Aluminium vs. SS, band selection

[Hedberg]

Hey guys! Long time reader, first time poster

I just ordered an Apple Watch 42 mm silver aluminium case, but now I can't decide whether to cancel my purchase and go for the SS version instead.

My biggest concern is, that I will be using the watch for running (with a sports band) and for work with either a leather or milanese loop band. Has anyone bought an aluminium case watch and a stainless steel band and ended up regretting the combination. Is the SS version really so much better looking, or can you rock the aluminium case with SS bands at work and at formal occasions without it looking kind of weird? I'm afraid that I might regret the aluminium combination with the milanese band, but then again I fancy the lighter weight of the aluminium watch for runs and the cheaper price tag :-/ Do you guys have any experience or advice?

 

[blueyz628]

I like the matte and shiny combo, personally. I have had that combo on watches that I own/ have owned.

 

[Hedberg]

I like the matte and shiny combo, personally. I have had that combo on watches that I own/ have owned.

Nice! You feel comfortable wearing the combo with a suit, or do you feel it's more casual?

 

[blueyz628]

Nice! You feel comfortable wearing the combo with a suit, or do you feel it's more casual?

I think it would look fine.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Some people can't stand the SS lugs on silver aluminum, but it coordinates nicely with the black bands. You can for example combine silver aluminum with the black Milanese loop.

 

[Hedberg]

Some people can't stand the SS lugs on silver aluminum, but it coordinates nicely with the black bands. You can for example combine silver aluminum with the black Milanese loop.

I should give that combo a look as well, thanks! Yea, I really can't decide myself either. Sometimes I think it looks so great as well, and sometimes I'm leaning towards the SS case instead.

 

[Nell]

I have the silver aluminum watch and a Milanese loop which I wear when I want to be smart. I really like the combination.

 

[Hedberg]

I have the silver aluminum watch and a Milanese loop which I wear when I want to be smart. I really like the combination.

Which band do you wear for casual use then? Why did you not go for the SS version instead, if I may ask?

 

[blwade]

I've never been pulled toward the SS options (mainly due to price - don't think the sapphire screen and "premium" look is worth the extra $200), but I'm purchasing my first watch.. getting an S2 space gray with nylon band (couldn't bring myself to do the gold as nice as I thought it looks).

I've been using mixmywatch.com to look at different combos.. it's not the most up to date at the moment as far as bands go,but it would give you a good idea - just in case you didn't know about this.

I opted away from the silver aluminum due to the white bands and the aluminum itself looking too light to me. I don't think the white looks good with my skin tone personally.

I'm buying Apple care and not gonna worry about it.

 

[Hedberg]

I've never been pulled toward the SS options (mainly due to price - don't think the sapphire screen and "premium" look is worth the extra $200), but I'm purchasing my first watch.. getting an S2 space gray with nylon band (couldn't bring myself to do the gold as nice as I thought it looks).

I've been using mixmywatch.com to look at different combos.. it's not the most up to date at the moment as far as bands go,but it would give you a good idea - just in case you didn't know about this.

I opted away from the silver aluminum due to the white bands and the aluminum itself looking too light to me. I don't think the white looks good with my skin tone personally.

I'm buying Apple care and not gonna worry about it.

Yea, it's all about personal preference I haven't really considered space grey that much, since I've always been wearing steel or silver case watches Yea, 200$ extra sure is pulling me more towards the aluminium as well. And cool site btw, thanks mate!

 

[teameurox]

Which band do you wear for casual use then? Why did you not go for the SS version instead, if I may ask?

Ill throw in my experience. I had the OG Series 0 Apple Watch Sport in Gold. I collected a ton of bands and I mean a ton. I went the third party route and ended up with almost every color Sport, Nylon band. I have a 4th gen silver link band, and then more leather band combos than I can count Luxury Replicas (Tag,Pan,Breitling etc.) Leather Loops, Classic Buckle, Single Tour and so forth. I never thought the clash between shiny adapters and the matte finish of the sports was bad at all. If anything the contrast was a good look IMO.

The reason I wanted to comment on this was the fact that I just upgraded to the SS Series 2 and I will say without a doubt IMO its well worth it. If you have always worn a watch prior to the Apple watch, the SS feels right at home. I went with the Sport the first go around because of it being a 1st gen product and how unsure I was that it would actually be useful. In my instance it proved to be well worth it as I grew accustom to doing more task utilizing the watch rather than my phone. With a sport band I can still go run or workout, yet throw another band on and have it be elegant enough for any event I need. Do i regret the having the sport for the first one....not at all
[doublepost=1475100874][/doublepost]But at 400 dollars its bit of a premium to pay for a fitbit weight and feel in a sense if oyu have worn a tradition mechanical watch prior. If you break down the 600 dollars and you wear the watch everyday its a 1.64 a day....For the convenience and use I get out of it I can justify that.

 

[Hedberg]

Ill throw in my experience. I had the OG Series 0 Apple Watch Sport in Gold. I collected a ton of bands and I mean a ton. I went the third party route and ended up with almost every color Sport, Nylon band. I have a 4th gen silver link band, and then more leather band combos than I can count Luxury Replicas (Tag,Pan,Breitling etc.) Leather Loops, Classic Buckle, Single Tour and so forth. I never thought the clash between shiny adapters and the matte finish of the sports was bad at all. If anything the contrast was a good look IMO.

The reason I wanted to comment on this was the fact that I just upgraded to the SS Series 2 and I will say without a doubt IMO its well worth it. If you have always worn a watch prior to the Apple watch, the SS feels right at home. I went with the Sport the first go around because of it being a 1st gen product and how unsure I was that it would actually be useful. In my instance it proved to be well worth it as I grew accustom to doing more task utilizing the watch rather than my phone. With a sport band I can still go run or workout, yet throw another band on and have it be elegant enough for any event I need. Do i regret the having the sport for the first one....not at all
[doublepost=1475100874][/doublepost]But at 400 dollars its bit of a premium to pay for a fitbit weight and feel in a sense if oyu have worn a tradition mechanical watch prior. If you break down the 600 dollars and you wear the watch everyday its a 1.64 a day....For the convenience and use I get out of it I can justify that.

You're making some good points - making my choice even more difficult ;-) I agree that the SS looks more stylish with the a variety of bands. Even though I could justify using the extra money on the SS, I might go your route as well and start with the aluminium case, since it's my first smartwatch ever. Just to get a feel of using a smartwatch and to figure out if it's someone I like, and then (like you), I might consider upgrading in the future!

 

[lordofthereef]

Here's mine. Obviously not silver but I don't think it looks bad. You decide!

Fair warning. This is an amazon knock off band. But I love it. $7. Can't beat that!

 

[Hedberg]

Here's mine. Obviously not silver but I don't think it looks bad. You decide!

Fair warning. This is an amazon knock off band. But I love it. $7. Can't beat that!
View attachment 660639

Looks nice as well! Hehe yea, I've ordered a third party milanese loop as well to begin with ;-) Looking so much forward to getting the watch (and band)!

 

[lordofthereef]

Looks nice as well! Hehe yea, I've ordered a third party milanese loop as well to begin with ;-) Looking so much forward to getting the watch (and band)!

I think you'll like it. And I'm in the same boat as you. $400 for a Watch that might last me three years (but probably just two) isn't nothing. $600 was just out of the question.

I may be singling andifferent tune if the first gen stainless models weren't discounted 59-70% right now... that's just depreciation in not willing to eat.

 

[Nell]

Which band do you wear for casual use then? Why did you not go for the SS version instead, if I may ask?

I'm generally pretty scruffy so the stainless steel just felt a bit too smart to me. I have a few sports straps (I probably use the dark blue one the most but I like having a variety). I also have a nylon strap (the pearl one) which I wear a lot.

 

[Seamaster]

I had a Series 0 in stainless steel, and spent a fortune on alternative bands: it shipped on the BSB, but I added the LL, the ML and a midnight blue SB. I sold it, along with the bands, several months ago, and at a huge loss, deciding to go back to mechanicals.

Apple tempted me back for the the Series 2, though. But this time round I went for SG aluminium. One of the main reasons for doing so being that that it would remove the temptation for impulse buying more bands, given that none of them match (other than the woven nylon one in black).

 

[Hedberg]

I had a Series 0 in stainless steel, and spent a fortune on alternative bands: it shipped on the BSB, but I added the LL, the ML and a midnight blue SB. I sold it, along with the bands, several months ago, and at a huge loss, deciding to go back to mechanicals.

Apple tempted me back for the the Series 2, though. But this time round I went for SG aluminium. One of the main reasons for doing so being that that it would remove the temptation for impulse buying more bands, given that none of them match (other than the woven nylon one in black).

So you don't like the case/band synergy with the aluminium body?

I think you'll like it. And I'm in the same boat as you. $400 for a Watch that might last me three years (but probably just two) isn't nothing. $600 was just out of the question.

I may be singling andifferent tune if the first gen stainless models weren't discounted 59-70% right now... that's just depreciation in not willing to eat.

Yea, I won't like taking such a hit as well, especially if Apple is going to release a new model every 1-1,5 years