With the advancement of science and technology, an increasing number of high-tech materials, including high-density ceramics, carbon fiber, sapphire, and titanium, have been used in watch manufacturing.
Among them, the application of titanium metal in watches dates back more than fifty years, Due to its strong corrosion resistance and low density, titanium alloy and steel are considered “space age” metals. As a result, titanium is used in a lot of watches.
Titanium is incredibly industrial and commercial due to a variety of its qualities:
Sturdy: Titanium is 30% harder than steel.
Lightweight: The weight of titanium is 47.90 atomic scales, which is nearly 50% lighter than steel.
Corrosion resistance: When titanium is exposed to air, its surface will form a tight and strong oxide film, which can resist the erosion of other metals by different substances. Especially effective against salt water erosion.
Advantages of titanium as the watch material:
- Lightness.
The density of titanium alloy is only about 4.5g/cm³, which is about 40% lighter than stainless steel. It indicates that wearing titanium watches is more comfortable, which is a very significant benefit, especially for people who must wear watches for extended periods of time.
- Sturdy.
Titanium alloy is incredibly strong yet being light. Compared to stainless steel, it is more difficult to bend, cut, and process. As a result, titanium is an extremely sturdy watch material that can bear many trials, like collision, fall, etc.
Corrosion Resistant.
An extremely resistant to corrosion substance is titanium alloy. So titanium watches are incredibly well-liked for aquatic sports like diving. It is able to withstand the erosion of seawater, sweat and other corrosive liquids without any damage.
Unique Appearance.
Titanium watches have a very distinctive look. To achieve a range of distinct visual effects, its surface can be treated in a number of ways, including polishing, brushing, etc. Titanium alloys have an extremely unique colour, typically either black or silver-gray.
Disadvantages of titanium as the watch material:
Expensive.
Titanium watches are usually more expensive than stainless steel watches. This is because titanium is a very expensive material, and the manufacture of titanium watches requires more technology and craftsmanship. Therefore, if your budget is limited, buying a titanium watch may exceed your budget.
Difficult to repair.
The maintenance of titanium watch is relatively challenging due to their robust properties. It may be necessary to find a specialized repair expert if your titanium watch requires maintenance or replacement parts. This might be more costly and time-consuming than repairing a stainless steel watch.
Easy to Scratch.
Titanium watches are sturdy, but they also easily scratch. This is due to the comparatively soft and scratch-prone surface of titanium alloys. As a result, if you purchase a titanium watch, please take care not to wear it near other objects to prevent scratches.
Not for everyone.
Titanium watches are lightweight, but they’re not suitable for everyone. For those who like the sense of weight, titanium watches may feel too light and not enough texture. Therefore, before buying a titanium watch, make sure you have considered your personal preferences and needs.
In conclusion, titanium alloy watches have many benefits, like being robust, lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and having a distinctive look. However, there are other flaws that also require our attention, such as being pricy, easily scratched, hard to repair, and not suitable for everyone.
If you are a watch lover and have considered your needs and budget, then a titanium watch may be a very good choice.. But, in order to make a better informed choice, it is advised that you first do some study and understanding if you are just starting to contact watches or if you are unfamiliar with titanium watches.
