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Apple Planned Black Ceramic Apple Watch Edition Series 5

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Apple considered offering a black version of the ceramic Apple Watch Edition Series 5, according to newly-shared images of the prototype casing.

apple-watch-edition-series-5-ceramic-black-prototype.jpg

The images, shared on Twitter by the prototype collector and leaker known as "Mr. White," show a prototype black ceramic Apple Watch casing, alongside the white ceramic version.

The ceramic Apple Watch Edition Series 5 was never available in a black color option, only being available in a striking gloss white finish. Apple marketed the ceramic white Apple Watch Edition as a high-end option starting at $1,249, owing to its extremely unique finish.

applewatchceramic.jpg

At the time, Apple lauded the ceramic casing as strong, light, and scratch-resistant, being four times as hard as the stainless steel finish, while also featuring a "pearly, lustrous finish" that is extremely resistant to scratches and tarnishing.
The process of creating the Apple Watch Edition case begins with a high-strength zirconia powder that's combined with alumina to achieve its rich, white color. Each case is then compression molded, sintered, and polished using a diamond slurry, which results in a remarkably smooth surface and an exquisite shine. With this precise level of workmanship, every Apple Watch Edition case takes days to make.
Click to expand...
The black ceramic finish shown in the images looks very similar to the Space Black stainless steel Apple Watch, and while it is slightly lighter in color, it is not unreasonable to speculate that the similarity of the finishes could be the reason why Apple never took the black ceramic case forward.

Apple introduced a ceramic Apple Watch Edition with the Series 2, which went on to offer a gray ceramic option with the Series 3. While there was no ceramic Apple Watch Edition for Series 4 models, Apple revived the high-end white ceramic Edition model for the Series 5. With the latest Apple Watch Series 6, there is again no ceramic version, with the Edition models featuring a cheaper titanium casing only.

Article Link: Apple Planned Black Ceramic Apple Watch Edition Series 5
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/16/apple-planned-black-ceramic-apple-watch/
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I would have bought one. I seriously considered the white ceramic one but I held off to the series 4 to upgrade my watch and it was gone by then. I made the mistake of buying aluminum and my found lifestyle really punishes it. My original black stainless still looked as pristine as the day I bought it after 3 and half years of wearing it. My space gray aluminum was scratched and gouged in just a few months. My next one will be a stainless again or titanium or maybe ceramic if it is offered.
 
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I would totally buy it, I love my S4 stainless space black (jet black) which they stopped offering unless you go with 1200$ Hermes

Ceramic would be lighter than stainless steel and almost the same shine.
wish they make ceramic iPhone since it also as good for transmitting signals and good with wireless charging
 
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Geardo_Ranger said:
I have always wondered why Apple never released a black version of products also? Case in point is the AirPods. I really want to know what drives their single color decision for most products.
Click to expand...

Early on the white headphones used with the iPod became an unofficial trademark of Apple. Since then, they have gone out of the way to make most of their accessories white. I really wish they would stop that. I saw the new Beats in solid colors like red and black and think that AirPods in these colors would be awesome.
 
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I had a Series 3 white ceramic. They didn't do one with Series 4, and I wouldn't have bought one anyway as I would generally maybe update after 2 years, not 1.
When the 5 came out in Ceramic I updated mine. If they brought out a white Ceramic 6 then I probably wouldn't have bought it. Reckon there will be another with series 7. I may be tempted, and I think this is why they seem to skip it as an option every other year. 2 years on almost and mine looks like new even though I wear it every day. It's totally worth it if you don't like scratches.
 
H.E. Pennypacker said:
For myself I still cannot understand why one would spend that much on an Apple Watch Edition. I could see spending that kind of coin on say an Omega, Rolex etc because those watches are timeless. But a watch that will be effectively obsolete and unusable in the next 5 years, 🤯.
Click to expand...
For some watches just the leather straps are around 500 USD and these are even less timeless than an Apple Watch.
 
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Benjamin Nabulsi said:
I would totally buy it, I love my S4 stainless space black (jet black) which they stopped offering unless you go with 1200$ Hermes

Ceramic would be lighter than stainless steel and almost the same shine.
wish they make ceramic iPhone since it also as good for transmitting signals and good with wireless charging
Click to expand...
Duh we already have CERAMIC Shield on the iPhone 12 /s

Ceramic in lieu of the SS band around the silver models would look icy, no scratching for a clean white brick. Grey ceramic band on the space grey would look nice too. I liked the design of the essential phone and it had a ceramic back, although most reviews seemed to dislike the model's performance, or lack thereof.
 
joecomo said:
For some watches just the leather straps are around 500 USD and these are even less timeless than an Apple Watch.
Click to expand...
A leather strap lasts less than 3 years? I'd argue with moderate care in 3 years a leather strap is just starting to "find itself". If you're tossing a $500 leather strap after 3 years send it to me. ;)

An Apple Watch in three years while functional is slow, and lucky to hold a 24 hour charge with any type of use above checking the time.
 
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H.E. Pennypacker said:
For myself I still cannot understand why one would spend that much on an Apple Watch Edition. I could see spending that kind of coin on say an Omega, Rolex etc because those watches are timeless. But a watch that will be effectively obsolete and unusable in the next 5 years, 🤯.
Click to expand...
Well if you're planning to keep it for 5 years then even $1500 is $300/yr, still a bit less than upgrading base models annually. I haven't really shopped for Rolex etc but I doubt people really sell them for $1500 if they are timeless as far as holding value. I went from a S2 to a SS S3 and looking back I should've kept the S2 until it died. I hope to get a ceramic model next, if the S7 comes in white.

The titanium watches don't look different enough to me and the weight of my SS S3 hasn't been a concern, I just admire the look of the ceramic models more. I don't know what band to rock, I love the Milanese loop and SS Links. I work in metallurgy and it's interesting understanding prices of different metals and composites that are further processed than source material Apple Watches use and seeing the disparity.
 
MacRumors said:


Apple considered offering a black version of the ceramic Apple Watch Edition Series 5, according to newly-shared images of the prototype casing.

apple-watch-edition-series-5-ceramic-black-prototype.jpg

The images, shared on Twitter by the prototype collector and leaker known as "Mr. White," show a prototype black ceramic Apple Watch casing, alongside the white ceramic version.

The ceramic Apple Watch Edition Series 5 was never available in a black color option, only being available in a striking gloss white finish. Apple marketed the ceramic white Apple Watch Edition as a high-end option starting at $1,249, owing to its extremely unique finish.

applewatchceramic.jpg

At the time, Apple lauded the ceramic casing as strong, light, and scratch-resistant, being four times as hard as the stainless steel finish, while also featuring a "pearly, lustrous finish" that is extremely resistant to scratches and tarnishing.The black ceramic finish shown in the images looks very similar to the Space Black stainless steel Apple Watch, and while it is slightly lighter in color, it is not unreasonable to speculate that the similarity of the finishes could be the reason why Apple never took the black ceramic case forward.

Apple introduced a ceramic Apple Watch Edition with the Series 2, which went on to offer a gray ceramic option with the Series 3. While there was no ceramic Apple Watch Edition for Series 4 models, Apple revived the high-end white ceramic Edition model for the Series 5. With the latest Apple Watch Series 6, there is again no ceramic version, with the Edition models featuring a cheaper titanium casing only.

Article Link: Apple Planned Black Ceramic Apple Watch Edition Series 5
Click to expand...
I’ll be hoping for a ceramic white S7 to replace my S3 Edition.
 
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mansplains said:
Well if you're planning to keep it for 5 years then even $1500 is $300/yr, still a bit less than upgrading base models annually. I haven't really shopped for Rolex etc but I doubt people really sell them for $1500 if they are timeless as far as holding value. I went from a S2 to a SS S3 and looking back I should've kept the S2 until it died. I hope to get a ceramic model next, if the S7 comes in white.

The titanium watches don't look different enough to me and the weight of my SS S3 hasn't been a concern, I just admire the look of the ceramic models more. I don't know what band to rock, I love the Milanese loop and SS Links. I work in metallurgy and it's interesting understanding prices of different metals and composites that are further processed than source material Apple Watches use and seeing the disparity.
Click to expand...
I used to think that way but I also used to buy the new iPhone every year, too so it wasn’t a money issue. The ceramic watch still looks the same after almost 4 years of use, while my aluminum watch looked pretty beat up after one year. I don’t treat it like it’s a special computer on my wrist; it’s just a watch and it’s going to take some abuse. get AppleCare+ on it because it covers the watch for 3 years instead of 2.
 
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mansplains said:
Duh we already have CERAMIC Shield on the iPhone 12 /s

Ceramic in lieu of the SS band around the silver models would look icy, no scratching for a clean white brick. Grey ceramic band on the space grey would look nice too. I liked the design of the essential phone and it had a ceramic back, although most reviews seemed to dislike the model's performance, or lack thereof.
Click to expand...
The ceramic watch is heavier than the SS versions.
 
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IMO the best finish on an Apple Watch ever so far has been the Series 4 "stainless steel" in black. Only for that generation, Apple applied a DLC, aka Diamond-like Coating, to the stainless black body; rendering the watch body indestructible. The black body finish flowed continuously and seamlessly into the sapphire face.

I have a feeling that Apple knew that it would have a hard time upselling after the DLC introduction, and removed it with Series 5. DLC returned with the more expensive Titanium finish in series 6, but the space black is slightly lighter than the watch face.

I still wear that same Series 4 daily and it's still without a scratch.
 
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