Is sapphire worth the $250 premium?

[Zxxv]

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.

sometimes they do, sometimes they don't... (break) (1 minute 56 secs if you can't be bothered to watch all of it)

But hey its a not a problem if apple can replace the screen for next to nothing.

 

[rsxmachine]

I'm leaning towards sapphire and SS not being worth it especially in Canada. I had a SS which I returned. I just wasn't extremely impressed after a couple days. The cost is crazy here for this first gen product which will be upgraded in 1.5-2 years. While it looks better than sport, the sport still looks good especially the black one and you get the exact same watch. This thing is a computer it's. It going to last like some brand name watch you will keep indefinitely.

In Canada price difference right now after tax is $300 for the 42 sport vs 42 SS with same crappy sports band.

 

[Karma*Police]

I don't really know how you can say there is limited band options for the sport and the SS is limitless. Yes it's true there are "less" pre packaged options on the sport, but you can buy and use any band you wish on the sport casing. (As long as you buy the correct 38mm or 42mm sized band.)

True, and I considered that but those bands were clearly made for the SS model as they're all made of SS or have SS accents... I just didn't think it would look as nice on the aluminum frame.

 

[Mythicstatus2]

I'm in Canada and I love my 42SS WSB. The watch is more than a piece of tech it is something that we will wear all day every day. I believe what we wear is a public expression of how we see ourselves. A girl wearing aink sport is telling the world she sees herself as feminine. I bought the white band because in the summer I tend to wear lighter colours and I wanted a watch to match. In winter, I will buy a black band to reflect change in season and style.

For me the sport represented a compromise in materials and style. There is a reason most high end watches are made of steel and come with a sapphire screen and that is because the offer the best with the least amount of compromise. For a watch I will wear everyday, I couldn't live knowing that I compromised.

It's just like the saying about painting the back of the fence. Nobody else may see it, but you'll always know.

More than any other price of tech, the Apple watch is one you don't want to compromise on because not only do you have to live with it everyday but it is also visible to the rest of the world the choice you have made.

That said, if you truly prefer the sport as some do, then by all means get it. Or if cost is an issue get the sport. However, if it's not a matter of preference or cost the extra cost is more than worth it.

I got mine on launch day, so I have been showing the watch to lots of people, and without a doubt the all ask which model I have. So whatever model you get be ready to justify it to both yourself and other people.

 

[Oppressed]

It is more of a question if you prefer form or function. SS models are more about the design and form factor while the sport is the choice solely for function.

 

[Apple-of-my-eye]

For me- I'm not a fan of the sport bands (did a try on - and they just look really huge on my wrist - so I thought about buying a sport and adding the millanase loop- but then realized for only $150 more at that point I could have the stainless steel version (and I know it's silly- but I like that the digital crown better on the stainless steel) -but I also felt better having something more scratch resistant- so for me- it is well worth the extra $150 for the stainless steel version.

 

[frumpy16]

I have a sport for a number of reasons but one is that I prefer the matte look of the aluminum. On topic, both glass types have advantages and disadvantages. Sapphire is highly scratch resistant but relatively more prone to shatter than the ion-x. Ion-x is still quite scratch resistant.

The tipping point for me on sport is that this is a gen 1 product. I want to minimize investment as it will surely see improvements in gen 2 after being generally available for awhile and people weigh in on likes and pain points.

 

[MacSE1987]

You can't assign the entire price differential solely to the sapphire crystal. Just because the other features don't interest you doesn't mean they're not part of the higher price. That's like asking if a Mercedes V8 engine is worth the extra $20,000 over a VW's V6.

Of course a sapphire crystal isn't worth $200 alone. I don't even think Rolex charges $200 for a new crystal. And theirs are made by the thousands in Switzerland, not by the millions in China.

This is true. The only valid comparison would be if Apple made a Sport watch with a sapphire crystal. That is, the crystal would be the only difference. But they don't. So we're basically comparing apples and oranges.