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Downside of the Apple Watch (Sport Model)

B

Bengy66

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 22, 2012
201
60
St. Louis, MO
I just got confirmation from a retail employee who attended the Watch training of what I suspected. The Apple Watch Sport model will NOT be compatible with the metal bands.

I am wondering if 3rd party bands might work though?
 
interesting. that means you probably can't get the plastic bands for the SS version either, unless they make a separate line of plastic bands meant only for the SS model.
 
Well, they've only ever pictured the Sport with the plastic bands on apple.com. So I guess it's not too surprising? And an aluminum watch with a metal band would look odd, wouldn't it?
 
They show a sport band with the SS Watch on apple.com. I can't think of any reason that a sport band would fit on the SS watch, but the metal band that connects the exact same way won't fit on the Sport watch.

I would also be shocked if they revealed this type of information to retail store employees before the next big reveal that will include launch information.
 
DravenGSX said:
They show a sport band with the SS Watch on apple.com. I can't think of any reason that a sport band would fit on the SS watch, but the metal band that connects the exact same way won't fit on the Sport watch.

I would also be shocked if they revealed this type of information to retail store employees before the next big reveal that will include launch information.
Click to expand...

Yes, yes making the whole thing up along with this picture of the 13 MBP retina that I just bought off him/Apple.
 
After seeing this

yeahP9090002.jpg


I really don't care anymore. It looks just great in Sport Space grey with rubber band
 
Technodynamic said:
interesting. that means you probably can't get the plastic bands for the SS version either, unless they make a separate line of plastic bands meant only for the SS model.
Click to expand...

I cannot believe that would be the case. It would make using the SS or Edition for things like running not very convenient. Running with a metal band is not comfortable at all. Plus, metal banded watches usually have a little play in them, making the heart rate reading not terribly accurate. They have to allow the rubber bands on the SS and Edition.
 
Bengy66 said:
I just got confirmation from a retail employee who attended the Watch training of what I suspected. The Apple Watch Sport model will NOT be compatible with the metal bands.

I am wondering if 3rd party bands might work though?
Click to expand...

This almost certainly means the SS straps are not 'compatible' with the aluminum to match. The locking mechanism is touted and looks to be standard. Also the leather straps that come with the SS would not work either if this was the case. Also the SS can be had with the Sport's fluoroelastomer strap.

So it would be a design challenge to add a way to make the metal straps physically incompatible while allowing the leather straps to fit. And also allowing the Sport's fluoroelastomer strap to fit on the SS.
 
I can't believe this will be true.

1: The sports watch may very well be Apple's biggest selling model.

2: Apple make their money thru selling hardware

3: Apple put a BIG mark-up on accessories.

Do you think Apple would want to kill of it's chance to make more money from the largest Watch user base, by not allowing those people to give Apple more money by buying more expensive straps?

Likewise, that would 100% be giving the metal strap market away to 3rd parties.

Apple generally is not stupid when it comes to making money.
 
I m sure this is by design as a metal band popped in and out of the aluminum casing will/could cause scratching over time.

----------

We are assuming the SS model doesn't have a Sport strap specifically designed for it.
 
Bengy66 said:
I m sure this is by design as a metal band popped in and out of the aluminum casing will/could cause scratching over time.
Click to expand...

It slides inside the case;). Who cares or could know that the inside of the case is getting scratched over time.:D

Bengy66 said:
We are assuming the SS model doesn't have a Sport strap specifically designed for it.
Click to expand...
Also what about the leather straps??????

I don't believe (at this point) there is any physical difference in the strap system. I believe it is all standardized just like Jony Ive said in the presentation.
 
Last edited:
Bengy66 said:
I m sure this is by design as a metal band popped in and out of the aluminum casing will/could cause scratching over time.

----------

We are assuming the SS model doesn't have a Sport strap specifically designed for it.
Click to expand...

That Will scratch the SS version as well.
Or is everybody forgot about the Backs of our Apple iPad Classics. Also SS but scratchy as hell.

I don't think we have to worry about scratching the Aluminium Watch because Aluminium is softer. My iPhone 6+ lives a way harder life than my watches do (Watches never touch anything els besides my wrist :p ) and still looks great. No dents or marks on it. So I am not worried about the Sport version at all.
 
Donstil-nl said:
That Will scratch the SS version as well.
Or is everybody forgot about the Backs of our Apple iPad Classics. Also SS but scratchy as hell.

I don't think we have to worry about scratching the Aluminium Watch because Aluminium is softer. My iPhone 6+ lives a way harder life than my watches do (Watches never touch anything els besides my wrist :p ) and still looks great. No dents or marks on it. So I am not worried about the Sport version at all.
Click to expand...

The aluminum is brushed to hide minor scoffing. The SS is polished and will show scuffing. So you first point is valid. The SS could scuff up more easily (or at least show it) than the aluminum.
 
18K Gold Edition, even with a few other metals in the gold mix to make it a little harder than standard 18K gold would still be VASTLY softer than Stainless Steel.
 
I'm pretty sure the old rule applies: you can't trust Apple retail employees. Maybe he/she attended the full training session, or maybe he/she attended the morning informational session like every other retail employee.

If this person did attend the full session training, then they probably broke a strict confidentiality agreement not to speak about it. Then there's the possibility the OP misinterpreted what that person said, IE: steel straps won't be included in the "collections" though you could buy one separately and it would work. People are more inclined to hear information in a way that confirms their pre-existing assumptions.

It doesn't make sense that Apple would design two unique and separate forms of strap connectors. I suppose it's possible, but nothing in this post makes me believe it's true (not that it matters to me, since I'm getting SS and it definitely comes with the straps I want).
 
Will be interesting to see if, on later models Apple uses Sapphire more for the watch front rather than metal so close to the front of the device.
Perhaps it could be more curved Sapphire with the metal just being a more narrow band around the sides in the future?

I'm sure Apple have many many possible future designs they are working on right now.

And, this is just a feeling I have, an I may be wrong, but personally I think the current watch is going to age VERY fast in style.

It reminds me of an old chunky / chubby American car
I just imagine this design becoming much more sleek in the future and this model looking old and fat really fast when we look back on it in a couple of years time.

That's no reason not to get one now of course. Just thinking about how sleek and modern all other Apple products have become, so I can see the watch doing the same.

"Old Tubby" being the term I have used before from a future perspective :)
 
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