Apple Watch with Stainless Steel Case most combinable version!?

[David Menzel]

Technically it's possible to combine every Apple Watch with every band Apple is selling, but wouldn't it look a little weird, if you combine an aluminium Apple Watch Sport with a Classic Buckle, Milanese Loop, or a Link Bracelet etc. with their stainless steel parts?

But the thing that surprised me the most was that the most expensive version - except the Edition models - of the Apple Watch, the Space Black version, seems less combinable than the "standard” stainless steel version.

If you have a look at the Apple Store, you will notice that all additional bands you can buy, except the Sport Band, are at least partially made out of stainless steel:

- Classic Buckle
- Milanese Loop
- Link Bracelet
- Modern Buckle (38 mm)
- Leather Loop (42 mm), I'm not sure, but I guess even the Leather Loop has a part made out of stainless steel

This means if you would buy the Apple Watch Space Black with Space Black Stainless Steel Link Bracelet for $1,099 that you couldn’t get the above mentioned additional bands with the same Space Black finish.

I'm still not quite sure whether I should go with the Apple Watch Sport or the Apple Watch, but the compatibility with various watch bands could be the final decision criterion for me.

 

[kmj2318]

Indeed, it is.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Correct. They're trying to upsell Space Black as the most exclusive model in the stainless steel collection, but I bet they'll make available black sport and leather bands with Space Black accents as well as a black Milanese Loop down the line.

 

[technosix]

Honestly I don't mean to sound harsh, but the entry level model is a throwaway. The case is too vulnerable to scratches, dings and deformities due to relatively light impacts. Despite having the finest engineers, the marketing department and cost control people tied the design engineers hands.

The "Watch Sport" was built to a price. A customary practice in the manufacturing industry when price sensitive customers are the ones that are the focus.

The only truly decent watch in the lineup for those who plan on keeping two years or longer is the middle model called simply "Watch".

 

[David Menzel]

Correct. They're trying to upsell Space Black as the most exclusive model in the stainless steel collection, but I bet they'll make available black sport and leather bands with Space Black accents as well as a black Milanese Loop down the line.

I really hope you're right and they are going to sell these bands with Space Black accents, too. Otherwise it would be a bummer, if you invest $100 more to get the Space Black version and couldn't buy a truly combinable leather band etc. for it.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I really hope you're right and they are going to sell these bands with Space Black accents, too. Otherwise it would be a bummer, if you invest $100 more to get the Space Black version and couldn't buy a truly combinable leather band etc. for it.

In the meantime, getting the Space Gray sport band and the black or brown Leather Loop wouldn't be too bad as they contain minimal metal accents.

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Honestly I don't mean to sound harsh, but the entry level model is a throwaway. The case is too vulnerable to scratches, dings and deformities due to relatively light impacts. Despite having the finest engineers, the marketing department and cost control people tied the design engineers hands.

The "Watch Sport" was built to a price. A customary practice in the manufacturing industry when price sensitive customers are the ones that are the focus.

The only truly decent watch in the lineup for those who plan on keeping two years or longer is the middle model called simply "Watch".

I think you're exaggerating. Apple is using a stronger form of aluminum in the Sport and the rubber bands are also found in the Watch and Watch Edition collections, indicating that they should withstand normal wear and tear.

 

[David Menzel]

In the meantime, getting the Space Gray sport band and the black or brown Leather Loop wouldn't be too bad as they contain minimal metal accents.

Yep, the Apple Sport in Space Gray with a black Leather Loop would indeed look nice, but I continue to believe that it would be a good idea to offer customers of the most expensive version of the Apple Watch (except the Edition) at least the same number of watch bands as for the standard stainless steel version.