Since ceramics were first used in the watch industry in 1962, the debate over the merits and drawbacks of ceramic versus metal materials has been ongoing among consumers. The opinions on ceramic cases in particular are often polarized in various discussions.
However, just like a coin has two sides, neither ceramic nor metal can be the perfect material when used for watch cases. In this issue, we set aside the debate over the advantages and disadvantages of each material and instead provide an objective comparison of ceramic and metal watch cases, offering a new perspective for readers choosing a watch.
The current process for making ceramic cases involves injecting extremely fine zirconium oxide powder under high pressure into a mold, then sintering it at temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius to form ceramic components that are hard to wear down. This production method gives ceramic cases their classic smooth surface, wear resistance, lightweight, stable physical properties, acid and alkali resistance, and corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the color of ceramic cases is added to the powder before firing, preventing discoloration. However, this special manufacturing process also limits the variety of shapes for most ceramic cases, resulting in smoother shapes compared to the more angular metal cases. The high hardness of ceramic cases means they lack toughness and can easily break upon impact.
However, Novamos’ N3 not only uses a ceramic material for its case but also features a distinctively angular and highly personalized watch appearance.
Finally, the differences in materials inevitably affect the design of a watch. Therefore, choosing the right material is also a crucial part of selecting a watch that truly suits you.