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Post by ac on Nov 22, 2007 20:36:02 GMT -6
What is the story with titanium watches.You see quite a few out there but not many forum members seem to own them. What are the advantages/disadvantages.  My limited knowledge is that they are light and allergy free.Can they be scratched easily and if so can you polish them like Stainles to remove the scratch. Any knowledge would be helpfull,cheers. Aaron |
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tictoc
WWF Full Member
Hear any ticking?
Posts: 184
Since: Oct 10, 2006 6:24:16 GMT -6
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Post by tictoc on Nov 23, 2007 5:36:53 GMT -6
What is the story with stainless watches.You see quite a few out there but not many forum members seem to own them. What are the advantages/disadvantages. My limited knowledge is that they are light and allergy free.Can they be scratched easily and if so can you polish them like Stainles to remove the scratch. Any knowledge would be helpfull,cheers. Aaron All I own or have owned are stainless steel watches. This is my preferred metal on a watch. Why? I like the color stainless steel has. Very hard to scratch and nick up especially if being made of 316L stainless steel. Most of the better watches use this stainless steel grade. Also, I love the weight of stainless steel. Stainless steel watches are actually heavier then titanium ones. Feels more solid, too. Titanium scratches easier and I don't like the light weight. Now for earrings, titanium is great because of it light weight. |
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Post by aerome on Nov 23, 2007 8:07:27 GMT -6
I think most of the classic watches owned by members here are stainless. Titanium is fairly modern so there are fewer of them. I'm a gold guy and like a blend (two tone) as I use the watches I wear as accessories.
We're in a minority of folks who actually admire the watch for it's mechanical marvels and appreciate the features incorporated within. I like the company!
They say only 5% of people will actually know what type of watch you're wearing.
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Post by truerolexer/trueradiomier on Nov 23, 2007 8:09:56 GMT -6
Almost agree with you Mark, but I think titanium if get scratches, not so clearly look like SS. Just my opinion.
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Truckguy
WWF Full Member
Posts: 177
Since: Jun 9, 2006 21:50:32 GMT -6
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Post by Truckguy on Nov 23, 2007 10:49:09 GMT -6
I have both and much prefer the stainless steel.
I've found that Ti is too light for my taste in watches.
You can polish the scratches out of titanium fairly easily though.
I do like the look of the color and finish of Ti on a watch, just wish it had more "heft" to it.
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Post by atomic on Nov 23, 2007 11:53:46 GMT -6
The ti Panerai models are very nice. And because it's a lighter metal, it makes the big watch more 'normal' in weight.  I lust after a ti PAM. |
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Post by wasatch on Nov 23, 2007 12:20:26 GMT -6
What is the story with stainless watches.You see quite a few out there but not many forum members seem to own them. Aaron--I'm guessing you meant to type Titanium, not stainless. |
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Post by atomic on Nov 23, 2007 12:24:50 GMT -6
What is the story with stainless watches.You see quite a few out there but not many forum members seem to own them. Aaron--I'm guessing you meant to type Titanium, not stainless. Aw nice way to spoil it.... we're all laughing at Aaron.  j/k btw... i knew what he meant.  |
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,799 
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
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Post by CHIP on Nov 23, 2007 12:31:16 GMT -6
I actually like Titanium. I won't bore you with more pics of my Seamaster Ti, but I absolutely love it. It's a perfect casual watch. The more dull colour might not be the best with a suit or a dress shirt, but with jeans it works just great. The light weight makes the watch feel almost invisible, and it is not as easy to scratch as some say. Mine has been through hell and back over the past 7 years and it has never been polished. And it looks better than a similar SS watch would look if exposed to the same wear. Just to give you an example.... in 2000, when I got hit by a car and ended up with broken back, broken scapula, broken arm, ribs, AND a detached arm, that watch scraped against the asphalt and rocks. That's abuse right there! Another thing that I like about Ti, is the soft and warm feel to the touch, and the "self healing" quality of the material. Ti produces some sort of a film which in time possesses self healing qualities. It basically grows and fills in the scratches and/or dents! Pretty amazing actually. Downside to Ti is that it looks and feels cheaper than SS, while costing a whole lot more. In the SMP case, with its NASA grade Ti, the price difference is over 1000 USD! A replacement Bond Ti bracelet for my watch is about 1300 MSRP!!  |
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,799
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
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Post by CHIP on Nov 23, 2007 12:33:59 GMT -6
OVERVIEW: Titanium, the worlds 4th most abundant structural metal, was first isolated almost 200 years ago and was appropriately named after the powerful mythological first sons of the earth—the Titans. The titanium industry as we know it today is just 40 years old. Only recently has mainstream production become technically and economically feasible. Although titanium (Ti) is the 9th most abundant element, constituting about 0.63% of the Earth’s crust, it is expensive to process and requires state-of-the-art manufacturing machinery, and skilled, knowledgeable engineers and machinists to fabricate finished products.
ALLOYS: When discussing titanium, one must realize that Ti can take many different forms (alloys). Ti combines well with most metals and, depending on the recipe used to create the soup (alloy), Ti can exhibit any number of characteristics in a variety of applications. For example, the ‘commercially pure’ (CP) alloy, which is roughly 99% titanium, is relatively soft. Conversely, the alloy commonly known as ‘Ti64’ (Ti-6% Aluminum-4% Vanadium) is commonly used as a lightweight substitute for steel. While the strength of 316 stainless steel is about 70,000 psi, Ti64 has a tensile strength of approximately 135,000 psi. In short, a variety of Ti alloys are available, but selecting the proper alloy for a given application depends on the desired attributes of the finished product. The key to utilizing its unique properties is more in product design, rather than simply substituting titanium for another metal.
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS: On average (depending on the specific alloy), Ti is as strong as steel, yet 40% lighter. It is immune to corrosion from salt water and most industrial and organic chemicals. Also, it is a "self-healing" metal, meaning that scratches/abrasions on the surface finish are immediately ‘healed’ in the presence of oxygen or water (no oxidation or rust). Depending on the product design, heat treatment, and alloy used, Ti can be soft or hard, flexible or stiff, as heavy as steel, or as light as aluminum. In short, it is a versatile material which can exhibit a variety of mechanical properties.
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Post by wasatch on Nov 23, 2007 16:12:52 GMT -6
Aw nice way to spoil it.... we're all laughing at Aaron. ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by truerolexer/trueradiomier on Nov 23, 2007 23:08:23 GMT -6
:-/Thanks for your explaination, CHIP!!! Oh I do, love both of 'em!!! ;D |
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Post by ac on Nov 24, 2007 1:53:02 GMT -6
What is the story with stainless watches.You see quite a few out there but not many forum members seem to own them. Aaron--I'm guessing you meant to type Titanium, not stainless. Hi Wasatch, I was just fixing it up before cruising down the thread.  and also thanks John(Atomic,Bling man) ;D ;D |
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Post by ac on Nov 24, 2007 1:56:41 GMT -6
I actually like Titanium. I won't bore you with more pics of my Seamaster Ti, but I absolutely love it. It's a perfect casual watch. The more dull colour might not be the best with a suit or a dress shirt, but with jeans it works just great. The light weight makes the watch feel almost invisible, and it is not as easy to scratch as some say. Mine has been through hell and back over the past 7 years and it has never been polished. And it looks better than a similar SS watch would look if exposed to the same wear. Just to give you an example.... in 2000, when I got hit by a car and ended up with broken back, broken scapula, broken arm, ribs, AND a detached arm, that watch scraped against the asphalt and rocks. That's abuse right there! Another thing that I like about Ti, is the soft and warm feel to the touch, and the "self healing" quality of the material. Ti produces some sort of a film which in time possesses self healing qualities. It basically grows and fills in the scratches and/or dents! Pretty amazing actually. Downside to Ti is that it looks and feels cheaper than SS, while costing a whole lot more. In the SMP case, with its NASA grade Ti, the price difference is over 1000 USD! A replacement Bond Ti bracelet for my watch is about 1300 MSRP!! Thanks Chip,especially the explanation. :-/To put it in a nut shell,you obviously can't polish it to make it shiney. I think I need to find a Ti wearer and check it out before doing anything with aTi watch. Regards Aaron |
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Post by mamas on Nov 24, 2007 4:20:59 GMT -6
The ti Panerai models are very nice. And because it's a lighter metal, it makes the big watch more 'normal' in weight. I lust after a ti PAM. I agree.. the titanium panerai look really nice and less bling than the ss ones.. if they were half the price i would consider getting one myself. |
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