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Aluminum AW's?
- Thread starter Closingracer
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If you care about how it looks the SS models is the only one you can get rid of the scratches without harming the finish. If you do not care about scratches on the body of the watch and the screen the aluminum model will save you some money.
I have decided on keeping the Aluminum watch for now. I have until January 7th to return it because of holiday season and plus Apple doesn't have any SS in Stock for the 42mm model that costs $599. Even than that is kind of out of my budget atm. I paid around $600 for my watch which is:
$400 for the watch
$50 for Apple care
$80 for the stand ( tried a cheaper one but ended up getting the Apple one which is awesome)
$50 for a nylon strap.
$50 for sales tax ( estimate)
I can always return it later and get the SS if I change my mind before the year ends.
$400 for the watch
$50 for Apple care
$80 for the stand ( tried a cheaper one but ended up getting the Apple one which is awesome)
$50 for a nylon strap.
$50 for sales tax ( estimate)
I can always return it later and get the SS if I change my mind before the year ends.
I had a slight scratch on my stainless model awhile back. I buffed it in seconds and it's completely removed. They stainless model is worth my money any day.
If looks are important the SS is the way to go. I have friends who have the aluminum and both have scratches on the body and face of the watch. One has the crazy roughness on the back of his watch like the plastic back is covered in little bumps.
If looks are important the SS is the way to go. I have friends who have the aluminum and both have scratches on the body and face of the watch. One has the crazy roughness on the back of his watch like the plastic back is covered in little bumps.
The aluminum can take a beating, but it looks like garbage when it's scratched. Unfortunately, it's permanent. And the Ion-X Glass isn't as durable as most seem, by my experience. The sapphire glass is a God send on the stainless.
I ended up returning the aluminum one and got the stainless steel one with the assumption of getting the space black one since on the apple store app sailing that the store only had a space black one available. Also was only available in 2 stores which either wasn't the closest or in Manhattan and didn't want to drive there. Probably should of called the store but I was in class. I decided I already spent $500 what is $200 more? Anyways I think I might return it and get a aluminum one back because I not greatly fond of the weight plus I find the screen to be darker.
I was going to buy one since they said it was the only one in Stock but thank god the Apple store app is wrong Lmao
I upgraded from an original Apple Watch Sport to a series 2 stainless steel model ... my recommendation is to give it a few more days to get used to the extra weight of the stainless steel model. At first the weight did bother me a bit but after about a week or so I don't even notice the extra weight anymore.
On the screen front, my wife has an aluminum series 2 watch and I don't notice any differences in the brightness of our screens. I can't say I've noticed much difference in the screen on my series 2 stainless vs my original Apple Watch either but in full sun I bet this new one is brighter.
Bought my AW Sport in july of last year (same day it launched in my country), and from what I've noticed I have two extremely fine scratches right at the top of the display glass. You can't even see them unless you shine light at the right angle and look closely.
The watch case appears almost completely pristine, and I've worn this thing basically every day since I've bought it. I haven't babied it - it's been knocked against stuff by accident and such, I've simply not been careless with it, and it has held up fine so far. (Touch wood, lol) These people who bought a watch and then went on here to cry about scratches on it only days later, I don't know what the hell those people do with their things. I don't think they were taught to respect their possessions when they were kids...
Btw, "sapphire glass" is not glass. Glass (including crystal glass) is an anamorphic material, an unstructured jumble of atoms, whereas sapphire is crystalline in structure.
When the original Apple watch was released, I purchased the 38MM SS Apple Watch with the Milanese Loop. This was when they first came out, so the hype was really high for this product. The price came out to a little over $700 after taxes. I loved the craftsmanship of the watch and band. Yes, it was a little heavy, although I really liked the weighty feel to it since it made the product feel premium.
I don't really wear watches, and unfortunately I could not justify spending that amount of money for the product once I realized the amount of value it gave me. I ended up returning the watch within the 2 week return period.
Fast-forward a year and half later, and I considered an Apple watch again. I figured that since the Apple Watch Series 1 and 2 were on the market, that I could probably find a used series 0 for very cheap. I decided against a Series 2, since I don't have a need for GPS, and the series 0 is already very water resistant for my needs. The series 1 does have the faster processor, although for the limited apps that are currently available for the Apple Watch, the original processor fairs well.
I was able to find a used Sport Gold Series 0 watch for around $165, which is what I believe to be a reasonable price for this type of product. It does feels much lighter than my previous SS model with Milanese loop, and while this is good because it isn't as noticeable on my wrist, it does feel less substantial and not as 'expensive'. The color does not seem to be chipping as some Space Gray owners have mentioned, although it does appear that the Gold color on the aluminum may be fading a bit. I'm not 100% sure though, but when I look at it, sometimes it doesn't appear as gold as it does in photos of the watch online. I would also suggest you look at which bands you would want to get, because the SS model goes with the majority of the bands available.
The screen is fine. Having it be brighter would be nice, but it's not an issue. There are a few micro-scratches that I can see if I hold the watch at a specific angle in bright light, but they're not apparent under everyday use. The battery life lasts me all day; if I use it heavily, I may get around 14 hours of use which is very good for me. This watch performs all of the basic tasks as the other much more expensive ones at a fraction of the price.
I don't really wear watches, and unfortunately I could not justify spending that amount of money for the product once I realized the amount of value it gave me. I ended up returning the watch within the 2 week return period.
Fast-forward a year and half later, and I considered an Apple watch again. I figured that since the Apple Watch Series 1 and 2 were on the market, that I could probably find a used series 0 for very cheap. I decided against a Series 2, since I don't have a need for GPS, and the series 0 is already very water resistant for my needs. The series 1 does have the faster processor, although for the limited apps that are currently available for the Apple Watch, the original processor fairs well.
I was able to find a used Sport Gold Series 0 watch for around $165, which is what I believe to be a reasonable price for this type of product. It does feels much lighter than my previous SS model with Milanese loop, and while this is good because it isn't as noticeable on my wrist, it does feel less substantial and not as 'expensive'. The color does not seem to be chipping as some Space Gray owners have mentioned, although it does appear that the Gold color on the aluminum may be fading a bit. I'm not 100% sure though, but when I look at it, sometimes it doesn't appear as gold as it does in photos of the watch online. I would also suggest you look at which bands you would want to get, because the SS model goes with the majority of the bands available.
The screen is fine. Having it be brighter would be nice, but it's not an issue. There are a few micro-scratches that I can see if I hold the watch at a specific angle in bright light, but they're not apparent under everyday use. The battery life lasts me all day; if I use it heavily, I may get around 14 hours of use which is very good for me. This watch performs all of the basic tasks as the other much more expensive ones at a fraction of the price.
Nice summary of your Watch experience. I think the aluminum Watch was to light for my
Needs. I love the weight of the stainless Watch. But you're correct, both models execute the same features, just differences in aesthetic appeal.
I just don't like the look of the SS and anyway I wanted gold and a lighter feel so I went with the gold Series 2 after returning the Series 1. The Sport Series 2 has the brightest display and if you ask me that is better than having a blemish-free saphire display, not that I have any scratches at all on mine.
I had a series 2 in rose gold and bow currently have a SS model. After a few days I can't tell the difference in weight. I don't notice my watch is on really. As far as brightness I don't notice a huge difference IMHO.
The Saphirre display is reported to have a slightly dimmer display to direct sunlight, but I have not noticed a huge difference with the brightness, and I have owned both the Sport and Stainless.
The screen isn't actually brighter on the sport rather than stainless steel it's just that the sapphire screen reflects light a little more
It's not that the display is dimmer, it's because the sapphire screen reflects more light, so just appears slightly dimmer.
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I researched your post on the reflectance with the Saphirre display. You are correct. Display Mate has a very well detailed article On the differences between the Ion-X Glass and Saphirre display. Listed below is the link for reference.
http://www.displaymate.com/Apple_Watch_ShootOut_2.htm
I have owned an AW Sport for a year and I recently purchased a Space Black SS S2. Right away, I noticed the text on my SS S2 seems "cleaner" with less distortion. Maybe it is the difference between the clarity of the sapphire and the Ion-X glass, but I think it looks better on the S2.
I also had a chance to wear the S2 today in the bright sunlight and for the first time I was able to read the screen easily in the direct sunlight. (I am using the same brightness settings on both) With my AW S0, I had to move my Watch into the shade to get a clear view of the screen on bright sunny days. (Not a big deal, but something I had to do every time)
That is two positives for the more expensive S2 SS Watches.
I also had a chance to wear the S2 today in the bright sunlight and for the first time I was able to read the screen easily in the direct sunlight. (I am using the same brightness settings on both) With my AW S0, I had to move my Watch into the shade to get a clear view of the screen on bright sunny days. (Not a big deal, but something I had to do every time)
That is two positives for the more expensive S2 SS Watches.
The Saphirre display is more reflective on the stainless Models when compared to the Ion-X Glass on the Sport model, with consideration with Sunlight.
http://www.displaymate.com/Apple_Watch_ShootOut_2.htm
Yes, I was aware of the extra reflective glass under the sunlight. As I commented above, the 1000 nit display of the S2 easily overcomes the reflective glass issues with the SS S0 version. However, I did not realize the screen was going to looker sharper during normal indoor use, as well.
I have a silver aluminium sports series 2. I have banged it so many times, but it still looks like new. The only time I don't wear it is when I am showering or it is charging, which is often the same time.
Agreed the 7000 Series aluminum is durable. But I personally don't trust the Ion-X Glass On the Sport model. It scratches easily from when I did own the Sport model, which is why I upgraded to the Stainless. Which I couldn't be happier.
I don't know what you guys are doing with your watches, but I've had a space grey sports watch for a year and it doesn't have a single mark or scratch on either the body or the screen!