Apple Watch 3 Runners Conflict

[wesselya]

I just sold my Apple Watch 2 aluminum. Didn't pre order AW3 so hopefully I can get store pickup availability because I lost all my will to run without being able to monitor my runs.

I run 3.5 miles almost daily and on The Weekend I try to hit 6-9 miles. Needless to say I run without my phone.

My question is should I go Stainless or aluminum again.

1. I read about loss of value. So I guess +1 for aluminum.
2. I hated a screen protector. +1 SS.
3. Weight. I'm sure I will get a case for the aluminum. I'm super protective about my apple items. So that will make it heavier than the stainless. Is there any long distance runners with SS ? Or does everyone run with aluminum only? If I buy a case doesn't that defeat the purpose of SS? Is the grey that scratch resistant?

Bottom line most of know this is a 12 month item. SS is $200 extra.

Which one would you pull the trigger on? I was set on the SS mostly because of sapphire crystal. I would buy the ceramic but loss of value for 12 months is not what I'm looking for. Apple has really cheapen the aluminum model without ceramic back and sapphire glass !!!

Please help.

 

[matrix07]

Go for aluminium. Perfect for runner.

 

[wesselya]

Go for aluminium. Perfect for runner.

Your not concerned with ion X glass. I just work with my hands throughout the day stick them in different places and I'm sick of screen protectors.

I guess as far as value I might need to go aluminum again :/

 

[lordofthereef]

If you already know you’re keeping it for just 12 months I wouldn’t spend the extra on the stainless. I’m in the opposite boat. The lte has me considering stainless for the screen and I see myself using it 2-3 years.

 

[ronm99]

I have a stainless "S0" and I have a stainless "S3" on order. I run with my stainless every day, and the weight is a total non issue for me personally. I don't even notice it. I like the feel of the stainless much better than the aluminum, although I also like having the "latest and greatest", and almost switched to aluminum so I would feel less guilty about updating when the next version comes out.

 

[BarracksSi]

Why do you think it only works for 12 months?

Even the S0 will run watchOS 4. At this rate, the S3 will probably run watchOS 8. Plus, it's easier to replace the battery on the current chassis.

 

[Julien]

....
1) Needless to say I run without my phone.....
2) Bottom line most of know this is a 12 month item.....

1) No you DO need to state this since it can be either.
2) This is fallacy and I would bet that almost NO one buys an Watch with the expectation that it would only last a year.

 

[fischersd]

The durability of the DLC coating on the Space Black really can't be beat. Two years, not a mark. When I do get the AW3, it'll be another Space Black SS. No casing required.

 

[mkfresh]

I have the aluminum and I ordered the ceramic because I find the aluminum to be very cheap looking. I do plan on keeping the aluminum for when I run though. I think for your use case I would get aluminum since it is so light and it's ok if it gets scratched up since it's for primarily exercise.

 

[Treebark]

I wonder if the whole ion glass scratches on the aluminum watches is more confirmation bias and internet lore vs real life performance. Screen scratches, come to forums to complain, validated the ion glass isn't worth it. Yet i suspect there is a silent majority out there using it on a daily basis that seem to get along quite well.

Aluminum watch + $60 AppleCare if you are concerned. True, AppleCare won't cover mere scratches, but it does cover other accidental damage and the watch is replaced for a deductible then $70??).

I personally dislike the weight of the SS though, so I am a bit biased towards aluminum.

 

[deeddawg]

My almost-a-year-old AW2 Nike+ gray has a couple marks and one slight mark on the top edge of the screen.

I have a TPU cover/case I put on when I am working on stuff at home; handyman stuff, flooring, painting, etc. Wouldn't want it on the rest of the time.

Be interesting to compare resale pricing of a slightly dinged up aluminum watch with AC+ & two replacements remaining against a pristine SS watch. Anyone look at that?

 

[zhenya]

I have been extremely impressed with how well my S0 aluminum has held up. I'm not careful at all and the glass has suffered some pretty severe abuse working in the engine bay of my car, on the house, on the job, etc. and still nothing even remotely visible for scratching unless I polish the screen and look at it under a bright light at exactly the right angle.

Note that the sapphire models will also be less visible outdoors.

 

[wesselya]

1)
2) This is fallacy and I would bet that almost NO one buys an Watch with the expectation that it would only last a year.

I appreciate all the feedback. Guess it comes down to buying an aluminum one and spending 20-$40 on a screen protector and case. Or going naked with the stainless steel. Weight wise they would be same weight due to the case on the aluminum.

The 12 month test is because most people upgrade. Or atleast now Because I run phoneless, I need the LTE so my wife doesn't think I got run over mid run.

I've been tuning without a watch. Sold mine premature. Didn't want to wait until market was flooded with AW2. I'm not crying over 20 dollars here or there just wanted it sold so I can buy the AW3.

I'll probably wait til B&H has one unless someone has better idea. Trying to save on tax. Unless I can find a new one on offer up which I doubt will happen in the next couple of months.

Guess we will find out how much of these apple is making.

 

[gorkt]

I run and I really like the aluminum. I used a screen protector for a few months and then since they annoyed me so much because they were constantly peeling, I just ripped it off and never looked back. Mine has some scratches, but not terrible, one very small one on the screen that you can only see by looking at it from an angle, and a few along the edges where the glass curves, from bumping it into stuff. I don’t notice them unless I look for them.

I had the SS and it was quite heavy. I have small wrists and it constantly slid around with the Milanese band. Also, while the sapphire doesn’t scratch as much (it did actually get one small scratch, probably from my diamond anniversary band) the SS case scratches, and unless you like buffing it out every few weeks, definitely looks kind of crappy after a month or two of normal use.

 

[betabeta]

No screen protector or case on my aluminum series 2, I do a lot of farm work and amazed at just how good the aluminum and the glass holds up, looks like the day I purchased it.

 

[xDKP]

I've had both a S0 Stainless Steel and a S2 SS - both around 12 months each.... I LOVE my steel watches - the weight is really not an issue at all - if it were, it would be pretty annoying for the rest of the day as well.. I'm a distance runner and will go for my third marathon this year Sunday next week with my Apple Watch

I'll probably skip S3, but I'll never go for the alu just for the sheer looks and feel and that sweet sapphire

 

[wesselya]

I've had both a S0 Stainless Steel and a S2 SS - both around 12 months each.... I LOVE my steel watches - the weight is really not an issue at all - if it were, it would be pretty annoying for the rest of the day as well.. I'm a distance runner and will go for my third marathon this year Sunday next week with my Apple Watch

I'll probably skip S3, but I'll never go for the alu just for the sheer looks and feel and that sweet sapphire

Alum or SS. Your referring to steel right ?? Which one do you run with ?

 

[xDKP]

Alum or SS. Your referring to steel right ?? Which one do you run with ?

Both models have been stainless steel and never once thought about the weight - If weight is a problem with this small a difference, I really think you have bigger problems

 

[maflynn]

Your not concerned with ion X glass. I just work with my hands throughout the day stick them in different places and I'm sick of screen protectors.

I guess as far as value I might need to go aluminum again :/

I have an S0, no screen protectors and I have no scratches. The caveat that I will say is that I don't work with my hands. If you're banging your rubbing your watch on different hard surfaces the SS may be a better option.

I was turned off by the weight, and I thought it was off putting for my runs.

 

[xDKP]

I was turned off by the weight, and I thought it was off putting for my runs.

We are talking below 18 grams here... Not enough for me to notice anything, but each to his/her own

 

[maflynn]

We are talking below 18 grams here... Not enough for me to notice anything, but each to his/her own

I didn't say it was heavy, I said I was turned off by the weight. The sport model felt better and given the price difference, but yet no internal difference on components, it was a no brainer for me.

Like you said to each his own, and my preference was with the sport model

 

[Phogro]

For a runner... Nike+ is the best option. :-D

 

[jhfenton]

I have an S0, no screen protectors and I have no scratches. The caveat that I will say is that I don't work with my hands. If you're banging your rubbing your watch on different hard surfaces the SS may be a better option.

I was turned off by the weight, and I thought it was off putting for my runs.

This where I am. My teenage son has my original Series 0 space gray aluminum, and it looks virtually like new. I have a year old S2 gold aluminum that does look like new. But neither of us work with our hands beyond yard work, house work, and sports. I don't regularly reach in between hard objects with my Watch.

 

[profets]

I had the original Apple Watch in stainless steel for 17 months, and now the Series 2 stainless steel for 12 months. With both I did a lot of running (as well as swimming and cycling).

Couple thoughts
-I can't imagine putting a screen protector or case on an object like a watch
-I like the aluminum watches as well, but my personal preference is the look of the SS models and using it with different metal bands when dressed for work.

As for the 12 months - I'll be selling mine shortly when the Series 3 arrives, and I think there's a relatively good resale market now.