Unveiling the Revolutionary Craftsmanship and Sustainability Behind the 3D-Printed Titanium Cases of Apple's Watches

As Apple launched its latest watch and iPhone series in September, an unmissable feature came to light - the tech-giant’s next-level venture of crafting 100% recycled titanium cases using 3D printing technology. Fuelling its commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2030, Apple has seamlessly merged advanced technology with its sustainability mandate. The uniqueness of this sustainability-driven innovation was not just how tech-forward it was, but lived in the way it retained the classic aesthetic of traditional Apple Watches. In comparison, conventional watchmaking predominantly uses metal 3D printing for designs unattainable by a 5-axis CNC machine.

The process to print these titanium cases is no minor feat. Using a thoroughly established ‘Laser Powder Bed Fusion’ process, each titanium case requires a precise assembly of over 900 layers in a 20-hour print run. The raw material for these cases begins with 100% recycled titanium, atomized into a fine powder. This process requires safeguards as powdered titanium can be highly explosive when exposed to the heat from the sintering lasers.

Apple procures its grade 23 titanium from various external suppliers due to the sheer scale of its production. Though the procurement process presents specific challenges, Apple’s experience with the similar grade 5 titanium enables a smooth transformation from grade 5 production scrap to its lower-oxygen grade 23 counterpart. Watch industry stalwarts such as Blancpain and Laventure have also used grade 23 titanium for their watch cases, marking its popularity in the field.

On this extraordinary journey of innovation and sustainability, Apple succeeds in preserving the aesthetics of traditional watches while simultaneously skilfully leveraging advanced technology to revolutionise the process of designing and manufacturing watches.