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Can someone explain the need for a ceramic back?

T

troop231

macrumors 603
Original poster
Jan 20, 2010
5,826
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I posted this as a question in an unrelated thread, but thought it would be better to specifically ask here.

If the sensors are facing your wrist, why would it matter if the back is made of ceramic? It would seem that the Sport version's composite back would be adequate protection across all Watch models.

Or, have they simply used ceramic 'just because' they're more expensive models than the Sport and would look or feel cheap if they used composite?
 
Better scratch resistance I imagine. Who knows what's in the composite, but if I had to guess, it most likely contains plastic. Plastic is no good for scratches. Find anything glossy plastic in your house and it probably looks terrible. My glossy xbox one is all scratched up even though it sat in the same spot since I got it. Ceramic on the other hand, is much better. Go into your bathroom and try to find scratches on your ceramic sink. The downside is that it's easier to break, and heavier than plastic.
 
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troop231 said:
Scratches from what? Coarse arm hair? :p
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Lol! No, try your desk surface (or the stainless metal bands), when you lay it down after taking it off, for example.

Anyway, it's a premium material for their premium product, probably looks awesome and feels awesome to the touch. It really needs no further explanation. :)
 
The backs are made the same. Don't be confused by the Sport saying "composite". It is the same as the SS and Edition. The difference is the SS and Edition have a ceramic coating added over the sensor pack. The ceramic coating is invisible so you can't see it and they look the same except it may have a shiner or more matt finish.

The ceramic coating is just to add durability and decrease wear.

ScreenShot2014-09-30at23159PM_zps8a9b828d.jpg


ScreenShot2015-02-23at50347PM_zpsbec2c218.jpg
 
Julien said:
The backs are made the same. Don't be confused by the Sport saying "composite". It is the same as the SS and Edition. The difference is the SS and Edition have a ceramic coating added over the sensor pack. The ceramic coating is invisible so you can't see it and they look the same except it may have a shiner or more matt finish.

The ceramic coating is just to add durability and decrease wear.

Image

Image
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I think if the SS version just had a ceramic coating then this would be best described as composite also it appears in the pictures to be completely different from the sport as the sensors have metal surrounds
 
Mikes1 said:
I think if the SS version just had a ceramic coating then this would be best described as composite also it appears in the pictures to be completely different from the sport as the sensors have metal surrounds
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Good catch and I forgot to add. The SS and Edition also are said to have sapphire crystal LED lens covers. So I think the metal rings may be for this.
 
Julien said:
Good catch and I forgot to add. The SS and Edition also are said to have sapphire crystal LED lens covers. So I think the metal rings may be for this.
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Yes... While it's hard to see the need for high quality materials on the back of the watch it is certainly going to make it feel like a premium item and indeed show off Apple's attention to detail
 
I'm surprised by the amount of writing on the back of the watch. All that clutter seems very un-Apple.

Perhaps spelling out "sapphire glass" and "ceramic back" is the only way most buyers will be able to tell what they're getting because the materials look much the same?

It seems more like marketing than anything else.
 
Arran said:
I'm surprised by the amount of writing on the back of the watch. All that clutter seems very un-Apple.

Perhaps spelling out "sapphire glass" and "ceramic back" is the only way most buyers will be able to tell what they're getting because the materials look much the same?

It seems more like marketing than anything else.
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they're "referencing classic watch vocabulary", or whatever the hell it was.

agree that they should have bypassed this particular bit of vocabulary and left it clean!
 
Arran said:
I'm surprised by the amount of writing on the back of the watch. All that clutter seems very un-Apple.

Perhaps spelling out "sapphire glass" and "ceramic back" is the only way most buyers will be able to tell what they're getting because the materials look much the same?

It seems more like marketing than anything else.
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Asthmatic Kitty said:
they're "referencing classic watch vocabulary", or whatever the hell it was.

agree that they should have bypassed this particular bit of vocabulary and left it clean!
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Seriously, why does it matter? You will be steering at the screen and not at the bottom of the watch. It's meant to be hidden most of the time.
 
BvizioN said:
Seriously, why does it matter?
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Why indeed?

It's not like this guy knew anything: Steve Jobs’ obsession with the quality of the things unseen.

“I thought my dad’s sense of design was pretty good,” Jobs told Isaacson, “because he knew how to build anything. If we needed a cabinet, he would build it. When he built our fence, he gave me a hammer so I could work with him.”

Fifty years after the fence was constructed, Jobs showed it to Isaacson, still standing and recalled a lesson about making things of quality that he learned from his father. Touching the boards of inside of the fence, he said that “He loved doing things right. He even cared about the look of the parts you couldn’t see.”

He said that his father refused to use poor wood for the back of cabinets, or to build a fence that wasn’t constructed as well on the back side as it was the front. Jobs likened it to using a piece of plywood on the back of a beautiful chest of drawers. “For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all the way through.”
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Mikes1 said:
Yes... While it's hard to see the need for high quality materials on the back of the watch it is certainly going to make it feel like a premium item and indeed show off Apple's attention to detail
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Anecdotal evidence that the SS and Edition may possibly be upgradable.;)
 
Julien said:
The backs are made the same. Don't be confused by the Sport saying "composite". It is the same as the SS and Edition. The difference is the SS and Edition have a ceramic coating added over the sensor pack. The ceramic coating is invisible so you can't see it and they look the same except it may have a shiner or more matt finish.

The ceramic coating is just to add durability and decrease wear.

Image

Image
Click to expand...

That's not quite right.

The sensors have sapphire lenses on the models with the ceramic back cover. The Sport models have a composite back with hard-coated optical polymer lenses.
 
Julien said:
The backs are made the same. Don't be confused by the Sport saying "composite".
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...Source?

I would say the backs ARE different, based on account of sports watch claiming a composite back and the other models claiming a ceramic back.

The difference is the SS and Edition have a ceramic coating added over the sensor pack.
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Ceramic coat? Again, source.

Ceramics aren't a transparent coat, they're solid, opaque materials like porcelain for example that are fused at very high heat (1000C+ typically). A plastic back like the sport Watch has wouldn't stand up to such temps.

And to those obsessing over the text on the back of the Watch, it's ONE LINE. Hardly qualifies as "clutter". If you turn a Macbook Pro over you'll find text listing the specs on the bottom cover, it's basically the same thing here.
 
Lennyvalentin said:
...Source?

I would say the backs ARE different, based on account of sports watch claiming a composite back and the other models claiming a ceramic back.


Ceramic coat? Again, source.

Ceramics aren't a transparent coat, they're solid, opaque materials like porcelain for example that are fused at very high heat (1000C+ typically). A plastic back like the sport Watch has wouldn't stand up to such temps.

And to those obsessing over the text on the back of the Watch, it's ONE LINE. Hardly qualifies as "clutter". If you turn a Macbook Pro over you'll find text listing the specs on the bottom cover, it's basically the same thing here.
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Not true look HERE
 
Ceramic is used on the back of watches for comfort as they don't get hot or react with skin. This article details bands, but the same should hold for backs. EDIT-- By hot, I mean for some, their wrist can get hot and sweaty from the body heating up the watch. It's a subtle thing that speaks to comfort.

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Advantages-of-Ceramic-Watch-Bands-/10000000177633171/g.html

<<Advantages of High-Tech Ceramic
So many brands starting using high-tech ceramics for watch bands due to the favorable attributes of this material; strength is one of the most notable qualities, but ceramic is also very comfortable for the wearer.

Durability of Ceramic Watch Bands
Scientists tested the strength of high-tech ceramic using the Vickers hardness test, which uses diamond to assess the material. The ceramic used in watch bands scored 1250 HV, indicating a very strong substance. To compare, steel has a hardness score of 600 HV, and sapphire maintains a top ranking at 2200 HV. Another hardness scale ranked high-tech ceramic at 9.1 out of 10 points. Unlike pottery and clay ceramics, the watch band material will not shatter when dropped onto hard surfaces. The microscopic components of the material actually expand upon impact to prevent cracks from forming. The high-density compounds and bonding agents give ceramic watch bands the durability required for everyday wear and vigorous activities.

Comfort of Ceramic Watch Bands
Even though ceramic is a strong material, it is thin and lightweight for a comfortable fit. The heft of steel or gold can feel heavy on the wrist, but high-tech ceramic does not carry that amount of weight. The smooth surface of these watch bands also feels good against the skin. As a non-metallic material, high-tech ceramic is not affected by cold or heat, so it is always a comfortable temperature for the wearer. These watches are hypoallergenic as well and can be worn by anyone with metal allergies. High-tech ceramic bands will not alter the chemistry of the skin or cause any other negative reactions. Just like other types of watch bands, the ceramic versions are completely adjustable for an ideal fit. Consumers who have purchased jewelry made from this type of material tend to prefer the comfort of ceramics over traditional metals.

Resistance of Ceramic Watch Bands
One of the most attractive features of ceramic watch bands is their scratch resistance: After years of wear and tear, these timepieces will continue to look brand new. The high durability and unique properties of yttrium and zirconium protect the band against damage from drops, scrapes, and dings. In addition to scratch resistance, high-tech ceramic is also water resistant due to a permanent hydrophobic coating. The watch band will not fade, discolor, or tarnish even after sweating or showering while wearing the accessory. Since this material is non-reactive, the salt and other chemicals in perspiration will not alter the ceramic's integrity. High-tech ceramic is naturally resistant to extreme temperature changes. This attribute protects the mechanical or electronic parts within the watch and prolongs the life of the timepiece. Individuals can wear ceramic watches while climbing high mountain peaks or leave these devices in cars on hot, sunny days without damaging the internal components.>>
 
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8CoreWhore said:
Ceramic is used on the back of watches for comfort as they don't get hot or react with skin.
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I've got a watch with a ceramic case but I've never noticed any of my watches getting hot so I can't comment whether the ceramic back makes a difference.

It's also very scratch proof, mine is 18 years old and there's no sign of wear and tear on the case.
 
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