Full Titanium Datejust anyone ?

[PresenceUK]

Hi Just a quickie....

Does anyone else think Rolex should make a Titanium Datejust ?

I think they would sell well... I would buy one...

I have had two Titanium watches and they are great, really hard to scratch and really lightweight...

I was wondering why they dont make one they are missing out there I think...

Or perhaps I am missing something and there is a good reason ?

[Cru Jones]

Ti DJ? no, for me, Ti is for a more sporty/tool watch.

[MonBK]

They could also add a battery to it.

[padi56]

Sorry just cannot see any point of a Titanium Datejust Rolex can sell every DJ they make now in SS.And with many today thinking that bigger heavier is always better, so making Rolex watches lighter in weight, might not be the best idea, in todays bigger and heavier is always better world.

[capote]

I think a Rolex made entirely out of lead would be a big seller these days. Just imagine the wrist presence.

[Adam K.]

Tungsten....YEEAAAAAAWWWHHHH!!!!!

[Singslinger]

Not a fan of titanium.

[caryyee]

Ti is great, but on a Rolex, nup. Rolex are known for their shiny bracelets, shiny cases, shiny bezels, and that is part of what makes a Rolex a Rolex.

[Passionata]

ti is a very porous material ,light but not like

[PresenceUK]

I was thinking more along the lines that its 3 times stronger than steel, and lighter, ideal for working in and wearing every day...

More expensive than stainless steel and a bit more "exotic" than stainless steel....

Stainless Steel after all is (and I know this will wind some people up but I will say it anyway.. tongue in cheek) at the end of the day steel is something you can get a 36 piece cutlery made from at Ikea from for under a fiver...

I know its a different kind of steel, and Rolex use a higher grade etc but why do formula one teams and aircraft maakers use titanium for all thier best parts... its because its lighter and better and stronger than steel...

The two titanium watches I have owned for working in which both cost about £200 still look brand new after years of use (apart from light scratches in the glass on one of them)...

[77T]

Agree with the comments about the DJ being a dress watch and not a candidate for a Ti option.

Among metals, pure Ti is most widely used in biological applications because of its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio. I think the OPs question has merit with regards to alloyed Ti in some of the Rolex Professional models.

Take the SS in current use by Rolex - it is a custom alloyed product that started years ago with the 316 alloy and now the 904. If a super-Ti could be alloyed it might help reduce the bulk of certain models like the DSSD (if that was a goal). Methinks the weight appeals to many owners though since heft is often equated with quality...

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by PresenceUK

I was thinking more along the lines that its 3 times stronger than steel, and lighter, ideal for working in and wearing every day...

More expensive than stainless steel and a bit more "exotic" than stainless steel....

Stainless Steel after all is (and I know this will wind some people up but I will say it anyway.. tongue in cheek) at the end of the day steel is something you can get a 36 piece cutlery made from at Ikea from for under a fiver...

I know its a different kind of steel, and Rolex use a higher grade etc but why do formula one teams and aircraft maakers use titanium for all thier best parts... its because its lighter and better and stronger than steel...

The two titanium watches I have owned for working in which both cost about £200 still look brand new after years of use (apart from light scratches in the glass on one of them)...

And there, I think, you have nailed the problem on the head. Essentially, Titanium is not exclusive enough as a metal, whilst 904L steel is only used by Rolex and a couple of other small scale watch brands. The high grade steel used is a powerful marketing tool, and I can't see Rolex abandoning that advantage. I think aesthetically, titanium wouldn't really work on a Datejust - it's supposed to be a bit dressier, and that dull grey of Ti wouldn't work in my view. For a sports watch, particularly large diving watches, Ti makes sense, but again, Rolex are conservative and set in their ways, and I can't see it happening any time soon

Chris

[nGage7962]

I have two Ti watches, one Polished and one brushed and they *** do *** scratch easily. Definately a no vote from me on a Ti Rolex. I also have a mirror polished Tungsten Carbide watch. No scratches on that one and there never will be.

[Psmith]

Tudor use titanium for the new Pelagos, and I have to say it's the first ti watch that I've seriously considering buying (other than a Blancpain 500 Fathoms). I usually avoid it as being too light (yep, I like my timepieces to have a bit of heft) and because I don't like the way it is usually finished.

With the Pelagos, I like how the finish of the ti works with the overall matte look of the watch

[JBR27]

In my experience, titanium does scratch easily. If Rolex made an all titanium DSSD, I would consider it, but I don't think it fits well with a DJ.

[SaddleSC]

Titanium Datejust? No
To me, there are two reasons to use titanium: to either make the watch lighter and more comfortable, or give it additional strength (per gram of weight) and corrosion resistance.

The Datejust needs neither of those things...it is already lightweight and extremely comfortable. In addition, the high polished SS better fits it's dressy nature.

HOWEVER....the DSSD would make the perfect candidate for titanium. It would benefit from being considerably lighter, not to mention the fact that the darker, brushed finish would give it a very cool appearance. In addition, it would give Rolex another way to differentiate the DSSD in their lineup from the other sport watches.

[How]

I've got a titanium Rolex.

Well, partially anyway - the titanium caseback of my DSSD.

But let's limit the titanium to the DSSD caseback only. I don't think titanium Datejusts, Day-Dates, Subs, Daytonas, GMTII's, Explorers and Yatchmasters are the way to go.

As strong, scratch resistant and lightweight this material is, a Rolex should feel heavy, and SS is perfect for the job. Besides, the natural matte grey colour of titanium is very flat looking and to be honest, detracts from the Rolex beauty.

[Rolesor]

A big plus with Rolex watches for me is how substantial they feel. Even my DJ has some nice weight to it. I never liked the feeling of super light weight watches. Just my opinion of course :)