I struggled with the stainless/aluminum question when I bought the AW when they first came out. I opted for the aluminum and have been very happy. I like the lightness and the look of it. And the glass looks new after 18 months of near constant use. Only thing I'd change is I'd get AppleCare+. I have a small blot of missing pixels.
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Aluminum Casing VS Stainless Steel
- Thread starter Delorean2006
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I struggle with this because I started with a SS and I have banged it into more surfaces than you could imagine and I really just don't know if the Sport would ever have stood up to that level of abuse without cuts, scratches, and dents.
My SS just has micro scratches on the casing, but they only show up with close inspection. My sapphire crystal is flawless.
I bought a Series 2 Aluminum and all I can think is "looks more sport and less dressy than my SS."
Also "I will probably scratch this thing up."
I mean, my phones are aluminum, but I put them in cases and since I do not wear them on my arm or throw them into pockets full of rocks, am not really that worried about scratches on those.
This is really frustrating, as I would LOVE to save money and go with the Sport, but I'm just not feeling it. I am still thinking that I might like to go with one of the colored aluminum models like the Gold or Rose Gold... not keen on the SG... it's really not for me, same as the SB SS.
Decisions. Decisions.
My SS just has micro scratches on the casing, but they only show up with close inspection. My sapphire crystal is flawless.
I bought a Series 2 Aluminum and all I can think is "looks more sport and less dressy than my SS."
Also "I will probably scratch this thing up."
I mean, my phones are aluminum, but I put them in cases and since I do not wear them on my arm or throw them into pockets full of rocks, am not really that worried about scratches on those.
This is really frustrating, as I would LOVE to save money and go with the Sport, but I'm just not feeling it. I am still thinking that I might like to go with one of the colored aluminum models like the Gold or Rose Gold... not keen on the SG... it's really not for me, same as the SB SS.
Decisions. Decisions.
I upgraded from sport to SS and couldn't be happier. The dressier look works better for me. It feels more substantial and refined.
I wore it to run yesterday and to megaformer class today and it was great but I was nervous about banging it up. I'm considering keeping the sport for rough workouts
I wore it to run yesterday and to megaformer class today and it was great but I was nervous about banging it up. I'm considering keeping the sport for rough workouts
I think this is one of the biggest considerations, especially if you plan on upgrading in the future. I own the SS0, and it has been great - the screen is still perfect after 18 months or however long it has been since launch. The body is very scuffed up but I don't really mind that and most can probably be buffed out. I'm considering going to an aluminum series 2 and just keeping my SS as well for more formal occasions, because the resale on it isn't great (BB was selling Space Black with Milanese for $250 new...)
This is tough. I had the SS S0 and it was virtually pristine when I sold it. The screen was perfect, the body polished out nearly perfect with some metal polish. I banged that thing around a ton at the gym etc over a year and a half, and my wife's aluminum body has held up ok (some minor scuffs) but the screen and back are all scratched up. She's very active with our son.
I was going to purchase a S1 aluminum model in black due to the cost difference (I sold mine for $200 vs the $800 I think I spent with AC). But once I saw BB had a Black SS S2 I just got it. It looks amazing and won't scratch unlike the SS model - and the screen is virtually resistant to any scratches you will ever see due to the sapphire. (And the body's DLC coating is spotless). It's just far more durable, which doesn't help re-sale much but keeps it looking fine.
It looks more refined like a piece of jewelry. But on a pure dollars and cents thing it makes no sense. It will be worth $200 in two years. Then again my iPhone only holds half its value too, an I upgrade that yearly. I look at all as the cost of rental for use. And I use my AW every single day since it launched in April of last year.
I was going to purchase a S1 aluminum model in black due to the cost difference (I sold mine for $200 vs the $800 I think I spent with AC). But once I saw BB had a Black SS S2 I just got it. It looks amazing and won't scratch unlike the SS model - and the screen is virtually resistant to any scratches you will ever see due to the sapphire. (And the body's DLC coating is spotless). It's just far more durable, which doesn't help re-sale much but keeps it looking fine.
It looks more refined like a piece of jewelry. But on a pure dollars and cents thing it makes no sense. It will be worth $200 in two years. Then again my iPhone only holds half its value too, an I upgrade that yearly. I look at all as the cost of rental for use. And I use my AW every single day since it launched in April of last year.
Yeah. I'd say either A.) get the cheapest model every year (or whatever the upgrade cycle ends up being) or B.) buy the more expensive models and keep them longer. I think I'm probably in group B, I'll pick up an Hermes model or something when Series 3 (or 4 if it's not a huge upgrade) comes around.
The DLC coated SB SS models do still scratch. If you gouge one of them, you'll see raw stainless steel underneath. At least with the regular SS models, you can have the scratches buffed out. Not so for the SB SS. Whatever micro scratches you get, you are stuck with.
It is a pretty watch, but it's not impervious to the exact same types of scratches as the regular SS model.
I say go used or hit a sale. Do not buy the Apple Watch for its face value. I just bought a used SS S0, which I'm sure is crazy to some, but the S2 doesn't have necessary upgrades to me. I sold my sport S0 and ate the small difference for the used SS. As many have said, you wear this watch every day. You might as well enjoy looking at it too. I won't upgrade until there are more substantial features, and even then, I might wait until the used market prices come down.
If the poor resale prices and insane deals on previous models stick around when the next gen is announced I might end up buying a series 2 after the 3 comes out and just always be a gen or 2 behind. Best Buy is selling watches that listed for $800-$900 for $250-$350 new right now because they are the original version.
Exactly. It's nice to stay of the cutting edge of tech. However, staying a year or two behind has substantial cost savings. The only gear I upgrade yearly is my phone. It's worth the $20-30 a month to stay with the newest camera alone. And, I don't have to worry about selling it, just give it back and get a new one.
Sound horologist advice, better to spend the least possible on a piece of technology that will change rapidly over the years. The seamster and any analog watch will age gracefully and keep better value. My recommendation is the same as yours, aluminum.
Do the math regarding Seamaster vs. AW. My post from another thread:
Instead of using my Rolex example...put in the numbers for Omega. See if it works out in your favor. (Omega in general do not hold value as good as Rolex.)
Actually 2017 pretty much the same 2016, and thicker not thinner LOL. I think we will have specs bump on 2019 thou.
To address your original question regarding screen durability, I suggest this test. Go to eBay and look at the watches for sale. Most of the aluminum’s have scratched up screens and the sapphires, even on series 0, all look flawless.
The reflectivity thing only applied to the original watch and even than it was a slight difference. These new 1000 nit screens look amazing in the sun.
The reflectivity thing only applied to the original watch and even than it was a slight difference. These new 1000 nit screens look amazing in the sun.
The SS is a lot nicer compared to the aluminum. There is no comparison. The price is a huge issue though since this is an electronic which you won’t want in a couple years. That said, i recommend doing what I did. Never buy an SS brand new. The resale value on Apple watches suck. This will not change and there are always those people that just don’t care and buy the newest. I went on kijiji and found a prestine SS series 2 Milanese with AppleCare for more than 50% off the original cost, then sold my scratched up SG aluminum S0. Always stay a year behind with Apple watches. To be honest though there isn’t much more to be done. The Apple Watch apps still suck so the s3 speed increase doesn’t help too much. Furthermore having lte on the Watch doesn’t make sense like Apple initially thought. Most people will have their phones with them except for the odd time.
I would rather stay up to date on technology than stay stylish with one year behind in technology.
If you cannot afford a new SS AW3, you cannot afford a new SS AW3.
Apple made it easier for SS people to make decision on Ceramic models by pricing the ceramic much higher.
If you cannot afford a new SS AW3, you cannot afford a new SS AW3.
Apple made it easier for SS people to make decision on Ceramic models by pricing the ceramic much higher.
I’m not paying nearly $400 more for for a material on a Watch I don’t plan on having more than 2 years. Having said that I love the space gray sport series 3. The ss is sharp looking but I myself can’t justify the cost.
Your analogy is correct. I prefer the stainless model, but it does not hold value anymore over the aluminum model. The only reason some would upgrade to the stainless model, is the Sapphire display and the overall looks of the stainless. It is expensive, but like all technology, it depreciates fairly quickly.