Can titanium watches be worn by those with nickel allergies?

Can anyone with a nickel allergy who has reacted to the aluminum or stainless steel models confirm if they were able to wear a titanium model with no issues? I searched the threads but they are all old and have been closed and/or contain the same information I already know (aluminum and stainless steel watches contain nickel) but I would like to know if anyone with a nickel allergy solved the issue by upgrading to the titanium watch. I have a nickel allergy and have used hypoallergenic watches prior to the Apple Watch. I first had an aluminum model and after about a year started reacting to that (someone in customer support I chatted with seemed to think there was a coating on the metal that may be protective against allergies but will eventually wear off). So I upgraded to a stainless steel model and eventually started reacting to that too. It’s expensive to have to keep upgrading so before I upgrade to titanium I would like some assurance it is nickel-free. I did have someone helping me in the store and they looked up articles and only found mention of nickel in conjunction with the stainless steel and aluminum so told me that titanium was “probably ok” but I need a little more assurance than that before buying yet a third watch. Not sure why at this price point they don’t use hypoallergenic materials. Note: it is not the watch band or the magnet on the back I am reacting to. It is where the corners of the metal frame of the watch touch my wrist. Last time I talked to Apple about this they suggested I buy some sort of case so the back of the watch does not touch my wrist but then it pretty much defeats the features of having a smartwatch and being able to track heart rate, etc.




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Titanium watch and nickel allergy

Apple Watch Series 9, watchOS 11

Posted on Jul 29, 2025 08:25 AM

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5 replies

Jul 29, 2025 11:46 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks—yes I have read that page and the Apple Store employees also looked it up and found the same information but what it says is that the aluminum and stainless steel models do contain some nickel—it doesn’t specifically say anywhere I or the Apple Store employees helping me could find that specifically says the titanium is nickel free and/or hypoallergenic. Nickel is the most common contact allergy that affects between 8-19% of adults. What I’m looking for is data from people who have reacted to the aluminum or stainless steel confirming whether switching to the titanium model resolved the issue. I’ve seen threads here where people say it “should be ok” since it doesn’t specifically mention nickel for that one but I haven’t been able to get a clear answer from Apple and am hoping other users can report in.

Jul 29, 2025 12:54 PM in response to Wrexali

The problem with asking in this forum is that you will get replies from the regulars, most of which do not have a Nickel allergy.


The users that do gave a Nickel allergy, post and then disappear, depending on emails to tell them they have replies, and never look at anyone else's posts.


If you want the feedback from users that had Nickel allergy issues, it would be best to search for those posts, and see if they intended to get Titanium Apple Watch, then ask them if it worked for them.

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Can titanium watches be worn by those with nickel allergies?

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