Titanium Rolex

[Wildy]

It has probably been asked before, but is there any reason why Rolex do not use titanium in any of its sports models?
AP, Breitling and now Tudor use this metal. It has benefits for customers who suffer from nickel allergy and apart from that would look so cool on a submariner, GMT , explorer or Yacht-Master.
Surely it's a matter of time (pardon the pun ).

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Wildy

It has probably been asked before, but is there any reason why Rolex do not use titanium in any of its sports models?
AP, Breitling and now Tudor use this metal. It has benefits for customers who suffer from nickel allergy and apart from that would look so cool on a submariner, GMT , explorer or Yacht-Master.
Surely it's a matter of time (pardon the pun ).

Speaking for myself not a fan of titanium in any watch,Rolex do use grade 5 titanium case backs on the DSSD range.

[tamiya]

Titanium feels too light, not substantial enough for the luxury feeling

They've done it for Pelagos so it's not as if they can't do it.

[HogwldFLTR]

As far as I've seen Ti doesn't hold a polish very well. Plus it doesn't feel substantial in the hand or on the wrist.

[watchwatcher]

I don't know...but if I wanted titanium, I would get a Pelagos.

[GB-man]

I would love a titanium sub. Until then...pelagos.

[SDRider]

Omega also makes a watch out of titanium. I tried it on and liked the weight (or lack thereof) personally.

I'd be interested in a titanium Rolex model.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

As far as I've seen Ti doesn't hold a polish very well. Plus it doesn't feel substantial in the hand or on the wrist.

I can say AP's do. And with that level of finishing you could tell really quick if it didn't.

The weight is a matter of taste. I wouldn't want all of my watches in Ti for sure as i do enjoy having some watches with some heft but it is a nice change of pace.

[dysondiver]

quite like the idea

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

As far as I've seen Ti doesn't hold a polish very well.

You may wish to rethink that…

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Plus it doesn't feel substantial in the hand or on the wrist.

That’s the whole point of titanium alloy, it’s a lightweight but very strong metal, with hypoallergenic properties.
Grade 5 is also harder than 316L or 904L, so offering a bit more scratch resistance, but still quite soft when compared to the likes of ceramics.

[SC11]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

As far as I've seen Ti doesn't hold a polish very well. Plus it doesn't feel substantial in the hand or on the wrist.

I was never a fan of Ti as always thought the used Ti Omega’s and Breitlings I saw looked beat up and the Ti appeared to mark easily.

The Ti ROO has changed my mind somewhat, ok it’s on a rubber strap so takes away a large area susceptible to damage but finding my tang buckle is holding up brilliantly.

Not sure if it’s documented on what grades Tudor, Omega, Breitling and AP use?

[breitlings]

I would also like a titanium sports watch from Rolex. 904l doesn't feel good on my skin as much as I try to like it.

[Fiddich]

Titanium is an amazing material for a watch. Its light, more scratch resistant than steel and has a very cool dark tone to it. Its very comfortable to wear. Try out the Grand Seiko models in titanium. The thing about the impeccable grand seiko finishing is that they manage to make steel look like platinum and titanium look like steel.

[Tony-GB]

Tudor say the Pelagos caseback is steel because titanium can't stand the same tolerance as steel and therefore will distort when tightened. I've no idea why the Deep Sea caseback is titanium if Tudor is correct.

[PJ S]

^
The higher cost of the Rolex affords them the luxury to use Titanium Alloy (Ti6Al4V), otherwise referred to as Grade 5. Tudor’s usage of SS is most likely to be a cost-cutting measure.

[GradyPhilpott]

I used to have a titanium watch that I gave to my brother-in-law. I wish I hadn't now.

I really liked it a lot. The shiny parts of the watch were really shiny and stayed that way throughout the time I owned it and like most of my watches, I didn't pamper it.

I don't think weight has anything to do with a "luxury feel."

As to why Rolex doesn't use titanium, other than in the DSSD line, I have no idea.

I wouldn't necessarily run out and buy one if they did.

[Tony-GB]

Originally Posted by PJ S

^
The higher cost of the Rolex affords them the luxury to use Titanium Alloy (Ti6Al4V), otherwise referred to as Grade 5. Tudor’s usage of SS is most likely to be a cost-cutting measure.

http://watchesbysjx.com/2015/10/a-de...s-pricing.html

"All of the case is titanium, except for the screw-down case back.The reason the back is steel is the fine fluting on its edge, a characteristic feature of the Rolex Oyster case that’s too challenging to machine in titanium. The fluting allows a tool to grip and open the back, without the risk of slippage and scratching that accompanies conventional notched screw backs. Despite being entirely functional, the fluting is fine enough to admire."

[PJ S]

^
A lot of respect for SJX, whom I’ve known since he had his rather basic blog site, but he’s obviously forgetting that the DSSD’s case back is fluted titanium (Grade 5).
I would surmise that Tudor opted for SS to ensure they maximised profits set against the price point the Pelagos was to be pitched at, since CP (commercially pure) Titanium wasn’t going to hack it.

[Quailhunter]

A little off the subject but the book, Skunk Works, by Ben Rich includes a section on the SR71. It was a titanium skin airplane. The book describes the complexities of titanium machine and maintenance. It an easy metal to work. There is a rumor the USSR built a submarine out of titanium, but it was leaky. Not a great charistic for a submarine.

[Doood]

I found the light weight of the Omega 300 titanium very attractive. I have heard from some owners that the PCL's hold up well to scratches. Would love to see a gmt with a high grade titanium bracelet with PCL's.

[HL65]

Love my titanium watch - super light and comfortable. Looking forward to my next one as well.

[singe89]

I love titanium as well. Think its the perfect material for a sports/dive watch. The SD43 would be even more perfect in grade 5 Ti.

[Etschell]

rolex is too reserved to do something like use titanium.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Etschell

rolex is too reserved to do something like use titanium.

Yes, can't quite see Ti or Tantalum being used by Rolex.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by AK797

Yes, can't quite see Ti or Tantalum being used by Rolex.

Hmm, Pelagos Tudor is owned by Rolex. I know you know this however it is being done by Rolex. Didn't know Ta was being used in watches for cases. Are all the refractory metals used?

[txaggie]

Originally Posted by Quailhunter

A little off the subject but the book, Skunk Works, by Ben Rich includes a section on the SR71. It was a titanium skin airplane. The book describes the complexities of titanium machine and maintenance. It an easy metal to work. There is a rumor the USSR built a submarine out of titanium, but it was leaky. Not a great charistic for a submarine.

Great book. Here is some of the story of Titanium in the Blackbird.

Titanium, however, proved to be a particularly sensitive material from which to build an airplane. The brittle alloy shattered if mishandled, which meant great frustration on the Skunk Works assembly line, and new training classes for Lockheed’s machinists. Conventional cadmium-plated steel tools, it was soon learned, embrittled the titanium on contact; so new tools were designed and fabricated—out of titanium.


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[morimotom]

Originally Posted by Fiddich

Titanium is an amazing material for a watch. Its light, more scratch resistant than steel and has a very cool dark tone to it. Its very comfortable to wear. Try out the Grand Seiko models in titanium. The thing about the impeccable grand seiko finishing is that they manage to make steel look like platinum and titanium look like steel.

Titanium is more resistant to wear than steel, but this does not really translate to scratch resistance. Ti is very soft compared to even the softest steel, with a Rockwell hardness in the mid 40's while steel is normally in the high 50's or low 60's.

Ti also cannot be heat treated to increase hardness. It must be carbidized or alloyed to have decent hardness.

The primary advantages of Ti over steel are weight reduction, malleability, and it is non-ferrous so won't corrode.

It is also much more difficult to work with (grinding, cutting, etc), so products made from ti are typically more expensive than their steel counterparts.

[regnant]

I have a titanium watch, it's big but when you handle it it is too light. A cool material but 904 stainless steel must be as rust resistant as titanium otherwise Rolex would incorporate this material into their to professional line sports watches

[hambone1983]

Titanium costs a lot more than steel

[tamiya]

Stainless steel is rust (oxidation) resistant but Ti is as highly oxidisable as Aluminium... both oxidises so fast & completely that the piece is totally sealed in a layer of TiO2 or Al2O3. Titanium Oxide & Aluminium Oxide is stable and stops further oxidation of base element unless you do something mechanical or chemical to break the seal of the oxide layer.

TiO2 ain't anything fancy nor too expensive... ever eaten an M&M or used white paint?