Graphite Steel vs Space Black Titanium

Have the SBSS 4 and quite a few bands for it, so i went with the SBTI this time. Added bonus is of course that it always includes an additional sports band and the power adapter, so price is really not a consideration.
 
To be clear though - the silver titanium is scratch prone. Its is the black titanium that is holds up.
Does it have an extra coating or something? I’m not that fussed if it’s not as resistant as the black version, I’m very careful with these things. My S2 looked brand new when I sold it 2 years after I bought it.
 
Space gray, black, space black, graphite, etc... It’s just marketing. Technically is the same carbon-based coating, a micrometer layer, applied by different techniques and on different metals. From a material’s point of view, both Al and Ti are neat metals, it means they are softer, being Al the most ductile, and the coating gets inherently a more mate finish so it can be seen as more black. Stainless steel is an alloy of Fe/C with low Ni and Cr contents to be protected from general corrosion, it is harder and more shiny so the final aspect after the same coating process is a more grey-like color. My opinion is that the difference between graphite and space black in stainless steel versions from previous models should be very, very subtle and I am educated guessing the Hermes version is the same. Again, just marketing.
 
Last edited:
Space gray, black, space black, graphite, etc... It’s just marketing. Technically is the same carbon-based coating, a micrometer layer, applied by different techniques and on different metals.
Space Grey is clearly different in effect than Space Black. You only have to look at the wear shown on Space Grey watches versus the relatively pristine state of most SB watches after a year or so of regular use.

They have never claimed that Space Grey is DLC, either.
 
Forbes as a good picture. IMO I really like it from the picture!
Forbes review

Looks awesome. I think think this looks better than the SBSS and SBTi.

Interesting review. I don't agree with him that haptic faux force touch feels like the real thing. I've been using Watch OS7 this morning and I really miss force touch. Force touch was quick, the replacement requires a long press to have the same effect which seems less natural to me.
 
I'll need to see them all in person, but the Graphite coating does look more glossy than the SB Titanium one, which I believe lends credence to the idea that Graphite was created to more closely complement SB Titanium (Graphite for glossy and SB Titanium for matte) with both being more grayish in color compared to the deep black of SB Stainless.
 
Looks awesome. I think think this looks better than the SBSS and SBTi.

Completely agree. Think they nailed the grey shade this time and I much prefer it to the previous space black.

Also the pictures compare the new grey SS to the space grey aluminium which looks so identical to the SB Ti it might as well be that

Apart from weight of SS over titanium I’m glad I choose the SS

now the size of the braided loop is the only worry with reviewers saying they might have ordered the wrong size based on their review units
 
Anyone seen a video featuring the new graphite? Seen lots of unboxing videos, haven't sat through them all though, yet to see the graphite.

Edit: NVM - Saw there is a bit of footage in this unboxing. Now enough mind!

Based on the Forbes photo the graphite does look lovely. Looking forward to the arrival of mine!
 
Last edited:
Completely agree. Think they nailed the grey shade this time and I much prefer it to the previous space black.

Also the pictures compare the new grey SS to the space grey aluminium which looks so identical to the SB Ti it might as well be that

Apart from weight of SS over titanium I’m glad I choose the SS

now the size of the braided loop is the only worry with reviewers saying they might have ordered the wrong size based on their review units

Same here, I was disappointed there was no space black this year but seeing the forbes picture changed my mind. I like the graphite a little better.
I bought the SBTI last year and the weight difference was only noticeable for the first couple mins it was on. I returned the TI and went back to my SS series 4 and I really couldn't tell it was heavier.
 
Like douglasf13, I like that the screen and watch body are visually seamless on the SB SS. Having seen the video of the Graphite, it is a glossy gray (compared to the matte gray of the SB Ti), so the screen is darker than the body. Not a deal-breaker, to be sure, but if the SB SS does not make a return with the Series 7 (or stays a Hermes-exclusive model), then I shall have to bring in some of my bands and try them out on the Graphite and SB Titanium.

I'm actually most-interested now in the new yellow gold, as I loved how the Series 0 18kt Gold Edition models looked so if it is similar, then that will probably be my choice when I (consider an) upgrade next year.
 
What’s the consensus here on pairing with the SB link band? I just can’t decide if I should go graphite SS or SB Titanium.
 
What’s the consensus here on pairing with the SB link band? I just can’t decide if I should go graphite SS or SB Titanium.

Given none of us have seen the Graphite SS with a SB Link Band so far, it's gonna be tough to compare against the SB Titanium.

Also gonna be tough to get a consensus on a matter of personal taste. :p

There's photos of the SB Ti with SB Link Band here - check the AW5 Titanium thread and others.
 
Forbes as a good picture.
This is the combo I have ordered. I currently have a Space Black and love the link bracelet, so it will be interesting to see if they work together well or not.

Can’t justify the extra £350 to buy a Space Black Hermes...
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top