Graphite Steel vs Space Black Titanium

[johnyyz]

It happens with every new finish. All it takes is one person to post a picture of scratch and then everybody says the new finish scratches easily. It happened with the gold SS 2 years ago and the SBTI last year. Now this year its the Graphite.

Exactly, this person is basically going into every thread that mentions the Graphite SS talking about how easily it scratches...kinda sad really, especially since they don't have one.

I on the other hand do have one. I picked it up on release day and I am happy to report that there's literally zero marks on it despite banging it off doorways and railings, hitting it off my car door when I was getting my kid out of her car seat, and various other mishaps. It's a small sample size, but so far it's held up exactly as I expected it to.

 

[mjpearce023]

Exactly, this person is basically going into every thread that mentions the Graphite SS talking about how easily it scratches...kinda sad really, especially since they don't have one.

I on the other hand do have one. I picked it up on release day and I am happy to report that there's literally zero marks on it despite banging it off doorways and railings, hitting it off my car door when I was getting my kid out of her car seat, and various other mishaps. It's a small sample size, but so far it's held up exactly as I expected it to.

Yeah I've had my Graphite for a week now and I love it. Its DLC coated so I'm not worried at all. You know if there was really an issue with them scratching easily there would already be a 50 page thread with numerous owners complaining about it.

 

[Raajj]

It happens with every new finish. All it takes is one person to post a picture of scratch and then everybody says the new finish scratches easily. It happened with the gold SS 2 years ago and the SBTI last year. Now this year its the Graphite.

You have a point here. People are worried about the aluminium model getting scratched. to be honest I was quite apprehensive too. But having used it, I found that to be quite robust except for the ion x glass though. Even the glass is not as soft as butter That people usually compare that to. It does take a good beating.

 

[Raajj]

Exactly, this person is basically going into every thread that mentions the Graphite SS talking about how easily it scratches...kinda sad really, especially since they don't have one.

I on the other hand do have one. I picked it up on release day and I am happy to report that there's literally zero marks on it despite banging it off doorways and railings, hitting it off my car door when I was getting my kid out of her car seat, and various other mishaps. It's a small sample size, but so far it's held up exactly as I expected it to.

I think its subjective. just because you havent scratched your watch yet, it doent mean its unscratchable. its agreed that DLC coating on graphite is the strongest amongst all the apple watches out there.
its in this forum itself that somebody mentioned of scraching their graphite watch with butter knife.

 

[tednol]

The Ion X Glass is fine. I wore watches with that glass in two different watches over the last three years and rarely if ever would I take the watch off with the intention of protecting it as I went about living my life. My watch takes an occasional knock but nothing serious. The S4 aluminium I've just retired after two years use does have a number of fine scratches on the glass, but you had to really look for them and they didn't impact my usability and enjoyment of the device at all. The aluminium enclosure of the S3 and S4 were both immaculate at the time I upgraded.

No watch is immune to scratches but in my version of real life usage the aluminium / Ion X Glass combo stood up well.

I'm a week into ownership of the graphite SS S6. I'm using it with a combination of the solo loop, and an Apple graphite milanese. It's early days obviously, and I haven't been especially careful in my treatment of the watch (except for some additional care when putting on and removing the watch when using the milanese band) but so far I'm happy to say the glass and the enclosure look exactly the same as I did when I received the watch. I'll report back if that changes.

 

[Raajj]

The Ion X Glass is fine. I wore watches with that glass in two different watches over the last three years and rarely if ever would I take the watch off with the intention of protecting it as I went about living my life. My watch takes an occasional knock but nothing serious. The S4 aluminium I've just retired after two years use does have a number of fine scratches on the glass, but you had to really look for them and they didn't impact my usability and enjoyment of the device at all. The aluminium enclosure of the S3 and S4 were both immaculate at the time I upgraded.

No watch is immune to scratches but in my version of real life usage the aluminium / Ion X Glass combo stood up well.

I'm a week into ownership of the graphite SS S6. I'm using it with a combination of the solo loop, and an Apple graphite milanese. It's early days obviously, and I haven't been especially careful in my treatment of the watch (except for some additional care when putting on and removing the watch when using the milanese band) but so far I'm happy to say the glass and the enclosure look exactly the same as I did when I received the watch. I'll report back if that changes.

i have seen a review of the ceramic version with the milanese loop that scratched the watch, especially the surface of contact. so i feel you are risking it with milanese loop. but i think scratches are something you just start to live with after you incur the very first one. we are super careful till we get the first one.

 

[Raajj]

i must say that i am really happy with the sports solo loop expecially on the stainless steel verion. i feel that the weight difference on my wrist between the ALU and SS has drastically reduced.

 

[johnyyz]

I think its subjective. just because you havent scratched your watch yet, it doent mean its unscratchable. its agreed that DLC coating on graphite is the strongest amongst all the apple watches out there.
its in this forum itself that somebody mentioned of scraching their graphite watch with butter knife.

I never said it was unscratchable, quite the contrary as in an earlier post I literally said the right material can and will scratch it. Reading comprehension is pretty tough, isn’t it?

Regardless, going around saying that there are reports that it scratches easily because someone intentionally scratched one with a knife, and a couple others were scratched with the Milanese loop (which always happens) is misleading and false.

Go out and buy one and offer your own real world experiences instead of parroting a couple things you read online. Right now you’re adding nothing valuable to the discussion.

 

[Raajj]

I never said it was unscratchable, quite the contrary as in an earlier post I literally said the right material can and will scratch it. Reading comprehension is pretty tough, isn’t it?

Regardless, going around saying that there are reports that it scratches easily because someone intentionally scratched one with a knife, and a couple others were scratched with the Milanese loop (which always happens) is misleading and false.

Go out and buy one and offer your own real world experiences instead of parroting a couple things you read online. Right now you’re adding nothing valuable to the discussion.

i was only refering to an earlier post that talks of a scratch with a butter knife. go and read it.
yes i would like to buy it, but before that i just want to make sure its tough.

 

[johnyyz]

i was only refering to an earlier post that talks of a scratch with a butter knife. go and read it.
yes i would like to buy it, but before that i just want to make sure its tough.

I’ve read it, thanks. A butter knife with the right amount of pressure will probably do the trick, it’s a toothy knife. It’s probably easier to scratch it with a butter knife than a pocket knife to be honest.

 

[Raajj]

I’ve read it, thanks. A butter knife with the right amount of pressure will probably do the trick, it’s a toothy knife. It’s probably easier to scratch it with a butter knife than a pocket knife to be honest.

I am neither arguing nor enforcing my point. Sorry if you have felt it that way.

 

[bluegt]

The other day I bought the Graphite SS with Milanese Loop, great looking watch, wow!

... but what a mistake.

I had read the posts about the risk of the Milanese scratching the watch sides so was careful to not have the Milanese loop touch the sides. I installed the Milanese on the watch and very gently set it down on the sofa next to me while I took off my previous watch.

Panic set in - I remembered a post talking about the Milanese scratching the back of the watch as well. I thought I was being paranoid, after all, I had set it down gently. I picked up the watch, took off the Milanese and did a careful inspection. Lo and behold, six lengthwise fine scratches on the back lens of the watch.

The Graphite is great but I'm going to be swapping the Milanese for another strap - something softer!

 

[George Dawes]

I’m using the apple sport band with my ss graphite , works very well. Band is lovely and soft !

 

[44267547]

i was only refering to an earlier post that talks of a scratch with a butter knife. go and read it.
yes i would like to buy it, but before that i just want to make sure its tough.

It’s plenty tough, but those are not applicable real world scenarios with someone taking a knife to the watch. Real world scenarios would be if the watch hits a door knob, brushed up against the granite countertop or your car door as you’re getting inside. The DLC should make it survive in most of those scenarios, but it’s never guaranteed either. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Arcontia]

I think the Space Black Titanium looks really sleek and would’ve most likely been my second choice. Seems like Graphite is based off this shade, but just a shiny version while the SBTi is a more matte version?

 

[CWallace]

I think the Space Black Titanium looks really sleek and would’ve most likely been my second choice. Seems like Graphite is based off this shade, but just a shiny version while the SBTi is a more matte version?

That seems to be the case.

 

[44267547]

I think the Space Black Titanium looks really sleek and would’ve most likely been my second choice. Seems like Graphite is based off this shade, but just a shiny version while the SBTi is a more matte version?

Lighting is everything Showing how the color can transition with both graphite and space black titanium. There are loads of photos on this forum that I made the graphite look more like the regular 316l stainless, and then other times, it looks much darker, but it depends on the ambient lighting if it’s indoors or outdoors.

Realistically, you have to look at it from the aspect that the titanium is more of a ‘brushed effect’, where the graphite is a high polished ‘gunmetal gray‘ if you will.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I love my Graphite. We have had days and days of rain in the UK and parts of Europe so my Graphite has looked closer to resembling Space Black than Silver but with the sun out today, it looks a lot lighter and closer to the silver. Best of both worlds really.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Lighting is everything Showing how the color can transition with both graphite and space black titanium. There are loads of photos on this forum that I made the graphite look more like the regular 316l stainless, and then other times, it looks much darker, but it depends on the ambient lighting if it’s indoors or outdoors.

Realistically, you have to look at it from the aspect that the titanium is more of a ‘brushed effect’, where the graphite is a high polished ‘gunmetal gray‘ if you will.

Yep i think that the reference to Gunmetal Grey is the perfect description of the Graphite. Fantastic colour. I am wondering if Apple will release a Graphite phone to colour match

 

[Pug72]

Yep i think that the reference to Gunmetal Grey is the perfect description of the Graphite. Fantastic colour. I am wondering if Apple will release a Graphite phone to colour match

Agreed. I bought a gunmetal tungsten carbide wedding ring to match the graphite watch and it's pretty much identical.
Previously I wore a black zirconia ring to match the SB SS.

 

[DennisdeWit]

I’m a few weeks in and still love my Graphite Watch. It looks shiny under sunlight and darker on cloudy days. This really is the perfect Watch for me. I like the Watch being shiny, but Silver would have been TOO shiny for my personal taste. So a darker, shiny Watch is great.

For those buying Milanese loop: don’t do it. I never owned this band myself and never will due to these scratch reports. If you want something classy and you truly think your watch is a jewelry, make the investment for a Link Bracelet. I love that band!

 

[Otflyer]

I’m a few weeks in and still love my Graphite Watch. It looks shiny under sunlight and darker on cloudy days. This really is the perfect Watch for me. I like the Watch being shiny, but Silver would have been TOO shiny for my personal taste. So a darker, shiny Watch is great.

For those buying Milanese loop: don’t do it. I never owned this band myself and never will due to these scratch reports. If you want something classy and you truly think your watch is a jewelry, make the investment for a Link Bracelet. I love that band!

No need to fear the milanese loop if your aware of the scratch potential. I have been wearing mine this past year and my SBSS is perfect.

 

[Pug72]

Yep, had one on my SB SS and now on the graphite. Just need to take care when taking on and off, it isn't difficult.

 

[techno-Zen]

Here are my Series 3 SG Aluminum and Series 5 SB Titanium. Hopefully this will help you get a better idea before you're able to view the watches in person. Apologies for the quality - just quick snaps from the iPhone.

I guess if you look at them side by side, then yes, you can see the difference quite easily. Out on the street however, I feel like my SB Titanium looks like every other SG Aluminum. I bought the SB Titanium because it was an interesting new material and combined my preference for something light and strong. Honestly though, unless you're bashing your watches around, I feel all the watches I've had have held up really well.

I also went to check out the Graphite Stainless Steel and think it looks really good. I am tempted!View attachment 960902View attachment 960903View attachment 960905View attachment 960906View attachment 960907

This is the Series 6 SBTi? Definitely appears to be more metallic looking than the Series 5 SBTi I had most of last year.

 

[deeddawg]

This is the Series 6 SBTi? Definitely appears to be more metallic looking than the Series 5 SBTi I had most of last year.

Reread the very first sentence of the post you quoted...