Go big or go stainless? WWYD?

[ssledoux]

I love my series 7. I honestly have started enjoying Apple watch even more in the last year than in past years. However, I have wanted to either go to stainless or go bigger for a while, and, even though I recently got my 7, I’m toying with the idea. My oldest daughter bought my 6 cellular, but I was thinking of us selling that and letting her have my 7 then ordering either a stainless or a 45mm.

So, if you had to choose between going with stainless in the 41, or going with a 45 (can’t do a 45 stainless - just more weight than I want on my arm), which would you choose, and why?

 

[beach bum]

I’m of two minds…

Aluminum 45mm - love the larger display
SS 41mm - sapphire glass less prone to scratches/breaks/love the stainless steel finish

I’ve gone with the largest case size SS cellular models for a few years now and don’t know if I could go back to a smaller size. I currently have the S7 SS 45mm cellular.

 

[ssledoux]

I’m of two minds…

Aluminum 45mm - love the larger display
SS 41mm - sapphire glass less prone to scratches/breaks/love the stainless steel finish

I’ve gone with the largest case size SS cellular models for a few years now and don’t know if I could go back to a smaller size. I currently have the S7 SS 45mm cellular.

Pretty sure there’s no way I can do both. I think the weight of the smaller SS would be enough for me to get used to after years of aluminum. I had a series 2 SS, but didn’t keep it - the watches were thicker and the sensor stuck out further and it seemed to rest on some kind of nerve in my arm. I couldn’t wear it.

 

[beach bum]

Pretty sure there’s no way I can do both. I think the weight of the smaller SS would be enough for me to get used to after years of aluminum. I had a series 2 SS, but didn’t keep it - the watches were thicker and the sensor stuck out further and it seemed to rest on some kind of nerve in my arm. I couldn’t wear it.

Oooops! 🥴 I meant for it to be an either or situation and was giving the most simple answers for why I would chose one over the other. 😂

 

[ssledoux]

Oooops! 🥴 I meant for it to be an either or situation and was giving the most simple answers for why I would chose one over the other. 😂

I thought that, but then you were mentioning having had the larger SS, so I was just explaining why I don’t think I could do both.

But yeah, kinda what I’m thinking - larger screen for better readability, or overall better looking (IMO) device.

The other bonus for keeping to my 41mm is, of course, my band collection, which has held me back on changing sizes the last couple years.

 

[fwmireault]

I'd say try both, but if I have to choose I would go with the bigger display over the stainless steel. The bigger display will make your interaction with the UI better, as the stainless steel, as much as it's beautiful, still will not changes anything on the way you interact with the watch. Try it though, not everybody loves the bigger display, but I'd chose that over stainless steel if I had to chose one.

 

[ssledoux]

I'd say try both, but if I have to choose I would go with the bigger display over the stainless steel. The bigger display will make your interaction with the UI better, as the stainless steel, as much as it's beautiful, still will not changes anything on the way you interact with the watch. Try it though, not everybody loves the bigger display, but I'd chose that over stainless steel if I had to chose one.

I definitely love the larger display, but my wrists are on the smaller side. My sister’s 44mm fits almost to the edges of my arm. I don’t mind the look of that, but I AM worried about how that affects the way the bands lay on my wrist. I would just hate to order one, get it in, and realize after using it that I don’t really like that. It’s the main thing that has made me fearful of getting the larger watch.

 

[beach bum]

I definitely love the larger display, but my wrists are on the smaller side. My sister’s 44mm fits almost to the edges of my arm. I don’t mind the look of that, but I AM worried about how that affects the way the bands lay on my wrist. I would just hate to order one, get it in, and realize after using it that I don’t really like that. It’s the main thing that has made me fearful of getting the larger watch.

Are you able to go to an Apple store and try out the 45mm? If you are able to do so, I think that would give you a better idea of how it would work. I have small wrists as well and will switch between the Milanese or Leather Loop; they both lay well.

 

[justywusty]

45mm titanium! It’s a bit lighter than stainless steel.

 

[justywusty]

For reference:

45mm Stainless Steel: 51.5g (61% heavier than 41mm aluminum)
45mm Titanium: 45.1g (41% heavier than 41mm aluminum)
41mm Stainless Steel: 42.3g (32% heavier than 41mm aluminum)

And for fun:

45mm Aluminum: 38.8g
41mm Aluminum: 32.0g

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you like to upgrade your watch every year, Al-you-minee-um is the way to go, in my opinion. Get a $10 screen protector off Amazon and you are covered.

This is the first year I have not gotten SS and I don't regret it. I make sure my Al-you-minee-um watch is protected while at work. I plan to upgrade to the Series 8 when it is released and it really didn't make sense to spend almost $1k on a watch for a year (I get the cellular option).

Three hundred dollars is a big price difference between the two models, in my opinion.

If your wrist size is much smaller than 6.5," the 45mm model will look really big.

 

[alanderp]

I've tried the Aluminum before and returned it for the SS and haven't looked back since. I definitely prefer a more substantial feeling on my wrist even if I'm going to the gym 6 days a week.

I just upgraded from my S5 SBSS to S7 SS and the additional weight was pretty noticeable, but I got used to it after a day or two. My gf dropped my S5 before on concrete and it was unscathed. I personally would always choose SS over Titanium just because of the weight and shine.

The resale value drops much more for SS vs Aluminum but I was able to sell my S5 SBSS in mint condition for $300, which isn't too bad, but like others have said, if you plan on upgrading every year, SS might not be the way to go.

 

[throAU]

Depends if you're comfortable with the larger size/how big your wrist is, but for me, I'd go large every single time.

The larger screen will make more difference day to day imho than stainless. I've had no issues with Aluminium durability (my S4 still looks great), and they're lighter anyway.

 

[glenthompson]

I have large wrists so prefer the larger display. My wife has smaller wrists but still prefers the larger display. Our future daughter-in-law has very small wrists so we got her the smaller watch last year and she is happy with the size. I really prefer the lighter weight of the aluminum. Tried the SS in the store and found it a bit on the heavy side.

 

[ssledoux]

Depends if you're comfortable with the larger size/how big your wrist is, but for me, I'd go large every single time.

The larger screen will make more difference day to day imho than stainless. I've had no issues with Aluminium durability (my S4 still looks great), and they're lighter anyway.

I guess I need to go in the store and try a 45. My sister has a 44, which I know is doable, but it’s close - a 45 might be just too much. I realize it’s only a mm, but that mm is noticeable between my 40 and 41, so I guess I really need to see.

 

[justywusty]

One thing to keep in mind is your wrist size. Just make sure the 45mm bands you want actually have a minimum stated fit in your size. I think my wrist is about 155mm iirc (about 6.1”), so I couldn’t get some of the 44mm bands I had wanted in the past.

The older Apple leather bands comes to mind as not having a lower end that would fit my wrist.

The Milanese loop has a min of 150mm, so it goes all the way around and has a little bit of area it doesn’t cover on the very end for me.

Some bands (all 45mm Hermes bands as an example) have a minimum size of 160mm for the 45mm, so if you’re below that like me, you’ll have more limitations.

The Solo Loop I’m a 4, which is the smallest size possible for 45mm.

 

[Alex Cai]

Go titanium

 

[xnview]

If you have small wrists, I would say stay with the smaller size. A watch that is too big for a wrist is, not comfortable during a whole day (specially not if you use it for sleep tracking), you will knock it against everything (imagine doing sports with it), and also it doesn’t look good if it looks like you are wearing a tablet on the wrist.

I have a 7” wrist and have a 44mm S5, For me the 42mm was perfect in size, and I am considering a 41mm when I’m upgrading it at some point. With the smaller bezels on the new S7, the watch also look larger. It is more comfortable and more classy with a smaller size, just my opinion

The SS is more heavy, but will be more comfortable in a smaller size on a small wrist, than a light big watch on a small wrist, it will not sit properly. Also the SS looks way better and have a better crystal/display.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

Go with the SS 41mm. The display is nearly as big as the 44mm S6 anyway.

 

[ssledoux]

One thing to keep in mind is your wrist size. Just make sure the 45mm bands you want actually have a minimum stated fit in your size. I think my wrist is about 155mm iirc (about 6.1”), so I couldn’t get some of the 44mm bands I had wanted in the past.

The older Apple leather bands comes to mind as not having a lower end that would fit my wrist.

The Milanese loop has a min of 150mm, so it goes all the way around and has a little bit of area it doesn’t cover on the very end for me.

Some bands (all 45mm Hermes bands as an example) have a minimum size of 160mm for the 45mm, so if you’re below that like me, you’ll have more limitations.

The Solo Loop I’m a 4, which is the smallest size possible for 45mm.

Thank you. This makes a lot of sense, and is definitely something to think about. I especially wondered about the solo loops and braided loops. I’m wearing a 5 in the solo, though it would likely be considered too big. I like my bands to be a bit on the looser side. My braided loop is a 4, and I get a pretty snug fit with that (still hoping it’ll stretch a little).

I know I’d be frustrated with bands being bulky or not laying right on my wrist. That would definitely drive me nuts.

 

[throAU]

I guess I need to go in the store and try a 45. My sister has a 44, which I know is doable, but it’s close - a 45 might be just too much. I realize it’s only a mm, but that mm is noticeable between my 40 and 41, so I guess I really need to see.

I believe the 45 and 44 are the same physical size, the 45 just pushes the screen to the edges of the case.

 

[DMG35]

Go 45mm Hermès.

 

[justywusty]

I believe the 45 and 44 are the same physical size, the 45 just pushes the screen to the edges of the case.

I originally thought this as well, but the physical case dimensions are actually larger:

 

[ssledoux]

I believe the 45 and 44 are the same physical size, the 45 just pushes the screen to the edges of the case.

It is a mm bigger, which seems like nothing, but I do notice a difference between my series 6 and 7. I’m just afraid that mm would really push it over the edge because the 44 already comes pretty close to the edges of my arm.

 

[coffeym]

One thing to consider on the SS - how annoyed will you be by scratches? Personally, I’m very annoyed by them. I buff them out with a metal polishing cloth every 6 months or so, but this was never an issue when I had aluminium. Presumably the scratches were still there, but the brushed finish disguised them. I’ll probably go back to aluminium for the S8.