But platinum can be gaudy at times, and titanium’s dimmer appearance can make for a classier, more subdued look. Stainless steel is often used as a stand-in for platinum, itself a strong, expensive chemical element. For some people, the more muted façade of titanium will be a draw. On a watch, it helps maintain a new and crisp look, even if the timepiece is many years old. This is one of the reasons that stainless steel is so popular in jewelry because its natural shimmer offers a clean, glowing accompaniment to any jewels or precious stones. Stainless steel has a decidedly shinier look than titanium. The final comparison point is the most subjective. Photo Credit: Pixabay Titanium vs Stainless Steel: Look For this reason, people whose skin does not react well to stainless steel (myself included) can seek out titanium as an alternative. One, it prevents titanium from rusting, and two, it keeps the metal from interacting with human skin, which is what causes allergic reactions. This layer is beneficial for watchmaking for two reasons. By contrast, titanium is naturally hypoallergic because of the naturally occurring oxide layer that covers the metal. See some our list of nickel-free watches here. There are hypoallergic stainless-steel watches out there, but when anyone with an allergy to nickel shops for a watch they have to be careful. As I’ve written about before, many people are allergic to nickel, which leads to rashes and discomfort when wearing a watch. Titanium vs Stainless Steel: Allergyįor many people, stainless steel watches can be an issue because of the nickel often found in the metal. A difference of four ounces might not seem like much, but on your wrist, that weight will be very noticeable when it comes to comfort. ![]() Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Titanium (Image: Amazon) The shipping weight is 11.2 ounces, yet the stainless-steel version of a very similar watch comes in at 15.2 ounces. Take, for instance, this Citizen Eco-Drive Perpetual Chrono. The weight of titanium on a watch will be most notable in watches that have a bulkier design. Click here to see the watches that astronauts have worn into space. A super strong material that doesn’t weigh you down is invaluable in the design of air- or space-bound vehicles. This is another factor that has led to the widespread use of titanium in aerospace designs. Titanium vs Stainless Steel: WeightĬonsidering its increased strength, it might surprise some readers to learn that titanium is also considerably lighter than stainless steel. If strength is the deciding factor for you, then there really is no contest. For the majority of watch owners, the kind of toughness that titanium provides may never be required. Superman should have been called the “ Man of Titanium” if they really wanted to show how strong he was. There’s a reason that titanium is used in the construction of aircraft that have to withstand some of the most brutal forces nature can throw at it, whether within or outside the earth’s atmosphere. Titanium has three times the strength of steel. Casio ‘G Shock’ Stainless Steel (Image: Amazon) And yet, when comparing the two materials, it’s not even close. They are relatively scratch-resistant, as well (although, by no means impervious). Stainless-steel watches will usually take a beating and still perform like new. The G-Shock line of watches by Casio, known for their industry-leading durability, has a whole line of G-shock watches made of stainless steel (click to see on Amazon). See our list of the best titanium watches here or our picks for best stainless steel watches here. However, there are more affordable titanium watches. If you have other concerns besides your bank account, though, the next four factors should help you make your decision. In general, titanium is more expensive than stainless steel, and their respective watches reflect that difference. Of course, stainless steel is a fairly broad term, so some steel-made watches (like the Oystersteel Submariner by Rolex ) are priced high. Stainless steel is a cheaper material than titanium, which means, all other things being equal, a watch made of stainless steel will generally cost less. No matter the relative qualities and advantages of the material, for many people, titanium’s higher price tag will be the only thing they see. The primary disadvantage of titanium watches is price. Image By Håkan Dahlström Let’s get this one out of the way first, because for most people price will be the ultimate deciding factor. ![]()
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