Watch Materials

Traditionally, gold has been the standard material used for watches, but over the years styles and looks have changed. Materials widely used in the automotive, medical, and aerospace industries have permeated horology, inspiring watchmakers to experiment with new lightweight elements and fusions such as:

Stainless Steel
Ceramic
Titanium
Carbon Fiber
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
Diamond-like Carbon (DLC)
Gold
Rubber/Silicone

Stainless steel watches

Stainless Steel

Made of iron-carbon alloy mixed with chromium and nickel

Traits

Lightweight
Affordable
Highly corrosion-resistant

Other uses

Architecture, monuments, bridges, automotive and aerospace structures, surgical instruments.

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Ceramic watches

Ceramic

Made of zirconium oxide, a non-metallic material created by the action of heating and cooling

Traits

Durable, lightweight, scratch-resistant, smooth and modern
Can be produced in a variety of hues and finishes

Other uses

Jet engines, heat shield that protects NASA space shuttle

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Titanium watches

Titanium

Titanium alloyed with iron, aluminum, vanadium, molybdenum, or other metals

Traits

Lightweight, durable, dent and corrosion-resistant
Non-allergenic
Highest strength-to-weight ratio

Other uses

Aerospace, naval ships, performance/racing automotive, wide range of medical instruments and sporting goods

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Carbon fiber watches

Carbon Fiber

Carbon thermally decomposed into braided fibers and surrounded by resin

Traits

Tough
Lightweight
Contemporary style

Other uses

Aviation, military, space, aeronautic, and medical instruments

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Physical vapor deposition (PVD) watches

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

Steel with a vacuum coating of oxides, carbides or nitrides, deposited by ionic attraction

Traits

Increased durability
Reduced friction on metal components

Other uses

Military, automotive, and aerospace

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Diamond-like carbon watches

Diamond-like Carbon (DLC)

Carbon coating with similar properties to diamond

Traits

Ultra-hard with strong resistance to wear and scratches
Low friction; slick
Resilient to damage or coating dents from physical shock

Other uses

Engines of modern super sport motorcycles, Formula 1 race cars, NASCAR vehicles, aeronautics

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Gold watches

Gold

A metal in which fineness (the percentage of pure gold versus the percentage of base metals) is expressed in karats. 18 karat gold (75 percent pure gold) is standard for watch cases and high grade jewelry in white, yellow, rose and red gold. This is obtained by adjusting the proportions of copper and silver in the 25% of the alloy not consisting of gold.

Yellow Gold

Pure gold alloyed with other metals

White Gold

Pure gold alloyed with silver, palladium, or rhodium.

Rose Gold

Pure gold alloyed with percentages of copper. The more copper added, the darker the hue. A small percentage of silver or zinc can be added for a desired tone.

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Rubber Silicone watches