What’s better? Titanium vs Oystersteel

[hellofromthebay]

I see brands like Zenith advertise titanium bands. Meanwhile I’ve never seen Rolex mention titanium. Why is that? Is one better?

[Etschell]

Ti is harder. Not sure which is better. People here yap that ti shows more scratches but i disagree as an owner of the pelagos and a subc in 904l.

If you want a badass Ti watch go pelagos.

[JWD531]

I also think the Pelagos is great. I considered getting the blue dial last year but passed it up as I felt it was just a replacement for what I truly wanted. Very nice watch though. And I thought the titanium was great.

Titanium’s main advantage is because it’s lightweight I think. I have no clue why Rolex does or doesn’t consider it, but it’s definitely not as blingy as 904L, so that could possibly be a reason why. I bet if Rolex ever had a titanium watch, it would be rolanium and be a shiny titanium mix that had platinum and other metals mixed in.


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[HiDive]

Both are very corrosion resistant and other than weight I don't feel like there are any great advantages to either. I like both.

[Jster]

I don’t care for titanium. The light weight is incongruent to how a watch should feel.

[thenewrick]

I’ve seen some deep discussions on titanium in grand Seiko forums.

Titanium is just a base metal and the alloys are what’s important. Other watchmakers use oystersteel also it’s just a marketing term. Seiko uses multiple titanium alloys based on price point. Highest end titanium is more scratch resistant than steel. It’s lighter and people say it feels cheap because of the weight.

Titanium alloys can also attract fingerprints and scratches might not as easy to ignore and polish out.

It all depends in the end. I’d like to try titanium as I think I’d prefer a lighter watch.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Etschell

If you want a badass Ti watch go pelagos.

Did someone said Pelagos?




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[Largoshark]

Originally Posted by Jster

I don’t care for titanium. The light weight is incongruent to how a watch should feel.

This makes no sense to me. Why shouldn't a watch feel light and comfortable on the wrist? I don't own any Ti watches, so this isn't coming from a place of bias. Just don't understand the logic.

[Smobews]

I wore a titanium Omega PO every day for seven years. It was incredibly comfortable to wear; about 2/3 the weight of steel. It is a grade 5 titanium, so it polishes and finishes nicely. My watch never got any deep scratches or nicks. There is an oxidation layer that develops on the surface. That layer gets superficial scuffs and scratches that eventually get reoxidized and disappear.

I have other titanium watches that are not grade 5, and there is a noticeable difference in performance.

I would be a big fan of a titanium Rolex professional watch.

[Bladeshot]

SS and Ti are apples and oranges, but both are nice. Who would not like a lighter watch! I’ve had both. Settled on SS and PM for now. But the Pelagos (for example) is a wonderful piece. Lots to enjoy about it. To each their own.

[TswaneNguni]

I am not a titanium fan ,dont like the colour and light weight .

[RyanJ]

I prefer grade 5 Ti. Love the weightless feel.

[pdnb]

Love titanium... but I like brushed cases... alas no Rolex titanium though





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[HiDive]

These Citizen and some Seiko watches have a coating on them that makes them almost impervious to scratches. This first watch is at least 12 years old and does not have a mark on it. The second watch is 52 mm diameter and 13 mm thick, and it is comfortable for me to wear, although I have an 8.25 inch wrist. But I can not imagine wearing it if it was made of steel.

[Where]

The titanium on my MR-G is a step above anything I've seen made in steel. Honestly makes steel feel cheap

[Tanuki]

Originally Posted by Jster

I don’t care for titanium. The light weight is incongruent to how a watch should feel.

Titanium has a different feel than steel and actually feels like something special on the wrist. It’s warm and feels softer, if that’s possible. Try it on before you knock it. It does make steel feel cheap.

[doramas]

The Pelagos for daily use is an ideal watch. Titanium does not scratch much more than 904L steel and is lighter.

[kans86]

I prefer the luxurious look and feel of oyster steel. I don't care much about the weight of titanium. Steel is heavier and I prefer the heft of it on my wrist. In the same manner, I prefer the heaver heft of gold and platinum than that of steel. Just my personal preference.

[HiDive]

Originally Posted by pdnb

Love titanium... but I like brushed cases... alas no Rolex titanium though

I love that Aquatimer. I knew I should have bought one way back when they made them. I did not always like them but the design has grown on me. Is the model number something like 3536?

[pdnb]

Originally Posted by HiDive

I love that Aquatimer. I knew I should have bought one way back when they made them. I did not always like them but the design has grown on me. Is the model number something like 3536?

Yes thanks! This is the 3536-01 (black dial titanium case), other versions are the 3536-02 (black dial SS case), and 3536-03 (white dial SS case)


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[SPMN]

Rolex uses titanium casebacks for the Deep Sea. Personally, I think a big watch like that belongs on titanium. Doubt Rolex will ever do it though.

[GB-GMT]

Not all Ti watches are light. Just got the Tudor Pelagos a few weeks back. I love it.

It weighs 157 grams compared to a Sub which is 155 grams. The watch feels great.

[Stan Cooper]

My best friend has a Porsche Design Ref. 3742. It's an interesting piece made by IWC using a JLC Mecaquartz (mechanical movement with a dual quartz crystal timebase using 1 kHz and 4 kHz quartz crystals) moonphase chronograph movement. The quartz timebase combined with the mechanical movement without a bulky balance wheel results in a very slim case. The case and bracelet are titanium, and the advertised accuracy is 48 seconds per year. He's had it for twenty years and loves the look, weight, accuracy, and reliability of the watch, and the feel of it on his wrist.

Sadly, it's been out of production for several years.

[Model12]

I wore Seiko titanium SKH202s for 20 years before I bought my 5500. I love the look and feel of the Ti. Probably 20% lighter.

[Spoonage]

I have 2 titanium watches of which 1 is grade 5 polished and the other is not. I like them, it's just another metal to make the case out of. I don't have a preference either way of titanium vs. Stainless. I don't buy the argument of lightweight means cheap. If that's the case 5 digit Rolex with the lighter weight bracelet and clasp would be perceived as cheap. In the automotive world lightweight is king and you find yourself paying more for CF or titanium.

[Rolex.c6]

I had a Titanium Citizem many years ago. Don't like the weight, I prefer the havier weight of (Oyster)steel. Can't remember if it scratcher more or less then steel.

[Onikage]

It's a b£%&@ to polish. And looks dirty when it gets banged up. And feels like plastic. It all probably depends on the alloy though. Grand Seiko does a great job finishing the stuff. It looks like steel when they do it. ..Whatever it is they do.

[cvo]

100% Steel.

[Psmith]

I like both.

Don't forget that Rolex use Ti for the DSSD caseback.

[thenewrick]

Base metals are iron and titanium. The alloys and finishing is what matters. Rolex 904L is a little softer than 304L but slightly more corrosion resistant. It's still just a basic iron alloy that other companies use as well.

Titanium is a base metal and many companies use many titanium alloys. Higher end Grand Seikos use a high quality titanium and regular lower end Seikos will use a cheaper titanium alloy.

Overall steel is cheaper and heavier and titanium is more rare/difficult to craft with/lighter. A high end titanium is a more premium product than a steel. I feel like heft feels better with precious metal because you're reminded of the precious metal. Heft in a steel watch is just iron.