Comprehensive list of case materials
Niche topic - I’m collecting watches with different case materials. The more I research, the more types I find. I wanted to create a comprehensive list so I could plan with minimal surprises. I’m not too interested in coatings or plating. Please let me know if there is a material missing here:
- Steels: Stainless steel, Damascus steel
- Golds: Yellow, white, rose gold
- Other metals: Bronze, titanium, aluminum, palladium, platinum, tantalum
- Tech materials: Carbon fiber, ceramic, resin
- Other: Wood
Thanks!
UPDATE: here are the materials mentioned in the comments
- Silver, brass, sapphire, zinc, Hublonium (magnesium and aluminum), proprietary gold alloys, rubber, fiberglass, forged carbon, plastic, bioceramic, ceramic + titanium mixture, granite, marble, cheese
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Kevin
Building a collection of different case materials and dial techniques
Member since
Last active: 23 hrs ago
7.00” / 17.78 cm
First ones that come to mind are silver and sapphire.
You forgot cheese.
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/watches/article/h-moser-swiss-mad-watch-real-cheese/
Don't forget BioCeramic ;)
And you've got the cheaper material like Zinc Alloys. You've also got the different grades of SS. 316L, 904L, etc
you forgot fibreglass and rubber (Tissot Sideral, Tag F1, Breitling Sprint)
and pudding
Don't forget the unobtanium used by Rolex and Patek.
Sapphire
There are different carat weights of gold: 9k, 10k, 14k and 18k.
Then you have companies like A. Lange & Sohne (Honey Gold), Rolex (Everrose) and Omega (Canopus, Moonshine, Sedna and Bronze Gold) with their own proprietary gold alloys.
Then you have various plating methods or types for gold:
In the metals at the budget level, brass and zinc.
In the metals at the budget level, brass and zinc.
Maybe he meant "brass" instead of "bronze"?
I think you're gonna need a bigger budget...
Maybe he meant "brass" instead of "bronze"?
Well, both are used, but bronze is much higher tier than brass. 🤣
don't forget Sterling 925!
Does “forged carbon” count as carbon fiber? I believe it’s resin with carbon fibers imbedded in it. Like plastic+carbon fiber. I’ve also seen specifically bamboo watches. I thought It was a Swatch, but it wasn’t and I can’t remember the brand the guy told me.
Well, both are used, but bronze is much higher tier than brass. 🤣
Thanks! Hadn't seen that before, but now have another new world to explore... 😂
Hublonium is another one of those goofy proprietary alloys, but I'd rather talk about green gold.
Hublonium is another one of those goofy proprietary alloys, but I'd rather talk about green gold.
Great find on Hublonium. Magnesium is rare in jewelry
Ceratanium by IWC
Ceratanium by IWC
yep was gonna mention this ceramic + titanium alloy from iwc
Ceratanium by IWC
Seems similar to the Ceramos by Rado but not sure what the differences are
Seems similar to the Ceramos by Rado but not sure what the differences are
Not sure about Ceramos. From my understanding, Ceratanium is pretty much a titanium alloy with surface turned into ceramic-like hardness and matte-black color under extreme high temperature, so it’s more titanium than ceramic with the best properties of both.
There is something called base metal that many gold-filled or electroplated models use. I’m not even sure what it is exactly. Probably some alloy of brass that is super cheap and soft enough to work with easily.
Tungsten steel. A rare find, heavy and unscratchable.