Titanium wristwatches

The difference between grade 2 and grade 5 titanium

Titanium is a popular material for wristwatches because it is lightweight, corrosion-resistant and skin-friendly. However, not all titanium is the same: there are different quality grades that differ in terms of their composition and properties. Grade 2 and grade 5 titanium alloys are particularly common. In this article, we shed light on the differences and their effects on watch cases and straps.

Titanium grade 2

Pure titanium with high corrosion resistance

Titanium grade 2 is so-called "commercially pure titanium" (CP titanium) with a purity of around 99%. It is characterized by its excellent corrosion resistance, hypoallergenicity and relative ease of processing compared to grade 5. However, due to its softness compared to other titanium alloys, it is more susceptible to scratches and dents.

Advantages of grade 2 titanium:
• Very light and comfortable to wear
• Exceptional corrosion resistance
• Biocompatible and skin-friendly
• Less expensive than grade 5

Disadvantages of grade 2 titanium:
• Softer than grade 5 titanium and therefore more susceptible
to scratches
• Lower strength, making it unsuitable for particularly delicate designs

Titanium grade 5

High-strength titanium alloy for demanding applications

Grade 5 titanium (also known as Ti-6Al-4V) is an alloy consisting of around 90% titanium, 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. This combination makes the material significantly stronger and more resistant to scratches than grade 2 titanium. Due to these properties, it is often used in the aerospace and motorsport industries.

Advantages of grade 5 titanium:
• Harder than grade 2
• Higher strength enables thinner watch cases
• Good scratch and impact resistance

Disadvantages of grade 5 titanium:
• Slightly heavier than grade 2 titanium
• More complex processing and higher costs
• Slightly less corrosion-resistant than grade 2 titanium

Which titanium quality is better for a watch?

The choice between grade 2 and grade 5 titanium depends on individual requirements. If you are looking for a particularly light and corrosion-resistant watch, grade 2 is a very good choice. For higher resistance to scratches for watches in extreme conditions, grade 5 is the better choice.

At CiRCULA, we combine the advantages of grade 2 titanium with our proven surface hardening process to achieve a special combination of lightness, corrosion resistance and scratch resistance at a lower cost. The DiveSport Titanium is thus combining the best of both worlds.

Conclusion

Titanium is an exceptional material for wristwatches, which has its advantages in both grade 2 and grade 5. While grade 2 scores points above all for its purity and corrosion resistance, grade 5 offers greater strength and resistance. Depending on the intended use and personal preference, it is worth paying attention to the alloy used when buying a titanium watch. The disadvantages of grade 2 can be offset cost-effectively by surface hardening.