Why You Should Give the Carbon Fiber Watch a Chance

Do you need a watch that can withstand the rigors of everyday life? Consider a carbon fiber watch.

When discussing innovative materials revolutionizing watchmaking traditions, we must mention carbon fiber watches.

Groundbreaking designs that feature this material are relatively new. Consequently, they have a youthful, almost futuristic aesthetic that is popular with those keen on modern designs. 

Robust sports watches should be an essential part of your kit if you lead an outgoing, adventurous, and active lifestyle. They need to withstand drops, knocks, bumps, and exposure to harsh external conditions.

Outdoor enthusiasts like the benefits that a carbon fiber watch brings to the table. The material promises robust, lightweight qualities and is a stronger alternative to steel. 

In this article, we’ll look at what carbon fiber watches are and why you might benefit from wearing one. 

What Is Carbon Fiber?

Strength and lightness are qualities that the watchmaking industry welcomes. But what is carbon fiber exactly?

As its name suggests, this material comprises tiny carbon fibers. These fibers stack together and weave intricately to create a mesh-like composition. Manufacturers also choose this material for its corrosion resistance. 

The material’s lightweight characteristics promise comfort, while its distinctive texture and pattern appeal to those looking for uniqueness. 

As the watchmaking landscape continually shifts, we see more carbon fiber watches emerge. Zenith, Panerai, IWC, and Oris all offer some great, reasonably priced options.

Hublot is another manufacturer that is leading the way in material research and development. The brand’s watches use this high-tech material, formed by a carbon mesh inside an epoxy resin.

Another example is the company’s 3D carbon watches made from fibers woven on three planes. In addition to this, the brand uses “frosted” carbon that comes with eye-catching colored inclusions. 

Panerai crafts watches using its own proprietary Carbotech material. Formed from long carbon fibers, these watches have a distinctive aesthetic.

How Do Manufacturers Make a Carbon Fiber Watch Case?

We already know that this special material promises qualities like strength, stiffness, durability, lightness, and a unique aesthetic. It’s also anti-magnetic, hypoallergenic, and guarantees thermal stability. But how do brands make a carbon fiber watch case?

You’ll likely see two formats of this material used in watchmaking: “forged carbon” and “sheet carbon”. 

Sheet carbon is yarn-like, featuring strands of carbon threads that appear braided and weaved. Watch manufacturers use it for watch cases, dials, and straps. 

Experts combine the threads with epoxy resin, and the carbon fibers reinforce the resin, creating a lightweight and strong material that the manufacturer cuts to shape. 

Forged carbon is more common and is a much quicker process. It’s more of a paste made of randomly placed carbon fibers. This mixes with epoxy resin, and the brand shapes it into molds. 

Pros and Cons of Carbon Fiber Watches

As you’ll know, a carbon fiber watch consists of synthetic composite material. Brands mix the fibers or fragments of carbon with resin. 

The pros of buying a watch made from this material are that it will last for years, provided you look after it well.

Watches made from a carbon composite are also lightweight and incredibly strong. They also look stylish and modern, appealing to contemporary watch enthusiasts. 

On the other hand, carbon fiber watches still rely on a resin. This resin, although strong, is not the most scratch-resistant. More scratch-resistant materials exist, like ceramic, for example. 

If damage does occur to a carbon watch, you can’t remedy this problem easily. You can’t polish out a scratch or a dint like you can with steel or gold watches.

Moreover, not everyone loves the look of a carbon fiber watch. The surface of the case has a natural grain that is not to everyone’s tastes. 

4 Examples of Carbon Fiber Watches

Here are some great examples if you’re considering buying a carbon fiber watch. 

1. Doxa SUB 300 Carbon Aqua Lung US Divers Watch

Doxa makes some exceptional dive watches. The SUB 300 Carbon Aqua Lung US Divers model is a unique-looking option thanks to its carbon fiber case. 

The watch boasts a 300-meter water resistance rating and is exclusive to 300 units worldwide, making it particularly collectible. It also features a COSC-certified movement and a 42.5-mm diameter.

This Doxa dive model is hard to fault as a mid-priced carbon watch. I love the vibrant splashes of yellow running throughout its design. 

You can see them in the depth gauge on the bezel, the Aqua Lung motif, and the minute hand. These features sit against a jet black and charcoal camouflage dial effect, effortlessly combining with a supple rubber strap. 

2. Hublot Big Bang Unico Gold Sky Blue Watch

I mentioned that Hublot specializes in carbon watches, and this Big Bang Unico Golf Sky Blue is a perfect example.

This is a colored ceramic watch made from carbon fiber and blue Texalium, an amalgamation of aluminum and carbon fiber. Texalium creates this striking texture, adding contrasting tones and nuances to the case. 

This design features golf-inspired elements, so it’s an excellent option if you’re partial to a round or two.

The 3 o’clock pusher mirrors the profile of a putter, while a window at 9H tracks your strokes per hole. Pair this with a sleek and sporty pair of golf sneakers, and you have the ultimate stroke-perfecting combo.

3. Oris ProPilot Altimeter Carbon Watch

This sleek number looks natural in the cockpit. But whether you regularly take to the skies or not, it will make a splendid addition to your collection. 

The Oris ProPilot Altimeter Carbon watch measures a daring 47mm. However, its stealth-like black carbon exterior certainly enables it to wear smaller than that.

Despite its large proportions, it weighs a mere 98g. It also features titanium elements, a sapphire crystal front, and 100-meter water resistance. The addition of a versatile black textile strap makes the watch look even more futuristic. 

4. Bell & Ross BR X5 Carbon Orange Watch

I love Bell & Ross’s BR 05 watch collection, but even better is the BR X5. Watches from this series perpetuate the brand’s aviation heritage but look more technically refined. 

This Bell & Ross BR X5 Carbon Orange is vibrant, zesty, and sporty. The brand is famous for its circle-within-a-square design, which features carbon and titanium for enhanced ergonomics and comfort.

The orange rubber strap brings the mottled texture of the carbon fiber case to life. This avant-garde design also features a retrograde date window and a legible power reserve indicator. 

Wrapping Up

Carbon fiber is an excellent alternative to heavier case materials like steel and platinum. Outdoor-goers don’t want a heavy behemoth on their wrist while exploring; a carbon case remedies this problem. 

A watch featuring this material is five times stronger than steel and much lighter. There are two types of carbon: forged carbon and sheet carbon. Manufacturers use both types when creating luxury timepieces.   

The future of carbon fiber watches looks promising since manufacturing techniques are continually evolving.

Collectors will always value this material for its lightweight and robust properties. However, as technology advances, we will likely see more carbon-based materials emerge. 

Resilient and imaginative designs could be just around the corner, waiting to reshape the landscape of watchmaking once more. 

Do you own a carbon fiber watch? Let me know which model gets your vote, and leave a comment below.