The Pros of Titanium WatchesDiscovered in 1791 by English mineralogist William Gregor, titanium was first used in the aerospace and military industries. It slowly penetrated many markets, including watchmaking, where it lends itself well due to its robust yet lightweight properties. Approximately half the weight of stainless steel but at the same amount of strength, titanium meets the requirements of sports watch cases, as well as those for repeater and chiming watches. Titanium is also anti-magnetic, resistant to heat, and virtually corrosion-proof. However, one downside is that because titanium is softer than stainless steel, it’s generally more prone to scratches. Aside from its many benefits, the main reason for the popularity of titanium in watchmaking is its bio-compatible nature. This means titanium watches are hypoallergenic or do not cause allergic reactions as stainless steel watches sometimes do. Overall, this makes titanium a more comfortable material, especially for larger and heftier watches. |