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Every Watch Case Material Ranked (Some Shouldn’t Exist)

Full Set Watches

32,878 views

What case material is the best to make a watch out of? I aim to figure that out in this video, by ranking 29 different materials from worst to best. Along the way I discuss the pros and cons of each, and some nice example watches as well.

00:00 What's The Best Watch Case Material?
00:16 My Criteria
01:40 Role Materials
07:02 Exotic Materials
10:47 Platings, Coatings, & Surfaces
14:12 Luxury Materials
20:16 Advanced Alloys
23:51 The Best
26:37 Obscure Reference(s)
28:11 Closing Thoughts

#watches #watchcollecting #luxurywatches #tierlist #watchcase

20 Comments

@FullSetWatches Creator 3 months ago Pinned

During the writing process and rearranging the script, I left out wood by accident in this video. I've received a great number of comments about this, apologies!

It's not too big of a loss though, as wood isn't a very good material. It likely would have been E/F tier... It should be obvious that a material with no scratch resistance and can rot isn't exactly ideal.

@richardwarren2024 3 months ago

This is the most comprehensive case material discussion I’ve ever seen on any form of media, bar none. It should be the case material bible for all enthusiasts. Well done!

@chronocommander007 3 months ago

Rock case watches are suitable for a sedimentary lifetyle. 😉

@DavidCowie2022 3 months ago

At the start of the Advanced Alloys segment, you almost craved the certainty and security of steel.
(A Warhammer 40K reference, for those who don't get it).

@ryllersousa 3 months ago

I don't even knew that some of this materials could be used. Another great video.

@salam-s9y 3 months ago (edited)

I loved this one. Appreciate all the explanations, there are not a lot of videos or articles that go into depth like you did!

@KP-wp5sz 3 months ago

Liked the effort and the delivery. I ultimately believe that the answer for watch makers is to use a combination of these materials to achieve an overall effect. For example, lugs one material, case back another and bezel still another. I have subscribed. Keep it up!

@thewatchworkshop 1 month ago

Bro god tier content! love your work❤

@TheAussiePencil 3 months ago

Dude this was great! Appreciate all the effort and insight that went into this. Something very different, I haven't seen this from any other watch channel. Subscribed.

@AL_Prazolam 3 months ago

Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into this video, and all your other videos. You do a great job! Love the analytical and research-based approach.

@ayan3261 1 month ago

Came for watch tier list, stayed for chemistry and material science class, now I know the difference between copper, brass and bronze
Thanks😂

@eugenewine 3 months ago (edited)

Thank you! One more interesting thing about titanium: It holds the record for the lowest thermal conductivity (for metals). This means it doesn't conduct heat away from the point of contact, unlike silver and gold, meaning it quickly absorbs body heat and doesn't chill the hand. Ultimately, it's lightweight, hypoallergenic, and warm—just what you need to instantly get used to the watch without feeling the slightest discomfort.

@mikescarsbrook6306 3 months ago

Another entertaining and informative video. Well done,

@-10 1 month ago

Nice list! I think it's worth differentiating gold plating types as well. Some manufacturers such as Rolex and Seiko also used to have 'gold capped' watches, which used a thicker layer of gold. It's a serious improvement over the thinnest gold plating. You can see vintage gold capped watches look a lot better than plated ones.

@Bush_Doc_Watches 1 month ago

Great stuff im saving this next time i come across weird materials

@jdmvette 3 weeks ago

2nd video from this channel and from what I've been seeing, you're doing great work! Sub'd

@Azeemich 3 months ago

The moment you mentioned coffee watch. I had to give it to you. bravo. great research and informative video. Looking forward for more information driven content.

@VDA194 3 months ago

Great information!!! Thank you 👍

@MijinLaw 3 months ago

Good idea for a video and well executed. Only grumble is that in some cases eg brass you were rating some brand's use of the material rather than the material itself

@antrumkfpsalatschleuder8768 3 months ago

I think if a material is hypoallergenic is very important therefore I would have put Gold and Plastic higher on the Tierlist. Also I think Tantalum is just the coolest Material because many very very expensive lab Equipment such as calorimeters are made with tantalum.