? That mainly can happen in feeding frenzy at night. They ain't looking at your watch😆

Couple other points I’d mention:

Ti is more corrosion resistant, it’s lightness despite divers often having larger thicker cases, and it’s thermal conductivity is better (feels more comfy on skin when it’s exposed to cold air or water)

Back when I went scuba diving in Vietnam, they advised us to not wear anything shiny such as rings, bracelets and watches to prevent unnecessary attention from predators underwater. And this was on a bright sunny afternoon

I'm 50/50 TI vs SS.

I have something from each category (ceramic = carbon fiber-ish in my mind so a few G's and a Protrek have me covered there).

I really like the on wrist lightness of TI, as well as it's thermal conductivity. On a decent single pass, almost don't even notice some of them. Also dig TI's dark, dull grey.

But some of my most worn pieces are trad steel, since TI is much harder and pricier to work with and not as many companies offer a TI watch.

Carbon fiber is cool, but again nothing I want, except for stuff issued to me, is made of it.

Bronze, meh...own two, haven't worn them NEAR as much. Outside in nasty hot weather, running around and stuff, getting all sorts of sweaty, even the relatively well made, and good bronze alloy Zelos used in the gen I Hammerhead, still got gross looking quick, and left spots on my wrist. Cool idea, not particularly useful for hard use, YMMV.

Great advice - cheers. I’ve always been interested in bronze, but feared it since I work out quite often and would sweat all over it. I think I’d have the same issue as yourself

I’m still interested in trying a carbon case, as I love lightness, but there’s always too many other watches on the short list above