Series 5 SBSS or SBTi?

[jaybar]

Hi

I will be gifting my SBSS series 4 to a relative and getting a series 5. I am very sensitive to watch material on my wrist and I can have bad rashes.

I have had the SBSS with ML for 8 months without incident and largely scratch free. I am very hard on watches.

I have heard the SBTi is prone To scratches. Is that true?

I wonder if I would be better sticking with the SBSS as it has served me well. Any thoughts?

 

[bruinsrme]

Ti. I have the SBSS and it's OK. I like the finish on the TI more.

 

[jaybar]

Are the backs identical?

 

[44267547]

Are the backs identical?

No. The space black titanium is more of a ‘matte finish look’, where as the space black stainless is very high gloss finish.

 

[jaybar]

No. The space black titanium is more of a ‘matte finish look’, where as the space black stainless is very high gloss finish.

@RP, I understand that part. I am wondering about the back of the watch, that sits on your wrist. Is the back and different? Is the watch back titanium too?

 

[KPOM]

You can’t go wrong with either. That said, the Titanium comes with a 2 year warranty and a sport band included.

 

[jaybar]

I am allergic to sport band. I can only wear the ML or link bracelet.

 

[KPOM]

I am allergic to sport band. I can only wear the ML or link bracelet.

Are you allergic to leather, as well? In any case, you could sell the sport band for about $50 since it is exclusive to the Edition.

 

[Strangedream]

Tough one, try both in store and pick the one you like most.
Here are the key differences:

SBSS	SBTi
Shiny and polished	Matte and brushed
Nearly true black	Very dark gray
$100 cheaper with standard 1-year AC	"Free" sport band and 2-year AC+
Standard watch faces	Edition color face on select watch faces
Max scratch resistance	Good scratch resistance
Available since S0	New since S5
47g for 44mm (heavier)	42g for 44mm (lighter)
Standard pressure resistance	More resistant to pressure

 

[supertomtom]

I had a SBSS and now using SBTi. I personally really like the SBTi but SBSS is always a good option as well, all about what look you prefer, high gloss shine, or a matte sheen. As far as scratches it’s been weeks now and I’ve had no marks on my SBTi. It also has DLC coating that’s not on the natural titanium.

 

[swarlos]

@RP, I understand that part. I am wondering about the back of the watch, that sits on your wrist. Is the back and different? Is the watch back titanium too?

The back of the watch is still ceramic just like the S4 space black steel.

 

[jaytee86]

Tough one, try both in store and pick the one you like most.
Here are the key differences:

SBSS	SBTi
Shiny and polished	Matte and brushed
Nearly true black	Very dark gray
$100 cheaper with standard 1-year AC	"Free" sport band and 2-year AC+
Standard watch faces	Edition color face on select watch faces
Max scratch resistance	Good scratch resistance
Available since S0	New since S5
47g for 44mm (heavier)	42g for 44mm (lighter)
Standard pressure resistance	More resistant to pressure

Good one! Thanks for this!

 

[44267547]

Tough one, try both in store and pick the one you like most.
Here are the key differences:

SBSS	SBTi
Shiny and polished	Matte and brushed
Nearly true black	Very dark gray
$100 cheaper with standard 1-year AC	"Free" sport band and 2-year AC+
Standard watch faces	Edition color face on select watch faces
Max scratch resistance	Good scratch resistance
Available since S0	New since S5
47g for 44mm (heavier)	42g for 44mm (lighter)
Standard pressure resistance	More resistant to pressure

Nice chart. The only thing I think worth noting, is the scratch resistance to be exactly the same in terms of what the space black stainless offers and a titanium space black, being they both share DLC properties. And there’s one member in the titanium thread who tried to scratch the DLC with a knife and wasn’t even successful doing so. I’d say they’re both ‘Max’ with the scratch resistance.

 

[jaybar]

My dermatologist suggested I stick with the SBSS. as I have had the series 4 for 8 months.m, without incident I must confess that I like them both and can’t decide. However I think it best to follow doctor’s advice.

 

[richard371]

Also the water resistance is the same. 50m

Nice chart. The only thing I think worth noting, is the scratch resistance to be exactly the same in terms of what the space black stainless offers and a titanium space black, being they both share DLC properties. And there’s one member in the titanium thread who tried to scratch the DLC with a knife and wasn’t even successful doing so. I’d say they’re both ‘Max’ with the scratch resistance.

 

[Strangedream]

My dermatologist suggested I stick with the SBSS. as I have had the series 4 for 8 months.m, without incident I must confess that I like them both and can’t decide. However I think it best to follow doctor’s advice.

If I'm correct steel is more likely to cause skin allergy than titanium because steel is an alloy of various elements rather a single element (e.g. chromium, nickel etc.). With the AW S4 onward this matters less as your skin will mostly be in contact with the ceramic back of the watch.
[automerge]1570809314[/automerge]

Also the water resistance is the same. 50m

Yes I only included the differences, aside from those points both SBSS and SBTi offer the same features (e.g. water resistance, sapphire, ceramic back, software, Taptic crown etc.)

 

[Marco123]

The SBTi doesn’t include AC+.

 

[jaybar]

Thanks for everyone’s contribution. I decided to go with the SBSS.