My last non-Apple Watch was this, so shiny is fine with me...
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My Graphite Watch thoughts, it’s so good!
- Thread starter Kylo83
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While I don’t think the graphite is a bad finish, I do think it would have worked better as brushed rather than glossy. The space black (to me at least) works well in a glossy finish because it makes the watch look like a single piece, with the screen blending right into the casing. With the graphite, you lose that and the dark color almost makes it look a bit plastic-y to my eyes (full disclosure, I haven’t seen one in person since all the Apple stores in Texas remain closed). It seems like a compromise shade between black and regular stainless that doesn’t quite work to me.
Luckily I am satisfied with my SBSS S5 and will keep it for another year. But if this is the lineup of finishes next year, I’ll probably have to go for the SBTi to get some more use out of my SB link bracelet.
I agree that the graphite color blends less with the screen. That said, please don’t take the pictures on the Apple website for granted. It doesn’t look like that at all in real life.
When there is no light on the Watch, it looks like the steel is a bit darker and has almost the same color as the SB Link. It is not as light as you’d imagine. When there is much light on it, it is a bit of dark silver. Yet, it still blends perfectly fine.
I wouldn’t make to much of a deal out of it. If you want a full black Watch without it being glossy, go for the Titanium one. If you only want the same color black as the S5, buy the Hermes variant.
To be fair, even for me it is difficult to take pictures of the Graphite Watch that shows its real color. If you’re doubting, I’d recommend going to the Apple Store and see for yourself. If the Store is closed, just wait it out or choose a different Watch. But really, the Graphite is a very sexy color and it really isn’t as bad as you’d think. I’m even assured it won’t scratch as much as most users predict. I’m even committing to take a picture of the Watch after 3 months.
When there is no light on the Watch, it looks like the steel is a bit darker and has almost the same color as the SB Link. It is not as light as you’d imagine. When there is much light on it, it is a bit of dark silver. Yet, it still blends perfectly fine.
I wouldn’t make to much of a deal out of it. If you want a full black Watch without it being glossy, go for the Titanium one. If you only want the same color black as the S5, buy the Hermes variant.
To be fair, even for me it is difficult to take pictures of the Graphite Watch that shows its real color. If you’re doubting, I’d recommend going to the Apple Store and see for yourself. If the Store is closed, just wait it out or choose a different Watch. But really, the Graphite is a very sexy color and it really isn’t as bad as you’d think. I’m even assured it won’t scratch as much as most users predict. I’m even committing to take a picture of the Watch after 3 months.
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
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Which looks like... the aluminum Watch from a distance.
Why are you so scared of the Graphite Watch? It is not as much of a scratch magnet as you’d think, I guess. It is not the new Jet Black. We’ll see in a few months.
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
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I just think it’s gonna great lots of scurl scratches. Also, alum doesn’t have crystal sapphire.Which looks like... the aluminum Watch from a distance.
Why are you so scared of the Graphite Watch? It is not as much of a scratch magnet as you’d think, I guess. It is not the new Jet Black. We’ll see in a few months.
The graphite is DLC coated. It should be quite scratch resistant. The Jet Black iPhone was made using a completely different process (with a different base material) and Apple acknowledged it would pick up micro scratches.
Exactly. I think the chance of having micro scratches will be the same as on any other DLC coated Apple Watch. If it would be such a problem, Apple probably would have published a warning about it.
Also, I’d think the natural Ti Watch without any coating would hold up with a lot of scratches. My dad has a Ti watch too (non-Apple). It is full of scratches. I asked my dad for advice because I doubted between Graphite SS and Ti. My dad warned me “if you want to drill a hole in the bracelet, it is nearly impossible. Try scrating it, and it will be as smooth as butter.’
My dad works with stainless steel every day and knows what he is talking about. I fully trust his opinion.
For a watch that Apple advertises for people to use while running, swimming, cycling, weight training, playing basketball, tennis, HIIT, hiking, etc, unless you plan on just wearing it and practically never moving at all, you might just get a scratch.
You get a new car, you go on the road, lo and behold, a random rock hits your windshield. Are you never going to take the car out again?
Life happens.
You get a new car, you go on the road, lo and behold, a random rock hits your windshield. Are you never going to take the car out again?
Life happens.
DLC was only ever on Space Black SS before, right? I remember trying to decide between Silver SS or SBSS & read a lot about how Space Black was more scratch resistant (but Silver could be buffed out). I waited until AW6 (as I won't be buying an iPhone until this Fall). This year it looks like Graphite SS has DLC?
I'm not sure how I feel about Graphite. It looks nice, yes. But I loved the seamless SBSS<->screen look. It was between a seamless/blended look or a watch outlined with classic silver color. :S
Correct, the DLC was only offered on the space black stainless, and is also offered on the black titanium. The Graphite stainless steel also has the DLC accordingly.
Amongst the standard finishes, Graphite is the only one with a DLC coating (Stainless Steel Gold has a PVD coating which is also good). As the standard Stainless has no coating, I presume it would be the most scratch prone (but also the easiest to clean with a light polishing cloth).
Thanks for your response. Does the DLC coating wear off over time? I assume it is strong enough to prevent hair like scratches that happen simply by wearing your clothes. For example my Iphone X is being very well taken care of but if you put it in your pocket without its case on the stainless steel will scratch like there is no tomorrow.
Not in my experience. I had an original Space Black from launch, which I wore daily for two years then passed to my dad for another year of daily use. Three years, no wear on the casing. This includes things like occasionally scraping it against a brick wall by accident!
The only thing I have had scratch my DLC watch is the DLC Milanese strap. If you were ‘handsy ’ with someone wearing diamond jewellery I guess that could cause it to be scratched...
DLC is a permanent application. It can’t wear off, unless somehow there’s a chemical reaction that if you’re using a cleaning solvent or acid bath that would remove the coating. DLC is one of the hardest materials known in terms of protection use the watches, firearms, ect.
I received my Graphite Watch and matching Milanese today, and it does the same thing.
Also, when I put it on, you can see kinks in the strap.
You can 'fix' these but they came back after you've fasten it up again.
I've had two previous Milanese loops (SS & SB) and this is definitely odd behaviour.
Will give Apple a call.
Mine just arrived and the band was supple from first touch, so I would agree that if you have a strap that won’t articulate there is something nit right.
Thanks.
I rang Apple when it arrived last Tuesday and asked for a replacement.
I’ve been waiting on UPS for days to pick it up (with three subsequent ‘chasing’ phone calls made by me) but they’ve just arrived now.
Hopefully my replacement will get shipped in the next couple of days.
It’s all been a bit of a mess and has taken the ‘shine’ off buying a new Apple product.
First World problems, I know.
I've worn the space black stainless steel for the last 4 years (series 2) not a single scratch..it was still working perfect...not sure why I upgraded..I guess I just wanted a new toy....Apple gave me $65 for it....felt like I was getting screwed...a little bit...