titanium or steel watch?

shootist16

shootist16

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Is titanium really that much better? Or is it just the weight advantage?
 
Hey Dennis,

You know when I purchased my Luminox 3202 from you, I was struggling over wanting the Titanium 3602. If I could justify the cost, I would have bought it in a heartbeat! My 3202 is just a tad heavier than I'm comfortable with. The lighter model would have been for me a nice benefit. But I'm not complaining! :)

Do you have weight stats on both these models. I'm trying to grasp the weight difference. Is is slight or quite noticable?
 
I just replaced my Citizen SS Eco-Drive with a Titanium Eco-Drive . . . I love the light weight!! It seems like it cut the weight in half and though I have only had it a week I think it will be well worth it!:D :D
 
There is a noticeable weight difference and other small advantages, like the cache of titanium. The question is whether you want to pay for such small differences. I don't wear many watches so for me I say, what the hell.
 
I think there are two basic areas that need to be considered when comparing and contrasting stainless steel versus titanium watches.

On the one hand, you have your performance considerations; and in this regard, most factors tend to favor titanium. It's noticeably lighter than steel, and for all intents and purposes, it's absolutely corrosion proof. It is fair, however, to ask just how significant these performance advantages really are. After all, the case of a well maintained, high quality stainless steel watch will provide several lifetimes of reliable service without developing any serious corrosion problems. Likewise, as we know from our blade discussions, steel is stronger than titanium (when comparing material of equal thickness). So, although I would tend to give the edge here to titanium, I think that, across the board, the differences are pretty small. IMHO, the weight advantage of titanium is the only of these factors that I would consider to be significant.

Alternatively, there are also aesthetic differences between steel and titanium that need to be considered. Though this is a much more subjective topic, I tend to give stainless steel the advantage here. With stainless steel watches, the manufacturer has, at a minimum, the option of brushing, polishing or bead blasting the case. Each individual treatment gives the watch a unique look and feel. Most titanium watches I run across, however, seem to favor something of a brushed finish. In this form titanium appears a bit flat and dull, and seems to lack much of the luster present in stainless steel. Being softer than a quality stainless steel watch, a titanium case is also more prone to getting scratched up.

Not suffering from any carpal tunnel related problems, I kind of like watches with a bit more heft to them. So for me the decision to stick with primarily stainless steel is an easy one. But I certainly wouldn't dissuade anyone from purchasing a titanium watch that appeals to them.
 
Thanks for all the input. Looks like I am going with the stainles version. Seems to be more to my liking.
 
I just had the opportunity to hold both my #3202 (stainless) and an equivalent titanium model.

WOW! What a major weight difference! My guess is that the titanium model was about half as much as the stainless model.

I might need to add this one to my collection! :)
 
I just LOVE my Ti Elgin. Very light and has held up very well so far (about 2 months). I got it a t sears for about $150.00 if I remember correct.
 
I love my Luminox 3602, a titanium watch and bracelet with traser type illumination and a virtually scratchproof sapphire crystal. Thanks Mr. Bible!
 
I'm working on a possible trade for this watch:

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Are they any good? The watch, as well as the band, is brushed titanium.
 
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