Did anyone pass on Titanium model because it looks like the Aluminum model?

[Toonartist]

I've had SB, SBSS and now SBTi and they all were different to one another. The SB is a matte finish with a fine even finish, SBSS a lovely high gloss finish and the SBTi a brush metal finish. The SBTi also seems to change in darkness, intensity depending on the light. Seems to reflect the strap colour to a degree. The normal SB seems to take on a blue tinge when in stronger light which the SBTi doesn't.

Personally, I prefer the SBTi and can easily tell the difference and prefer the extra durability of the sapphire crystal screen and DLC of the SBTi. I'll happily pay the extra for that peace of mind and don't care in the slightest if someone else, who I'd most likely never meet, thinks it might be X Y or Z as I pass them in the street.

Just remember, there's no right or wrong way here... just get the one that YOU like the most and don't worry about what I or anyone else thinks because that's all that matters. Don't worry over what others may or may not think!

 

[moose185]

You should probably realize something, the members that you see frequenting this type of forum, most of them can easily afford the ‘premium’ [Stainless/Ti] Apple Watches, not also because we’re all Apple enthusiasts, most of us have jobs in the tech sector that likely pay lucratively.

The member you quoted, @The-Real-Deal82 Has said many times he could afford the more expensive Apple watches, but generally doesn’t see the point, when they all perform the same functionality and the aluminum model has generally a very strong resale value compared to the more premium models.

if you had money you wouldn't care about resell value, so I smell BS on this one. you would just buy the model which you like. if your on a budget aluminium is the one to go for.

 

[Toonartist]

if you had money you wouldn't care about resell value, so I smell BS on this one. you would just buy the model which you like. if your on a budget aluminium is the one to go for.

I doesn't bother me that much either. I handed my last one in to Apple just for simplicity and because I didn't want to sell any of the straps I got with the watches.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

if you had money you wouldn't care about resell value, so I smell BS on this one. you would just buy the model which you like. if your on a budget aluminium is the one to go for.

Many people buy the aluminium AW because they feel it offers enough regardless of whether they can realistically afford a more expensive model. This assumption everybody who doesn’t buy the most expensive Apple products because they can’t afford them is a very faulty analogy.

 

[bricktop_at]

Many people buy the aluminium AW because they feel it offers enough regardless of whether they can realistically afford a more expensive model. This assumption everybody who doesn’t buy the most expensive Apple products because they can’t afford them is a very faulty analogy.

Yep, not everyone is that much of an enthusiast and buys the more expensive models just for the better look and feel, if a lower priced model offers the same functionality.

 

[bricktop_at]

Personally, I prefer the SBTi and can easily tell the difference and prefer the extra durability of the sapphire crystal screen and DLC of the SBTi.

Well, to be correct, you also DLC coating with the SBSS, sapphire with any of the stainless and more expensive models

 

[Toonartist]

Well, to be correct, you also DLC coating with the SBSS, sapphire with any of the stainless and more expensive models

I know... that comment was mainly towards those saying the SBAL was similar to the SBTi.

 

[moose185]

Many people buy the aluminium AW because they feel it offers enough regardless of whether they can realistically afford a more expensive model. This assumption everybody who doesn’t buy the most expensive Apple products because they can’t afford them is a very faulty analogy.

well just depends how much your willing to spend and what product you like, my assumption is that a lot of people can't justify paying £800 on a apple watch even if they can afford it, so they go with aluminum. I don't have an issue with that, but trying to act like it's the exact same watch as the stainless steel, titanium or the hermes model is just not true.

A lot of people including my friends want to justify to themselves that the apple watch sport model or the iphone 12 over the iphone 12 pro is a better buy or it is same exact same product when the materials are different. Like any product you pay more price for higher end materials like the saphirre crystal glass, stainless steel.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

well just depends how much your willing to spend and what product you like, my assumption is that a lot of people can't justify paying £800 on a apple watch even if they can afford it, so they go with aluminum. I don't have an issue with that, but trying to act like it's the exact same watch as the stainless steel, titanium or the hermes model is just not true.

A lot of people including my friends want to justify to themselves that the apple watch sport model or the iphone 12 over the iphone 12 pro is a better buy or it is same exact same product when the materials are different. Like any product you pay more price for higher end materials like the saphirre crystal glass, stainless steel.

I’m in the boat where I could get a more expensive AW if I wanted but I don’t see the benefit. For me an AW is an everyday beater and I don’t look at the stainless, titanium, ceramic or Hermes as superior as they function much the same. If I want to wear a nice watch then I wear a nice watch, not a smart watch. The aluminium watch looks good enough to me for what it is.

The stainless steel used in the AW also does not cost much more than the 7075 series aluminium in terms of raw material cost. You’re paying extra for the manufacturing process rather than the material as stainless is harder and slower to machine and process, and also the sapphire display. The myth that 7075 is a less premium material is moot as its extremely high grade in its own right. Titanium is a lot more expensive per kg than either but costs are kept down due to it being fairly pleasant to machine even though it’s a hard material.

I think your friends imply it’s the same watch based on functionality and likely don’t see the allure of the different materials on offer when cost is factored in. I totally understand that point of view.

 

[Mistborn15]

Just curious. Is Stainless steel really a 'premium material'? I had a Samsung gear watch for a while. I wasn't aware it was stainless steel at that time. 'premium' wouldn't have come to my mind if I had to describe it. There are lots of Stainless steel smartwatches and fitness watches that are quite cheap. I'd be very hesitant to pay more just for stainless steel. Good straps are another story.. they really make a difference in looks

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Just curious. Is Stainless steel really a 'premium material'? I had a Samsung gear watch for a while. I wasn't aware it was stainless steel at that time. 'premium' wouldn't have come to my mind if I had to describe it. There are lots of Stainless steel smartwatches and fitness watches that are quite cheap. I'd be very hesitant to pay more just for stainless steel. Good straps are another story.. they really make a difference in looks

It is with Apple Watches because the Apple marketing machine puts heavy emphasis on it being ‘premium’. This aspect and a sapphire display are the justifications for an Apple going from £380 to £699 which to me is rather shocking. Sapphire glass and stainless is pretty much standard across the watch world even at lower price points. Apple have done rather well convincing this market otherwise though so hats off to them!!

 

[Mistborn15]

It is with Apple Watches because the Apple marketing machine puts heavy emphasis on it being ‘premium’. This aspect and a sapphire display are the justifications for an Apple going from £380 to £699 which to me is rather shocking. Sapphire glass and stainless is pretty much standard across the watch world even at lower price points. Apple have done rather well convincing this market otherwise though so hats off to them!!

Good marketing then.. Thats like considering Carroll an elite striker just because he cost 35M

 

[moose185]

I’m in the boat where I could get a more expensive AW if I wanted but I don’t see the benefit. For me an AW is an everyday beater and I don’t look at the stainless, titanium, ceramic or Hermes as superior as they function much the same. If I want to wear a nice watch then I wear a nice watch, not a smart watch. The aluminium watch looks good enough to me for what it is.

The stainless steel used in the AW also does not cost much more than the 7075 series aluminium in terms of raw material cost. You’re paying extra for the manufacturing process rather than the material as stainless is harder and slower to machine and process, and also the sapphire display. The myth that 7075 is a less premium material is moot as its extremely high grade in its own right. Titanium is a lot more expensive per kg than either but costs are kept down due to it being fairly pleasant to machine even though it’s a hard material.

I think your friends imply it’s the same watch based on functionality and likely don’t see the allure of the different materials on offer when cost is factored in. I totally understand that point of view.

Yeah your missing the point, just because the functionality is the same doesn't make it the same watch. The saphirre crystal display is higher end it's used in watches like Tag Heur, i've had the apple watch sport and the face scratched up really bad, my stainless steel watch face is completely scratch free after 2 and a half years. unless you completely baby the aluminium model the watch face will get scratches. i've even dropped my apple watch on concrete from height and it didn't scratch the face.

I only use a apple watch , I stopped using my traditional watch since the apple watch came out, so for me this is my only watch and I'm happy to pay the extra, I also am likely to keep the watch for 2 to 3 years i don't upgrade every year. for the average person the aluminium is more than enough but I'm a big fan of apple products and if i'm being honest it's the only expensive thing I spend my money on, so for me I love having something different like the stainless steel and titanium and can justify the cost.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yeah your missing the point, just because the functionality is the same doesn't make it the same watch. The saphirre crystal display is higher end it's used in watches like Tag Heur, i've had the apple watch sport and the face scratched up really bad, my stainless steel watch face is completely scratch free after 2 and a half years. unless you completely baby the aluminium model the watch face will get scratches. i've even dropped my apple watch on concrete from height and it didn't scratch the face.

I only use a apple watch , I stopped using my traditional watch since the apple watch came out, so for me this is my only watch and I'm happy to pay the extra, I also am likely to keep the watch for 2 to 3 years i don't upgrade every year. for the average person the aluminium is more than enough but I'm a big fan of apple products and if i'm being honest it's the only expensive thing I spend my money on, so for me I love having something different like the stainless steel and titanium and can justify the cost.

I wouldn’t exactly say Tag Heuer are high end to be fair. They are mid range at best and have produced some nice watches but they’ve never been in the luxury to high end bracket. I have sapphire crystal faces on most of my mechanical watches and these days sapphire is used at price points from £100- to £10k+. It’s not a high end material as such and is pretty much a standard across the watch industry now. I wasn’t missing the point at all as I’m well aware of materials, their qualities and where they are used.

I keep my Apple watches about 3 years too and an aluminium watch will last that long. The screens don’t scratch that easily and I’ve not damaged any of mine. Nothing wrong at all with buying the Apple Watch you want and the one that gives you the most enjoyment. If that is the more expensive models then that is great. Even those into Apple products and tech buy the aluminium models though, plenty on these forums are evidence of that or we wouldn’t even be here. Not everybody sees the value and benefit of the different casing materials though and at the end of the day only you need to be impressed by the watch you’ve bought, nobody else.

My S5 Nike is still scratch free and been worn almost daily since October 2019.

 

[bricktop_at]

I wouldn’t exactly say Tag Heuer are high end to be fair. They are mid range at best and have produced some nice watches but they’ve never been in the luxury to high end bracket

Yep, exactly what I thought when I saw that reference. To me they are simply overpriced, no way in the luxury/high end sector and a sapphire crystal is really no sign that a watch is high end.

 

[Mistborn15]

Yep, exactly what I thought when I saw that reference. To me they are simply overpriced, no way in the luxury/high end sector and a sapphire crystal is really no sign that a watch is high end.

But even the cheapest Tag Heuer will be noticed/appreciated more than likes of Apple watch and Fitbit Versa.

But yeah, Sapphire crystal is there even on non-expensive watches

 

[bricktop_at]

But even the cheapest Tag Heuer will be noticed/appreciated more than likes of Apple watch and Fitbit Versa

Because most people have obviously no clue 😉

 

[Mistborn15]

Because most people have obviously no clue 😉

it is more because almost everyone has one. People are so used to it that it becomes invisible