Summer Reflections: The Best Titanium Watches of 2025 (So Far)
Record-breaking, fluid-powered, and skeletonized: three groundbreaking titanium watches redefining innovation, design, and performance in modern haute horlogerie.
By Sébastien Aeberli
Design, Content & Social Media
Early this year, three groundbreaking watches pushed the boundaries of haute horlogerie. First, Bulgari’s shockingly slim Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon became the world’s thinnest flying tourbillon. Then, Armin Strom’s One Week Titanium Skeleton dazzled with its intricate openworked movement and impressive 7-day power reserve. Meanwhile, HYT’s S1 collection introduced a futuristic vibe with fluidic hour displays and cutting-edge hydromechanical technology.
Join us as we take another look at these extraordinary timepieces and explore the future of watchmaking!
Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon: Mastery in Ultra-Thin Watchmaking
Stunning the watch world again, Bulgari broke all records with its Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon, the world’s thinnest tourbillon-equipped timepiece. At just 1.85mm thick, this masterpiece marries daring design with technical prowess, showcasing extreme skeletonization that turns this complicated movement into a shimmering work of ultra-thin art.
Crafted from microbead-frosted titanium and tungsten carbide, the watch feels almost weightless on the wrist – a true marvel of modern haute horlogerie. However, this 40mm wonder isn’t just about breaking records; it’s a bold statement that defies expectations.
Bulgari’s Swiss watchmaking division has pushed the boundaries by integrating one of the most complex watch complications into an impossibly slender case, proving skeptics wrong with panache and precision. Every detail, from the geometric engravings on the ratchet to the rhodium-plated hands against a charcoal dial, speaks to the brand’s flair for combining innovation with timeless elegance.
For those who crave the ultimate fusion of Italian style and Swiss craftsmanship, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon is a must-see highlight of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, not just for its record-breaking thinness but for the sheer audacity and artistry that Bulgari brings to the world of luxury timepieces.
Ready to see horology’s future? This is it.
Armin Strom’s One Week Titanium Skeleton: Lightweight Mastery
Pushing the boundaries of skeleton watchmaking, Armin Strom unveiled its new One Week Titanium Skeleton at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, a 41mm marvel that takes the brand’s signature skeletonized design to the next level, revealing an intricate mechanical ballet with almost no dial metal left untouched.
The cutting-edge ARM21-S movement, though skeletonized, cleverly balances transparency with robustness, offering an exceptional view of the gears while maintaining a sporty, durable presence. However, what truly sets this model apart is its Grade 5 titanium case and integrated bracelet, making it the lightest One Week watch ever created.
This choice not only slims down the timepiece but also guarantees all-day comfort for those who want a reliable, stylish companion from Monday through Sunday, without the need for constant winding. Practical touches, like crown protection, luminescent markers, and 10 ATM water resistance, ensure that the Titanium Skeleton is as functional as it is visually captivating.
Limited to just 100 pieces and priced at CHF 39,000, the One Week Titanium Skeleton is a rare blend of technical prowess and elegant sportiness. It’s perfect for enthusiasts who appreciate the artistry of skeletonization combined with the cutting-edge innovation of lightweight materials – a watch designed to impress both on the wrist and under the microscope.
Ready to embrace mechanical transparency like never before? This one’s a game-changer.
HYT’s S1 Titanium: Not Your Average Sports Watches
Making waves during Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, HYT added three striking colorways to its permanent lineup with the release of its new S1 Titanium collection, which took the brand’s innovative fluidic hour displays to the next level through the use of vibrant blue, green, and red liquids.
Each piece boasts a futuristic yet sporty vibe, wrapped in an ergonomic titanium case that promises comfort and durability. But what truly sets these timepieces apart is not just their visual flair, but they’re also an homage to HYT’s heritage.
The open-worked dials reveal the intricate hydromechanical 501-CM movement beneath, blending cutting-edge technology with classic design cues from the brand’s earliest collections. Whether it’s the deep DLC blue, electric DLC green, or the space-age beadblasted red, each S1 Titanium watch brings a distinct personality while staying true to HYT’s avant-garde spirit.
Best of all, these captivating models aren’t limited editions; they’re here to stay, joining HYT’s permanent catalog. Priced at around $65,750, the S1 Titanium series offers collectors a chance to own a piece of fluidic horology that combines futuristic aesthetics, technical mastery, and everyday wearability.
Ready to dive into the liquid time revolution? These colorful marvels are impossible to ignore.