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Is sapphire worth the $250 premium?
- Thread starter Bigboiiiii
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AFAIK, titanium is lighter than stainless steel, but not stronger. It's actually easier to scratch a titanium watch.
Yes, it's about half the weight of steel, and just a bit easier to scratch than the best tool steels. But it is also very tough-- tougher, in fact, than most steels (and all "stainless" steels, if my memory is correct). That translates into dent resistance.
What it is (besides the go-to aerospace material where weight and strength are needed) is a fabulous watch-case material. My current watch has a titanium case and bracelet, and they look great after many years of literally round-the-clock use. It's lightweight and has a nifty "space grey" sort of look to it that makes it look great for all occasions. With a brushed surface, as my watch has, everyday scratches and burnishing are not readily visible. It doesn't corrode or stain, and ...well, I could go on and on; it's simply the very best watch material in my opinion.
I'll be ordering a stainless steel Watch before much longer, but should a titanium version become available I'd have a serious urge to trade it in immediately. Once you've worn a titanium watch, you're hooked.
UPDATE: Here's a really good article on titanium as a watch-case material: http://www.ablogtowatch.com/watch-case-materials-explained-titanium/
I'd add that the same benefits apply for it as a bracelet material.
Then the same could be said of SS owners. Whenever I see someone with a SS, I think how little they must make. They are peasants if they cannot afford the Edition.
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100%. I originally had an SS ordered but canned it because I didn't want to wait and I wasn't sure of my use case for a watch so I didn't think $800 was worth it. Ended up getting a sport. If I like it and use it it's a no brainer to get a SS gen 2.
I'll assume the original poster making comments about someone's income with relation to a watch is probably just a moron.
100%. I originally had an SS ordered but canned it because I didn't want to wait and I wasn't sure of my use case for a watch so I didn't think $800 was worth it. Ended up getting a sport. If I like it and use it it's a no brainer to get a SS gen 2.
I'll assume the original poster making comments about someone's income with relation to a watch is probably just a moron.
Whenever I see someone with a gold watch I think how poor their music taste is since they are trying to look like beyonce.
I really don't understand drop tests for a watch. A phone, sure, but this thing is strapped to your wrist 99% of the time you are using it.
I also find things like CNet's torture test video really unhelpful. If you're going to destroy a watch, don't take a knife to it or crush it under a skillet. How often is that going to happen in real life?! I'd much rather see things like it being scraped against a wall, bashed into countertops etc. Something that's actually useful.
I'm not trying to criticise your post, but to base a purchase decision on a drop test for a watch is a little daft.
Yes and it's that 1% that you need the drop test for.
If you've been reading these forums, many have been discussing how putting on the Sport watch is awkward, and takes some getting used to. One guy said he intended to only put on or take off the watch over his bed, just in case he drops it while putting it on. The modern buckle has had the same criticisms. And this is not unusual. The reason I went with a link bracelet over a traditional buckle is because I have dropped a watch this way myself in the past fumbling with the buckle. With a link, you slip your hand through the band and fasten it. But still, I have dropped my watch accidentally taking it off.
And then there's actual accidents. Taking a watch off to give your kid a bath and accidentally knocking it off the sink onto the hard tile floor when reaching for a towel, etc. I've accidentally knocked my watch into the toilet before, so thank goodness for the minimal IPX7 water rating.
So there's nothing daft about it. All it takes is one accidental drop and the glass of your Sport watch will be shattered. The sapphire should survive drop after drop. I know mine have, but none of the cheap glass or mineral crystals I've had have.
Honestly, I also agree that the drop tests make little sense. That's not to say that it's impossible to drop a watch and break it (especially when getting used to the new bands), but most people put on their watch once a day and take it off once a day. Just use a little extra care at those times and you're fine. It's not like a phone where you're holding in your hand and are in constant danger of dropping it. I think the places doing the drop tests did it mostly because they're used to doing that kind of thing with phones, and because they make interesting YouTube videos. But I agree that some sort of around-the-house torture test with the watch banging into all kinds of things would be more useful.
With all due respect, whilst it is possible you could end up dropping the watch, it really should not be a big issue since it's tethered to your person a vast majority of the time. It's like taking into great consideration when buying your iPhone how well it handles 50° heat in case you leave it outside or on the hob. It may happen, but shouldn't really be the main consideration. Anyway, the physics says Sapphire is more brittle than glass. If drops are really an issue, everyone should be buying the Sport.
I'm not sure if you've used the Sport band, but it's quite easy to put on. I've never used a watch strap with two pieces (always a metal link bracelet) and I've found it an incredibly easy adjustment. One really shouldn't be dropping it whilst putting it on.
There are many valid reasons to buy the SS model, but drop resistance isn't really one. You may prefer the look, the scractch resistance, the better band selection, but I still think it's a daft test as that's not really likely to happen regularly, unlike dropping a phone.
It's not drops. It's slamming your wrist against stuff. If you've worn a watch for more than a month or two, you're well aware that you occassionaly will bang the whole thing (usually crystal first) into a hard door or wall. Been wearing watches for 40 years, and I still (2 or 3 times/year) really bang the nuts out of a watch, most often by hitting a door with a hinge to my left. I did shatter a crystal on a watch like this about 20 years ago.
Very true. But it really isn't the same as a drop. I've been wearing a watch for over a decade (may not sound as long as you, but I'm sure it is at least proportional to how long I've been on this planet
) and I do bang my watches into door frames etc.But these bashes tend to be on a corner or glance off the case. They usually involve the wrist rotating and very rarely are just a perpendicular hit to a wall which a drop test simulates.
I have to say... I have a SS with a sport band. I have NEVER worried about dropping a watch until this one. The way apple designed the band you have to push the pin through THEN slide the extra through the hole. This seriously increases the risk of dropping. With the Milanese and Link bands this is not a risk, but with the sport it is. Dropping it from a standing position when putting it on is a risk...
It seems that I found my answer there. As the article points out, "The hardness of titanium is lower than some steels, so it scratches easier than most steel.", however, "Coatings can improve the hardness of titanium". So, it's all about the coating.
If the watch manufacture use the correct coating, then titanium will be excellent. But if they don't do it properly, then the watch will be full of scratches in just few months.
I did plan to buy a titanium watch, however, quite a few of my friends (not really watch experts but just normal collectors) warn me that titanium watch may scratches easier than the normal steel watch. So, I delayed my plan. I choose that watch is because of it's looking and the trinity tube. If scratches may make it looks bad in just few months, I may not want to pay that $1000+. When I still thinking about that, the Apple watch come, and I simply choose the Apple watch now because it fit my needs (in terms of functions).
P.S. In fact, when I was typing this post, I just realise that even though I never own a titanium watch, but I do carry (and use) a piece of titanium with good quality black coating every day - my credit card. I use it everyday for years, no scratches at all. How can I miss that? The coating make the difference. If Apple provide a titanium version in the next gen. I am sure I will go for it. Titanium in black coating + Shappire glass Apple watch, that's what I want now
Did you not see the drop test videos? I could care less what the technical specs are supposed to be -- real world practice proves the Sport shatters upon impact and the Stainless Steel does not.
I have dropped numerous watches during my lifetime, and there's not a scratch or break on any of my sapphire crystals ever. On the other hand, I have owned three watches with a glass or mineral-hardened crystal and each one of them ended up shattered within a year.
Good for people who don't drop their watches, and never have an accident. They should also cancel their homeowner insurance too. Why pay a monthly premium for something that's not likely to happen?
A watch is something that you put on and take off your wrist at least twice a day, when it is no longer safely tethered to anything. More if you go to the gym. And that puts the watch in unknown environments too, like concrete floors in a gym locker room.
It's like putting glass on both sides of the iPhone 4/4S which single handedly put a number of repair shop owners kids through college for those who refused to use a case.
Bottom line for me, I've never seen a $350+ watch that did not have a sapphire crystal. Apple took the cheap way out and real world testing has proven it was a mistake. The Sport case takes more care than the edition. You get what you pay for.
I have a Citizen Titanium that I wore 24/7 for almost 10 years. Beautiful gun metal finish. Best watch I ever owned, put it through a lot of abuse as you can imagine never taking it off. The pins on the band had to be replaced twice since they would wear over time (which is common with link bracelets), and my watch took a flying leap off my wrist both times, but the case itself is still almost new looking. The sapphire crystal doesn't have a scratch on it. And the titanium is dream to wear, like wearing nothing at all. I should get out my scale and find out just how much it actually weighs.
to be honest, no its not worth the $250. The novelty of the Apple Watch will pass quickly. it took 2days for me, its a fitness watch with notifications. we pay the premium because of the Apple name. is it really worth it in the end, no cause the Apps available and that will be built are pretty pointless. the watch is not doing anything that can't be done with your phone that will probably be in your pocket or close by.
if you're not into fitness or already have a watch... then you just spent and extra $250 for redundant notifications
if you're not into fitness or already have a watch... then you just spent and extra $250 for redundant notifications
titanium scratches super easy, have owned a few watches made of it
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All the watches should have sapphire crystals. IMO. the gorilla/ion-x glass won't hold up.
funny went to my Company's quarterly presentation today where our CEO gave a talk towards the end. In the end he showed he had a new
watch.Wanna guess the version? Blue Sports one - this being a CEO of a billion $ company
Is sapphire worth the $250 premium?
On the other hand, you could argue that the functionality of the Apple watch is so much more then a Swiss watch which would be anything from the same to quadruple the price, still in stainless steel.
Anyone who buys decent watches knows that the apple watch doesn't cost more then a service for the average mechanical watch.
In terms of the billionaire company CEO, so what. I see middle management with £10k watches and senior managers with casios. Each to his own
Notifications of texts and emails when the phone isn't on you (but on the same wifi network) is a killer feature. If you are having dinner, having a conversation, in a meeting , etc.
There are so many features, even with the current app list, that could be very useful to someone.
Apple is no doubt combining electronics and jewellery, but that's what it does best ...
On the other hand, you could argue that the functionality of the Apple watch is so much more then a Swiss watch which would be anything from the same to quadruple the price, still in stainless steel.
Anyone who buys decent watches knows that the apple watch doesn't cost more then a service for the average mechanical watch.
In terms of the billionaire company CEO, so what. I see middle management with £10k watches and senior managers with casios. Each to his own
Notifications of texts and emails when the phone isn't on you (but on the same wifi network) is a killer feature. If you are having dinner, having a conversation, in a meeting , etc.
There are so many features, even with the current app list, that could be very useful to someone.
Apple is no doubt combining electronics and jewellery, but that's what it does best ...
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don't get me wrong, i love the apple watch but it really is just a fitness tracker and a watch... everything else is just connivence. your phone has to be within range for calls, messages, emails, etc... which is like 100m (330ft). For myself a person who really loves gadget the WOW factor wore off in 2day. Its just time/fitness for me. my phone is on me 95% of the time, not going to start leaving it around to get stolen.
I think it hit me when I went to a vending machine at work and pause for a second to think what method to pay with (Watch, Phone, Card or Cash) I opted for my Watch to try it out and it was faster by maybe 3-4secs over pulling out my phone.
the people paying 1000-1200$ to get the Apple Watch now on ebay are going to be in for a real shocker.
I agree generally with you
It is definitely a nice to have
How nice it is is up to the individual
As you say, based on this, minimising your costs is a good idea if you want to try out
I am getting the SS with a black band but I also think about just going for the sport