Gone are the days of oversized, flashy pieces of bling, and returning are classic timepieces suitable for both genders. Rather than showy status symbols, fashion fans are looking at a more reserved set of long-lasting styles that exude elegance and sophistication.

Stainless steel has been a stalwart metal in traditional watchmaking for many years now, but designers and manufacturers have pushed different materials to accommodate trends in the past. Now, it seems they are returning to the steady original.

The Beginning of Stainless Steel

In 1913, metallurgist Harry Brearley developed the first piece of genuine stainless steel at his laboratory in Sheffield, England. The alloy was made with iron, chromium and nickel, and could withstand a wide range of chemical reactions.

Through Brearley’s invention, stainless steel has become the modern metal for everything beginning from cutlery to skyscrapers, and of course wristwatches.

The material is known for its high resistance to corrosion, heat resistance, weldability and durability, which makes it perfectly suitable for enduring straps and encasing the sensitive machinery found inside timepieces.

A Fashionable Military Companion

While wristwatches have been around since World War I, when they were considered both a strategic military tool and as well as a necessary fashion accessory, stainless steel watches were only introduced in the early 1930s in Geneva. Jewelers and watch manufacturers were looking for a cheaper material to use to make watches, since the Great Depression of the 1920s had left the precious metals market in the dust.

In fact, they were not always the men’s collector’s items they are now. Wristwatches were only worn by women before the 20^th century, the first made for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary by Swiss watch manufacturer Patek Philippe in 1868.

For women, these watches were less worn for practicality, and more for aesthetic purposes. In 1912, The New York Times reported that it was “the most useful piece of jewelry that has been invented for many decades,” worn by “women who have to work as well as those who play.”

The first prototypes for men may have been created by watchmaker Girard-Perregaux for the German Imperial Navy in 1880, after an officer complained about the difficulty of timing an attack correctly using a pocket watch.

And hardwearing materials were not just used as a fashion statement or quotidian utility. European soldiers began to incorporate unbreakable glass to survive the trenches and radium to illuminate the display at night during battles, with civilian styles swiftly following suit.

An Everyday Item

Nowadays, watches are used by almost everyone, everywhere, but stainless steel has become one of the core metal in a developed men’s market. At Baselworld, an annual trade show held for the global watch and jewelry industry, this year’s trends seemed to highlight simplicity.

There was a particular spotlight on steel, with mention given to the fact that it is a perfect watch material in terms of being both the fashion and the reliability stakes. Many luxury watch manufacturers displayed stainless steel devices, which offered a modern yet everlasting appeal.

But that is just the surface. Because wristwatches are often exposed to sweat and moisture, they can easily corrode and malfunction if not made properly.

That is why stainless steel is so important for time-telling. Not only does it keep the case waterproof, it prevents rust and is long-lasting – all necessary factors when it comes to keeping your watch clean and functional.

Making the Grade

It is also worth mentioning that not all stainless steel is alike. Most watch cases are made of 201 or 304L stainless steel, while luxury watch makers tend to use 316L, 904L or surgical grade varieties.

A majority of luxury watch manufacturers use 316L grade stainless steel. This contains molybdenum, which contributes to its extra-low carbon content and high resistance to corrosion. It is also magnet-resistant, unlike general-use 201 or 304L stainless steel grades.

The “superalloy” 904L has an even higher resistance to corrosion due to increased levels of chromium, molybdenum and nickel. It is a more expensive material overall, so only select high-end manufacturers use it in their designs.

Meanwhile, 316L is considered tougher, a “marine grade” steel, but it lacks the luster and protection against acids offered by the 904L, which is even used in the tech, aerospace and chemical industries. Stainless steel is also being used in cases for smart watches, furnishing these hi-tech items with a premium look.

Choosing Steel for Fall

The wristwatch has traveled a long way from its European origins, from gracing royalty to equipping hardnosed generals – and stainless steel has had a part in shaping its current rendition.

So whether it is dainty or utilitarian, cost-friendly or luxurious – you can bet that a piece of this resilient metal on your wrist will be what you are looking for to satisfy both seasonal and perennial trends.

A watch is something you will hopefully want to keep forever. And one crafted from stainless steel could be your best investment to keep up with fall 2016’s latest watch trends.

Stainless Steel Speaks Fashion

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Greater stability has become a must in competitive sports ranging from baseball, football (both traditional and North American), rugby, golf, athletics and lacrosse. In the world of mountain climbing, crampons have also become indispensable.

Most professional-level cleats, regardless of sport, have one thing in common, however – they make use of steel.

Running through the History of the Cleat

Cleats’ origins can be traced back to 1500s England, where they were worn to play amateur football. Some historians have said that King Henry VIII’s Great Wardrobe included a pair of specially crafted, hand-stitched boots he used to play football in. When the first professional clubs were formed in England, beginning with in Nottingham County in 1862, a new demand for the studded football boot arose.

However, it was across the other side of the Atlantic where steel spikes were first used for cleat studs, back in 1860 in the United States. Baseball was becoming mainstream, and rapidly developing into America’s new favorite pastime, and players requested better shoes to play in. The solution presented itself in the form of steel-spiked footwear. Going into the 20^th Century, the demand for cleats skyrocketed as professional team sports grew in popularity all over the world.

Other sports professionals began adopting the use of the steel-studded cleats. Lacrosse players, golfers and track-and-field athletes all understood the importance of having extra traction, especially when playing on wet or slippery surfaces conditions.

Soon, even mountaineers began to realize how useful steel cleats were. Oscar Eckenstein designed the first pair of 10-point crampons in 1908, utilizing steel as their main material, and other climbers quickly followed suit.

Why Steel Cleats and Not Plastic?

Peak athletic performance requires the best equipment made from the strongest materials. While playing most field sports, an athlete needs to be able firm and stable contact with the ground at all times. This allows them to throw, catch, sprint, swing, kick, turn, or push off of another player at a moment’s notice.

Livestrong.com writers mention that a pair of good cleats gives your feet much-needed traction on the turf for sports that take place of grass or dirt, like football, baseball, soccer, golf, lacrosse, rugby and others. For each different sport, steel spikes are arranged in different patterns to provide maximum effectiveness.

Metal spikes have been used on sporting shoes for decades because of their toughness and durability. With modern shoe designs, steel spikes can be replaced if one becomes worn down or bent – without having to replace the entire shoe.

With molded plastic cleats, this is most often not the case. Steel-studded cleats are often slightly more expensive than plastic versions. However, a good pair of steel cleats will last you longer than plastic equivalents, as when the plastic studs wear down, the shoes lose their stabilizing properties.

Plastic spikes are certainly commonly used nowadays, but are often used in youth sports where metal spikes are deemed less appropriate. As they are often cheaper, they can be more suitable for children, whose feet tend to grow quickly.

Steel studs are also preferred in professional leagues, as they can dig deeper into turf and dirt much more than plastic studs. While walking on harder surfaces, steel studs give off a very recognizable sound – a loud clinking, compared to the softer tip-tapping of plastic studs.

Modern Cleat Designs

With the progression of cleat designs and the technology available to measure and track effectiveness, sports footwear has evolved to become adaptable to almost all conditions.

The world’s leading sports brands offer cleats for each sport with interchangeable steel spikes. These vary in length, point and size, and are all fit for different conditions. For example, in muddier conditions, you may need longer spikes to dig deeper into the turf.

In the case of track-and-field, the steel spikes used are extremely sharp-pointed, designed to gain maximum traction on synthetic and dirt tracks when runners are moving at high speed.

As adult athletes tend to play their chosen sports for a relatively long time, they need footwear that is durable and dependable. High-level sports place a lot of pressure on shoes, and top-level athletes value stability, traction and balance above many other factors – and perhaps this is why steel remains many sportspeople’s first choice for cleat studs.

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What is SkyCube? 

SkyCube will provide an accessible means of transportation to experience the great natural surroundings found in Suncheon. Suncheon Eco Trans’ SkyCube was made possible through investments between POSCO and Suncheon City’s Private Enterprise Investment Agreement. As the nation’s first PRT, it is a big deal. SkyCube runs for 4.64 km from Suncheon’s Dream Bridge to Suncheon’s Literature Center. The path that it runs is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Suncheon.

Pictured here: PRT car passing through the track

SkyCube has a total of 40 cubicles and is a unique system in that it allows the surrounding environment to be preserved. The implications of these benefits may prove to be beneficial for transportation systems built in the future.

Reasons to Visit Suncheon

 Pictured here: PRT routes in Suncheon that preserve the natural environment

Suncheon is a unique wetland ecosystem that needs to be preserved as much as possible. SkyCube passengers can enjoy superb views of Suncheon. The area in which SkyCube runs is a vast natural wetlands area with 120 native marsh plants and over 240 species of migratory birds. It is currently registered within the Ramsar Convention which is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. In 2006, the Korean Tourism Organization selected Suncheon as one of the top 5 wetlands in the world.

Pictured here: Suncheon Bay Garden (Photo from http://bit.ly/PJSJTB)

Besides, Suncheon Bay Garden, which opened on April 20, became a landmark after successfully completing the very first Korean garden festival, ‘Suncheon Bay Garden Expo 2013’. Suncheon Bay Garden consists of Cypress Forest and Autumn Tint Path and more, divided into sections in accordance to the tree species and features various themed attractions such as Meditation Path and Meditation Place. While there are many places to visit throughout the Korean peninsula, many people recommend the ‘ecological tourist travel course’ in Suncheon.  

Pictured here: Suncheon Eco Trans opening ceremony

What is the Significance of SkyCube?

In January 2011, POSCO and Suncheon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the basis of jointly developing technology for the nation’s unique state-of-the-art transportation system. A test track was set up in Sweden and the system performance was verified to meet the safety requirements of northern Europe. The culmination of these efforts was precisely “SkyCube”.

 Pictured here: Beautiful natural scenery as scene from the PRT

The technology behind SkyCube is more economical compared to former technologies as the train can be controlled 24 hours without human involvement. With the same transportation capabilities, PRT are more cost-efficient in terms of construction as well as operating costs. SkyCube advantage is it is an eco-friendly solution since the PRT system runs on electric energy 100% and therefore does not generate exhaust emissions.

Moreover, polyurethane coated wheels were used in lieu of steel wheels in order to reduce noise and preserve the natural environment.

For these reasons, this state-of-the-art transportation technology seamlessly fits in with the natural ecosystem.

Pictured here: Internal arrangement of the PRT which is being seen as the future for eco-friendly transportation

The Advantages of the PRT System

Pictured here: PRT cars waiting at a station

PRT is an ecofriendly alternative to the regular public transport system. The system covers all necessary elements for the best green transportation solution including punctuality, safety, reliability, accessibility and privacy. Installation and operation is possible even in urban areas and short interval stops, with distance of 1 to 2 minutes, is achievable.

Unlike existing public transportation that runs on predetermined timetables, PRT runs based on passenger needs. At times when there are not many passengers, empty cars will wait before passing through stops and during rush hours, nearby cars will be called to meet service needs. Passengers do not need to wait over one minute for the PRT. Like taxis, passengers can get on the PRT and travel to their final destination without making stops in between. Passengers can have their privacy and travel within efficient timeframes.

System installation costs about 1/10^th of the cost it takes to build subway systems. They are also 1/3^rd the cost of light rail train systems and capacity is about the same. Because operation of PRT is automatic, cost efficiency is high and costs can be further reduced if cars are not operated when there are no passengers. PRT is an advantageous solution for development of new cities or new routes or advancements to existing routes.

Capable of being constructed with 90cm of concrete, 60cm of steel, the PRT tracks have the flexibility to be installed on main roads as well as sharp curves.

Pictured here: SkyCube passing through a station

Foreign PRT Systems

First developed in the 1970s, a small track rail system for 20 people was developed at Morgantown West Virginia University. PRT (Personal Rapid Transition) and GRT (Group Rapid Transition) were used as routes to connect the college campus with the city.

This was followed by further developments in Japan, France and Germany. Of these, the Cabintaxi developed in Hamburg, Germany, was the most advanced. The Cabintaxi developed in 1970 was in commercialization stage in 1980 however due to German government budget issues, the full development was postponed indefinitely.

By 1990, the PRT was a step closer to becoming fully commercial, but was not readily available still. Many studies were in place, however many were stopped. Systems under current operation were ULTra in England and 2getthere in Netherlands.

Thus, SkyCube is a superior operating system that supplies electricity to the track by using a third rail. In addition, compared to competing systems, it has already received safety system certification and is recognized in the world market for excellence and responsiveness.