Comments:
IWC Ingenieur in Titanium
Finally got to see the titanium model in person today. It is super light, much lighter than I expected, and fits beautifully on my 7.25" wrist. The titanium color is less brownish and more gray than past TI watches from IWC and the dial is not in your face like the other colored ones on the steel versions. As some of you know, there is now a micro adjustable clasp available but the titanium version is still in the near future. Personally, I'd choose the Ti before any of the steel models but, as I had said before, I still like the white dial on the steel.
Despite the high MSRP and basic movement
I am very captivated by this watch. They got everything else right in my opinion. If I get one, it’s going to be the aqua! Thanks for sharing pics and your impressions
It does look pretty amazing on your wrist and the contrast is pretty amazing for legibility. Will you be getting one?
The face of the bezel is sand-blasted and the edges are polished?
I wonder how that will work in the long run. Probably better than the alternative arrangement...
Their website talks about
"titanium is also extremely difficult to machine. The production of the case and bracelet and the finishing of all components using various surface refinement techniques represent a true feat of engineering."
That might be the case for an independent but IWC (as Porsche Design) have been making titanium watches since when?
About 1980 which is (checks IWC Perpetual) 44 years ago.
I've had at least 10 ti IWCs since then, all with textured surfaces in one place or another.
I still like it, but the marketing pitch is a bit disingenuous.
Mike
Well, they recently graduated from grade 2 to grade 5 titanium. Does that make a difference?
I'm not sure it does - if they couldn't easily manage 5 why change to it? Is there enough marketing demand to pitch "Grade 5"?
My detailed post on titanium grades is HERE
At that time, an industry publication said:
"Known as the “workhorse” of the titanium alloys, Ti 6Al-4V, or Grade 5 titanium, is the most commonly used of all titanium alloys. It accounts for 50 percent of total global titanium usage. Its usability lies in its many benefits... This alloy offers its high strength at a light weight, useful formability and high corrosion resistance. Ti 6AI-4V’s usability makes it the best alloy for use in several industries, like the aerospace, medical, marine and chemical processing industries."
Mike
I think there is considering most other manufacturers use grade 5 and brag about it. IWC did not want to be left out.
I think that's it. Practically speaking the user is going to see no difference
If the watch companies all pitch "Grade 5 is more bitchin than Grade 2" as in this case, the price goes up to $15k whew!
Grand Seiko titanium is referred to as "white" or "polished" or "high intensity" or "brilliant-hard" titanium.
Grand Seiko titanium is referred to as "white" or "polished" or "high intensity" or "brilliant-hard" titanium.
Soon someone will start using Grade 23 titanium and we will have true grade inflation
But isn't grade 5 the only version of titanium that can be high polished (like stainless steel)?
No, it isn't
Seiko has been polishing titanium for decades, I bought this used in 2004 and took this photo then
Twenty years later still looks polished
Polished and brushed and worn hard
Twenty years later still looks polished
Polished and brushed and worn hard
Flightmaster polished and brushed
I mean, Blancpain already does.
But the Ti Bathyscaphe is cheaper than my Ceramic model!
Seiko says it is
They say about one of the new models:
The case is made from Grand Seiko’s proprietary Brilliant Hard Titanium, which is as light as pure titanium and twice as hard as stainless steel and therefore highly resistant to scratches. Despite its hardness, the case is polished with the Zaratsu technique to give the titanium a brilliant white elegance all of its own.
Hodinkee (using Seiko PR info) says:
"Titanium is widely used for watch cases, but often, some sort of surface hardening has to be applied. It's a very strong metal – stronger than most steels, at about half the mass, which is why it's used so much in airframes. It is, however, relatively easy to scratch. Not only is Brilliant Hard titanium much more scratch-resistant than the grade 5 titanium commonly (not! Mike) used for watch cases, it can also take a very high polish, which gives the glittering surfaces and sharp facets which Grand Seiko enthusiasts value so highly (what? Mike). Side by side with steel Grand Seikos, SBGW259 gleams at least as brightly, if not more so."
Seiko also uses High Intensity Titanium on a regular basis, and the company Customer Service identified the alloy consituents for us:
1."High-Intensity Titanium" is a alloy of titanium, niobium and iron.
2. Vickers Hardness for High-Intensity Titanium is from approx. 250 to 350; it is harder than stainless steel whose Vickers Hardness is from approx. 150 to 250.
3. High-Intensity Ti is not a surface coated/treated Ti. It is Seiko's proprietary Ti/Alloy mix used in higher-end pieces and is 1.5 times more scratch resistant than the untreated/uncoated Ti alloy also used by Seiko.
So at a minimum, Seiko has Regular, High Intensity, and Brilliant Hard Titaniums (that we know of).
Mike
Very nice !
I like the true-to-its-origins-tool-watch aura imparted by the sandblast finish and subdued color scheme.
They are satin as is the rest of the watch.
The only model that has polished center links is yours.