Considering buying 42mm Space Gray Apple Watch Sport... need answers

[paulgandersman]

Hey all, I'm considering purchasing a 42mm Space Gray Apple Watch Sport, but I've got some questions I need answered.

1: I saw a little while back that people were having issues with the black sport bands kinda "peeling" layers and showing lots of wear after only a day or two... supposedly those bands were replaced. But is the issue corrected on the black sport band? Is Apple now shipping issueless bands?

2: I was an owner of the Space Gray iPhone 5 and seriously regretted it as the way they did the Space Gray, when it was slightly scratched, it looked awful as the silver underneath the Space Gray paint showed through. Is this how the Space Gray on the Apple Watch Sport is handled? What happens if it gets a little nick on it? Is it going to be a bright shiny silver scratch like on the iPhone 5? If anyone has any pictures of a scratched Space Gray Apple Watch Sport, that would be really helpful as well.

Thanks in advance for the help/adivce/etc!

edit - 3: how do the other color bands look on the Space Gray Apple Watch Sport?

 

[paulgandersman]

Also, what are the bands that Apple "claims" to be the only ones compatible with the Space Gray Apple Watch Sport? Is it only the black sport band? Or do they claim other ones are compatible? (I know what they claim is compatible or not is BS, just curious.)

 

[mistertomlinson]

1. I have a black sport band. I've only had it about a week, but I don't have any peeling. It looks the way it did when I got it new.

2. I haven't scratched mine yet. I figure it's inevitable that I will, so it wont bother me when I do. I'll just accept it.

3. The only color band that I've seen with the space gray that made an impression on me was the white band... and it looks awesome with the space gray case.

I don't know anything about band compatibility.

 

[sdallnct2]

I've had my SG Sport 42mm about 3 weeks and love it.

I bought it instead of a running watch and mainly for the fitness aspects (which have exceeded my expectations) and have fallen in love with all the other features.

While the sport band has held up well and is comfortable for working out, it is by far my biggest disappointment. It feels plastic in everyday wear and IMO gives the watch a Swatch Watch look. I will be replacing both for everyday and workout (probably a rubber band for workouts).

Most other Apple bands have silver trim which means aesthetically they were designed for the silver watches (this includes all other sport bands). Having said that, you might like that. Or might not even notice. For example the blue leather loop looks amazing with the SG Sport. But there is silver trim at the loop that may or may not be an issue for you. Though the $150 price tag may be a bigger issue...

All 42mm bands will fit correctly with all 42mm watches. They are all comparable. It becomes an issue of looks and cost. I'd love that black link band for my watch, but not at $450 for the band alone.

I'm not sure what you mean by "claim". Some here have argued that Apples intention was for only the watch/band combination they sell. Meaning Apple only intended the SG Sport to be worn with the band it came with. I'm not sure I buy that arguement. For one, there is little doubt Apple will come out with more bands. Likely some specific (in their minds) for the SG Sport and black AW as those watches appear more popular than anticipated.

We are going to be flooded with non-OEM bands in the next 90 days. And more importantly, band adapters to use existing quality bands. I've been looking at some rubber "dive" bands as well as fabric bands. Not to mention truely high quality leather bands, and really nice link style bands.

 

[lchlch]

2. The gray color is just an anodized layer of aluminum. So if you scratch your watch the marks should be silver in color.

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I've had my SG Sport 42mm about 3 weeks and love it.

I bought it instead of a running watch and mainly for the fitness aspects (which have exceeded my expectations) and have fallen in love with all the other features.

While the sport band has held up well and is comfortable for working out, it is by far my biggest disappointment. It feels plastic in everyday wear and IMO gives the watch a Swatch Watch look. I will be replacing both for everyday and workout (probably a rubber band for workouts).

Most other Apple bands have silver trim which means aesthetically they were designed for the silver watches (this includes all other sport bands). Having said that, you might like that. Or might not even notice. For example the blue leather loop looks amazing with the SG Sport. But there is silver trim at the loop that may or may not be an issue for you.

All 42mm bands will fit correctly with all 42mm watches. They are all comparable. It becomes an issue of looks and cost. I'd love that black link band for my watch, but not at $450 for the band alone.

We are going to be flooded with non-OEM bands in the next 90 days. And more importantly, band adapters to use existing quality bands. I've been looking at some rubber "dive" bands as well as fabric bands. Not to mention truely high quality leather bands.

Band adapters seems unlikely because Apple has a patent on the design of the lugs.

 

[CellXor10]

While the sport band has held up well and is comfortable for working out, it is by far my biggest disappointment. It feels plastic in everyday wear and IMO gives the watch a Swatch Watch look. I will be replacing both for everyday and workout (probably a rubber band for workouts).

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so I'll share mine as well- I think this sounds ridiculous and that the Sports Band is actually perhaps one of the best Band options out there- and unquestionably the best when factoring in pricing. (The Link Bracelet may be my favorite, and certainly is the main competitor vs. the Sport Band, but forget paying $450 for it).

I didn't really comprehend many reviewers referring to the Sport Band as "soft" until I actually felt one, and I think it is most definitely the most comfortable. I think it looks amazing and can actually work (maybe depending on the color) in formal/professional settings. I may get myself a Classic Buckle as well, but other than that I'm not even considering any other bands besides Sport Bands.

To each their own! But don't get turned off by the Sport Bands being the least expensive and certain people's online opinions about them until you try one on yourself.

 

[Joe1602]

Boom.

 

[sdallnct2]

2. The gray color is just an anodized layer of aluminum. So if you scratch your watch the marks should be silver in color.

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Band adapters seems unlikely because Apple has a patent on the design of the lugs.

Band connectors are already out and in people's hands. 3rd party bands with removable adapters are already out and in people's hands. I have some on order from Monowear Designs and Click. There are other available on Amazon and eBay to name a few.

It's not only likely, but here now, with more coming.

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Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so I'll share mine as well- I think this sounds ridiculous and that the Sports Band is actually perhaps one of the best Band options out there- and unquestionably the best when factoring in pricing. (The Link Bracelet may be my favorite, and certainly is the main competitor vs. the Sport Band, but forget paying $450 for it).

I didn't really comprehend many reviewers referring to the Sport Band as "soft" until I actually felt one, and I think it is most definitely the most comfortable. I think it looks amazing and can actually work (maybe depending on the color) in formal/professional settings. I may get myself a Classic Buckle as well, but other than that I'm not even considering any other bands besides Sport Bands.

To each their own! But don't get turned off by the Sport Bands being the least expensive and certain people's online opinions about them until you try one on yourself.

To be clear, I'm not disappointed in the sport band due to the cost. Besides, $50 is pretty outrageous for it. Yes, yes, I know, R&D and all...

And as I say, it seems fine and comfortable for workouts.

But I personally just don't like the looks or feel outside the gym. Had mine 3 weeks and it has held up well physically. But meh....not my thing. I'm use to metal on a watch band as well as fabric...

I will agree with you, the black link is amazing. I have two coming from Click though I anticipate them being cheap. I also like the Monowear Design but, think I'll likely find a 3rd party band elsewhere for metal link.

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Boom.

Still debating if I make that my one "expensive" band....it looks great.

 

[paulgandersman]

Thanks so much all! I appreciate the help .

 

[viachicago22]

You're going to love the SG with black sport band. It looks so sleek and the sport band is just awesome. SO comfortable. One of the comments I hear from people more than any other is how great it looks. That it doesn't look too big or too "geeky". From a purely aesthetic standpoint I think it's nearly perfect.

 

[My Name is URL]

Had my watch since launch day, no issues whatsoever with peeling bands for me. Not scratched mine either but I accept I probably will get some sort of scratch at some point. I refuse to case it up haha.

 

[dilap]

Thanks so much all! I appreciate the help .

There are a few pictures of SG Sport with other bands on the forum, especially in the accessory forum. I'll try and find some now.

Link 1 - just a general other bands thread for SG
Link 2 - with white sport
Link 3 - with blue sport
I could only get a render from mixyourwatch for the pink band.

 

[iamMacPerson]

Hey all, I'm considering purchasing a 42mm Space Gray Apple Watch Sport, but I've got some questions I need answered.

1: I saw a little while back that people were having issues with the black sport bands kinda "peeling" layers and showing lots of wear after only a day or two... supposedly those bands were replaced. But is the issue corrected on the black sport band? Is Apple now shipping issueless bands?

2: I was an owner of the Space Gray iPhone 5 and seriously regretted it as the way they did the Space Gray, when it was slightly scratched, it looked awful as the silver underneath the Space Gray paint showed through. Is this how the Space Gray on the Apple Watch Sport is handled? What happens if it gets a little nick on it? Is it going to be a bright shiny silver scratch like on the iPhone 5? If anyone has any pictures of a scratched Space Gray Apple Watch Sport, that would be really helpful as well.

Thanks in advance for the help/adivce/etc!

edit - 3: how do the other color bands look on the Space Gray Apple Watch Sport?

1: I'm currently in the middle of getting my band swapped out for the rubbing/peeling issue as we speak and I am waiting to hear back from engineering. I am hoping they can just send me out a replacement.

2: Did you own the iPhone 5 or the iPhone 5s? This does make a huge difference as there was never a Space Gray 5, but a Space Gray 5s. The iPhone 5 was actually done in Slate which was known for edge brightening and looking bad if it got scrapped. The Space Gray is done better on both the newer iPhones and the Apple Watch. If it is a really deep scratch, then yes you will see the silver just like any other anodized product. For normal scratching though, you most likely won't see the silver aluminum.

(PS, If you don't know the difference between the 5 and 5s, there are two way to tell. 1) was the phone purchased before Sept 2013 or after? Before is a 5, after is a 5s. 2) was the flash on the back of the phone circular or oval? Circular is a 5, oval is a 5s)

3) From what I have seen, the leather loops and all the Sport bands look pretty good with the Space Gray (except the Blue Sport Band IMO). I think the 3rd party band market for the Space Gray Apple Watch will be pretty big because of the fact that most of Watches Apple sold were this color.

 

[paulgandersman]

1: I'm currently in the middle of getting my band swapped out for the rubbing/peeling issue as we speak and I am waiting to hear back from engineering. I am hoping they can just send me out a replacement.

2: Did you own the iPhone 5 or the iPhone 5s? This does make a huge difference as there was never a Space Gray 5, but a Space Gray 5s. The iPhone 5 was actually done in Slate which was known for edge brightening and looking bad if it got scrapped. The Space Gray is done better on both the newer iPhones and the Apple Watch. If it is a really deep scratch, then yes you will see the silver just like any other anodized product. For normal scratching though, you most likely won't see the silver aluminum.

(PS, If you don't know the difference between the 5 and 5s, there are two way to tell. 1) was the phone purchased before Sept 2013 or after? Before is a 5, after is a 5s. 2) was the flash on the back of the phone circular or oval? Circular is a 5, oval is a 5s)

3) From what I have seen, the leather loops and all the Sport bands look pretty good with the Space Gray (except the Blue Sport Band IMO). I think the 3rd party band market for the Space Gray Apple Watch will be pretty big because of the fact that most of Watches Apple sold were this color.

Ah yeah you're right, it was SLATE, I had an iPhone 5 not 5s. My bad I forgot that they changed it from Slate to Space Gray when they went from 5 to 5s. Yeah that SLATE was AWFUL, it looked nice until you got the tiniest scratch on it then it was a bright shiny silver line staring at you at all times. lol