A lot of posts and articles out there say the Apple Watch Sport is a better choice than the Stainless Steel version. One reason that is repeated a lot is scratch resistance. Having owned both, I want to make an argument for the Apple Watch (Stainless Steel) model.
I had the stainless steel Watch for 5 or 6 months and decided to sell it. After a few months of seller’s remorse, I recently saw a good deal on the Apple Watch Sport, and decided to pick it up. I used it in the office for one day, and thought I was being very careful not to whack it on anything. To my dismay, the next day I noticed a horizontal scratch straight down the middle of the watch face. I did not remember it even touching anything. I don’t know a good way to describe how deep the scratch is, but it does not buff out, and you can feel it.
Having planned on wearing the watch for at least another year before buying the next model
, I was a little disappointed in how quickly it scratched. By comparison, the Stainless steel Watch did not have any scratches whatsoever after 5-6 months of use, and I know I bounced it off a door frame at least a time or two over those months. Yes, the steel marks up a little bit (probably more than the aluminum version would), but it is reflective enough that you don’t notice it, and it also buffs out easily.
Obviously, this is one person's experience/opinion and if you have the Sport, and you’ve had a different experience, I’m happy for you. But if you don’t have one yet, I personally would recommend paying a little more for the SS version if you can, or at least looking into a screen protector (blech).
I had the stainless steel Watch for 5 or 6 months and decided to sell it. After a few months of seller’s remorse, I recently saw a good deal on the Apple Watch Sport, and decided to pick it up. I used it in the office for one day, and thought I was being very careful not to whack it on anything. To my dismay, the next day I noticed a horizontal scratch straight down the middle of the watch face. I did not remember it even touching anything. I don’t know a good way to describe how deep the scratch is, but it does not buff out, and you can feel it.
Having planned on wearing the watch for at least another year before buying the next model

Obviously, this is one person's experience/opinion and if you have the Sport, and you’ve had a different experience, I’m happy for you. But if you don’t have one yet, I personally would recommend paying a little more for the SS version if you can, or at least looking into a screen protector (blech).