Graphite Steel vs Space Black Titanium

[the future]

Well it seems from what apple have provided that SS dose not have DLC.

It does. Apple just doesn't explicitly promote it.

I can tell you the graphite SS showed hairlines scratches very easily and this just days after getting it.

Wasn't the graphite Milanese loop dropped to PVD making it slightly weaker so it wouldn't scratch the DLC?

The fact there were so many complaints that it did says much about the DLC on the graphite.

The space black as well as graphite milanese bands both have DLC as well, so of course they can scratch the equally hard Watches with DLC. I have never heard the claim that DLC was "dropped" from the graphite loop. Imagine the loops didn't have DLC – people would instantly complain that the loops themselves get "scratched too easily" and show the silver underneath.

 

[danmart]

I have never heard the claim that DLC was "dropped" from the graphite loop.

The original product info for the Graphite Milanese said it was PVD, however the smart money now is that this was a copy-paste error as the Gold finish is PVD.

ETA: even the current marketing info says PVD rather than DLC.

 

[sarc]

It does. Apple just doesn't explicitly promote it.


The space black as well as graphite milanese bands both have DLC as well, so of course they can scratch the equally hard Watches with DLC. I have never heard the claim that DLC was "dropped" from the graphite loop. Imagine the loops didn't have DLC – people would instantly complain that the loops themselves get "scratched too easily" and show the silver underneath.

Yeah don’t believe you. You’re trying to tell us that they promote it on one watch and not the others? Yeah don’t think so.

 

[Nozuka]

The color comes from the DLC coating. It's very unlikely that they are trying to get the same color with a different process now. I think we should only ever be worried if they change colors.

Experience the great protection of our DLC coatings | Ionbond

The advantages of our DLC coatings? Reduce friction | Eco friendly | Excellent Protection | Atractive color range

www.ionbond.com

"Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings can be deposited by different technologies such as PVD arc, PVD sputtering and PACVD processes. The choice of technology and deposition parameters allow for a wide variety of performance characteristics, including hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated DLC coatings.

DLC coatings are environmentally friendly and can be used to reduce friction, wear, fretting, galling and corrosion. They can also be used to modify electrical conductivity and wettability. Due to the attractive colors of DLC coatings (ranging from anthracite to deep black), they are often applied in decorative applications such as watchmaking, jewelry, kitchen and bath hardware, automotive interiors, firearms and other fields, combining both aesthetics and performance."

 

[the future]

ETA: even the current marketing info says PVD rather than DLC.

Link?

Yeah don’t believe you. You’re trying to tell us that they promote it on one watch and not the others? Yeah don’t think so.

They don’t really „promote“ it at all when you have to dig deep in some tech specs that regular consumers/customers will never ever see, do they now?

But of course you can believe whatever you want. Don‘t let the facts or Occam‘s razor bother you.

The color comes from the DLC coating. It's very unlikely that they are trying to get the same color with a different process now.

Also, this.

 

[DianaMR]

But I care. I wear the watch on several outdoor activities and also on movie sets at work. I need a watch tough enough to not scratch too easily, but on the other hand it should look nice and match my clothes. The more I think about it, the more I like the shiny look of the graphite SS. BUT if it hasn’t a scratch preventing dlc coating, I’d pay the higher price for the SB titanium with dlc.

I ordered the graphite SS for in store pick up on launch day and I have to drive more than one hour to get there. I need to find out till then. Won’t be happy driving such a distance for a watch I wouldn’t keep if it’s not dlc.

I hate first world problems… but honestly 700-800€ is a lot of money for a short living technical device, so if I spend that much money I really bother about details like the coating.

“… also on movie sets at work. “ What do you do on movie sets? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[The Game 161]

i will never get titanium. it looks just like the aluminum models half of its price. i've never owned a titanium apple watch, so i may be missing out and speaking out of my arse. but just from the look of it, it really does.

To be honest i think the same. The difference looks very small compared to stainless steel to aluminum which is a noticeable difference.

 

[danmart]

@the future It’s not hidden; it’s the product page

 

[ElDuderino91]

“… also on movie sets at work. “ What do you do on movie sets? Inquiring minds want to know.

From 2015 - 2019 I worked as AD mainly for television series and some movies. The last two years I’ve been writing my own Series that will be shot in 2022. This will also be the start for me working as a Director and Showrunner. So stoked!

 

[shr631]

From 2015 - 2019 I worked as AD mainly for television series and some movies. The last two years I’ve been writing my own Series that will be shot in 2022. This will also be the start for me working as a Director and Showrunner. So stoked!

So cool, congrats! (Lmk if you have a role for a regular guy who sometimes posts on a tech forum…I’d nail it 😄)

 

[bricktop_at]

To be honest i think the same. The difference looks very small compared to stainless steel to aluminum which is a noticeable difference.

The question is, who needs to know the difference apart from yourself?
The case finish of the Ti is superb and it feels MUCH more sophisticated than the Alu case overall. Simply put: A lot more fun wearing it.

 

[spinedoc77]

i will never get titanium. it looks just like the aluminum models half of its price. i've never owned a titanium apple watch, so i may be missing out and speaking out of my arse. but just from the look of it, it really does.

I had a AW Ti and yeah it looks almost exactly like an aluminum AW. The Ti has a different texture, and up close you can see the brushing, but from a foot or more away it just looked like the Al. Mine scratched way too easily as well. What I wish for would be a brushed silver SS one instead of the fake chrome look.

 

[ElDuderino91]

So cool, congrats! (Lmk if you have a role for a regular guy who sometimes posts on a tech forum…I’d nail it 😄)

Thanks. Directing movies and series is all I ever dreamed of and now it comes true!

Haha so funny! You can’t imagine how often I hear people asking for a role. Everywhere! Eg. I used to like car-sharing but there was not a single journey without some random passengers telling me that their actual job is just a part-time job and in fact they are actors. Some were bagging for a role you wouldn’t imagine how embarrassing that was. It got so annoying that I began to tell them I work in a factory producing the breadcrumbs for fish sticks.

Edit: Back to topic. I am still torn and need some advice. Should I go for SSG or SBTi? My first priority is the durability. They both go very well with all kinds of bands and clothing. Which one is prone to scratches? Please no opinions without real world experience 🙏

 

[mikethebigo]

With all the unboxing videos today, has anyone found one that involves stainless steel or titanium? Seems like they're all aluminum

 

[4pp13]

Thanks. Directing movies and series is all I ever dreamed of and now it comes true!

Haha so funny! You can’t imagine how often I hear people asking for a role. Everywhere! Eg. I used to like car-sharing but there was not a single journey without some random passengers telling me that their actual job is just a part-time job and in fact they are actors. Some were bagging for a role you wouldn’t imagine how embarrassing that was. It got so annoying that I began to tell them I work in a factory producing the breadcrumbs for fish sticks.

Edit: Back to topic. I am still torn and need some advice. Should I go for SSG or SBTi? My first priority is the durability. They both go very well with all kinds of bands and clothing. Which one is prone to scratches? Please no opinions without real world experience 🙏

What do you do with your watch when you are done with it? Do you trade in? My line of thinking is to perhaps stick with the SSG so that trade in can come sooner (2 years rather than 3 - can't justify not waiting 3 if getting sbti). If you go trade in route, I'd be surprised if some scratching impacts value (assuming any occurred at all).

 

[4pp13]

With all the unboxing videos today, has anyone found one that involves stainless steel or titanium? Seems like they're all aluminum

Yeah, I couldn't find anything that wasn't alu either.

 

[iappleme]

So far, just aluminum…..

 

[Chevysales]

I‘d be interested to see those scratches and what caused them. So far I never managed to get a scratch in one of mine… SBTi, SBSS and SSG look like new

Exact same experience here. Flawless. That said I have no metal bands and so far it’s the only scratches I have seen like the ones a few posts up.
As far as buffing them out with a dremel tool if it can be felt with a fingernail it’s not coming out without removing material.

 

[xDKP]

The question is, who needs to know the difference apart from yourself?
The case finish of the Ti is superb and it feels MUCH more sophisticated than the Alu case overall. Simply put: A lot more fun wearing it.

Exactly! My Stainless Steel has never been for anyone but my own enjoyment - Many people just don't care of the feel and they especially don't care what you wear. But I love the premium feel of them - Looking forward to getting my Ti

 

[4pp13]

Source:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1448858072143695879

If this does turn out the be the graphite vs sbti, then that does seem to leave the hermes as the only true black option. This titanium looks very washed out.

 

[Nozuka]

Fullscreen Images / Watch faces make it look like a completely new design of the watch.

 

[jz0309]

I chatted with Apple today re the SS graphite having DLC or not, they answered that it has PVD but also suggested to call as they didn’t have more info.
Do we know for sure, eg confirmed by Apple if SSG has indeed DLC?

 

[rhemy123]

I chatted with Apple today re the SS graphite having DLC or not, they answered that it has PVD but also suggested to call as they didn’t have more info.
Do we know for sure, eg confirmed by Apple if SSG has indeed DLC?

Apple hasn’t and won’t confirm it because it is not in their marketing materials or their tech specs. Honestly you should only know the sbTi has dlc. The Hermes? perhaps, because it has a space black coating, and the space black could be the same as the one used in the sbTi. However it could be pvd. Don’t assume.

 

[rhemy123]

If I were you I would do some research on the black TI because it does scratch and the problem with it being black is it will show silver underneath

My sbTi is perfect. I don’t it scratches like the graphite.

 

[rhemy123]

It says the titanium is DLC but it doesn’t say that the Hermes SS space black is DLC

Exactly. That’s what it weird.