I wear my SS AW3 all the time and don’t work worry about it. I’ve knocked it against many doorknobs and other metal things over the years and have no scratches on the Sapphire screen. I’m debating on getting an Aluminum one this time or should I go with stainless again? Do people find their glass scratches pretty easily when you knock it against things?
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AW5 Glass vs Sapphire
- Thread starter dmillar74
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I’ve worn an aluminium watch for the past 3 years and it’s had the odd knock here and there and no significant scratches. You don’t have to pay double the price for a sapphire screen version just to enjoy it. Wear it, don’t stress over hair line scratches and enjoy the functionality and experience.
i find the sapphire on the AW total bs. i purchased the stainless steel black series 5 and not even 5 hours i already noticed some scratches on the bottom of the screen.
Two things:
1. If you have the one with the black milanese loop which is also Diamond-coated, it will scratch your sapphire easily. Diamond > Sapphire in the hardness scale. Best to not throw it around when off your hands.
2. It might be the oleophobic coating coming off, which is normal.
That's because Apple version of sapphire is lower grade than the standard used by other watchmakers. It's still slightly more resistant to scratches than Ion-X tho.
Yeah, whenever when someone says the ‘sapphire display is scratched’, they tend not to post pictures. Perhaps post pictures for others to see if the scratches that you’re alluding to. I’m not indicating you’re being dishonest, but I question these scratches and what specific band you’re using in addition.
Major difference in my experience, have never scratched a SS model, and had terrible scratches very quickly in the one aluminum model I had.
i already returned the watch a while ago in exchange for the nike instead. i found out later it was most likely due to the space black Milanese loop, although i don't recall the band ever touching the display. regardless i wasn't a fan of the watch due to its weight so i just went with the lighter aluminum.
yeah I got a pretty bad in my opinion but in reality it’s nothing nick today on the case. Im obsessing over it, but eventually I’ll live with it and it won’t bother me. I also have AppleCare.
I have some fine scratches on the SS but that doesn’t bother me. What does bother me is when you get a scratch across the screen. I did have a scratch on my sapphire screen but it must’ve been the coating as I don’t see it anymore.
It all depends on how you treat your watch too. Many members here emphasise the durability of the sapphire display on the SS but if you are like me and are conscious of not whacking you’re watch into objects, then it doesn’t matter as much. I’ve worn mechanicals for years and have always made sure subconsciously that I don’t brush up against objects etc. That is mainly because my watches cost a lot more than most AW’s and repairs are costly.
I had a series 1 aluminum for about 18 months and it had 1 big scratch in the middle of the screen and some smaller scratches along the top. I've had a SS series 4 for a year now and the screen is still perfect. No scratches at all and Ive banged it against plenty of stuff. So for me I'm staying with the SS or TI from now on unless they make an aluminum with sapphire.
I take what you are saying, but accidents happen. I too am conscious of my watch, but occasionally it does get banged. Out of my 5 AW I have owned only one was aluminium, and this was the only one with any marks on the screen whatsoever. All the sapphire ones have been immaculate. I just sold my AW4 Aluminium to a mate, and he was ok with the small marks on the screen as his S2 he was replacing was trashed.
I've probably jinxed myself now for my SSG AW5 lol.
Granted the ion-x screen isn't fragile, but it is definitely a lot more prone to scratches than the sapphire IMO.
I’m not really understanding this obsession of many here about needing the screen to be absolutely immaculate. My Series 2 has a few very light scratches on the screen if it’s tilted to the light and looked at very carefully. Not really bothered as after 3 years it’s in good condition and will spend the rest of its life in a drawer or thrown out. If these watches were investments then I could see the value in worrying about scratches etc. We are all different but I’m a bit fed up with coming here and seeing the aluminium watch talked about like it’s crap all the time. I’m going to enjoy my second one and probably need to stay away from this section I think lol.
Yep I know what you mean lol. However, some like their stuff to remain perfect and may feel more comfortable with an immaculate screen. I remember that after 3 stainless watches, 2 days into ownership of the aluminium I picked up a scratch on the body and screen - I was gutted as on the stainless I would have buffed out the scratch on the body and the screen would have been fine.
As you say though, we are all different. The aluminium isn't crap at all - it does exactly the same as all the others. I suppose different strokes for different folks.
I think that’s where the Aluminium comes out on top. I nearly opted for a secondhand SS Series 4 due the the fact you could get a mint condition one for around £300. Not great if you’ve paid £600-700 a year earlier and have lost at least half its value however.
For me the screen needs to be perfect and since the watch is all screen I think a lot of people agree with this. Can you scratch the SS? It is possible, but it is much harder to do than the ION-X screen which scratches too easily during normal usage (not banging against walls, cement, etc).
If you don't care about the screen, then spend less money and get the Aluminum. Personally I care about the screen and the watch body itself (SS can be polished and Ceramic is virtually impossible to scratch). In my limited experience with the Titanium the body scratched pretty easily as well and there is no way to easily fix that. Those are the main reasons why I will always choose SS or Ceramic.
...was that because of the scratch free screen ?
I do care about the screen and it doesn’t scratch ‘easily during normal usage’ as you suggest, at least in my experience it doesn’t but perhaps I had a really good one. My series 5 is nearly a week old now and still scratch free too.
Probably yeah lol. The better the condition the closer to half the price lost you get...was that because of the scratch free screen
