The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Just read today (although the news has apparently been out for a while) that Lum Tec are going to start producing Cobalt-chrome cases for some of their M series watches in 2013.

Cobalt-chrome is another great choice for watch cases as it's almost as hard as tungsten-carbide (which I absolutely LOVE as a watch/jewellery material) but less brittle, lighter in weight (although still heavier than steel), and a much whiter colour. It's apparently slightly easier to machine as well, hopefully resulting in slightly crisper lines which is something that tungsten carbide cases can lack. There are only some concept pictures out there at the moment, and to be fair they look exactly like every other M series Lum Tec watch, but the case material is the real draw.

I've said it before, but if a (relatively) small company like Lum Tec can experiment and produce very nice quality watches in more exotic materials, then why can't Breitling? Cobalt-chrome and tungsten carbide would both be ideal for polished watches such as the Navitimer as they just don't scratch. Hell, Breitling could put Cape Cod out of business overnight if they just TRIED it!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

They're also releasing a Bronze case watch similar to the Panerai Bronzo which is ridicliously overpriced. I found your Lum-Tec tungsten carbide case too heavy for my liking. I am a fan of tungsten carbide, my wedding ring is made from that material and still looks brand new. Since Breitling outsources their case making to subs, why not hire a sub to make cases of different materials, I'd pay anything for a ceramic case Navi 01.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

I've been watching Lum Tech with interest.


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SHARKMAN

I actually really like weight of it, but that's because I wear it on a strap as opposed to the tungsten bracelet. The bracelet (if it fitted properly!) adds a huge amount of heft to it.

I also wear a tungsten carbide ring, and it too looks brand new after years of wear. It's amazing how you can handle keys and coins with them knocking against your ring (no sniggering at the back please! ), and yet not a single scratch.

Any of these super-scratch resistant materials are ideal for watches and it amazes me that they aren't used more widely.

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Driver8

Site Moderator