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Titanium Watches / Hypoallergenic Watches

ti·ta·ni·um
noun

Symbol  Ti

a "space age", hypoallergenic metal, often with a silvery-gray appearance.  Because it is 30 percent stronger and nearly 50 percent lighter than steel it has been increasingly used in watch making, especially in sport watch styles. Its resistance to salt water corrosion makes it particularly useful in diver's watches.  Since titanium can be scratched fairly easily, some manufacturers use a patented coating.

hy·po·al·ler·gen·ic
adjective

1. A term invented in 1953, by advertisers, to aid a cosmetics campaign. 

2. Having little likelihood or decreased tendency to cause an allergic response or allergic reaction.

If you have sensitive skin or allergies, I'm sure you're familiar with the itching, scratching and rashes involved with wearing jewelry and wristwatches containing nickel.  Even the smallest amounts of nickel can trigger a bothersome allergic reaction.  Nickel can be found in various grades of gold and in the production of less-expensive wrist watches and jewelry (thus, the increasing demand for "white metal" accessories).

Today, white metal jewelry and watches (such as stainless steel, platinum and Titanium) are extremely popular.  The trend in white metal accessories has especially created a rising demand for titanium.  Although not as available as steel or platinum, titanium is largely becoming the metal of choice for horologists with allergies and civilians alike (not to mention its cosmetic allure and pure originality).

So what is titanium and why is it the so-called “space-age metal”?
Titanium is a metallic element found in the earth's crust.  This element appears as a bright, lustrous mineral or dark-gray to silver-gray powder.  The compounds of titanium are found in nearly all igneous rocks and igneous rock sand deposits.  Titanium was discovered in 1791 England, by Reverend William Gregor.  He recognized the presence of a new element in ilmenite and named it menachite.  Around the same time, Franz Joseph Muller also produced a similar substance, but couldn’t identify it.  Several years later, this element was independently re-discovered in rutile ore, by German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth.  Klaproth confirmed it as a new element and in 1795 he named it “Titanium”

“Titanium” comes from the Latin word “Titans”.  According to Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities that ruled during the legendary “Golden Age”.  They were a race of giants who, ultimately, were overthrown by the Olympian gods.  At their first appearance, there were twelve Titans.  The twelve first-generation Titans were led by the youngest, Cronus, whom overthrew his father, Uranus (Latinized form of “Ouranos”, Greek name of the sky), at the urgings of their mother, Gaia (known as "Earth" or “Mother Earth”).  Because of the association with great size and strength, the word “titan” has been used to describe things of similar value, such as the “Titanic ocean liner”, things of “titanic proportion” and of course “titanium”.

As far as the “space-age metal” term is concerned, its roots go back to the mid 70’s.  At that time, the amount of titanium NOT being used in the aerospace (air and space travel) industry, measured LESS than 15%!  This means that 85% of all titanium production was devoted, entirely, to aerospace industrial applications.

Why were the aerospace and commercial industries demanding so much titanium?
Because of its unique properties, that’s why.  Quite simply, titanium is strong and light.  Titanium is 30% stronger and half as dense as steel.  Additionally, titanium has excellent strength retention up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and superior immunity to atmospheric corrosion.  Titanium forms a resistant oxide film, when exposed to the atmosphere, that is resilient to salt water corrosion and other harmful elements that other metals simply won’t stand up to.  It was the ideal choice for the construction of jet plane engines and frames, space craft and rockets.  As far as military applications, the uses seemed endless.

Ever since the 1970’s, the price of titanium has dropped and its applications have vastly broadened.  The most popular of these applications is a compound known as titanium dioxide.  Titanium dioxide is common in the production of paint pigment, plastics, glass, paper and ceramics.  An interesting gemological fact, regarding titanium dioxide, is that the “stars" in star rubies and sapphires are due to the presence of titanium dioxide.  The United States Navy and civilian shipbuilders utilize titanium for its superior resistance to salt water.  It’s essential in the manufacturing of submarines, nautical propellers, propeller shafts and other element-exposed parts.

Why would I want a titanium wrist watch?

1. Because titanium is terrestrial (an inhabitant of the Earth), it is recyclable!

2. Because of titanium's unique resiliency to the elements to resist corrosion.  Wearing one for salt water diving, fresh water diving and sports activities is recommended.  Even normal, everyday wristwatch wearing will lead to salt exposure, through perspiration.

3. Because titanium is stronger and denser than steel.  A titanium wrist watch case and bracelet has the ability to outlast its interior quartz and/or analog components.

4. Because titanium is hypoallergenic.  It contains no nickel.

5. Because titanium watches are, particularly, quite comfortable.  As mentioned earlier, they are surprisingly light-on-the-wrist, due to their atomic mass.  Compared to a steel watch, there is a notable difference.

Are there any disadvantages with titanium?
In our opinion, only two.  The fist is that titanium can easily be stained or scratched.  To compensate for this, some wristwatch manufacturers offer a scratch-resistant coating.  This coating not only resists scratches, but also stains.  Look for this feature before purchasing a titanium watch.  If you are unsure about a particular watch’s coating, go to the manufacturer’s homepage.

The second is that titanium is more costly than steel.  Due to the strength and hardness of titanium, the machinery, machinery parts and tools used to work with titanium have to be well-maintained and replaced on a regular basis and although titanium is not a precious metal (such as platinum or gold) the amount of precision work, cost of titanium-cutting, drilling, sanding and polishing machinery and the expertise involved in titanium crafting is what makes titanium products a valuable and highly sought after commodity.

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