Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Gold Plate or Buy Gold aluminum watch?
- Thread starter Apple2015
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Stick with your stainless steel as it is the only surface that when scratched can be polished out by the user. Not willing to sacrifice that for a gold color on my AW.
I suppose you can say the same about anodized gold/rose gold-colored aluminum, as that can't be polished out by the user either.
Posted earlier in the thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/gold-plate-or-buy-gold-aluminum-watch.1914819/#post-21823399
I sent them (The Time Preserve) my watch about a week ago and haven't really heard anything back from them since their initial "processing" email. How long was your wait? What was your experience with them? Thank you so much for any and all input!!!
Edit: Should have just called instead of emailed. They said it should ship tomorrow or the day after. Fingers crossed!!!
Last edited:
I sent in a modern buckle on 3/24/16 for gold plating. I will be receiving it tomorrow. The processing is taking a bit longer than in the beginning (last June/July) because so many more people know about their reliable process & durability. When I sent my watch in last July, my order was #13. My order # for my watchband this time was over 6750! That's a lot of orders! I did call to check when the watchband would ship & John Schultz (one of the owners) answered & told me it would ship the next day. Don't worry...you will love it!
It all comes down to preference. If you want your watch to look 99.9% identical to the watch edition with typing. Exception of the 18K engraving on the back then gold plate it. If you want it look gold with the exclusive gold watch face hands, then go with the gold aluminum
99.9% identical only applies to the black sport and black classic buckle models, as the lack of color-capped crown is a dead giveaway that it's not an Edition. But, yes, I agree with you that the gold Sport is a poor substitute for those who desire the Edition look. The only thing you'll wreck is the warranty, assuming you actually go with a reputable plating company (not WatchPlate!).
The OP will have to baby his watch with his life for no damage physical or hardware. Lol. Granted since WatchOS 2.2 allows multiples watches I do own both stainless steel and edition with classic buckle with Apple Care + on both. I do rarely ever wear my edition unless it's a high end restaurant, weeding...etc. 99% of the time when I go to work, mall shopping, relaxing its always the stainless.
Let's be clear. You have a gold-plated AW, not an Edition. Not sure if AC+ is of any use on your "edition" because gold-plating most likely voided it (unless you can prove me wrong and got Apple to successfully service your gold-plated AW).
No. I have a 42mm Apple Watch stainless steel milinese (among 7 other bands) and a 42 mm Apple Watch Edition Black classic buckle.
Sounds like you previously had a gold-plated AW and have upgraded to an actual Edition.
I did yes. Something about the gold and black combo makes it look better then most high end gold watches. Recently got promoted/transferred to my company's corporate office. Better hours, custom schedule, better pay. I scheduled an official edition try on at my city Apple Store. Mentioned before was 99% identical between the two with the exception of the engraving and weight. Since it would be worn for high formal events, weeding and not daily, Pulled the trigger. Gave the plated watch to my mother who wants it re-platted in Rose Gold with the midnight blue classic buckle Apple released last month.
Last edited:
Fake colored crown covered with watchdot or something like that. It can't fool me or anyone else who knows what to look for.
Understood that perfectly. All I was saying is, while some people may get fooled, the experts among us can easily pick it out as a clone.
How? My (TimePreserve) gold plated AW has a black classic loop plated, as well as the crown being gold with a black dot.
Just by looks alone, it looks identical to an apple watch edition. Weight on the other hand is noticeable, and the engraving on the back. But.. just by looking you can't discern the two.
Re-read the posts. I was speaking specifically about the bright red modern buckle clone. You can easily tell in person when the crown is covered with watchdots. I've already acknowledged that the models with the black crown look identical to the gold-plated counterparts in post #35 as follows:
Last edited: