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Apple Watch Series 5 Titanium Models Weigh Up to 13% Less Than Stainless Steel Models

GDF said:
I don't mind it all. So, no biggie...
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I didn't like the all red crown but only because it drew attention to the watch. The red ring is more discreet. Personal preference. You can find people complaining about the notch and camera bumps on the iPhone. Others, like me, don't care.
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BF1M said:
Ceramic is the most durable correct?
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From my meagre research, the main benefits of a ceramic (zirconia based) case is that it resists scratches and retains color best.
 
Crowbot said:
From my meagre research, the main benefits of a ceramic (zirconia based) case is that it resists scratches and retains color best.
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Plus it looks amazing! In 5 Apple watches I’ve yet to scratch a case; always the screens.
 
SDJim said:
Not for weight, but most of the added weight of the higher-end models has always come from the sapphire crystal display, vs the glass display. I have owned both, and the sapphire is pretty bulletproof compared to the glass, which develops scratches fairly easily. I am disappointed at the price of the titanium model, since I was excited to get the sapphire screen with a lighter overall package.
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The titanium model effectively is just 50 bucks more than the stainless steel version though, since it comes with an additional 49 $ sport band in the box like the ceramic one does.
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eulslix said:
Hey Apple! How about not cheating out on your „Saphire glass“ instead. My watch is full of scratches

Edit: Wait! The titanium model comes with real Saphire glass? That would be a compelling argument for me.
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What do you think the stainless steel models come with? Sure that's sapphire. Has been since 1st gen.

If yours does appear scratched, you either have an aluminium model which doesn't come with sapphire front, or you perhaps scratched the oleophobic coating on top of the sapphire crystal.
Or you took something hard enough to scratch sapphire to it – like a DLC coated Space Black Milanaise Loop.
 
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have a S2...ordered the aluminum 44mm S5 only bc i couldnʻt get any other model on the 20th since i was late in ordering. might see how the titanium looks and feels and eventually return my aluminum one. the extra year of warranty plus extra band makes it a bit more appealing...and w/my credit card adding another year of warranty thatʻs 3 years, which should be about the life of the watch anyway :eek:
 
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BF1M said:
Plus it looks amazing! In 5 Apple watches I’ve yet to scratch a case; always the screens.
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Opposite for me with the couple of aluminum models I’ve had. Screen fine, bodies got marks. Went SBSS for my AW4 and it’s in great condition.
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MrUNIMOG said:
The titanium model effectively is just 50 bucks more than the stainless steel version though, since it comes with an additional 49 $ sport band in the box like the ceramic one does.
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Plus the titanium has a two year warranty vs one year.
 
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If I buy a refurbished Apple 4 series will it be able to utilize the always on display with the latest OS?
 
At the moment, the titanium watch is not interesting. No point in saving a few grams on the watch itself, if there isn't a corresponding titanium band.

I like the appearance of the stainless steel link bracelet, but it's relatively heavy. The same bracelet in titanium would be lighter.

I'd buy that combination in a heartbeat.
 
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Phantom Gremlin said:
At the moment, the titanium watch is not interesting. No point in saving a few grams on the watch itself, if there isn't a corresponding titanium band.

I like the appearance of the stainless steel link bracelet, but it's relatively heavy. The same bracelet in titanium would be lighter.

I'd buy that combination in a heartbeat.
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Wonder what that band would cost....
 
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BF1M said:
Wonder what that band would cost....
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Titanium itself is very cheap, although more expensive than steel. Any material priced in bulk in terms of "per metric ton" isn't expensive. Even turned into more finished material it's still cheap. E.g. a very quick search just now:

TITANIUM
GRADE/FORM: TI-6-4 BAR
COUNTRY: US
CURRENT PRICE: $26.39/lb

It's a relatively difficult material to work with, so you can't simply predict the price of a bracelet based on the raw material.

That said, I suspect that 90% of the band price would be because it was marketed as a "Veblen good".
 
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Ted13 said:
Is either the Silver or Space Black Link Bracelet color compatible with the titanium watch - especially the respective space black?
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I'm Not an expert but I wouldn't think so. The Ti model uses a matte black look which is cool but the metal bracelets are all Glossy Space Black. I went with the SS space black so they would match and I'd save $100 The black leather band looks pretty good on the Ti I have to admit. Just not sure how durable that band is, as all my leather bands look pretty raggedy after 9 months of wear.
 
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I am flexible with smartwatch purchases as I am using a smart band currently. Should I just wait for Apple Watch 6? This one seems uneventful tbh
 
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Phantom Gremlin said:
Titanium itself is very cheap, although more expensive than steel. Any material priced in bulk in terms of "per metric ton" isn't expensive. Even turned into more finished material it's still cheap. E.g. a very quick search just now:

TITANIUM
GRADE/FORM: TI-6-4 BAR
COUNTRY: US
CURRENT PRICE: $26.39/lb

It's a relatively difficult material to work with, so you can't simply predict the price of a bracelet based on the raw material.

That said, I suspect that 90% of the band price would be because it was marketed as a "Veblen good".
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My understanding of Titanium is that the higher cost of Titanium goods is due to the cost of working with the material.

Another thing to note is that there are different types of "strength" in materials.

"Titanium – This naturally occurring metal has the highest tensile strength to density ratio of any metal, which makes it, pound-for-pound, stronger than tungsten. It scores lower on the Mohs scale of hardness, though. Titanium alloys are strong and lightweight and are often used in the aerospace industry."

You see where it scores low on the Mohs scale of hardness? That means it scratches more easily. That's why watches made from Titanium are DLC coated.

I'm curious to see how the Titanium watches will hold up to every day wear.
 
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You don’t say? Of course the titanium version is going to weigh less! Titanium is lighter than steel while being as strong.

The only problem I have with titanium on any watch is the bronzish color. Stainless steel simply looks better imo.
 
Chopper9 said:
I can't be the only one who thinks the red ring indicator is ridiculous.
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it's like the homebar. who actually needs that

gee, good thing that's still there. i was thinking after 2 years of using my phone i might forget where to swipe.
 
840quadra said:
Interesting to point out the weight. I would think the interest in the Ti models would have to do with durability over that of other versions.

I like that there are more options, though I have never personally gone for anything over the Aluminum models, since the aging core components & features tend to set the lifetime for these watches (for most people) as compared to the case material.



Interesting that you found the glass to be so scratch prone. I still have my Series 0, along with my Series 3 Cellular (both Aluminum). I tend to wear the 0 when I am working on home construction projects, and when I am in the shop working on hobby cars. The case for sure is scratched and dinged up, but the glass is next to flawless despite hitting all kinds of objects over the years.
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Interesting to see someone so knowledgeable on these boards use durability with smartwatch in the same sentence. Even if referring to the build, one can easily state the materials never was the issue with durability of a smartwatch especially with Apple. It’s the core OS and limiting ram and rapid degrading of the battery is what affects durability, even if you meant so yet not so obvious as referring to build (which could be the OS). Still titanium is just that nice touch we all love about Apple.
 
WLS said:
I'm Not an expert but I wouldn't think so. The Ti model uses a matte black look which is cool but the metal bracelets are all Glossy Space Black. I went with the SS space black so they would match and I'd save $100 The black leather band looks pretty good on the Ti I have to admit. Just not sure how durable that band is, as all my leather bands look pretty raggedy after 9 months of wear.
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I have a ss black series 2 with link bracelet and although the watch itself is glossy the bracelet is matte with a sort of brushed look. The sides of the links match and the actual surface is more of a brushed look thanks to the coating.
 
happyprozak said:
You see where it scores low on the Mohs scale of hardness? That means it scratches more easily. That's why watches made from Titanium are DLC coated.

I'm curious to see how the Titanium watches will hold up to every day wear.
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This is what I would like to understand. After ceramic, which casing material and color will be the most scratch resistant.

I understand that DLC coating are very tough, but they are only a few microns thick. They are not impervious.

With a dark DLC coating, a scratch would be very obvious.
 
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