Watch enthusiasts are increasingly gravitating towards titanium watches. It’s not difficult to understand why either. This low density, high strength transitional metal is hypoallergenic, antimagnetic, corrosion resistant, and 40% lighter than traditional stainless steel. This change in watch collecting trends is something that a growing number of brands are supporting with unique titanium watch releases that span all spectrums of affordability.
Jump To:
- Bertucci A-2T Original Classic
- Skagen Melbye Titanium
- Timex Expedition North Titanium Automatic
- Phoibos Apollo Titanium 300m
- Seiko SUR375
- Casio Oceanus OCW-T150-1AJF
- Citizen Promaster Diver Automatic Titanium
- Tissot Gentleman Titanium
- Victorinox I.N.O.X 241883
- Seiko SARX055 “Baby Snowflake”
- Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto
- Mido Ocean Star 200 Titanium
- Longines Spirit 40mm in Titanium
- Longines Avigation Big Eye L2.816.1.93.2
- Tudor Pelagos
- Grand Seiko SBGA211 “Snowflake”
- Zenith Defy Classic
However, titanium is more prone to scratches than steel and with its comparatively duller color (it’s more of a matte-like finish) abrasions have nowhere to hide. But as with all aspects of watch collecting, there are trade-offs and value propositions. That said, we can navigate and balance these trade-offs by digging into the most popular titanium watches that are currently being offered today. Let’s explore the selection below and see what makes these timepieces special.
Bertucci A-2T Original Classic
| Case Size: | 40mm x 49.5mm x 11mm |
| Movement: | Miyota GM10 |
| Battery Life: | 3 Years |
| Accuracy: | -20/+20 seconds per month |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | No/Yes |
| Price Range: | $155 |
| Weight: | 62 grams |
Kicking off the list with a price tag of only $155 is the Bertucci A-2T Original Classic. Packed full of impressive specs, this watch sets a high bar for affordable titanium. Not only is it the least expensive on our list, at only 62 grams, it’s also the lightest! That is less than half of what an SKX on a bracelet weighs!
Staying true to its name, the Bertucci classic has everything a classic field watch should. Its reliable, comfortable and legible. And, thanks to a screw down crown, it boasts 200 meters of water resistance. This watch is a solid choice for anyone considering a titanium quartz field watch from a brand with a reputation for delivering strong value for the money.
Skagen Melbye Titanium
| Case Size: | 40mm x 45mm x 7.65mm |
| Movement: | Miyota GM00 |
| Battery Life: | 3 Years |
| Accuracy: | -20/+20 seconds per month |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | No/Yes |
| Price Range: | $185 |
| Weight: | 78 grams |
Skagen, a subsidiary of Fossil, produces modern, minimalist watches. They aren’t often found on top ten lists… but the Melbye is on a mission to change that.
The Skegen Melbye should be considered by anyone looking for a simplistic three handed day-day watch. Featuring an impressively thin case at only 7.65 mm, it’s an elegant watch that looks like it should cost more than the $185 MSPP. My screen is bombarded with coupons and discounts every time I look at one, so you likely will be paying even less.
With 50 meters of water resistance and a mineral crystal, the Melbye isn’t going to be your go-anywhere-do-anything choice. But it’s a great fashion forward option to experience titanium without breaking the bank, especially if you consider how versatile the wristwatch can be on a leather strap.
Timex Expedition North Titanium Automatic
| Case Size: | 41mm x 50mm x 12.5mm |
| Movement: | Miyota 8215 |
| Power Reserve: | 42 hours |
| Accuracy: | -20/+40 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $349 |
| Weight: | 63 grams |
Timex, the king of accessibly priced watches, entered the titanium watchmaking arena with the Expedition North in 2022. And they came out swinging!
At $359 this automatic field watch is more expensive than the average Timex. But a quick look at the specs will quell any price concerns. The bead blasted case looks like it can take a beating. And, because this watch features shock resistance, a sapphire crystal, and a screw down crown enabling 200 meters of water resistance, it can! The textured dial completes the rugged look of this knock out wristwatch.
It’s rugged. It’s reliable. It’s light. The Timex Expedition North leaves nothing to be desired, and much to be loved.
Phoibos Apollo Titanium 300m
| Case Size: | 41mm x 48mm x 12.5mm |
| Movement: | Miyota 9015 (Automatic Movement) |
| Power Reserve: | 42 hours |
| Accuracy: | -10/+30 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $550 |
If you’re into microbrands, Phoibos should be on your radar. If you’re not… Phoibos should STILL be on your radar.
Established in 2016, Phoibos has spent the last few years perfecting the art of making watches with a distinct brand DNA, an impressive feat for a young brand. The Apollo, with its discernible logo, funky hand set and textured dial, continues that trend.
The Apollo sets itself above (or more accurately- below) countless other dive watches on the market by offering 300 meters of water resistance. Factor in the titanium case and unique design, and this one-of-a-kind diver is a no brainer.
Seiko SUR375
| Case Size: | 40.2mm x 47mm x 8.4mm |
| Movement: | 6N52 (Quartz Movement) |
| Battery Life: | 3 Years |
| Accuracy: | -20/+20 seconds per month |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | No/Yes |
| Price Range: | $330 |
| Weight: | 113 grams |
No matter the category, Seiko often delivers the best value for the money. If you’re in the market for a quartz watch with a titanium case, look no further than the Seiko SUR375.
On paper, it’s a titanium watch, with a titanium bracelet featuring 100 meters of water resistance and a sapphire crystal for under $300. And yes, you read those specs right. The SUR376 is only 8.4mm thick.
On the wrist, it’s an everyday grab and go watch that looks like a dress watch, takes a beating like a sport watch, and wears like a feather. The SUR375 makes it easy to be broke, snobby and to look good doing it.
Casio Oceanus OCW-T150-1AJF
| Case Size: | 41.3mm x 45.8mm x 10mm |
| Movement: | Tough Solar |
| Battery Life: | 29 Months |
| Accuracy: | Atomic Time |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | No/Yes |
| Price Range: | $450 – $500 |
| Weight: | 88 grams |
It might sound crazy to spend $500 on Casio, a brand known for making budget resin watches. But after digging into the specs of the Oceanus, you’d be hard pressed to find a better way to spend that kind of cash. A quick Google search for world timers makes this watch look like a bargain.
From the finishing on the titanium bracelet and case to the shock resistant tough movement technology, everything about this watch is premium and designed to provide a luxury experience. The impeccable attention is evident in the tool-less quick adjust clasp, a scratch resistant case, and radio reception accuracy.
Citizen Promaster Diver Automatic Titanium
| Case Size: | 41mm x 50mm x 12.3mm |
| Movement: | Miyota 9051 (Automatic Movement) |
| Power Reserve | 42 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -10/+20 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $795 – $995 |
| Weight: | 70 grams on rubber and 101 grams on bracelet |
The Promaster doesn’t get enough love as a budget friendly, spec-heavy dive watch. We are spoiled for choice, and Citizen is all too often considered an alternative to Seiko.
The titanium Citizen Promaster Diver makes a strong case for being a first-round pick. This often-overlooked diver has everything you want: wearable (although chunky) dimensions, impressive finishing for the price, and the right specs and materials to give you peace of mind. Plus, this tool watch features Citizen’s proprietary Super Titanium, which greatly enhances the weight and hardness properties of traditional titanium.
With the eco-drive technology, you can actually set it and forget it. Even if you left this in a drawer, it would keep ticking away for up to a year! But at only 109 grams, you’re more likely to forget it’s on your wrist than forget it in a drawer.
Tissot Gentleman Titanium
| Case Size: | 40mm x 40mm x 8.5mm |
| Movement: | ETA F06.115 (Quartz Movement) |
| Battery Life: | 5 Years |
| Accuracy: | -0.3 / +0.5 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | No/Yes |
| Price Range: | $525 |
| Weight: | 90 grams |
Take everything I say here with a grain of salt, because the Tissot Gentlemen was my first watch crush. It caught my eye while on a hunt for my first “real” wristwatch, and I spent weeks lusting over pictures of its simple dial layout, sporty specs (100 meters of water resistance) and overall refined aesthetic. Years later, it’s these same qualities that keep me coming back to the Tissot Gentlemen.
You’ll have a hard time finding a Swiss watch of this quality on a titanium bracelet for a lower price. Powered by a quartz movement and featuring a domed sapphire crystal protecting a sunburst dial (offered in either grey of blue dial options) with applied indices, the titanium Tissot Gentlemen is an ideal everyday watch for an active life.
Victorinox I.N.O.X 241883
| Case Size: | 43mm x 53mm x 13.6mm |
| Movement: | Ronda 715 (Quartz Movement) |
| Battery Life: | 5 Years |
| Accuracy: | -10/+10 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | No/Yes |
| Price Range: | $695 |
| Weight: | 92 grams |
The Victorinox I.N.O.X 241883 is equivalent to that cliché movie scene of a rugged outlaw barging into a bar. It turns heads and commands respect.
Unlike the many polished titanium cases on this list, the Victorinox owns its naturally rugged appearance by featuring a sandblasted finish. The reserved aesthetic is completed with a black dial and sparingly used red accents on the inner 24-hour track. Reminiscent of the knives produced by Victorinox, the I.N.O.X. looks utilitarian, because it is.
This watch has a lengthy lug to lug distance of 53mm. Combined with the 43mm diameter and generously sized crown guards, chunky fixed bezel, the I.N.O.X. wears BIG. But you want a watch with a strong wrist presence without the heft of steel, it might just be the perfect watch for you!
Seiko SARX055 “Baby Snowflake”
| Case Size: | 41mm x 46mm x 11.5mm |
| Movement: | Seiko 6R15 (Automatic Movement) |
| Power Reserve: | 50 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -15/+25 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $800 – $925 |
| Weight: | 106 grams |
The SARX055 gained the nickname of “Baby Snowflake” due to it’s design resemblance to the Grand Seiko “Snowflake” (which we’ll discuss later). This release is part of the Presage line within Seiko, which generally represents a higher level of design, craftsmanship, and material usage. In this case, the titanium case and bracelet represent a material that Seiko doesn’t often experiment with. However, it’s execution here is done quite well.
With it’s combination of satin and polished finished in conjunction with titanium’s natural lightness, the SARX055 presents itself as something that expresses traditional aesthetics with some personality flair but in an overall package that’s wearable, durable, and reliable.
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto
| Case Size: | 42mm x 52mm x 11.4mm |
| Movement: | Hamilton H-10 (Automatic Movement) |
| Power Reserve: | 80 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -10/+10 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $945 – $995 |
| Weight: | 64 grams |
The Swatch Group is a massive conglomerate and a powerhouse in the watch industry. With brands from Flik Flak to Breguet, they cover the entire spectrum of pricing and style. The next three watches on this list are from brands within the Swatch Group umbrella. Aided by their access to reliable ETA movements, each of these watches offers strong value to accompany their unique designs and impressive specs. Which leads me to the titanium Hamilton Khaki Field…
Popular for its historical significance, classic design and the specs to back it up, this automatic field watch has long been considered the best value Swiss field watch on the market. As of 2022, you can now scratch that titanium itch with one of the industry’s most loved watches. It’s also available in a 38mm diameter version in case you were interested in a smaller titanium watch with this same design.
Mido Ocean Star 200 Titanium
| Case Size: | 42.5mm x 48.7mm x 11.8mm |
| Movement: | ETA 2836-2 (Automatic Movement) |
| Power Reserve: | 80 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -/+12 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $1050 – $1250 |
| Weight: | 123 grams |
MIDO is one of the watch brands that’s positioned in the entry middle tier of the Swatch Group conglomerate. Powered by a workhorse ETA movement, the Ocean Star is one of the most reliable Swiss Diver watches out there. And, when looking at automatic titanium options in this price range, it is unrivaled.
In addition to the impressive specs one would expect from a Swiss timepiece (such as 200 meters of water resistance and a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating), the Ocean Star features an 80-hour power reserve! That’s an impressive technical achievement, and a convenient feature if you’ve got a collection of watches in rotation.
Longines Spirit 40mm in Titanium
| Case Size: | 40mm x 49.6mm x 12.2mm |
| Movement: | Longines L888.4 (Automatic Movement) |
| Power Reserve: | 72 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -/+20 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $2750 – $3100 |
| Weight: | 94 grams |
The Longines Spirit is a chronometer certified aviation inspired pilot’s watch that debuted in 2020 and has been impressing watch-lovers ever since with its grade 5 titanium case, clutter-free high contrast dial, and respectable water resistance.
The Spirit comes in both stainless steel and titanium. While far from inexpensive, the value proposition of the Spirit is strong. Both options are equally attractive on the wrist, but the titanium version on the bracelet is a whopping 50 grams lighter! Is the saved weight worth the price difference of $850? That’s up for you to decide.
If you’re looking for more wrist presence but still want the benefits of titanium, the Spirit also comes in 42mm.
Longines Avigation BigEye L2.816.1.93.2
| Case Size: | 41mm x 50mm x 14.5mm |
| Movement: | Longines L888.4 (Automatic Movement) |
| Power Reserve: | 66 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -5/+10 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $3850 |
| Weight: | 77.3 grams |
The Avigation collection within Longines’ catalog is mean to honor the Swiss watch brand’s closely tied history with aviation. While many of the collections span 3 handers, 24 hour dials, and small seconds, the BigEye Chronograph is one of the most recognizable iterations in the collection. None more so possible than the BigEye Chronograph in titanium.
With it’s striking faded-in blue dial, aged-lume markers, and iconic 30 minute totalizer at 3 o’clock, the Longines BigEye offers a strong coalescence between vintage inspired design as well as an appreciate for modern, higher tolerance materials (specifically here in the form of Titanium). Tacticle pushers, an incredibly wearable case size, and a reliable movement make this a very strong prospect for those on the hunt for a titanium timepiece.
Tudor Pelagos
| Case Size: | 42mm x 50mm x 14.3mm |
| Movement: | Tudor MT5612 (Automatic Movement) |
| Power Reserve: | 70 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -4/+6 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $4925 |
| Weight: | 107 grams |
As we ascend to higher MSRP territory, the titanium stops being the star of the show and becomes just another selling point of a meticulously executed timepiece. The titanium Tudor Pelagos embodies this well. With 500 meters of water resistance and a helium escape valve, the well finished titanium case is the most practical element of this chronometer certified dive watch.
Tudor has long been jokingly referred to as the poor man’s Rolex. With a $5000 price tag, this broke watch snob isn’t sure that applies anymore. But, in the world of high-end Swiss automatic watches, Tudor offers strong value and is actually available for purchase unlike some of its counterparts. If you’re looking for a Swiss diver that wears light on the wrist and has arguably better finishing than a Rolex Submariner, then the titanium Tudor Pelagos is for you.
Grand Seiko SBGA211 (Snowflake)
| Case Size: | 41mm x 49mm x 12.5mm |
| Movement: | 9R65 (Spring Drive) |
| Power Reserve: | 72 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -/+1 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $6200 |
| Weight: | 100 grams |
Titanium tends to have a muted appearance, but if any brand can bring out the bling, its Grand Seiko. That’s exactly what they accomplished with the SBGA211, more commonly known as the “snowflake”.
Part of the iconic heritage collection, the subtle texture on its white textured dial evokes rolling snow drifts. That is fitting for a watch inspired by the snow-covered mountains surrounding the Shinshu Watch Studio in Japan where this watch is handcrafted.
This watch should come with a complimentary loupe. From the sharp edges on the dauphine style hands, the precision cut indices and the famous zaratsu polishing on the case, each element of this watch is finished to a degree best appreciated under magnification.
The SBGA211 also features the 9R65 Spring Drive movement, which is Seiko proprietary movement technology that combines principles of mechanical and electronic timekeeping to create something unique.
Zenith Defy Classic
| Case Size: | 41mm x 45mm x 10.75mm |
| Movement: | Zenith Calibre Elite 187 |
| Power Reserve: | 50 Hours |
| Accuracy: | -4/+6 seconds per day |
| Manual Winding/ Hacking: | Yes/Yes |
| Price Range: | $4000 – $9500 |
| Weight: | 143 grams |
Zenith is one of the watch brands we don’t talk about too much around here. That has less to do with their ability to produce quality watches, and more to do with the price tag that comes along with high end Swiss watches powered by in house calibers. But as this list peaks in price, the titanium Zenith Defy Classic is a fitting grand finale.
As its name suggests, this watch isn’t one to follow the rules. Its modern, angular shape embodies the idea of “go big or go home”. The titanium defy classic is available with various dial and strap options, but the skeleton option on bracelet captures this theme best.
With the discontinuation of the Defy Classic line, be prepared to pay used or grey market prices to get your hands on one of these.
Nathan Schultz is a New Hampshire based writer with a passion for affordable timepieces. He became obsessed with automatic watches in 2019 after learning not all watches have batteries, and quickly fell in love with the joys of collecting and modifying watches and meeting fellow enthusiasts. When not poring over new releases from big brands and microbrands, he can be found putting his tool watches to the test on local hiking trails.