Need More Nickel Free Dive watch options?
So... as it turns out I am "very" allergic to nickel and my apparently stainless steel watches have too much nickel content for me to wear anymore...
This is a very annoying circumstance as I have decent number of Stainless Steel 316L watches I like very much.... but I can't be sick all the time and changing diet / cookware / clothing ..etc to eliminate as much nickel from my diet / body is what I have to do.
This being the case the last several weeks after talking to the allergists... I have been wearing this Titanium Citizen NY0100-50X (which I do like and I think it is a pretty decent dive watch.)
My searching hasn't come up with much that interests me searching for "nickel free watches" and Amazon should be ashamed of themselves as the results that come up from a nickel free watch are laughably not remotely nickel free (cheap plated stuff that is certainly 100% well full of nickel).
I "like" titanium watches..but I don't love them .. I have seen a few brands that are claiming to have "nickel free" stainless watches ..but I haven't found one to suit my tastes yet...
I like the looks of the Citizen NB6021-17E (pic above), but I am annoyed the black version isn't avail with the bracelet apparently? I also like the Tudor Black Bay 58 925 ....However my wife was annoyed that a $4500~ watch comes on a fabric strap?... I do not think a bracelet is available in the 925 Silver?
So (FINALLY??) my point... show me nickel free dive watches ... don't care how they are nickel free (exactly) Ti, Nickel Free Stainless, Ceramic?? whatever... (needs to have nickel free caseback and bracelet / buckle and whatnot...
I like dive watches.. Seiko, Citizen, Orient.. etc
I found this blog post for you, hopefully it may be of some use.
Best Nickel Free Watch Reviews (Updated March 2023) // WJ (thewatchjudge.com)
The Seiko Shogun SPB189J1 is all titanium and comes with a bracelet.
The first gen Samurai SBDA001 is also made out of titanium. These are sadly discontinued, but easy enough to find in good condition second hand. Unfortunately, as fairly popular collectibles they'll fetch a price that's close to a brand new Shogun and the movement they come with is rugged and dependable, but inferior. Very cool watches, nonetheless.
Lastly, there are the dive watches in Seiko's Propex LX line up. These are luxury tier watches that are comparable in quality (and price) to offerings from Grand Seiko and Swiss brands like Tudor and Omega. The standard SNR029 comes in a conservative black dial, black bezel colorway. I own the green limited edition SNR045 and can personally attest to their quality. The spring drive in mine is ridiculously accurate at only +2 seconds a month.
Isn’t the BB58 made of 904L steel? If so, it would have a higher nickel content than standard 316L. Don’t know if it’s your style, but maybe look into bronze options as well?
Isn’t the BB58 made of 904L steel? If so, it would have a higher nickel content than standard 316L. Don’t know if it’s your style, but maybe look into bronze options as well?
The BB58 models are 316L. I confirmed that before I got my blue 58.
This is a bummer to hear, OP. I hope you wind up finding some great new watches. I’m seeing this as the renaissance of your watch collecting history.
On the relatively affordable dive watch side of things, I love my Ti Scurfas.
Tag Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph. One is titanium, and the other is forged carbon. https://www.tagheuer.com/us/en/collection-aquaracer-solargraph/collection-aquaracer-solargraph.html Cheaper than the BB or Pelagos 39 (also titanium). The solar tech used is made by the same company that developed Eco-Drive.
Isn’t the BB58 made of 904L steel? If so, it would have a higher nickel content than standard 316L. Don’t know if it’s your style, but maybe look into bronze options as well?
The BB58 that @atarione is looking at is the one with an all silver case.
There's the Luminox Master Carbon SEAL watches and the fiberglass Navy SEAL Colormark
Tudor Pelagos is titanium.
Phoibos Apollo v3 likewise and a tenth of the price of the tudor. Or for a more fieldwatch vibe but still 300m of WR the Citizen Ray Mears also titanium. About the same cost as the phoibos. I have all three and can recommend any of them.
The Seiko Shogun SPB189J1 is all titanium and comes with a bracelet.
The first gen Samurai SBDA001 is also made out of titanium. These are sadly discontinued, but easy enough to find in good condition second hand. Unfortunately, as fairly popular collectibles they'll fetch a price that's close to a brand new Shogun and the movement they come with is rugged and dependable, but inferior. Very cool watches, nonetheless.
Lastly, there are the dive watches in Seiko's Propex LX line up. These are luxury tier watches that are comparable in quality (and price) to offerings from Grand Seiko and Swiss brands like Tudor and Omega. The standard SNR029 comes in a conservative black dial, black bezel colorway. I own the green limited edition SNR045 and can personally attest to their quality. The spring drive in mine is ridiculously accurate at only +2 seconds a month.
nice... I like that spring drive a lot.. the 1st gen samurai is quite nice as well, I wish I could buy one new but... ??
Thank you.
Thank you guys fopr the suggestions so far... I need to do some math and figure out what my Stainless watches are worth on the used market and see how much money I could come up with for replacement(s).
I am fairly certain I am in the ball park of the Tudor BB58 925, I really wish it was on a bracelet however.... I really dig the looks of that watch. Some good ideas so far, the Ti Scurfa looks good, If I can find a nice Ti 1st gen Samurai that could be good..
How do you feel about Zelos watches? I have a titanium Mako. Spec-wise, they are very competitive and have awesome lume.
How about the Tudor in Ti. it has been seeing alot of wrist time for me.
Going the more independent route Christopher Ward have the C60 elite
And for a slightly different take Farer have their Leven II Titanium Series.
Well under the cost of the Tudor and both brands known for quality.
What tipped you off that you had an allergy? Was it a severe reaction or something more gradual over time?
Shinola has a Titanium Model
Grand Seiko kills it!
Tutima
All have options
What tipped you off that you had an allergy? Was it a severe reaction or something more gradual over time?
I have been sensitive to nickel since I was a kid, however they problems / severity of the allergy have worsen over the last year. If you are sensitive to nickel the more you are exposed to it, the more sensitive / allergic you'll become apparently.