If you’re staying up to date in today’s watch market, you will undoubtedly notice that titanium is making its way into many brands’ catalogs. There is good reason for that too - titanium is 45% less dense than stainless steel, allowing for a more comfortable wearing experience.
Also, if someone is unable to wear stainless steel watches due to a nickel allergy, titanium offers a great solution due to it being hypoallergenic. Various surface finishing techniques allow for aesthetics ranging from a dull, matte look all the way to a shimmery shine matching that of stainless steel finishing.
There really is a titanium watch offering for just about everyone. Case in point, here are seven of some of the best titanium watches on the market today ranging from $200 to $26,000.
Scurfa Diver One Titanium
Price starting at US$200
Scurfa is a relatively new brand, started in 2013 by an actual saturation diver just seeking to make the best diver for the job at an affordable price range. The Diver One Titanium is arguably one of the most utilitarian dive watches out there. The 40mm brushed T2 titanium case houses a quartz Ronda 713SM movement, which can output a battery life of around 60 months and features an end of life indicator.
A 20mm rubber strap comes standard on the Scurfa for the most comfortable wearing experience, but there is also the option to buy a matching titanium bracelet from the brand.
Several dial colors are offered, all utilizing BGW9 lume to ensure readability even in complete darkness. A 500m water resistance ensures usability whether you’re going on a month-long diving expedition or simply get caught out in the rain.
Citizen Promaster Dive BN0227-09L
Prices starting at US$550
Citizen came out with the first titanium watch back in 1970, and now have a variety of titanium offerings. The Promaster Dive BN0227-09L is one of the more brutalist options, arguably able to be described as having looks only a mother could love.
But there is something enticing about the 46mm case, flanked on the four corners by bezel guards protruding from the case. The unidirectional rotating bezel surrounds the blue-camo dial. The E168 eco-drive movement will keep relentlessly running with just the need for occasional sunlight, and the lume is basically as bright as a torch when charged up. The Super Titanium case paired with the 24mm wide rubber strap makes this an easy to wear timepiece and a great option for tough use cases.
Apple Watch Ultra
Prices starting at US$799
While this isn’t a traditional watch as others in this list, the Apple Watch Ultra is indeed a titanium-cased watch that will undoubtedly grace the wrists of many watch enthusiasts. The 49mm rectangular case features a durable flat sapphire crystal and comes standard with one of three strap options - alpine loop, trail loop, or ocean band - all of which include features for wearability that seem so obvious yet are novel in the watch world.
The 36 hour battery life is improved enough to not have to think about it throughout a full day of wear, and it can go the distance if you unexpectedly stay out somewhere overnight. Oh, it can also do ultramarathons if that’s your thing.
Tudor Pelagos FXD
Prices starting at US$3900
Tudor has been releasing hit after hit over the past several years, and this Pelagos FXD is a clear example of their success. This was developed with feedback from the Marine Nationale for enhanced usability. The 42mm diameter titanium case features fixed lugs, so you know that the watch case will always remain steadfast on your wrist.
The navy blue dial is adorned with square markers and serves as the backdrop for the snowflake hands, which are kept running by the Manufacture Calibre MT5602 movement. Framing all this is a bi-directional rotating countdown bezel. You can keep this on the stock fabric or rubber strap, or you can switch it up with whatever NATO strap you may choose thanks to its 22mm lug width.
Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33
Prices starting at US$5,900
The Omega Skywalker X-33 is part of the Speedmaster family and is one of the purpose-built instruments for the astronauts of today. The 45mm diameter titanium case houses the Omega 5619 movement, which has functions developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency based on actual needs in space flight.
The ana-digi display is manipulated with the five buttons placed around the periphery of the case. But if you wish to forego cycling through the menus to get to the chronograph function, a bi-directional count-up bezel allows you to time events in an instant. The 30m water resistance rating is a bit lackluster if you’re looking to go deep in the ocean, but is plenty if you dream of blasting off to the stars.
Grand Seiko SBGA413
Prices starting at US$ 6,600
If you’re looking for slightly under the radar luxury, Grand Seiko has a lot to offer. The Grand Seiko SBGA413 watch, otherwise named the Shunbun, is part of the season’s collection offered by the brand. The 40mm diameter and 12.8mm thickness 62GS case design frames the immaculately textured pale pink dial that you could easily stare at all day long. A 21mm band width might encourage you to keep it on the stock titanium bracelet.
A 9R65 spring drive movement results in the perfectly smooth sweep of the seconds hand across the dial. While controversial, the power reserve indicator on the dial can ensure that you’ll never accidentally run through the 72 hour power reserve, preserving the +- 15 seconds per month accuracy. A 100m water resistance paired with a screw-down crown and sapphire crystal make this a great daily wear option.
Rolex Deepsea Challenge
Prices starting at US$26,000
Rolex’s foray into the use of titanium commercially has arrived with the Rolex Deepsea Challenge. The 50mm diameter case is made wearable by the use of RLX titanium, an alloy of grade 5 titanium, in both the case and bracelet. The most interesting fact of this Rolex watch by far is that it can literally go deeper than the deepest oceans of Earth; the 11,000 meters of water resistance (roughly the depth of the Mariana Trench) is tested to 13,750 meters.
Keeping true to Rolex standards, the Caliber 3230 Rolex movement keeps impeccable +-2 seconds per day accuracy. This might just be the dive watch to end all dive watches.
Bonus: Other Titanium Watches
This was a sampling of seven of the best titanium watches out there today. Luckily for us, there are many other excellent titanium watch options as well.
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic
Breitling Aerospace EVO Titanium
IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII Heritage
What are some others you would consider adding to your collection? Are you a fan of titanium watches?
