Does Titanium scratch easier than SS?

[HelloNasty1]

Simple enough question, but seems to be conflicting opinions/facts on which metal scratches easier.

1) Does Ti scratch more easily than SS for cases/bracelets?
2) Does it depend on the watch manufacturer and how it is treated?

Thanks in advance.

[kontai69]

I own both Ti and SS watches (see sig). IME, titanium does tend to scuff a little easier than SS.

Titanium reacts with oxygen in the air to form a protective titanium oxide layer which darkens the metal over time (aka patina). This oxide layer scratches off relatively easy to reveal the underlying "shinier" unoxidized metal. This will result in scratches that are more visible than a similar scratch on SS.

Luckily, light scuffs/scratches on Ti can easily be repaired. A fiberglass scratch pen works best IME. This is assuming the Ti has a brushed finish without any coating, like my Breitling Aerospace.

I read that some manufacturers (Citizen?) treat the Ti to make it more scratch resistant.

[workaholic_ro]

Definitely yes but they are much more easy to fix. B & B is right.

[WIS_Chronomaster]

Not really seen the difference. But as said i have heard it is an easy fix if Titanium is scuffed.

[corruptor]

My experience:

SS: More scratch resistant than untreated Titanium. Scratches are more difficult to brush out using a fiberglass pen, and may leave the touched up area shinier than non-touched up areas.

Untreated Ti: Scratches very easily, but just as easy to touch up using a fiberglass pen. I have had some major scratches on an untreated Titanium watch that came out easily. Easy to blend in the touched up area, since you just need to brush the entire section to remove the oxidation.

Treated Ti: I've only had experience with Seiko's brightz Titanium, and it is very scratch resistant. About on par with SS. Scratches can be touched up, as long as they aren't deep. I prefer treated Titanium over SS, since it's lighter, equally scratch resistant, and more impact resistant than SS. I've had some major impacts on a Titanium bezel that would have dented SS, but left nothing on Titanium.

[artec]

I don't think you can generalize. There are many different types of stainless steel and many different ways of treating it. Similarly, many different titanium alloys and many different treatments. Many titanium alloys are much more difficult to machine and polish than many steels. Some steels are very hard, and therefore won't scratch easily but will be very difficult to re-polish and the same is true of some titanium alloys.
Just too difficult to generalize.

[corruptor]

I don't think I was generalizing. I merely stated my experience. But I know what you mean :)

[Paul December]

Do Cape Cod cloths work on Ti?

[kontai69]

Do Cape Cod cloths work on Ti?

Depends on the finish. Cape Cod (as with any similar polishing cloth) should be used only on polished finish metals, titanium or not.

[Paul December]

Depends on the finish. Cape Cod (as with any similar polishing cloth) should be used only on polished finish metals, titanium or not.

Do they work on polished Ti? Have you actually tried?