Poll : Titanium vs Steel Watches
Hi all.
I'm fairly new to Watch Collecting. Can you help me understand what metal is beneficial for long-term use? Which can take a beating and still look good. I know that Titanium is a stronger material in general but not sure how that translates to the Watch world. Suggestions are appreciated.
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Kumar Chandu
I've worn watches since I was a little child, but only recently have I started to get more knowledgeable about them and begin to collect a few.
India
Member since
Last active: 1 year ago
7.50” / 19.05 cm
Both metals are equally good for long term. It's the personal preference what matters when you choose, whether its the weight difference or the feel of the metal on the wrist.
316L stainless steel is what you will find in majority of the watches. Its almost a standard material and it will hold well over the years depending on your use. Constant exposure to saltwater and sweat may cause some slight corrosion over the years if you don't clean the watch on a regular basis when you exposed it to saltwater. Titanium in this regard is more corrosion resistant.
If you are going for Titanium watches, then you should be aware Titanium picks up scratches more easily than steel. Titanium watches also have a darker hue to steel watches and will oxidize over time if the metal in not treated. Citizen and Seiko puts super hard coating on their entry level Titanium watches which helps with scratches and oxidisation, the best entry level options you can go for if you want a Titanium watch.
Both metals are equally good for long term. It's the personal preference what matters when you choose, whether its the weight difference or the feel of the metal on the wrist.
316L stainless steel is what you will find in majority of the watches. Its almost a standard material and it will hold well over the years depending on your use. Constant exposure to saltwater and sweat may cause some slight corrosion over the years if you don't clean the watch on a regular basis when you exposed it to saltwater. Titanium in this regard is more corrosion resistant.
If you are going for Titanium watches, then you should be aware Titanium picks up scratches more easily than steel. Titanium watches also have a darker hue to steel watches and will oxidize over time if the metal in not treated. Citizen and Seiko puts super hard coating on their entry level Titanium watches which helps with scratches and oxidisation, the best entry level options you can go for if you want a Titanium watch.
Didnt know that Titanium picks up scratches more easily than steel. Thank you for the detailed information.
Buy a cheap Titanium first ( relatively cheap ) A Seiko Titanium series watch . You will either love it or be meh about it without parting with too much cash while still getting a half decent Titanium quartz watch …
Buy a cheap Titanium first ( relatively cheap ) A Seiko Titanium series watch . You will either love it or be meh about it without parting with too much cash while still getting a half decent Titanium quartz watch …
That's a great idea. It's better to try the metal with an inexpensive watch rather than making an expensive purchase and regretting it.
Thanks for the suggestion.
That's a great idea. It's better to try the metal with an inexpensive watch rather than making an expensive purchase and regretting it.
Thanks for the suggestion.
You can actually find a titanium watch with a Seiko NH35 movement for less than $100 on AliExpress that is actually pretty good quality.
My Titanium watch is Accurist an even cheaper… I would say look at those Everyman brands if it just about testing material or even complication and style. In the UK that’s Accurist, Sekonda, Casio, maybe Timex. Citizen to an extent, but both they and Seiko are moving into expensive watches really. That’s the area where you start looking at Rotary and the like, which sometimes don maybe live up to their price tag or branding.
My Titanium watch is Accurist an even cheaper… I would say look at those Everyman brands if it just about testing material or even complication and style. In the UK that’s Accurist, Sekonda, Casio, maybe Timex. Citizen to an extent, but both they and Seiko are moving into expensive watches really. That’s the area where you start looking at Rotary and the like, which sometimes don maybe live up to their price tag or branding.
Will check them, Thanks!!
You can actually find a titanium watch with a Seiko NH35 movement for less than $100 on AliExpress that is actually pretty good quality.
Will check it, not sure about the AliExpress though as a consumer we have some issues with the imports from China.
Titanium is lighter Steel is heavier, Ti is 3x the strength of steel but 40% less weight, but steel being softer can hold higher polish like Grand Seiko. If it's not Grade 5 Ti it will pick up scratches. Some people have allergies from Steel (due to Nickel and Copper), but Ti might be hypoallergic. Those are basics on the metal. How it looks on your wrist is all up to you.
I have a titanium Citizen since around 2 months and absolutely love it.
I especially love the matte and yellowish aspect of the titanium that changes from the polished 316L I know for ever.
One thing I noticed, if the Duratect treatment seems OK, matte finish is a fingerprint catcher, I'm constantly wiping the watch with my clothes.
Grade 5 titanium. No scratches on my IWC yet 😮💨
I like steel but I like Titanium more. I have titanium citizen, a titanium phoibos and a titanium pelagos. All are a slightly different shade and have a slightly different feel to them but I suppose they are at 3 different price points and using different metal. All are very comfortable.
The pelagos is a larger diver and is over 14mm tall but it is easy to wear due to its metal. If it were steel personally I feel it would be too heavy for a daily.