Lots of great points in this thread. One thing one member said that I really do agree with, is if you can afford the financial hit with the stainless model and understand that it doesn’t hold resale as well as the aluminum does, then I also would promote upgrading to the stainless model if one appreciates the Sapphire and stainless casing, but that’s really all you’re purchasing with the stainless model, Being all the watchOS is exactly the same for both models. Its justs a choice of aesthetics.
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Convince me not to get the Aluminum...
- Thread starter vistokid
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I’ll say though, I have found it very hard to go from the Stainless Steel version to aluminum. Once you’re used to the nicer materials, you just notice it more.
I tried aluminum in the past with series 3, and I ended up selling it and getting a SS. This is part of what led me to just return the Nike+ Series 4. I think I could deal with the aesthetic differences, if sapphire were used on all models. I just feel the odds are too high for ion x screen damage.
It’s just such a personal decision. I’ll admit, the price raises are starting to wear on me, and I hate how little value the SS watches hold. I’ll probably be forced to slow down my update cycle, if they keep it up.
Couldn’t agree more. I have always had the SS versions but went for the Nike LTE/GPS 44mm this time. In Canada it is almost a $400 upgrade for the tiny amount of stainless steel and sapphire. All I care about is the sapphire and currently have a ishieldz protector on my watch. Cannot really see it but you can feel it. I’m seriously thinking about returning the watch and buying a second hand series 3 in stainless.
in my opinion the SS AW looks like a very nice watch.. in aluminum it seems just a smartwatch.
Depends on how you value this thing. Of course, material cost itself cannot justify such a price gap.. SS costs i think 8-10 $/kg... so the diffence might be in few cents or dollars for each watch... don't know the cost of sapphire, but i also read that is not a so good quality one.
ditto, you pay for the aesthetics and durability, for me a much more schatchproof display makes the difference, i can use it with less care and enjoy much more my watch.
due to the shiny SS i can also wear my AW when i'm dressed up with a suit without feeling that the watch is not appropriate.
To me, that's what i paid the extra for.
I don't think i'll resell it, i'll pass to a family member probably, and i think that i'll use it for at least 2 years (end of applecare+ validity). It's not a valuable watch, it's like a smartphone which loses it's value over time and slows down/feels old after few time... i think it should be also compared (pricewise) to iphones and other devices rather than to other watches only.
Depends on how you value this thing. Of course, material cost itself cannot justify such a price gap.. SS costs i think 8-10 $/kg... so the diffence might be in few cents or dollars for each watch... don't know the cost of sapphire, but i also read that is not a so good quality one.
ditto, you pay for the aesthetics and durability, for me a much more schatchproof display makes the difference, i can use it with less care and enjoy much more my watch.
due to the shiny SS i can also wear my AW when i'm dressed up with a suit without feeling that the watch is not appropriate.
To me, that's what i paid the extra for.
I don't think i'll resell it, i'll pass to a family member probably, and i think that i'll use it for at least 2 years (end of applecare+ validity). It's not a valuable watch, it's like a smartphone which loses it's value over time and slows down/feels old after few time... i think it should be also compared (pricewise) to iphones and other devices rather than to other watches only.
Get the Stainless and upgrade less often if it gets to expensive. After you had a stainless, you cant go back to the cheap looking Alu one
That is a completely unrelated product in my opinion. You might as well said something like “I don’t like apple watches because I prefer a car”. Mechanical watches are a niche jewelery item with no functional value past that and only those who are into that hobby care about them. Cell phones (and time being shown everywhere in modern life) largely killed mechanical watches in terms of functional value years ago. The choice people make is smart watch vs bare wrist, not smart watch vs a mechanical jewelry watch.
I bet I get more functional value per day from an Apple Watch watch than your watch has given you in 18 years.
I just looked up your watch, it looks like my 70 dollar Casio dive watch (that I only use for scuba). People that aren’t into the hobby can’t tell the difference between watches.
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I tried that, the aluminum screen had scratches after three days. I want back to a sapphire display. These watches are useable for ~3 years (past the first one). The price difference divided over that time frame is irrelevant. 1.92 a week to have a nicer watch with no real fear of scratching the screen. It is an easy decision.
This is it here. It's worth the extra money if you don't plan to upgrade for at least 2-3 years
Tell u what I especially like about the series 3 and 4 they come in LTE and if you so decide not to take your phone your connected.
Ok the argument obsolete in 3 to 4 years I give u that. But lololol u still see some geezers rocking flip phones. I can’t see Apple topping this watch for quite some time.
Ok the argument obsolete in 3 to 4 years I give u that. But lololol u still see some geezers rocking flip phones. I can’t see Apple topping this watch for quite some time.
I can only provide my own perspective. I purchased the original Apple Watch in aluminum when the watch first launched. I liked it plenty, but it felt more utilitarian and not as "nice" on my wrist as I would expect in a new watch. I kept eyeing the stainless model. By the beginning of week 2, I gave in and returned it for a stainless model with a leather loop. About four months later, I bought a genuine link bracelet, which became my daily driver strap. The stainless watch, particularly with this strap, feels very high quality and high class on my wrist and goes with everything casual and dressy. I really enjoy wearing it and still stop to admire it from time to time. I have since upgraded to the Series 2, then the Series 4, and continue to use the link bracelet. The sapphire crystal erases any worries about scratches, and I have inadvertently whacked it against doorknobs and granite countertops and other scary things without the slightest scratch. I have scratched the band and the watch case before, but the ability to refinish these really helps.
So for me, it's stainless all the way. The added quality of the material has value for me and I can afford it. But I see lots of aluminum watches out there and it's a great choice as well. Just depends on what you expect out of a watch.
So for me, it's stainless all the way. The added quality of the material has value for me and I can afford it. But I see lots of aluminum watches out there and it's a great choice as well. Just depends on what you expect out of a watch.
for value and bang for ur buck, go aluminum. i rocked a s0 space grey aluminum for three years, looked great with leather loops and sport bands.
this time i opted for black stainless steel, not because it makes sense, but because it was an emotional purchase. apple are very clever charging an extra $200 for something that costs an extra $3.
for what it's worth, my aluminum s0 watch looks brand new. durability isn't that important to me, however, it's nice to know i have the added protection of DLC coating and sapphire glass.
this time i opted for black stainless steel, not because it makes sense, but because it was an emotional purchase. apple are very clever charging an extra $200 for something that costs an extra $3.
for what it's worth, my aluminum s0 watch looks brand new. durability isn't that important to me, however, it's nice to know i have the added protection of DLC coating and sapphire glass.
I love the SS AW, but for my use I can't justify spending the extra money. For the S3 and S4 I have went with aluminum (S0 and S2 I had SS) and purchased AC+ with the extra savings over the SS in the event that I damage the case (I usually am very careful with my iDevices, but AC+ is nice for peace of mind).
I know! I wanted the Nike band and faces with the SBSS. Now I have two black sport bands and I paid $52 extra for the Nike band. Smh
I had a an aluminum original and then got a series 2 used SS which looks real good but opted for aluminum Nike 4. While I do like the ss better and it looks nicer in my opinion everyone I talk to doesn’t feel the same. Also at this point in time no one really cares which one I’m wearing. Most people don’t even care I have an Apple Watch, therefore is it really worth such a premium that is completely lost on resale. You are going to want to upgrade in a year or 2 for sure. In my opinion, buying SS is only good used. For new, aluminum is the way to go. Once the watches reach a plateau for features and speed, then upgrade cycles will be much less and SS may make more sense.
I tried selling my series 2 SS 42 and the offers were horrid. I ended up keeping it and selling my wife’s rose gold series 2 refurb and got more than any offer I received for the SS. The fact the rose gold 38 was more valuable than the SS blew my mind.
I tried selling my series 2 SS 42 and the offers were horrid. I ended up keeping it and selling my wife’s rose gold series 2 refurb and got more than any offer I received for the SS. The fact the rose gold 38 was more valuable than the SS blew my mind.
Why would you buy something based on what someone else thinks about it? Or why would you even care? The only thing that matters is if you prefer the look and feel of the the SS or the Alu.
Yea - Marco on ATP made the spot on comment that your watch should make you happy - who cares what others think.
This. If I am going to replace it annually, the penalty for SS is too hard to justify.
I completely agree with this. I've had every single Apple Watch since launch day. When I bought the original AW, I got the stainless steel, which was nice and built like a tank. But I am a tech nerd, so I soon relaized that would upgrading every year, so it didn't make much finanacial sense for me to get the SS, especially with the low SS resale value compared to the purchase price. I've purchased the alumninum version ever since and quite like it. It doesn't have the heft of the SS or the durability, but it doesn't matter to me since I will most likely upgrade to the next one. It all comes down to how long you plan on keeping the watch. If you plan to keep it a few years, SS is the way to go. But if you plan to upgrade yearly, it just doesn't make sense IMO to go that route unless you can comfotably afford it.
Awesome replies on here , thank you so much!
I've decided that I'm going to head over to my local Apple Store today and get an aluminium. I've literally never worn one before. I'll give it a go and if I don't like it I'll exchange it for a stainless steel.
I've decided that I'm going to head over to my local Apple Store today and get an aluminium. I've literally never worn one before. I'll give it a go and if I don't like it I'll exchange it for a stainless steel.
I think its a really easy decission between aluminum and SS.
Aluminum:
- You want to upgrade every year for the next gen
- A formal look is not important for you
SS:
- Because of bad resell price, you should keep it 2-3 years
- More formal look and a piece of jewelry
But with the Black Sport and a black link bracelet or black milanese or some leather bands you can get a formal look too.
Just not a "bling bling" jewelry look.
I would say the aluminum is the most popular choice, and it is very durable with the 7000 series aluminum/and adequate protection with the Ion-X Glass. If you decide to try the stainless for whatever reason, don’t be thwarted by the additional weight, you will adjust to the point were you wouldn’t even notice it on your wrist after a while. Let us know what your thoughts on the Sport model.
THAT is the best possible answer, unless getting to an Apple store is seriously time-consuming or difficult. Best luck. I don't think you can go wrong either way.