This week, the TGN boys are digging into their recent experiences with titanium watches, from Scurfa and Citizen to Tudor, Rolex, and the new Deepsea Challenge. Jason and James chat about some of the titanium watches they had in the past, how some new offerings seem worth a closer look, and what it takes for titanium to kick steel off their wrists.
Just wanted to mention and include the Lange Odysseus Titanium in the discussion of world class manufacturers using Titanium in their sports watch lines. While the Odysseus is a very polarizing design and doesn't wear very well on my wrist, I had the opportunity to see one at a Lange boutique and the finishing of the Grade 5 titanium on the bracelet and case is absolutely incredible. There is a wonderful matte grey texture and the blue/grey dial is gorgeous. Definitely something special to experience in person if you have the opportunity, even if you don't find the overall design aesthetically pleasing.
My titanium Diver One is my most worn watch since it arrived in 2020, especially after the matching titanium bracelet was released the following year. This actually led to the sale of my SPB143 as I preferred wearing the Scurfa over the Seiko.
My long gone and much missed Breitling Aerospace was so lightweight, you barely noticed it on your wrist.
My first generation Bremont BC-F1 has a titanium bracelet, which while very comfortable, doesn’t really match the watch that well. Since the bracelet picks up scratches very easily while the hardened steel TripTick case does not! It’s still my favourite strap option though.
Just wanted to jump in and give a shout out to Grand Seiko, which I think makes the best finished grade 5 titanium watches and bracelets in the world. They’re masters of titanium and have been using it in regular product pieces for many years.
I "need" a GMT to round out my collection and this episode had me wondering if there was a titanium GMT. A cursory google-search only turned up a Bremont from years ago. Any suggestions?
Omega has made a few in Ti: a Planet Ocean from a few years ago with blue dial/bezel at 43.5mm, the Aqua Terra Goodplanet, also at 43.5mm, also the Speedmaster HB-SIA at 44.25mm.
Past that, I’m hoping that Longines will make the new Spirit Zulu GMT in Ti, as I think it would be an incredible travel watch.
Honestly my first high end watch was titanium (2-liner pelagos) and I have since also gotten the GS snowflake and Apple Watch ultra recently for a trio of titanium watches amongst my stainless steel. I wear the Bremont ALT1-ZT the most but after that I wear my titanium watches more than the others and I think it is a mix of the comfort and way titanium feels on the skin for me compared to steel. I just prefer the feel of titanium and I don’t even know how to describe how it feels different. It just feels better to me.
Love my titanium NTTD Seamaster with its lightness. Not discussed (although I might’ve missed it) was the quasi self healing aspect of titanium. Or at least it was advertised as such to me after scratches. Scratches do seem to ‘lighten’ after some time.
Heat show as always! Was able to buy the P39 from my AD, and I’m in love with this watch! Been wanting a titanium diver for a long time, and this is the ideal iteration! I would love for this to have a half link though. I currently wear it with three links, and it’s a little tight at times with the T-fit fully extended. And with four links and the T-fit all the way in its way too loose. But most of the time it’s fine. A half link would make it perfect, but it’s perfect enough as is!
Looking forward for the full story on the Pelagos!
I greatly like the titanium 5-link bracelet for my Scurfa Diver One Titanium Blue. It sized easily with pins and collars, but you do need to take care not to lose the tiny collars.
I'm a child of the space program's Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the SR-71 and has always been fascinated by titanium that used to be so extremely rare and difficult to machine.
I have a long-time desire for a titanium Seiko Shogun
If anyone is looking for an inexpensive titanium field watch to try out, Bertucci has a variety of quartz offerings from $150 to $450, 40-42-44mm, blasted and polished, three hands to GMT to Chronograph.
Love the titanium weight. Picked up a Scrurfa proto dial towards the beginning of the year, largely based on this show. Lives on a grey 328 rubber nato.
Nice episode. I love titanium. I'd like to see Omega (which already has a ton of SKUs) make it available across the line. It's good to see this material being used more widely.
Grand Seiko does a great job with titanium. They have quite a few models, especially some JDM only. I have the SLGA015 diver & SBGC005 chrono and enjoy them both.
Certina also makes a nice range of titanium watches at a reasonable price point with either mechanical or thermocompensated quartz movements.
Citizen makes several of their thermocompensated "The Citizen" models in titanium as well. These make for great daily wearers.
A little out of the TGN space is the Breguet Marine. This is a watch that's worth seeing in person. It is fantastic on the wrist. There are time/date, chrono, & alarm models. The intricacy of the case and bracelet finishing are on par with anything out there in Ti.
Another great episode. Enjoyed it a lot. Thank you. Titanium is very popular in recent watches and smartwatches. Just few episodes ago you guys were talking about another large titanium product - Apple Watch Ultra. That was too considered massive compared to regular Apple Watch.
We will see how people feel about the new Deepsea Challenge after we see it in the flesh. It’s big watch no argument there. But we thought current Deepsea was big for daily wear. I beg to disagree with that thinking :-).
Just wanted to mention and include the Lange Odysseus Titanium in the discussion of world class manufacturers using Titanium in their sports watch lines. While the Odysseus is a very polarizing design and doesn't wear very well on my wrist, I had the opportunity to see one at a Lange boutique and the finishing of the Grade 5 titanium on the bracelet and case is absolutely incredible. There is a wonderful matte grey texture and the blue/grey dial is gorgeous. Definitely something special to experience in person if you have the opportunity, even if you don't find the overall design aesthetically pleasing.
Partly inspired by this episode, I just took delivery of a Grand Seiko Spring Drive Diver SBGA031 - titanium. I'm loving it so far.
I just found out about this sweet Titanium Speedmaster with a GMT.
https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/omega-speedmaster-hb-sia-321-92-44-52-01-003-10-10-ome-hgvpsz
James, now's your chance!
https://www.europeanwatch.com/watch/Vacheron-Constantin-5510V/000T-B923-Overseas-EVEREST-Chronograph--44333.html
Another great episode, thanks gents.
My titanium Diver One is my most worn watch since it arrived in 2020, especially after the matching titanium bracelet was released the following year. This actually led to the sale of my SPB143 as I preferred wearing the Scurfa over the Seiko.
My long gone and much missed Breitling Aerospace was so lightweight, you barely noticed it on your wrist.
My first generation Bremont BC-F1 has a titanium bracelet, which while very comfortable, doesn’t really match the watch that well. Since the bracelet picks up scratches very easily while the hardened steel TripTick case does not! It’s still my favourite strap option though.
Just wanted to jump in and give a shout out to Grand Seiko, which I think makes the best finished grade 5 titanium watches and bracelets in the world. They’re masters of titanium and have been using it in regular product pieces for many years.
For sure! Do you have one currently?
I "need" a GMT to round out my collection and this episode had me wondering if there was a titanium GMT. A cursory google-search only turned up a Bremont from years ago. Any suggestions?
Omega has made a few in Ti: a Planet Ocean from a few years ago with blue dial/bezel at 43.5mm, the Aqua Terra Goodplanet, also at 43.5mm, also the Speedmaster HB-SIA at 44.25mm.
Past that, I’m hoping that Longines will make the new Spirit Zulu GMT in Ti, as I think it would be an incredible travel watch.
Honestly my first high end watch was titanium (2-liner pelagos) and I have since also gotten the GS snowflake and Apple Watch ultra recently for a trio of titanium watches amongst my stainless steel. I wear the Bremont ALT1-ZT the most but after that I wear my titanium watches more than the others and I think it is a mix of the comfort and way titanium feels on the skin for me compared to steel. I just prefer the feel of titanium and I don’t even know how to describe how it feels different. It just feels better to me.
Love my titanium NTTD Seamaster with its lightness. Not discussed (although I might’ve missed it) was the quasi self healing aspect of titanium. Or at least it was advertised as such to me after scratches. Scratches do seem to ‘lighten’ after some time.
Most light scratches are in the oxidized layer that forms over the top of exposed Ti, that’s probably what was meant by that (and it’s true).
Heat show as always! Was able to buy the P39 from my AD, and I’m in love with this watch! Been wanting a titanium diver for a long time, and this is the ideal iteration! I would love for this to have a half link though. I currently wear it with three links, and it’s a little tight at times with the T-fit fully extended. And with four links and the T-fit all the way in its way too loose. But most of the time it’s fine. A half link would make it perfect, but it’s perfect enough as is!
Looking forward for the full story on the Pelagos!
I greatly like the titanium 5-link bracelet for my Scurfa Diver One Titanium Blue. It sized easily with pins and collars, but you do need to take care not to lose the tiny collars.
I'm a child of the space program's Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the SR-71 and has always been fascinated by titanium that used to be so extremely rare and difficult to machine.
I have a long-time desire for a titanium Seiko Shogun
If anyone is looking for an inexpensive titanium field watch to try out, Bertucci has a variety of quartz offerings from $150 to $450, 40-42-44mm, blasted and polished, three hands to GMT to Chronograph.
I didn't even know there was a Ti bracelet from Scurfa till this episode! Might have to pick one up for the MS21
I've been refreshing the Scurfa Ti page daily waiting for them to come back in stock - hopefully not too much longer. i
Looks like several colors are in stock, no?
There are now - they were just added I think. I ordered a few hours ago :)
Excellent
Love the titanium weight. Picked up a Scrurfa proto dial towards the beginning of the year, largely based on this show. Lives on a grey 328 rubber nato.
Nice episode. I love titanium. I'd like to see Omega (which already has a ton of SKUs) make it available across the line. It's good to see this material being used more widely.
Grand Seiko does a great job with titanium. They have quite a few models, especially some JDM only. I have the SLGA015 diver & SBGC005 chrono and enjoy them both.
Certina also makes a nice range of titanium watches at a reasonable price point with either mechanical or thermocompensated quartz movements.
Citizen makes several of their thermocompensated "The Citizen" models in titanium as well. These make for great daily wearers.
A little out of the TGN space is the Breguet Marine. This is a watch that's worth seeing in person. It is fantastic on the wrist. There are time/date, chrono, & alarm models. The intricacy of the case and bracelet finishing are on par with anything out there in Ti.
Another great episode. Enjoyed it a lot. Thank you. Titanium is very popular in recent watches and smartwatches. Just few episodes ago you guys were talking about another large titanium product - Apple Watch Ultra. That was too considered massive compared to regular Apple Watch.
We will see how people feel about the new Deepsea Challenge after we see it in the flesh. It’s big watch no argument there. But we thought current Deepsea was big for daily wear. I beg to disagree with that thinking :-).
Thanks. Very much appreciate the input.
Leaning towards the Tacoma or 4 Runner. Don’t need a Tundra and the Land Cruisers, though excellent, are crazy dollars
My ‘16 4Runner has been perfect for over 100k now. And not difficult to perform all the maintenance on also.