I have a nickel allergy, so all of my watches are either titanium or precious metal. Although more expensive than SS, I couldn’t be happier with how many incredible pieces I’ve been able to acquire. For titanium pieces, I own the Rolex YM II (which I wear way more than I thought I would when I first bought it!), the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Cardinal Points North (which has become my weekend adventure watch), and a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 42.3mm (which you omitted, but should consider as it wears great and is a treat to look at). I hope Patek (titanium Aquanaut!!!) and others will get on board or expand offerings because titanium watches are fantastic!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You have a wonderful collection!
I'll certainly take a closer look at the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 42.3mm in titanium. Thanks for pointing it out.
You must be one of the first people to receive the new VC Overseas Dual Time. The white dial is my favorite among the four as well. Big congratulations, and wear it in the best of health!
I also love your idea of a titanium Aquanaut. Let's hope Patek has something like that in the pipeline.
I’m one of those who prefer titanium and wish it were more widely offered. The Swiss watch industry, in particular, is slow to adapt/change (for many reasons). One trope that has held on in watches is the notion that heft = luxury. Mass equating to gravitas has long been a justification for the almost exclusive use of precious metals in watch cases. The introduction of steel in luxury watches was revolutionary and iconoclastic when AP released the Royal Oak back in 1972, and one could argue that steel didn’t become a primary luxury metal until over 40 years later.
Other than Richard Mille, few watchmakers trumpet light weight as a benefit or advance in wristwatches. This is an exception in the world of big boy hobbies that involve machines. From bicycles to cars to aircraft to sports equipment, lightweight, high strength materials represent higher value/cost options.
Hopefully, the Swiss watch industry will, at its usual glacial pace, embrace Titanium for its many benefits and make it widely available, preferably without a huge pricing premium (that, of course, is a whole ‘nother discussion).
All excellent points, Brad! Many thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts.
I especially like your comparison with bicycles, cars, and aircraft, where lightweight, high-performance materials have long been viewed as a premium feature. It's interesting that some watch brands have been much slower to embrace the same thinking.
Hopefully, more brands will get on the titanium bandwagon in the years ahead. Thanks again, and take care!
What a coincidence finding this post this evening and having received my TiYM just this morning (strangely enough my first Rolex after more than 20 years collecting)
I also have Ti pieces by LF and DeBethune which I enjoy for all the reasons mentioned above!
Thoughts after wearing it for just one day: it’s underwhelming-in a good way…. Subtle and under the radar (for a Rolex😉) , also it wears smaller than 42mm
Congratulations on your first Rolex after more than 20 years of collecting! Thanks for sharing your initial experience, and I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying it so much. Indeed, the TiYM is quite unlike the typical Rolex.
Thanks also for your kind words. I'm very happy that my writeup came just in time for your NWA! There is also a great review of the TiYM by ScrewDownCrown that you may want to check out. See the link below.
Very nice to own the Ti pieces by LF and De Bethune too. Take care, and enjoy your new watch!
I think we’ll continue to see titanium take share off a low base - but it’s harder to get right. A poorly built Ti bracelet feels like something off AliExpress (looking at you, GS). I thought I hated titanium in general until I tried the Pelagos and TiYM.
But a lot of people will still favor the weight of a steel sports watch. That added heft is associated with quality. And it’s not as though a steel Rolex is notably hard to wear.
Personally I thought Patek was going to do a titanium nautilus for the anniversary this year… but I have to think it will come in the next years. As far as I know, there’s no reason why they would be averse to adopting it? Other than catalyzing a new hype wave - which they absolutely do not need.
Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. All very good points!
It is interesting that you think a titanium Nautilus could create another hype wave. Come to think of it, I totally agree. It will be intriguing to see what Patek does with titanium in the future.
Take care, and thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
I have a nickel allergy, so all of my watches are either titanium or precious metal. Although more expensive than SS, I couldn’t be happier with how many incredible pieces I’ve been able to acquire. For titanium pieces, I own the Rolex YM II (which I wear way more than I thought I would when I first bought it!), the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Cardinal Points North (which has become my weekend adventure watch), and a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 42.3mm (which you omitted, but should consider as it wears great and is a treat to look at). I hope Patek (titanium Aquanaut!!!) and others will get on board or expand offerings because titanium watches are fantastic!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You have a wonderful collection!
I'll certainly take a closer look at the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 42.3mm in titanium. Thanks for pointing it out.
You must be one of the first people to receive the new VC Overseas Dual Time. The white dial is my favorite among the four as well. Big congratulations, and wear it in the best of health!
I also love your idea of a titanium Aquanaut. Let's hope Patek has something like that in the pipeline.
I’m one of those who prefer titanium and wish it were more widely offered. The Swiss watch industry, in particular, is slow to adapt/change (for many reasons). One trope that has held on in watches is the notion that heft = luxury. Mass equating to gravitas has long been a justification for the almost exclusive use of precious metals in watch cases. The introduction of steel in luxury watches was revolutionary and iconoclastic when AP released the Royal Oak back in 1972, and one could argue that steel didn’t become a primary luxury metal until over 40 years later.
Other than Richard Mille, few watchmakers trumpet light weight as a benefit or advance in wristwatches. This is an exception in the world of big boy hobbies that involve machines. From bicycles to cars to aircraft to sports equipment, lightweight, high strength materials represent higher value/cost options.
Hopefully, the Swiss watch industry will, at its usual glacial pace, embrace Titanium for its many benefits and make it widely available, preferably without a huge pricing premium (that, of course, is a whole ‘nother discussion).
All excellent points, Brad! Many thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts.
I especially like your comparison with bicycles, cars, and aircraft, where lightweight, high-performance materials have long been viewed as a premium feature. It's interesting that some watch brands have been much slower to embrace the same thinking.
Hopefully, more brands will get on the titanium bandwagon in the years ahead. Thanks again, and take care!
Hear me out- Advanced Research titanium Nautilus… would’ve been a much crazier anniversary launch
That is a wonderful idea! I wish the Patek R&D team could read your comment. Better late than never!
What a coincidence finding this post this evening and having received my TiYM just this morning (strangely enough my first Rolex after more than 20 years collecting)
I also have Ti pieces by LF and DeBethune which I enjoy for all the reasons mentioned above!
Thoughts after wearing it for just one day: it’s underwhelming-in a good way…. Subtle and under the radar (for a Rolex😉) , also it wears smaller than 42mm
Great post, well presented with good insights!
Cheers!
Congratulations on your first Rolex after more than 20 years of collecting! Thanks for sharing your initial experience, and I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying it so much. Indeed, the TiYM is quite unlike the typical Rolex.
Thanks also for your kind words. I'm very happy that my writeup came just in time for your NWA! There is also a great review of the TiYM by ScrewDownCrown that you may want to check out. See the link below.
Very nice to own the Ti pieces by LF and De Bethune too. Take care, and enjoy your new watch!
https://www.screwdowncrown.com/p/rolex-226627-titanium-rlx-yacht-master-review
And thank you for your kind words!
Yes, I have read Faheem’s articles on SDC! He’s a good friend and definitely influenced my purchase!
Here’s another one that he posted by another owner….
https://screwdowncrown.substack.com/p/rolex-226627-titanium-yacht-master-owner-review?r=17e3lz&utm_medium=ios
I think we’ll continue to see titanium take share off a low base - but it’s harder to get right. A poorly built Ti bracelet feels like something off AliExpress (looking at you, GS). I thought I hated titanium in general until I tried the Pelagos and TiYM.
But a lot of people will still favor the weight of a steel sports watch. That added heft is associated with quality. And it’s not as though a steel Rolex is notably hard to wear.
Personally I thought Patek was going to do a titanium nautilus for the anniversary this year… but I have to think it will come in the next years. As far as I know, there’s no reason why they would be averse to adopting it? Other than catalyzing a new hype wave - which they absolutely do not need.
Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. All very good points!
It is interesting that you think a titanium Nautilus could create another hype wave. Come to think of it, I totally agree. It will be intriguing to see what Patek does with titanium in the future.
Take care, and thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
I wish the Titanium Yacht-Master was 40mm. The rose gold case version is, in my opinion, perfectly proportioned.
Yeah, 40mm would be the perfect size for many people. Hopefully, Rolex will get there one day.
Titanium maxi checking in. Well done.
You mean the titanium Maxi Marine Diver from Ulysse Nardin, right? Great choice! Thanks so much for reading.
Nope the Titanium Yacht Master! among a bunch of others (Straum Jan Mayen, RZE UTD8000, CWC Ti300-12 and others lol.. )
Sorry about that! I get it now. You were referring to the Rolex Maxi case.
That's a fantastic collection you have there!
Maxi term is meant to convey "maximalist" my apologies.
Finally got it. Thanks! 😄