Graphite Steel vs Space Black Titanium

[spinedoc77]

What's the consensus? Personally I like the look of the graphite a lot more than the black Ti, but I didn't think it had the DLC. I looked into it a few weeks ago, spent about an hour searching for info. From what I found Apple did initially say the graphite had DLC, but then stopped advertising it having DLC and in their latest spec sheet they only list the black Ti as having DLC. I also found quite a bit of complaints and pictures of the graphite scratching, in particular scratching with the milanese bracelet.

I'm most likely getting the silver SS, I can deal with the scratches as they polish out. I'd hate to get the graphite all scratched up. Maybe I'll get both and return one. I'm ruling out the regular Ti as well, had an AW5 Ti and it scratched super easily. The black Ti isn't my cup of tea, but with the DLC it should be indestructible.

 

[Europa13]

What's the consensus? Personally I like the look of the graphite a lot more than the black Ti, but I didn't think it had the DLC. I looked into it a few weeks ago, spent about an hour searching for info. From what I found Apple did initially say the graphite had DLC, but then stopped advertising it having DLC and in their latest spec sheet they only list the black Ti as having DLC. I also found quite a bit of complaints and pictures of the graphite scratching, in particular scratching with the milanese bracelet.

I'm most likely getting the silver SS, I can deal with the scratches as they polish out. I'd hate to get the graphite all scratched up. Maybe I'll get both and return one. I'm ruling out the regular Ti as well, had an AW5 Ti and it scratched super easily. The black Ti isn't my cup of tea, but with the DLC it should be indestructible.

Definitely not. I was careful with it, but somehow black Ti scratched quite easily within just a day or two of getting it last year. I’m pretty sure it was from the changing the band. The scratches are very obvious in close-up photos, but otherwise not very noticeable.

I really miss the white ceramic. Zero scratches after 3 years.

 

[zea]

Definitely not. I was careful with it, but somehow black Ti scratched quite easily within just a day or two of getting it last year. I’m pretty sure it was from the changing the band. The scratches are very obvious in close-up photos, but otherwise not very noticeable.

I really miss the white ceramic. Zero scratches after 3 years.

So if the SS Graphite doesn’t have DLC, and the Titanium with DLC still scratches, which is more durable?

 

[brentsg]

Im terribly confused by this but suppose I’ll get a Ti SB and hope it is as durable as my previous SS SB.

 

[Pug72]

The Graphite is DLC, my launch day S6 is still mint and I wear it from wake 'til bed.

 

[danmart]

Here’s a pic of my Graphite. I don’t always wear it with the Milanese, but I probably use that about half the time. You just need to follow some basic precautions when taking it off and setting it down.

It was bought at the launch of the S6.

 

[The Game 161]

Going to be buying my first graphite with series 7. Looking forward to going back SS

 

[jasperk99]

Ugh, I keep going back and forth in my brain, SBTi or graphite SS……. 35 min

 

[Chevysales]

Ugh, I keep going back and forth in my brain, SBTi or graphite SS……. 35 min

Titanium has IMO a nicer texture. I had the SS in black I liked it better than graphite but not the shine so much.
Once I went Titanium I get it each year not even a debate. I like the looks and the weight difference.

That said either one is just a better choice than entry level Aluminum.
I unload trucks at night. Banging both around and after a year not a mark of any type anywhere.
The blacks have a coating which does that “DLC” which I think is “diamond like coating”. It definitely works.

 

[jasperk99]

Titanium has IMO a nicer texture. I had the SS in black I liked it better than graphite but not the shine so much.
Once I went Titanium I get it each year not even a debate. I like the looks and the weight difference.

That said either one is just a better choice than entry level Aluminum.
I unload trucks at night. Banging both around and after a year not a mark of any type anywhere.
The blacks have a coating which does that “DLC” which I think is “diamond like coating”. It definitely works.

Yes I am leaning in the titanium direction with a black leather link band, (if that combo is available) I already have the green braided loop which should go with it as well.

 

[Chevysales]

Yes I am leaning in the titanium direction with a black leather link band, (if that combo is available) I already have the green braided loop which should go with it as well.

I found just about every color goes ok with the brushed finish on the titanium. I have like 13 Apple branded 44mm bands. Got about 6 solo’s as I like them. I change often using older dark ones for work and lightening it up when home. Trying for the midnight or abyss blue. But I’ll take any of the new ones.I went with Green Solo last year. In the box a grey sport band comes as standard too. Hope same this year. It’s a free band.

 

[danmart]

I decided to go plain Stainless this time; fancy a bigger change 😊

 

[spinedoc77]

Definitely not. I was careful with it, but somehow black Ti scratched quite easily within just a day or two of getting it last year. I’m pretty sure it was from the changing the band. The scratches are very obvious in close-up photos, but otherwise not very noticeable.

I really miss the white ceramic. Zero scratches after 3 years.

I think the only model which I have never seen any scratch complaints on is the SBSS. I still have a series 3 SBSS that I absolutely and mercilessly abuse and it's still pristine, heck it doesn't even have any swirls.

 

[brentsg]

I think the only model which I have never seen any scratch complaints on is the SBSS. I still have a series 3 SBSS that I absolutely and mercilessly abuse and it's still pristine, heck it doesn't even have any swirls.

I'm hoping SS Graphite is ok in this regard. I'm also a SBSS guy until now, didn't dig deep enough for Hermes.

 

[brentsg]

I'm still confused. Did the S6 Graphite SS scratch more easily than the SBSS?

Still struggling and really don't want to go Hermes but could do so.. ugh. My assumption was that TiSB would scratch more easily but as I go back and read I'm not sure the SS graphite is better.

Edit: Apologies for double-post, meant to edit.

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm still confused. Did the S6 Graphite SS scratch more easily than the SBSS?

Still struggling and really don't want to go Hermes but could do so.. ugh. My assumption was that TiSB would scratch more easily but as I go back and read I'm not sure the SS graphite is better.

Edit: Apologies for double-post, meant to edit.

Anecdotally at least yeah it does, but most of the reports I have seen are scratches with the milanese bracelet which I believe is DLC, but I'm not sure. I have seen some posts and internet complaints of scratching and one of a dent/chip as well even without the bracelet. Again that's only anecdotally, which really doesn't mean much. I was going to get both the silver and graphite to compare, but the graphite is either in high demand, or they didn't make many of them as I can't find a combination that will let me order it.

 

[Europa13]

Anecdotally at least yeah it does, but most of the reports I have seen are scratches with the milanese bracelet which I believe is DLC, but I'm not sure. I have seen some posts and internet complaints of scratching and one of a dent/chip as well even without the bracelet. Again that's only anecdotally, which really doesn't mean much. I was going to get both the silver and graphite to compare, but the graphite is either in high demand, or they didn't make many of them as I can't find a combination that will let me order it.

I don’t have a Milanese loop. Mine scratched when switching between a Hermes leather band and an Apple Sport loop. But you do have to look closely to see it.

Since the Ti doesn’t seem to be more scratch resistant in my experience, I’ll go with the graphite SS next time I upgrade (unless they offer a ceramic version).

 

[Apleeseed84]

Anecdotally at least yeah it does, but most of the reports I have seen are scratches with the milanese bracelet which I believe is DLC, but I'm not sure. I have seen some posts and internet complaints of scratching and one of a dent/chip as well even without the bracelet. Again that's only anecdotally, which really doesn't mean much. I was going to get both the silver and graphite to compare, but the graphite is either in high demand, or they didn't make many of them as I can't find a combination that will let me order it.

Yeah yeah, I forgot, if you have a dremmel you can legit buff it out, but when i first got it my Graphite SS i was treating it like a steel watch, placing it flat with the ML below and since it’s magnetic the band scratched everything nearby, The magsafe duo was a must for me I think!!!

The optical reader at the bottom was having problems because of it, lololol This is my third watch of course but this was before i learned how to take care of one, The one S6 SS watch I have now it’s flawless. Lives and Learns I guess hahaa

 

[spinedoc77]

Yeah yeah, I forgot, if you have a dremmel you can legit buff it out, but when i first got it my Graphite SS i was treating it like a steel watch, placing it flat with the ML below and since it’s magnetic the band scratched everything nearby, The magsafe duo was a must for me I think!!!

The optical reader at the bottom was having problems because of it, lololol This is my third watch of course but this was before i learned how to take care of one, The one S6 SS watch I have now it’s flawless. Lives and Learns I guess hahaaView attachment 1860308View attachment 1860309

Are you saying you can buff out scratches on the graphite? I didn't think that was possible reading on other reports, but I have no idea either way. I went for the silver SS as that can definitely be buffed out.

 

[mikezmac]

Similar, but I do prefer the look on the Hermes, it’s more black than the graphite and it’s what I’d be looking for in a space black.

Aren’t these sales pix 3D renderings anyhow?

 

[mikezmac]

It will still scratch and will more scratch easily then titanium, as its a naturally weaker element. It's mainly an aesthetic preference though as both are incredibly resistant to scratches regardless.

Steel does scratch but you can get a polish kit cheap and easily buff them out if you need/want to. I have had the AW4 for a while now and unless you look up real close you don’t notice at all.

I don’t think you can buff scratches from titanium can you? I opted fro the stainless steel .

 

[ElDuderino91]

So how can we finally find out if the graphite SS watch has the DLC this year or not? I mean not just thoughts and opinions because of the previous year. Who can we ask at apple? Who is able to give us a proper answer?

 

[shady16]

im going from graphite SS S6 to the green aluminium S7 due to it being my favorite color

 

[dzx84]

So how can we finally find out if the graphite SS watch has the DLC this year or not? I mean not just thoughts and opinions because of the previous year. Who can we ask at apple? Who is able to give us a proper answer?

I just find it weird how it isn't even mentioned for the Space Black Hermes, only For Space Black Titanium

 

[ElDuderino91]

I just find it weird how it isn't even mentioned for the Space Black Hermes, only For Space Black Titanium

That’s the problem. It seems they just forgot to mention it again. So why advertising it for the TiSB but no single word about the coatings of the SS variants…? if the graphite has no dlc it would be a deal breaker for me.