Having Doubts About Sport Model

[redman042]

I preordered a SG Sport on April 10, confirmation at xx:12. All this time I've been watching Apple's shipping progress as I get closer to finally seeing it ship (maybe 1-2 weeks from now). But in the meantime I've read a number of accounts of easily scratched Ion-X glass. I already know that I'm the type to whack my arm into things from time to time, so this isn't sounding good.

Given this, I finally caved tonight and placed a second order for a SS Black Leather Loop. Shipping estimate is July. It's a model I was eyeballing anyway. I wasn't originally feeling like spending that much, but I won't be happy if my watch looks beat up shortly after I get it. I know the SS with the sapphire will last.

For now I will keep both orders in place while I ponder further. I could always get the SGS, sell it, and wait for the SS. Though it will be very hard to part with the SGS and then wait two more months. Or I could get the SGS and decide to cancel the other.

So here's a question: Who here has been using the aluminum models for a few days or more, did not baby it, maybe bumped it a few times, and sees no scratches? Are these scratches more isolated incidents than they appear?

 

[ldpm14]

I preordered a SG Sport on April 10, confirmation at xx:12. All this time I've been watching Apple's shipping progress as I get closer to finally seeing it ship (maybe 1-2 weeks from now). But in the meantime I've read a number of accounts of easily scratched Ion-X glass. I already know that I'm the type to whack my arm into things from time to time, so this isn't sounding good.

Given this, I finally caved tonight and placed a second order for a SS Black Leather Loop. Shipping estimate is July. It's a model I was eyeballing anyway. I wasn't originally feeling like spending that much, but I won't be happy if my watch looks beat up shortly after I get it. I know the SS with the sapphire will last.

For now I will keep both orders in place while I ponder further. I could always get the SGS, sell it, and wait for the SS. Though it will be very hard to part with the SGS and then wait two more months. Or I could get the SGS and decide to cancel the other.

So here's a question: Who here has been using the aluminum models for a few days or more, did not baby it, maybe bumped it a few times, and sees no scratches? Are these scratches more isolated incidents than they appear?

I don't have my watch yet but from what I'm seeing on the sport the display can scratch easier but that can easily be fixed with a screen protector however the regular Apple Watch with stainless steel gets scratched a LOT easier on the actual watch itself. It's kinda like the old iPod's that would get the crap beat out of them and look all scratched and terrible. Another problem we are seeing with the sapphire is that the display is harder to read because the sapphire reflects more light. In all honesty I thought about getting a SS model but I'm glad I kept my SG Sport order.

 

[MrGimper]

I don't have my watch yet but from what I'm seeing on the sport the display can scratch easier but that can easily be fixed with a screen protector however the regular Apple Watch with stainless steel gets scratched a LOT easier on the actual watch itself. It's kinda like the old iPod's that would get the crap beat out of them and look all scratched and terrible. Another problem we are seeing with the sapphire is that the display is harder to read because the sapphire reflects more light. In all honesty I thought about getting a SS model but I'm glad I kept my SG Sport order.

As a SS Apple Watch owner of 5 days I can confirm no scratches on my case and I'm not babying my watch. Also, although the Sports glass screen may be better on paper than the SS sapphire screen, in real life it's not made any difference whatsoever. The SS screen is superb, and less likely to scratch.

 

[bnekic]

I don't know I love my silver sport, I've had it since launch day with no problems or scratches on the screen.

 

[NM08SRT8]

Sapphire all the way. Screen protectors on watches now?

 

[Scott-n-Houston]

The Crystal vs. ion-x glare/reflection thing is WAY overblown. My wife's sport and my SS look exactly the same…whether inside or outside.

As for scratching, there's no doubt that the sapphire is far superior to scratches. My watches with sapphire still have flawless glass even after 15 years. One in particular was on me when I hit the concrete at about 30 mph. The band of the watch (along with my poor skin) was chewed up to all get out, but my screen is perfect.

I've ordered a screen protector (not a case, but just a screen protector) for my wife's watch. The's VERY hard on her watches. Apparently the Armorsuit Military Shield is supposed to be decent and not noticeable. If it's not visible, it will be worth it. I'm not bothering for mine at all though.

 

[supertomtom]

I was in the same boat, got my space grey sport first thinking I didn't want to spend too much on a 1st gen product. Used it for a week and really appreciated the lightweight aspect of it. But I was never all that impressed with the overall look where at times it looked very sleek and cool, while at other times it looked like a run of the mill fitness tracker from afar. No one actually noticed my watch at all for the whole week, not that it mattered.

Then my second order with the SS with WSB arrived because I really liked the look of it during my try on. I was going to return it initially but decided to give it a test run. Best decision I think I've made. The sapphire screen's reflectiveness doesn't distract from the viewing at all, in fact the overall look just fits in so well with the shininess of the surrounding stainless steel. Got a lot of comments about how good it looked from co-workers whereas they didn't even realize I was wearing an apple watch the week prior with the space grey sport. The weight hasn't been an issue, felt like a luxurious heft. And I'm not too worried about any micro scratches on my stainless steel as it never distracted from the look of all my other regular stainless steel watches anyways. better yet I can now have a greater option of watch bands to match the stainless steel case.

 

[NM08SRT8]

The Crystal vs. ion-x glare/reflection thing is WAY overblown. My wife's sport and my SS look exactly the same…whether inside or outside.

As for scratching, there's no doubt that the sapphire is far superior to scratches. My watches with sapphire still have flawless glass even after 15 years. One in particular was on me when I hit the concrete at about 30 mph. The band of the watch (along with my poor skin) was chewed up to all get out, but my screen is perfect.

I've ordered a screen protector (not a case, but just a screen protector) for my wife's watch. The's VERY hard on her watches. Apparently the Armorsuit Military Shield is supposed to be decent and not noticeable. If it's not visible, it will be worth it. I'm not bothering for mine at all though.

And thats the issue, there has been zero scientific tests done about the whole ion is better than sapphire for visibility. It's just someone's opinion.

So until there is something proven by tests, on paper from what we know to be true, Sapphire is superior. End of story.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I'm not worrying about it. Sure, sapphire is more scratch resistant than ion-x. But unless you plan on getting pushed into a cinderblock wall by bullies what are you really doing where your watch would come into contact with a rough surface? Even if you tripped on a sidewalk the palms of your hands hit first -- so if you are clumsy wear the watch facing you, not the ground.

The premium for SS and sapphire isn't worth it to me given the short lifespan of this watch, esp. being a gen 1. (Yes, I want to upgrade when the next version comes out). So I'd rather have the "cheapo" version and $200 in my pocket saved. I've been wearing watches for over 40 years. Can't remember scratching one -- even the crappy $30 Armitron I wore in 6th grade.

 

[ddenson]

And thats the issue, there has been zero scientific tests done about the whole ion is better than sapphire for visibility. It's just someone's opinion.

So until there is something proven by tests, on paper from what we know to be true, Sapphire is superior. End of story.

Here's the scientific test - http://www.displaymate.com/Apple_Watch_ShootOut_1.htm

 

[rsxmachine]

I'm not worrying about it. Sure, sapphire is more scratch resistant than ion-x. But unless you plan on getting pushed into a cinderblock wall by bullies what are you really doing where your watch would come into contact with a rough surface? Even if you tripped on a sidewalk the palms of your hands hit first -- so if you are clumsy wear the watch facing you, not the ground.

The premium for SS and sapphire isn't worth it to me given the short lifespan of this watch, esp. being a gen 1. (Yes, I want to upgrade when the next version comes out). So I'd rather have the "cheapo" version and $200 in my pocket saved. I've been wearing watches for over 40 years. Can't remember scratching one -- even the crappy $30 Armitron I wore in 6th grade.

completely agree, this is a watch with a lifecycle unlike most watches out there. while the SS is nicer ($300 premium in Canada, $550 premium if you want a better band), at the end of the day this is a computer on your wrist and not comparable to a premium watch which hold some value (unless apple allows for upgrades). When you go buy a premium watch, you don't think to yourself I will need to get a new one next year and sell this one for 50% loss.

 

[Hank3rd]

I have has a Pebble for a year and did not get a scratch on it because I try to be careful. I bought the silver Sport model with the white band and ordered a black sports band the other day. I am going to try to be carful with the watch.

I do have SS envy and everyday I think that I should return or sell the sport and get the SS! I then think about how much money the SS is and I think once I get my black band and Click M adapters from KickStarter, I will like my Sport more.

because of the chance that something serious happens to the watch, I would want to buy another one, so I would not want to spend a lot to lose a lot. I bought Apple Care +, but I am not sure what that would cover would I want to replace the watch due to minor damage or scratches.

I think that I made the right choice, but need to keep reminding myself!

 

[AbsoluteMustard]

Had my sport since launch and haven't had a single blemish on case or screen. It is about as easy to scratch as a phone screen, which isn't that easy. Plus the watch won't be in your pocket with keys, etc.

If my screen does scratch, I will just buy a sapphire replacement screen from ifixit when they become available.

 

[Hank3rd]

Forgot to mention that I received mine on launch day as well.

 

[supertomtom]

I do have SS envy and everyday I think that I should return or sell the sport and get the SS!...I think that I made the right choice, but need to keep reminding myself!

That's how I felt! Had the 'SS envy' as you put it and also had to keep reminding myself of my justifications for the sport. Also splurged on the Click Ms thinking that it'll make up for it. At the end of the day tho, if you're already thinking like that I'd say go for the SS. I did and as much as I liked the sports grey, I find myself fully satisfied with no further 'SS envy'. We both obviously knew which model we liked from the get go.

 

[st0k3d]

I was planning on ordering a Watch once my Sport came in that I had preordered. I no longer feel the need, the Sport is just fine, still looks like I just pulled it out of the package. I wear it every day and am pretty active. I rather the $200 in my pocket, and will be just fine about getting a V2 on day one as well. People ask about it all the time (which is kind of annoying)

 

[Hank3rd]

That's how I felt! Had the 'SS envy' as you put it and also had to keep reminding myself of my justifications for the sport. Also splurged on the Click Ms thinking that it'll make up for it. At the end of the day tho, if you're already thinking like that I'd say go for the SS. I did and as much as I liked the sports grey, I find myself fully satisfied with no further 'SS envy'. We both obviously knew which model we liked from the get go.

I have owned a lot of SS watches, including a Rolex. I really think that I am going to learn to like the Sport. If/when there is a 2nd gen, I may get a SS then. Plus I would not be able to wait until July for the other unit.

I keep thinking that people will think that I have a cheap unit, but since I read this forum, I tend to think that everyone is well educated about the Apple Watch, when in fact, most people do not notice or even know there are different models.

 

[sjinsjca]

"Easily scratched" is not quite correct.

The Ion-X glass ranks between 7 and 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. By comparison, the mineral glass used on most Casio sports watches ranks somewhere around 6.

So the Sport models are significantly more scratch-resistant than the sporty watches generally regarded as the gold standard for toughness... at least as far as the crystals go.

Sapphire is of course harder than both. But both mineral glass and Ion-X glass will be less likely to shatter on impact than sapphire.

I'd find something else to worry about.

 

[CalMin]

Have you been to a store to try the thing on? I said this in another thread, but Apple watch needs to be tried on like you would if you were buying a watch from a jeweler. What is more important than the scratching issue is how it looks/feels when you're wearing it.

In my case, I had a SG sport on preorder but it just didn't suit me when I tried it on in the store. I ended up buying SS and a blue leather loop. The Alu looked great on my wife when I had preordered a stainless for her.

I hear all the gen 1 arguments and know that this has an 18-month life cycle, but because I wear it, it's more intimate than a phone/iPod and has to be right. And if it's the right choice then I will wear it for every single day of that 18-months.

 

[gfbaldin]

I to wondered if the stainless model was better for me over the sport. I just really liked the SG look over the stainless because it wasn't as noticeable and more subtle. I bought the Zagg screen protectors to test one out so far it has been really nice. When I go running I can read the display really well and I live in S FL and the sun is bright this time of the year. But hey if your so worried then rather be safe then sorry.

 

[SarZ]

I rather the $200 in my pocket, and will be just fine about getting a V2 on day one as well.

$200 is 54 cents per day
I rather spend 54 cents per day and have a much nicer watch which I'll be wearing every single day for at least a year

 

[jbachandouris]

Sold my silver sport. SS shipping now.

 

[KPOM]

As a SS Apple Watch owner of 5 days I can confirm no scratches on my case and I'm not babying my watch. Also, although the Sports glass screen may be better on paper than the SS sapphire screen, in real life it's not made any difference whatsoever. The SS screen is superb, and less likely to scratch.

The Sport is "better" only in terms of reflectivity. The sapphire crystal is better otherwise. As for ion-X glass, it's the same coating that's on Samsung, Moto, and LG watches. No one complains that those watches scratch too easily.

 

[rsxmachine]

$200 is 54 cents per day
I rather spend 54 cents per day and have a much nicer watch which I'll be wearing every single day for at least a year

I think the choice is more difficult in the USA since $200 isn't bad, but at $300 in Canada, the choice is much more difficult.

 

[mightyjabba]

So the Sport models are significantly more scratch-resistant than the sporty watches generally regarded as the gold standard for toughness... at least as far as the crystals go.

The thing you have to keep in mind is that almost all sport watches have some kind of bezel that sticks up above the surface of the watch face, so you are unlikely to hit it against something. The Apple Watch face is completely exposed.

These kinds of threads usually boil down to people trying to justify the decision that they have already made. So allow me to justify my decision to buy the stainless steel version.

I really prefer the look of the stainless. It seems more like an actual watch and less like a gadget. I like the sapphire crystal, and while I haven't made a comparison with the sport watch, I think it's fine in terms of visibility. I also like that the stainless is more versatile in terms of bands.

Everybody keeps saying that they didn't want to spend so much on a first-gen product, but I know that I'll be using this for at least a year and probably longer. I'd rather buy the one I'll actually enjoy wearing than try to save money. The thing is, $400 is still quite expensive. I feel like if you're going to spend that much on something, you might as well spend $600 to get the one you really want.