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Stainless stell vs. titanium comparison help

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SsgtJeepJK

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi all,
I have finally narrowed my search (after many watch purchases and research) to these two:
1. Breitling Avenger Titanium
2. IWC Mark...what is available used

My question is how would the titanium (not prone to corrosion or pitting unlike stainless steel) hold up for the long haul?
Please provide any advice as I am also looking to buy an affordable similar watch due to the long scouting ahead until I can find a reasonably used condition for either watch.

Much appreciated.
~J
 
#2 ·
Pure titanium is actually softer than stainless steel (inox). So it will scratch easier. Titanium alloys however can be the same as inox or stronger and more resistant to damage.

I don't think corrosion is problem with any inox used in watches. They usually use marine grade inox which is not 100% rust proof, but i haven't seen any inox watch to rust yet.

Other pros for titanium are that it's lighter, feels warmer on touch and it's also non allergenic, since it doesn't contain chromium (unlike inox).

I don't know what kind of titanium is used on your two listed watches, but the titanium on my Citizen feels alright. I was afraid of getting it scratched quickly, but it's fairly resistant. At the point where the folding clasp is, it scratched a bit where titanium is grinding at titanium. But the rest is holding pretty well. No scratches on the part where the watch is touching the desk while i work on a computer. It however attracts fingerprints and skin grease more on the matte parts of the bracelet. Fingerprints just aren't as visible on brushed stainless steel.
 
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#3 ·
I agree with the above, SS is not prone to corrosion or pitting. The main benefit of titanium is that it's lighter. Its durability will depend on its composition and/or any applied coatings. You would need to check out the Breitling in that regard.
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Always love the intelligent and USEFUL feedback of these members! Awesome now I know SS is not prone to pitting or rusting (anyway I don't swim with watches) so its just from sweat and washing dishes...they should be alright regardless of material. I just see some watches like the IWC Mark XV and it looks like the metal is pitting..I guess those are just many small dings or flaking of top layer?
 
#5 ·
RejZoR said:
it's also non allergenic, since it doesn't contain chromium (unlike inox).
Click to expand...
Actually, it's the nickel, not the chromium that people are allergic to. Note: 904L as used by Rolex is even higher nickel and more prone to causing a reaction than 316 that is normally used.

Titanium is completely impervious to oxidizing corrosion - such as that from salt water and sweat. Stainless is highly resistant, but can corrode over time. It is a good idea to rinse off your stainless watch after exposure to salt water or extreme sweat.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
*Steel (correction)
So in that regard would you say Ti is a better long-term (20+) year bet. I have seen some old Tudors and Rolex with the casing "pitted" as what it looked like to me, but since I don't know for certain I wanted to go with Ti because this should not occur at all.
 
#7 · (Edited)
SsgtJeepJK said:
My question is how would the titanium (not prone to corrosion or pitting unlike stainless steel) hold up for the long haul?
Click to expand...
Typical 316L stainless steel is prone to pitting (especially from salt water) over many years. Not a problem for most people, but considering you are asking, that's the answer. Higher grade steels such as 904L are considerably more resistant to pitting, and Titanium is virtually completely resistant.

There are different grades of Titanium. The grade 5 Ti used on the current Omega PO is quite good, and my experience so far is that it is more scratch resistant than my steel watches. However I believe lower grades of Ti are more prone to scratches.

SsgtJeepJK said:
*Steel (correction)
I have seen some old Tudors and Rolex with the casing "pitted" as what it looked like to me, but since I don't know for certain I wanted to go with Ti because this should not occur at all.
Click to expand...
The older Rolex models used lower grades of steel (316L / 304L) and were actually used by many divers, so you will see pitting (Rolex now uses 904L. For me a diving watch in particular should be made of a material with a pitting resistance (PREn) higher than that of seawater (i.e 904L or Titanium)
 
#9 ·
I think those may be exceptions to the rule. Most people do not experience corrosion after wearing a watch for many years. For example my 1971 Omega Seamaster has no corrosion at all. Will you be wearing your watch in some sort of corrosive environment like salt water? If so just rinse it off and in any case keep the mung and grime from building up and you should be fine. A word of caution regarding titanium. It is usually coated with some finish that is difficult to repair. Scratches will show shiny titanium contrasting with the usual grey finish.

SsgtJeepJK said:
*Steel (correction)
So in that regard would you say Ti is a better long-term (20+) year bet. I have seen some old Tudors and Rolex with the casing "pitted" as what it looked like to me, but since I don't know for certain I wanted to go with Ti because this should not occur at all.
Click to expand...
 
#10 ·
I would find out what grade of Ti is used because my Oris Titan which uses grade 2 Ti is only a couple of months old yet the clasp is scratched to bits with desk diving marks. I rather fancy (bad words for a WIS to say) the Omega PO titanium and they use grade 5 Ti which I an told is more scratch resistant than grade 2. Like other posters have said some Ti watches have a coating on them so it's worth checking on that too. I wouldn't worry about pitting since this is not really an issue.
 
#12 ·
~tc~ said:
The Ti is not a coating - it's a bead blasted finish, and that's why the scratches show more - just like any matte finish like that.
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This depends on the watch, on the Breitling, I believe it is untreated titanium, so it should be easy to refinish, but will be less scratch resistant than treated titanium.
 
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#13 ·
Stainless steel can definitely corrode in normal usage but over a long period of time. Look at a pics of divers in sales post between the lugs and around the seal of the case back. It is almost standard on old Rolex. Current generation 316l and certainly 904l will be more resistant moving forward. However if I was to buy a watch that would see seawater or sweat daily for years, I would go titanium alloy. Some ti alloys show scratches easily. Others like my 15 year old ti Aquatimer look far less scratched than SS watches of comparable age. I am sure modern Grade 5 Titanium watches are even better. It is a great material for watches that are to be used for diving or sport.
 
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Discussion starter · #14 ·
Yeah I want a durable watch that can stand my sweat from working out...which will be rinsed afterwords in shower...I don't swim in salt water at all just chlorine of pools....but I want to dump $2500 on a watch that later on won't be compromised due to pitting or rust issues of the case impacting the watch integrity for inner protection of movement.
 
#15 · (Edited)
I still tend to think that, in the long term, say 30 years or more, the potential corrosion of a modern stainless steel case is less of a concern than the likely outward appearance of a titanium case by that time (unless its been refinished many times). Of course this depends a lot on the type of titanium used, and your decision may also be influenced by how much of a benefit the light weight of Ti is to you. If the priority is durability alone, I’d be inclined to stick with SS. Seems to me that your watch will not be subject to corrosive environments any more than normal. My experience is that untreated Ti is less durable* than SS though easier to refinish, and treated or coated Ti can be more durable but usually more difficult to refinish.

* In this sense I'm referring to impact & scratch resistance rather than corrosion.
 
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#17 ·
I like the weight of stainless steel watches, although that doesn't seem to be one if your concerns.
 
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#18 ·
My stainless steel Seiko chronograph 7T32 worn daily for over 20 years shows no pitting however my new ( less than 1 yo) Seiko 7T32 shows rubbing marks on the bracelet and bezel.
One thing that surprised me is that, despite titanium being promoted as a lighter material, my old SS Seiko is lighter than my newer titanium Seiko.
 
#19 ·
~tc~ said:
Actually, it's the nickel, not the chromium that people are allergic to. Note: 904L as used by Rolex is even higher nickel and more prone to causing a reaction than 316 that is normally used.

Titanium is completely impervious to oxidizing corrosion - such as that from salt water and sweat. Stainless is highly resistant, but can corrode over time. It is a good idea to rinse off your stainless watch after exposure to salt water or extreme sweat.
Click to expand...
The dreaded "Rolex Rash!" It forced me to sell my Sub, but gladly put that money toward my Pelagos.

Kinda gross, but for those interested, here's a thumbnail:

Image


My mother is really allergic to nickel, so that's where I got it from. Sapphire case backs and Ti are fine for me, but some SS watches' nickel content will apparently make my skin go crazy.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Wow that is a watch rash? Yeah the weight is no issue I like heavy mostly but light does not matter as long as the long-term capability is acceptable. I had no idea that Ti comes in so many flavors so I am leaning towards a SS then. Something like Bremont MB2 or IWC Mark XVII should last a while based on normal wear.
 
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