Titanium has recently come into its prime as a popular watchmaking material. This year’s Watches and Wonders event saw multiple haute horological brands dabble in the metal for the first time in history. The sheet number of new titanium watches might be overwhelming but here’s our guide to the best titanium watches you can buy.
Before kicking things off, the boom in titanium’s popularity is down to several factors. Firstly, it’s an incredible material with properties watchmakers covet such as corrosion resistance, durability and being lightweight. Secondly, its naturally dark grey colour offers a contrast to some of the brighter colours watchmakers are using, making for a more pleasing visual design. Lastly, and perhaps more cynically, titanium is more available than ever before, especially compared to steel following major supply issues. All of which means titanium is the material of the moment.
Price Range
Under £1,000
Oceaneva Deep Marine Explorer II 1250m Titanium
What makes the Deep Marine Explorer II a great watch regardless of the material it’s produced in is its value for money. This is a watch with 1,250m water resistance for less than £500. In titanium that value skyrockets thanks to the increased scratch resistance and lightweight properties keeping it in pristine condition and making it comfortable on land or water.
Ref: 226627
Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 14.8mm thickness, titanium case, 16 coloured dials to choose from
Water resistance: 1,250m (125 bar)
Movement: Sellita calibre SW200-1 automatic, 26 jewels, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 38h power reserve, 38 jewels
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: $549.99 (approx. £450)
Citizen ‘Tsuki-Yomi’ Radio-Controlled Moonphase
The case of the Citizen Tsuki-Yomi is 43mm in diameter and made from Citizen’s Super Titanium material, which is titanium that has undergone a Duratect surface-hardening treatment. It has a round design with a gentle sloping bezel and facetted lugs. At 43mm it’s obviously pretty large but that’s offset by the light weight of the titanium. It features a light powered analogue moonphase regulated by atomic timekeeping, a new moonphase eco-drive movement.
Ref: BY1010-57H
Case/dial: 43mm diameter x 10.9mm thickness, titanium case, silver dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Citizen calibre H875, quartz movement
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: £595
Arken Alterum
The Arken Alterum is the next generation of the Instrumentum tool watch. A rugged, durable timepiece that can weather the bumps and knocks of daily life without any trouble. To that end, the case is made from titanium, a light weight and highly corrosion resistant material. It adds up to a titanium watch with a compact thickness of 13mm, a diameter of 40mm and 200m water resistance all for under £600.
Case/dial: 40mm diameter x 13mm thickness, titanium case, black dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Arken calibre ARK-9015DT (base: Miyota 9015), automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 42h power reserve, 24 jewels
Strap: Nylon
Price: £599.99
£1,000 – £5,000
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto 42mm
Hamilton may just be one of the best value for money watchmakers operating today. Their Khaki Field collection in particular is chock full of excellent timepieces for accessible prices. This is the Khaki Field Titanium Auto in blue. It has a 42mm diameter case in lightweight titanium and houses the H10 calibre, which has an 80-hour power reserve. There’s also a smaller version at 39mm.
Ref: H70545140
Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 11.45mm thickness, titanium case, blue dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Hamilton calibre H-10 (base: ETA C07.611), automatic, 80h power reserve
Strap: Titanium bracelet with folding clasp
Price: £1,140
Christopher Ward The Twelve (Ti)
Christopher Ward’s The Twelve was one of the watches of the summer, bringing integrated sports watch vibes to the British brand for the first time. That aesthetic is heightened even further by The Twelve Ti edition reimagining it in titanium with a gradient fumé dial across its intricately textured dial. It’s powered by the Sellita SW300-1 with COSC certification.
Ref: C12-40ADC1-T00P0-B0
Case/dial: 40mm diameter x 8.95mm thickness, titanium case, nebula purple dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Sellita calibre SW300-1, automatic, COSC-certified, 25 jewels, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 56h power reserve
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: £1,595
Farer Chronograph Sport Bernina Titanium
The new Farer Chronosport is made from grade 2 titanium and measures 41mm in diameter with a thickness of 12.9mm. It has a sweeping curved shape from lug to lug, which is enhanced by the brushed finishing that draws the eye along its contours. Completing the design is a bezel on top of the case with a smooth edge and a ceramic tachymeter scale. It makes for a really sporty watch that’s 20% lighter than its steel counterparts, as well as more scratch and corrosion resistant.
Case/dial: 41mm diameter x 12.9mm thickness, titanium case, metallic bronze sunray or matte off-white dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Sellita calibre SW510M b, manual winding, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 72h power reserve, 23 jewels
Strap: Blue leather with stainless steel buckle fastening
Price: £1,775
Oris Pro Pilot x Calibre 400 Kermit Edition
The Pro Pilot X is Oris’ engineering inspired pilot’s watch. It takes design cues from the aeroplanes that pilots fly in, not the pilots themselves. As such, the use of titanium is an inspired choice as it’s a material that sees frequent use in aeronautics due to its corrosion resistance and light weight properties. This one is in partnership with the Muppets and Kermit.
Ref: 01 400 7778 7157-Set
Case/dial: 39mm diameter, titanium case, green dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Oris calibre 400, in-house, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 120h power reserve, 21 jewels
Strap: Titanium bracelet with folding clasp
Price: £3,200
Ball Engineer DeepQuest II Ceramic
Despite the case measuring a svelte 42mm, the oversized bezel, crown and crownguard make the DeepQuest feel a damn sight bigger on the wrist. That said, the metal’s not nearly as heavy as it looks, given the entire case is made from titanium and half the bracelet joins it in the lightweight metal. In fact, if you can get over the oversized elements, it’s far more comfortable on the wrist than you might expect.
Ref: DM3002A-S4CJ-GR
Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 15.5mm thickness, titanium case, green dial
Water resistance: 1,000m (100 bar)
Movement: Ball calibre RR1101-C (base: ETA 2892-A2), automatic, COSC-certified
Strap: Titanium and stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle or rubber strap
Price: £3,305 (bracelet) and £3,210 (rubber strap)
Tudor Pelagos FXD Black
The Tudor Pelagos FXD reignited the watchmaker’s historic partnership with Marine Nationale, the French navy. However, this latest edition is dedicated to the US Navy and as such it’s a blend of Tudor style and military practicality. The dial is standard Tudor fare, with the brand’s signature Snowflake hour hand, in matte black matching the bezel. It’s a nice fit with the titanium case and makes for the pared-back look of an instrument.
Ref: m25717n-0001
Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 12.75mm thickess, titanium case, black dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: In-house calibre MT5602, automatic, COSC-certified, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 70h power reserve, 25 jewels
Strap: Forsest green NATO with red central thread
Price: £3,490
£5,000 – £20,000
Zenith Defy Revival Dark Shadow
Zenith’s Defy Revival Dark Shadow pays homage to the 1969 original except that instead of a steel case it has a titanium one. The case has that signature dark grey colouration that’s achieved through microblasting, giving it a cool tone. That dark tone is matched by the black dial, below which is housed the ELITE 670 Automatic movement.
Ref: 97.A3642.670/21.M3642
Case/dial: 37mm diameter x 13.6mm thickness, titanium case, black dial
Water resistance: 30m (3 bar)
Movement: Zenith calibre Elite, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 50h power reserve, 27 jewels, 144 parts
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: £6,600
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-Amg Petronas Formula One Team”
Fortunately for the name, the watch speaks for itself. In keeping with the racing theme, the Pilot’s watch has been given a titanium overhaul, lightweight and strong, sandblasted to the materials signature matte grey. It suits it, for sure, enough that I’m glad they went this way than the watchmaker’s current fixation, ceramic.
Ref: IW388108
Case/dial: 41mm diameter x 14.6mm thickness, titanium case, black dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: IWC calibre 69385, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 46h power reserve, 33 jewels, 242 parts
Strap: Green rubber with additional black embossed calfskin strap
Price: £7,350
Tag Heuer Monaco Night Driver
To achieve the suitably dark appearance of the “Night Driver”, the 39mm diameter square case is made of DLC coated titanium. If you want a Monaco with exposed titanium, you’ll want to look at the Tag Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition. However, the new watch combines the DLC case with large portions of lume across the dial to create a slick, luminescent display for cruising down the freeway at night.
Ref: CBL2181.FC6515
Case/dial: 39mm diameter, black DLC coated titanium case, full lume dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Tag Heuer calibre 02, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 80h power reserve
Strap: Black leather with folding clasp
Price: £8,300
Omega Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Titanium
While the Omega Planet Ocean is better known for introducing the world to O-MEGASTEEL, there’s a titanium edition as well. It has that classic slate-like grey colour of the metal and its dial and bezel match. The bezel has a unidirectional rotation with 60-minute diving scale, as you’d expect. Style wise, the watch’s darker tones are paired with bright blue numerals and a gradient blue seconds hand.
Ref: 215.32.46.21.03.001
Case/dial: 45.5mm diameter x 18.12mm height, titanium case, gradient black dial
Water resistance: 6,000m (600 bar)
Movement: Omega calibre 8912, automatic, 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz) frequency, 60h power reserve, 39 jewels
Strap: Nylon NATO fabric
Price: £11,600
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium
A titanium Yacht-Master makes a lot of sense, combining lightness and strength with corrosion resistant properties. All of which are desirable traits in a large, 42mm diameter, aquatic-themed watch. Additionally, the darker tone of the metal suits the black dial and matching Cerachrom bezel. In total, the use of titanium makes this watch about one third lighter than an equivalent watch in steel – that’s going to make a big difference across a full day.
Ref: 226627
Case/dial: 42mm diameter, RLX titanium case, intense black dial with bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel with matte black Cerachrom insert in ceramic, polished raised numerals and graduations, Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Rolex calibre 3235, automatic, in-house, COSC-certified, 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency, 72h power reserve, 31 jewels
Strap: Titanium bracelet with folding Oysterlock safety clasp and Easylink 5mm comfort extension link
Price: £11,800
Grand Seiko ‘Tentagraph’ Hi Beat Automatic Chronograph
Grand Seiko’s Tentagraph is an interesting beast. It has a 43.2mm diameter titanium case, but that’s less important than the movement housed inside. It’s the 9SC5 automatic chronograph movement with a three-day power reserve and a frequency of ten beats per second or 36,000vph. If you take some of the letters from those specs – TEN beats, Three days, Automatic chronoGRAPH – you get the name Tentagraph.
Ref: SLGC001
Case/dial: 43.2mm diameter x 15.7mm thickness, titanium case, blue dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Grand Seiko calibre 9SC5, automatic, 36,000 vph (5 Hz) frequency, 72h power reserve, 60 jewels
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: £12,500
Panerai Submersible Chrono Flyback Mike Horn
As with most Panerai Submersibles, the first thing you notice is the size of the case. It has a whopping 47mm diameter, emphasised further by the classic Panerai crown guard. For this special edition the case is made from brushed titanium, which does help to keep the weight down but it’s still a fair old chunk of metal. It’s a classic material and look for the Submersible.
Ref: PAM01291
Case/dial: 47mm diameter, brushed titanium case, blue dial
Water resistance: 300m (30 bar)
Movement: Panerai calibreb P.9100, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 72h power reserve, 37 jewels, 302 parts
Strap: Blue rubber
Price: £17,900, limited to 500 pieces
Hublot Big Bang Integrated Chronograph
When it comes to bombastic design, no watchmaker can compare to Hublot. The Big Bang Integrated Chronograph in titanium is the perfect example of that. A combination of street watch styling, high performance metal and an impressive calibre makes for a watch that you can imagine a regular collector purchasing – not just a footballer.
Ref: 451.NX.1170.NX
Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 13.45mm thickness, titanium case, skeletonised dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Hublot calibre HUB1280 UNICO, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 72h power reserve
Strap: Titanium bracelet with matching deployant buckle clasp
Price: £19,000
£20,000+
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days
Bulgari are well known for making ultra thin watches and titanium is an integral part of how they keep breaking records. The lightweight and durable properties make it ideal for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in watchmaking. This is the Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days, which combines the astonishing feat of its thinness with an incredible 192-hour power reserve. Plus, the skeleton display reveals all the mechanical secrets housed inside
Ref: 103610
Case/dial: 40mm diameter x 5.95mm thickness, sandblasted titanium case, skeletonised dial
Water resistance: 30m (3 bar)
Movement: Bulgari BVL199 SK, manual winding, 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency, 8 days (192h) power reserve
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: £24,600
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 2 Tech Gombessa
Titanium is a great material for dive watches like the Fifty Fathoms because it won’t show signs of wear after taking dips in the ocean. However, it can be a hard material to make look good as it tends to keep a relatively dull colour whatever you do, but with the Fifty Fathom’s tool watch vibe that works perfectly. Especially as the Tech Gombessa edition is designed for practical scientific research underwater.
Ref: 5019 12B30 64A
Case/dial: 47mm diameter x 14.81mm thickness, titanium case, black dial
Water resistance: 300m (30 bar)
Movement: Blancpain calibre 13P8, automatic, 35 jewels, 204 parts
Strap: Rubber with pin buckle
Price: £24,700
Holthinrichs Deconstructed
Holthinrichs use cutting edge 3D printing to create their watches and the Deconstructed is no different. The case, bracelet and dial are all produced with 3D printed titanium, a first for the brand. It measures 38.5mm and the incredible strength of titanium has allowed them to re-evaluate the individual aspects of the watch in unexpected styles. That’s particularly evident on the Deconstructed’s lugs, which are skeletonised and exceptionally thin. They’re attached to the case by the slimmest of connections, creating the illusion that the lugs are levitating next to the case.
Case/dial: 38.5mm diameter x 6.95mm thickness, skeletonised 3D printed titanium with contrasting raw and brushed finish, skeletonised dial
Movement: Holthinrichs calibre HW-M01, manual movement, in-house
Strap: Integrated rubber DECON with 3D printed Holthinrichs buckle or 3D printed titanium deconstructed bracelet with quick release system
Price: €35,000 (ex. VAT) (approx. £31,600), limited to 20 pieces
Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto
Laurent Ferrier’s Sport Auto uses the watchmaker’s sportiest case, taken from the 2020 Grand Sport Tourbillon but reimagined in high quality titanium instead of steel. The change in materials makes it noticeably lighter on the wrist, which is further emphasised by the watch’s slimmer proportions measuring 41.5mm in diameter as opposed to 44mm. However, while it’s lighter and smaller, it’s also more robust with 120m water resistance increased from 100m.
Ref: LCF040.T1.V1GCO
Case/dial: 41.5mm diameter x 12.7mm height, titanium case, gradient shades of green dial with an opaline finish
Water resistance: 120m (12 bar)
Movement: Laurent Ferrier calibre 270.01, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 72h power reserve, 31 jewels, 215 parts
Strap: Titanium bracelet with triple folding clasp
Price: CHF 51,000 (excl. taxes) (approx. £46,000)
A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Titanium
The Odysseus Titanium Ref. 363.117’s design follows closely in the footsteps of its predecessors. The case has a 40.5mm diameter with a height 11.1mm with prominent tapered buttons, except that, of course, it’s made from titanium. It’s a natural fit for a sports watch and has also been used for the sporty bracelet. It’s worth bearing in mind that some collectors prefer the extra heft of steel as the extreme light weight can mean a slightly ‘cheaper feel’.
Ref: 363.117
Case/dial: 40.5mm diameter x 11.1mm thickness, titanium case, grey dial
Water resistance: 120m (12 bar)
Movement: A. Lange & Söhne calibre L155.1, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 50h power reserve, 31 jewels, 312 parts
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: Price on request, boutique exclusive, limited to 250 pieces
Cyrus Klepcys DICE
The Cyrus Klepcys DICE is a double independent chronograph and all that chronographic goodness is contained within the Klepcys’ signature cushion case, measuring 42mm in diameter. It’s available in polished titanium or with a black DLC coating, which really makes the red and blue of the hands pop. Both sides are adorned with one of the twin monopusher crowns that control the two chronograph hands.
Ref: 539.508.TCM.B
Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 16.5mm height, polished titanium case, 3D open-worked dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Calibre CYR718 developed by Jean-François Mojon, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 60h power reserve, 51 jewels, 443 parts
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: Price on request, limited edition of 50 pieces
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Titanium
Vacheron Constantin has toyed with going full titanium before, but in addition to the super lightweight material they have always used complimentary steel components, such as in the Overseas Everest. However, for the Overseas Tourbillon Ref. 6000V/110T-B935 it’s titanium all the way, from the crown to the bezel to the case to the bracelet.
Ref: 6000V/110T-B935
Case/dial: 42.5mm diameter x 10.39mm height, titanium case, skeletonised dial
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: Vacheron Constantin calibre 2160 SQ, automatic, 18,000 vph (3 Hz) frequency, 80h power reserve, 30 jewels, 186 parts
Strap: Titanium bracelet with interchangeable strap system, plus two additional straps in black or blue calfskin and rubber
Price: Price on request
Audemers Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin 16202XT
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin 16202XT is a bi-material timepiece featuring titanium as its main base and Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG) as a shiny adornment for the bezel and bracelet links. The different finishes and lustres of the two materials makes for some striking contrast and highlights the iconic areas of the Royal Oak, particularly the octagonal bezel. The dial is lovely too with a red fumé gradient.
Case/dial: 39mm diameter x 8.1mm thickness, titanium case, mirror polished metallic glass bezel, smoked burgundy dial
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: Audemars Piguet calibre 7121, automatic, 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency, 55h power reserve, 33 jewels, 268 parts
Strap: Titanium bracelet
Price: Price on request
Greubel Forsey Double Balancier Convexe
Proportionally, the Balancier Convexe has a large diameter of 46.5mm and a sweeping, ergonomic shape which gives the watch the “convexe” part of its name. It’s a super outlandish shape that no one else is doing and requires extremely precise manufacturing, especially of the curved sapphire crystal. The fact it’s made from titanium and has 100m water resistance is admirable because most pieces of haute horology don’t put much emphasis on being robust.
Case/dial: 43.5mm diameter x 13.75mm thickness, titanium case, three-dimensional dial with variable geometry hour-ring with engraved and lacquered minute-circle with black treatment
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: In-house manual winding movement, 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency, 72h power reserve, 50 jewels, 374 parts
Strap: Rubber or titanium bracelet
Price: $385,000 USD (approx. £317,584), limited to 66 pieces from 2022 – 2024
Oracle Time