Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Birddog1

macrumors member
Jul 15, 2016
43
35
Ohio
I had the space gray aluminum and returned it for the space black SS mainly for the sapphire crystal. It is heavier but not enough that it's going to make a difference. To me, it feels more substantial. My wife has the silver aluminum. She likes hers as well. Really can't go wrong either way.
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
Per Apple site: Series 2 (non-black color)

42mm

Alum = 28.2 g

SS = 52.4 g

38mm

Alum = 25 g

SS = 41.9

------------------------------------------
Space Gray

42mm

Alum = 34.2 g

38mm

Alum = 28.2 g
 

Kyle76

macrumors 6502
Jan 22, 2017
413
330
North Carolina
When I decided to return my Sport for the SS model, I was a little concerned about the weight, but it was a non-issue for me. I had actually been wearing the SS for about an hour before I even remembered that weight might be an issue. SS is heavier, but not to the point that it makes any difference in comfort to me.
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
Does it feel heavier on the wrist? If you have tried both, what difference did you notice?

There will be a definite difference when you first wear the stainless model, especially if you're coming from the sport model. But you quickly adjust to the weight and you won't realize the difference after a short while.

Depending on which model you go with, the 38 mm Stainless obviously weighs less than the 42 mm Stainless.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vampire14

jamin00

macrumors 6502a
Apr 14, 2012
616
168
Essex, UK.
I went to Apple today as Im after getting the SS to accompany my aluminium one.

Have to say Im quite impressed with the case but less so with the straps. I wanted to go for the link bracelet but I really can not see where the extra £££ are going? They are nice but I was expecting better, maybe my expectations were too high? I love how it adjusts though by pressing the buttons :)

Either way, I'll pop back probably next week once I decided what way I want to go with the SS watch :)

But I like how these black straps look with the gold watch.
 

Attachments

  • 2017-02-14 22.12.51.jpg
    2017-02-14 22.12.51.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 197
  • Like
Reactions: 44267547

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
I went to Apple today as Im after getting the SS to accompany my aluminium one.

Have to say Im quite impressed with the case but less so with the straps. I wanted to go for the link bracelet but I really can not see where the extra £££ are going? They are nice but I was expecting better, maybe my expectations were too high? I love how it adjusts though by pressing the buttons :)

Either way, I'll pop back probably next week once I decided what way I want to go with the SS watch :)

But I like how these black straps look with the gold watch.

I actually match my regular stainless link with my black stainless Watch and my black stainless link with my regular stainless Watch. It's a different contrast, but blends well with the screen.
 

PCtoMAC1

macrumors 6502
Mar 16, 2012
423
181
I purchased an aluminum model while I was waiting for my Series 2 SS model. What a difference! I LOVE my SS model. Never looking back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: geekon2wheels

BarracksSi

Suspended
Jul 14, 2015
3,902
2,664
Tried 'em both before I bought my SS first-gen model.

The aluminum watch feels like a lightweight sport watch gadget. The steel watch feels like my Citizen or Rado steel watches.

The aluminum is more comfortable and, I believe, is better for exercising, but it looks cheaper, especially with the plain crown. I also think it doesn't look right with any strap besides the Sport (and maybe leather loop).

I bought the SS model on the black Sport band because I expected to eventually add some other straps later. Steel-on-black leather looks great, and I wanted to retain the option of the link bracelet, too. But, after a year and a half, I still have only the Sport strap, and I hardly regret it -- it's a fantastic all-around watch band.
 
  • Like
Reactions: geekon2wheels

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,382
4,228
Down south
I actually went in the Apple Store today and compared them. I love the SS, but I did notice that the Apple employee that helped me had one and it had an awful lot of scuff marks. So did the display (though I'd sort of expect that). I'm not sure how I'd feel about that, but I DID love the feel of it on my arm!

I think I'm gonna test drive my sport for a while this time, and see how much use I'm really getting out of it before I make the leap to the SS. I just want to be sure I'll get my money's worth.
 

blasto2236

macrumors 6502a
Nov 4, 2012
798
392
I actually went in the Apple Store today and compared them. I love the SS, but I did notice that the Apple employee that helped me had one and it had an awful lot of scuff marks. So did the display (though I'd sort of expect that). I'm not sure how I'd feel about that, but I DID love the feel of it on my arm!

I think I'm gonna test drive my sport for a while this time, and see how much use I'm really getting out of it before I make the leap to the SS. I just want to be sure I'll get my money's worth.

Well, with the SS you can polish and buff off light scratches with any old chrome polish. The Space Black, not so much.

I have owned both. I had a Sport 1st gen about a year ago and sold it before they announced the new models. They're fine, but I still kept lusting after the SS models. So when I finally decided to plunk down for an S2, I went Space Black Stainless and don't regret my choice in the least. It really justifies the extra cost. Personally, I want something I'm looking at all the time and wearing on my body to look as nice as it can, and the SBSS was the model for me in that regard.
 

OriginalAppleGuy

Suspended
Sep 25, 2016
971
1,142
Virginia
Stainless Steele scuff marks can be buffed out.

Before I bought my S2SS I felt the weight of the Aluminum and Ceramic watches and looked at the SBSS. I like to feel the weight of a watch so I went with the SS. The Aluminum was the lightest with Ceramic a little heavier.

I believe the SS is more versatile for bands and since they are so easy to change, it was a deciding factor. The other thing I considered was electronics don't like heat. I shy away from darker cases (SBSS) for that reason.
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,382
4,228
Down south
Well that is promising; didn't even consider that they could be buffed. I may have to rethink my position. Dangit.
 

MrGimper

macrumors G3
Sep 22, 2012
8,846
12,675
Andover, UK
Well that is promising; didn't even consider that they could be buffed. I may have to rethink my position. Dangit.

Yep... good old Cape Cod cloth works wonders. Allowed me to buff up my S0 SS I'd had since launch and sell it for £350 when I got my S2 SS. Came up like new. Also use one on my S2 SS every couple of months.

SS is the most versatile, every strap goes with it and it just looks classic.
 

ajm222

macrumors 6502a
Sep 19, 2012
968
171
I ended up going back and forth between the space black and regular stainless steel and settled on the latter. i got a couple of space black watches that had tiny marks out of the box, and the second one actually had polishing marks that were visible in certain light. it actually looked like an oil smudge at first that you might get if you had oil and dust on your finger and rubbed it against the side. except it didn't come off. finally realized it was a polishing mark. very hard to see unless it was at the right angle. but after seeing a couple of these things and realizing i couldn't buff them out - they were here to stay - i decided to switch back to regular stainless. i always liked the regular stainless more anyway. i used to be into mechanical watches and it felt like a nice combo between gadget and jewelry. the space black is beautiful and i would love to have one of those as well. but they aren't completely impervious to marks and i was hoping that would be the case. that said, i think they're extremely resistant to scuffs and scratches, and any that you might get are likely to be well hidden and very small and shallow. most people here who have them say they look brand new after months or years. i think that's generally true. i just happen to be very picky and look way too hard for damage when i first take a new watch out of the box :) nothing is perfect. at any rate, i don't think you can go wrong with either. i put a full body armsuit on mine to minimize damage but i know i can buff out any scratches when i decide to go naked.
 
  • Like
Reactions: geekon2wheels

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
I actually went in the Apple Store today and compared them. I love the SS, but I did notice that the Apple employee that helped me had one and it had an awful lot of scuff marks. So did the display (though I'd sort of expect that). I'm not sure how I'd feel about that, but I DID love the feel of it on my arm!

I think I'm gonna test drive my sport for a while this time, and see how much use I'm really getting out of it before I make the leap to the SS. I just want to be sure I'll get my money's worth.

As others have stated, once the aluminum on the Sport model is scratched, its Permanent. Where as the stainless, can have the scratches buffed out. The biggest difference being the price point of $200.00, including the sapphire display, which I think is worth it.
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
Don't forget...there is sapphire on the display AND over the heart rate sensor underneath. SS models have ceramic back too for greater scratch resistance.
 

ssledoux

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2006
4,382
4,228
Down south
Well I bought the series 1 aluminum, but if I go stainless, I'd go ahead and go series 2. I know a lot of the bands would look great with SS because of stainless accents on them. I did put my new Apple turquoise sport band on my silver aluminum though, and it looks pretty sharp!
 
  • Like
Reactions: OriginalAppleGuy

ManicMarc

macrumors 6502
Jul 1, 2012
487
149
I regularly alternate between series 1 aluminium and series 2 stainless steel. The serious one aluminium is slightly lighter, but hardly noticeable really.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.