What's your take on Titanium watches?
I've been collecting watches for almost 4 years, and until recently I had never handled a titanium watch. Even though I have other items made out of titanium (such as the WE Synergy 2 knife, and the Tactile Turn bolt action pen shown in the photo), they never struck me as being particularly light weight. I recently had an opportunity to purchase a pre-owned titanium Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 and was blown away by how light it was, especially considering how solid it feels. It's a fairly large watch, but at a mere 106.8 grams when sized for my 17cm (6.75") wrist, it feels like it could get carried away by a string wind. Based on the light weight, and the really nice bracelet, it feels like I'm not even wearing a watch.
I'm really curious as to what other people think about titanium watches. It's my understanding that titanium scratches more easily than SS, so any hints on how to best care for them would be appreciated as well.
I've worn a watch for as long as I can remember, but I didn't become interested in watches until 2018, when I bought my first decent mechanical watch. Shortly after purchasing it, I joined a local wat...
For me, I have always liked when items are a little on the hefty side, whether it is a watch, calculator, mobile phone, etc. Not only does this make me feel like my item is well-made, but also like it will last a lifetime—this has caused me to skip over some titanium items in the past; however, I love the performance aspect of lightweight materials, as well as the scientific rigor that goes into designing and manufacturing items made out of lightweight materials—titanium machining takes a bit more of a careful hand and more specialized tools and machines, so I can totally get behind why people like it.
Titanium is my key criteria for a watch now. Unless there's something out of this world special about a watch's dial or design, if it ain't titanium, I won't bother considering it for purchase.
My understanding is that titanium never caught on with the watch buying public, because everyone associates "light weight" with "fake." But, as far as manufacturing complexity and costs go, making a highly polished and highly angular watch in titanium is far more costly for a manufacturer than is doing the same in a precious metal like gold or platinum.
This is one of my favorite watches, because it's the only GS in titanium, with the 44GS case design - given the Zaratsu polish and the crazy angular case design, can't imagine how hard it must have been for GS to make this watch.
Agree with @Omeganut , usually prefer larger watches in Ti though I don’t currently have any… because of the scratching.
Yes, it shouldn‘t be a big deal and yes, it’s what happens with wear, and yes, I probably need intense 1-on-1 therapy… but at ~40% weight reducation comes with ~40% softer metal. Some companies apply a hardening coating (i.e. the new TAG Dark Lord) or chemical process to harden the metal without adding weight but usually adds substantially to the cost. (I’m not a chemical engineer so maybe someone can better explain here.)
I really like the feel and kind of matte texture/sheen of titanium but at the cost of above mentioned neuroses I usually try to avoid. Maybe I’ll someday conquer this because I really dig the new Oris ProPilot X.
Titanium is my key criteria for a watch now. Unless there's something out of this world special about a watch's dial or design, if it ain't titanium, I won't bother considering it for purchase.
My understanding is that titanium never caught on with the watch buying public, because everyone associates "light weight" with "fake." But, as far as manufacturing complexity and costs go, making a highly polished and highly angular watch in titanium is far more costly for a manufacturer than is doing the same in a precious metal like gold or platinum.
This is one of my favorite watches, because it's the only GS in titanium, with the 44GS case design - given the Zaratsu polish and the crazy angular case design, can't imagine how hard it must have been for GS to make this watch.
I have to agree 100% with you on this one. I had initially dismissed the X-33 based on it's stated dimensions, but when I actually tried it on, it "felt" so much smaller than I expected, likely due in large part to the light weight. I also agree on the color tone, which really surprises me, since I prefer the look of SS in photos. I can easily see myself starting to give more consideration to titanium for future watch purchases. I also had the same reservations as @HoroMichigan mentioned in terms of the weight of SS adding to the feeling of solidity, but was pleasantly surprised that the light weight doesn't make it feel "cheap".
I'd love to be able to see that GS in person, but the nearest GS AD is about 800 miles away from me. I love the idea of Spring Drive, and have often been tempted by GS models such as the SBGA211 Snowflake, but have been hesitant to pull the trigger without being able to try one on. Now that I realize how much I like the titanium, I may be willing to take a chance on one without being able to try it on in person first.
Wore a Titanium Luminox dive watch for over a decade while working ICU. Indestructible.
Citizen has a nice line up of titanium watches with out spending a grip of money.
I went with a Orient titanium was not bad on the price. just to say I have a titanium. I just can't imagine owning a Omega titanium watch. I'll go to bed wearing that thing.
I'd never have considered this watch if it weren't titanium. 45mm diameter and 15mm thick, definitely would have felt too heavy if it were SS.
I also fell in love with the darker and more subdued look of the metal as well, especially on tool watches. Hoping to add a Tudor Pelagos in the future!
I have to agree 100% with you on this one. I had initially dismissed the X-33 based on it's stated dimensions, but when I actually tried it on, it "felt" so much smaller than I expected, likely due in large part to the light weight. I also agree on the color tone, which really surprises me, since I prefer the look of SS in photos. I can easily see myself starting to give more consideration to titanium for future watch purchases. I also had the same reservations as @HoroMichigan mentioned in terms of the weight of SS adding to the feeling of solidity, but was pleasantly surprised that the light weight doesn't make it feel "cheap".
I'd love to be able to see that GS in person, but the nearest GS AD is about 800 miles away from me. I love the idea of Spring Drive, and have often been tempted by GS models such as the SBGA211 Snowflake, but have been hesitant to pull the trigger without being able to try one on. Now that I realize how much I like the titanium, I may be willing to take a chance on one without being able to try it on in person first.
Nah, dude, you should DEFINITELY try GS watches on in person before ever buying. My experience has been that with Omega and Christopher Ward and Rolex and Breitling, when I've looked at the photos and watched the video reviews, the watches look and wear exactly as I would have expected from all the specs. Not so, at all, with GS.
Each watch feels so totally different. It feels to me that GS doesn't have any unifying design language, the way Rolex does. If you've seen / worn one Rolex, you've seen / worn them all - and that's not a knock on Rolex, as that's one of their absolute strengths. You know precisely what you're getting.
However, with GS, there are so many different designs, and so many different dials, and not a single photo or video I've ever seen does any one of the watches any justice at all.
When I was first contemplating buying a GS, I read 800 articles and watched 40 YT videos, and top of my list were all the Seasons GMTs and the Sokos and the Omiwatari. I went into the GS Boutique, spent 3 hours there, trying on every watch, and everything on my list fell off immediately. Instead, weirdly, I was smitten by the sports watches and the 44.2mm GMTs!!!
If you're ever serious about getting a GS, let me put you in touch with the manager of the GS Miami Boutique, and he'll roll out the red carpet for you. Saki, food, line up every conceivable model you might be interested in, etc., etc.
Nah, dude, you should DEFINITELY try GS watches on in person before ever buying. My experience has been that with Omega and Christopher Ward and Rolex and Breitling, when I've looked at the photos and watched the video reviews, the watches look and wear exactly as I would have expected from all the specs. Not so, at all, with GS.
Each watch feels so totally different. It feels to me that GS doesn't have any unifying design language, the way Rolex does. If you've seen / worn one Rolex, you've seen / worn them all - and that's not a knock on Rolex, as that's one of their absolute strengths. You know precisely what you're getting.
However, with GS, there are so many different designs, and so many different dials, and not a single photo or video I've ever seen does any one of the watches any justice at all.
When I was first contemplating buying a GS, I read 800 articles and watched 40 YT videos, and top of my list were all the Seasons GMTs and the Sokos and the Omiwatari. I went into the GS Boutique, spent 3 hours there, trying on every watch, and everything on my list fell off immediately. Instead, weirdly, I was smitten by the sports watches and the 44.2mm GMTs!!!
If you're ever serious about getting a GS, let me put you in touch with the manager of the GS Miami Boutique, and he'll roll out the red carpet for you. Saki, food, line up every conceivable model you might be interested in, etc., etc.
I really appreciate the input, and the very gracious offer. It makes a trip to Miami all the more appealing. The only Grand Seiko that I've seen in person was the SBGE201G - GS aren't overly common here, probably due to how far away we are from the nearest AD. I'm actually kinda glad that I live in a smaller city without ADs for many of the big brands, since I'm sure having easy local access to them would be hazardous to my bank balance 😀
I have a 13 year old titanium Casio Pathfinder. I wore it for five years in Afghanistan. The Pathfinder was very light weight and durable. It took a beating and still works. I don’t wear it as much, but it is in the rotation. I would recommend a titanium watch to anyone.
owning a GS SBGA415 has spoiled me; lightweight, accuracy, subtlety, finishing
i feel no difference in scratch resistance when it comes to Ti (they scratch all the same) but i do feel that Ti masks the scratches more better than SS. It took me 5 months to realise (under store lighting) how much usage marks it had. I actually thought it was still mint in normal lighting/outside
I’m a fan of titanium. Lightweight metal objects are often much more difficult and expensive to produce.
It reminds me of the quote from Lotus design engineer, Colin Chapman:
“Simplify, then add lightness”.
He also said “Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”.
Quality built, lightweight watches seem high tech and advanced in a way that improves the wearing experience. This is my only ti watch currently, but I hope it’s not the last.
owning a GS SBGA415 has spoiled me; lightweight, accuracy, subtlety, finishing
i feel no difference in scratch resistance when it comes to Ti (they scratch all the same) but i do feel that Ti masks the scratches more better than SS. It took me 5 months to realise (under store lighting) how much usage marks it had. I actually thought it was still mint in normal lighting/outside
I agree with your observation on the scratches. I felt the same way with my LHD Pelagos. Under normal lighting you don't see them but under brighter light they do manifest rather pronounced. Btw, I am not sure if the titanium grade contributes to these more pronounced scratches. I know the Pelly is grade 2 ti while most if not all (not sure) of the GS are grade 5 ti. I believe grade 5 ti is "harder". If so, then GS would be more resilient to scratches. There is also that matter of the polishing. I've read that grade 5 can be polished shinier than lower grade which have a dull(er) color.
I'm a fan of titanium and own the Citizen Ray Mears which looks great and is relatively affordable. I've mentioned ot before as my apocalypse survival watch! It feels indestructible and of course being titanium is incredibly light to wear.
Wearing it after a diver such as the Kamasu and it feels like you have nothing on your wrist.
I would certainly buy another titanium watch.
Interesting! I have the (almost identical) SBGA413, and I was going to comment that it seems to be very scratch resistant compared to my steel watches. It is showing much less wear than I would expect, and still looks pretty much mint.
But based on your post... Let's just say I won't be looking at it closely under store lighting any time soon.
I love the lightness, the feel, and the hue of titanium. This is my first and only titanium watch, but I'll definitely consider another.
And to the question about lume? Neither the SBGA413 or SBGA415 has a single speck of it.
I wear mine as a Daily hence the immense wear. I’ve relegated it to a dinner watch now 😂
re the lume, it does not need lume. Those indices shine ridiculously bright!
If it's lume you want, then here are my thoughts:
Hope that helps!
Wow! So much information back from you! Very grateful for the thorough content and recommendations. I need to get these on my wrist! Cheers.
I have a 13 year old titanium Casio Pathfinder. I wore it for five years in Afghanistan. The Pathfinder was very light weight and durable. It took a beating and still works. I don’t wear it as much, but it is in the rotation. I would recommend a titanium watch to anyone.
Great pic! Glad you made it back to enjoy watches !
I have been wearing a titanium Oceanus OCW-M700 for about a month now. I never take it off, it's about half the weight of my Seiko and I really like how it warms really quickly. Pretty sure I will only purchase titanium moving forward
Citizen has a nice line up of titanium watches with out spending a grip of money.
Ooh Sexy!
Titanium is not a must, but a super plus for me. I’ve got six of them and they are frequently in rotation. They vary in their scratch resistance, but none of them have acquired bad case scratches. One, the Omega Seamaster 300m, seems absolutely bulletproof, but I’m sure James Bond would not settle for less!
if all my watches could be Ti, I'd be in heaven. Love Ti. Hell, I got Ti in me so it holds a special place in my heart.
But Ti is not a requirement. If I come across one, and I love everything else about it, it will be mine... if money allows. lol.
its cool to own and wear and is useful when its hot outside
I like my GS snowflake for that reason , kinda goes with the style of the watch
I just have one Citizen Eco-drive in Titanium. I like it.
Looking forward to reading some of these comments. Not going to lie I hesitated w titanium. Esp grade 2. I took it in a hot tub last week w no issues or degradation. Though, with how hard Rolex/Tudor bracelets are to switch out, grade 2 leaves behind substantial spring bar tool marks. I'm not perfect but sh*t is it difficult to not mess up the back of the lugs.
Nice bolt action btw.
Looking forward to reading some of these comments. Not going to lie I hesitated w titanium. Esp grade 2. I took it in a hot tub last week w no issues or degradation. Though, with how hard Rolex/Tudor bracelets are to switch out, grade 2 leaves behind substantial spring bar tool marks. I'm not perfect but sh*t is it difficult to not mess up the back of the lugs.
Nice bolt action btw.
I see you not only have great taste in watches, but also great taste in pens 😉
My Omega is my only titanium watch, but I've been giving serious consideration to the Pelagos. I have the BB58, and the only thing I don't like about it is that I don't think the snowflake hands (which I like) pair well with the round index markers. The Pelagos looks more cohesive as far as I'm concerned.
Looking forward to reading some of these comments. Not going to lie I hesitated w titanium. Esp grade 2. I took it in a hot tub last week w no issues or degradation. Though, with how hard Rolex/Tudor bracelets are to switch out, grade 2 leaves behind substantial spring bar tool marks. I'm not perfect but sh*t is it difficult to not mess up the back of the lugs.
Nice bolt action btw.
Are spring bar marks on back of lugs that bad? At a full service are they able to be polished out in a titanium case? What about a SS case?
Have both and I want to get into more straps more often, but don’t want to get all stressed like I’m doing open heart surgery and watch will die if I scratch it.
Have worn a Tag titanium watch as a daily for a year, and did find it scratched rather easily.
45mm size and hard to hide, but still blows me away how light it is when I pick it up, and hoping the scratches can be taken care of at a service?
I wore a compact 36 mm titanium Candino Elegance C4268.3 every day for 11 years and I don't recall it scratching easily (trust me - this watch took a ton of beating). I totally loved how light it felt and afterwards it took me a while to get used to the weight of steel cases and bracelets. I'd love to own another titanium watch in the future and I'm disappointed that watchmakers generally overlook this lovely material.
But I guess I'm in the minority, because I like subdued looks and value more function over form. In the "tool watch" category in particular, titanium should shine.