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SG vs. SS vs. SSSB: Help me choose please

L

legaleye3000

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 31, 2007
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I am having such a hard time deciding which one to get. I am careful with my watches, so th durability argument doesn’t really matter to me. When I go to court (attorney), I never wear my current S1 gold aluminum watch and put on one of my nice non-smart watches. I’ll wear my Apple Watch to the office though whenever I don’t go to court.

I’m thinking of not going with SS because my non-smart watches are SS and maybe I should mix it up a bit, however, I’m still drawn to it. I also love how the SG and SSSB looks too! So tough...
 
The silver stainless steel scratches around the case easily. You’ll start seeing hairline scratches within a day. It’s the nature of it. All silver stainless steel watches do this, has nothing to do with quality control or Apple.

I’ve owned two of the black stainless models that I put through some hell and they still look brand new.

The S4 is my first aluminum model AW. While I’m happy with it. It doesn’t feel premium and looks cheap to me. Being an AW everyone knows they are anything but cheap. But the matte finish and weight just doesn’t feel that way to me.

If you don’t plan to upgrade yearly and can afford the stainless model I recommend the black one. It’s a tank but understand the resell value is absolute garbage. If you want a nice watch and plan to trade in and upgrade yearly you get almost the same exact value from Apple for the aluminum model that you do for stainless. It’s one reason why I opted for the aluminum this time.

All of them look nice, this is just my experience and opinion with them over the years.
 
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Mabus51 said:
The silver stainless steel scratches around the case easily. You’ll start seeing hairline scratches within a day. It’s the nature of it. All silver stainless steel watches do this, has nothing to do with quality control or Apple.

I’ve owned two of the black stainless models that I put through some hell and they still look brand new.

The S4 is my first aluminum model AW. While I’m happy with it. It doesn’t feel premium and looks cheap to me. Being an AW everyone knows they are anything but cheap. But the matte finish and weight just doesn’t feel that way to me.

If you don’t plan to upgrade yearly and can afford the stainless model I recommend the black one. It’s a tank but understand the resell value is absolute garbage. If you want a nice watch and plan to trade in and upgrade yearly you get almost the same exact value from Apple for the aluminum model that you do for stainless. It’s one reason why I opted for the aluminum this time.

All of them look nice, this is just my experience and opinion with them over the years.
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I've always had aluminum and decided to go with the black stainless this year since I got the major feature upgrade I was waiting for (bigger screen). I absolutely love the weight of it, not to mention how the body matches the reflectivity of the screen. Very happy with my decision.
 
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Thanks for all of your replies. All of the AWs look great. I actually think the SG looks pretty nice for the aluminum. I do like the weight of the SS models as it feels for substantive/premium. Matching bands is a major factor for me. I know SS will be most universal but SSSB and SG should be a close 2nd in terms of matching bands.

Durability is not really an issue for me as my Series 1 watch is perfect. I don't bang it up or anything (which means I should probably hit the gym more often).
 
I pre-ordered the SBSS 44mm a couple weeks back and was in the Oct 15th shipment group. I finally got the chance to check them out at the apple store last night and was pretty struck by the SG version. Won't scratch as easy as the SS, and its a little more unique and defined than the SBSS. SBSS is also a massive fingerprint magnet, though very durable. I'm coming from a AW3 ceramic gray, so I appreciate both durability, and having less of a "smudge factor." The SG didn't seem to smudge near as badly as the SBSS; I ultimately cancelled my SBSS order and am now in the 10/22 cue for the SG. I'm hoping apple introduces a gold link bracelet down the line, but for now, the Milanese will have to do.

My 2 cents - hope it was helpful.1
 
I mean, this really seems like a person preference thing at this point. Go for the SSSB as it will mix it up more with your other watches.
 
I had SBSS Series 2, the shiny body can be a bit of high maintenance if you're OCD about fingerprint etc.. Now I have SG Aluminum I do appreciate the lack of finger prints on the body and you don't need to clean as much after workout.
 
Just received mine on Monday. I also have owned other space black stainless models in the past, by far the best one the offer in their lineup in terms of durability and sleekness.

4C817C49-FCAD-4FEF-BA66-E53909EEE1A2.jpeg
 
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Ordered the 44mm SB Alu on launch day and picked up on Sep 21. It was nice but didn't feel like its a CAD$600 watch to me. Yesterday, I walked into the store and picked up the SS Gold one - very nice that looks premium. But the down side is its costs more than CAD$1K!!
So don't know what I'll do - one of them is going back to the store before 14 days. Don't know which one!!

Here are the pictures of both. Is the SS model worth $500 more??

04eddece0fa93313e8a816b603218c51.jpg

69d3a086c083ae39b653ce07fba83eb8.jpg
 
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vhl71 said:
Ordered the 44mm SB Alu on launch day and picked up on Sep 21. It was nice but didn't feel like its a CAD$600 watch to me. Yesterday, I walked into the store and picked up the SS Gold one - very nice that looks premium. But the down side is its costs more than CAD$1K!!
So don't know what I'll do - one of them is going back to the store before 14 days. Don't know which one!!

Here are the pictures of both. Is the SS model worth $500 more??
Click to expand...

Hard decision. Some people decide the 1-3 year life span of the watch (before software updates cripple it) does not justify ever paying almost double just to get a stainless steel model, while others decide regardless of the premium, they couldn't stand having a dinky aluminum watch, which seems less sleek and also very light.

Mostly the decision comes from those who consider it more of a fitness tracking, vs an actual premium watch. That's essentially the decision (in my mind). I personally sympathize with both.
 
As a fellow attorney let me cast a vote for the SS silver. Feels and looks great.
 
Thanks for all the follow up replies. All watches are within my budget so that really isn’t the concern. For some reason I feel like the SG looks better on the series 4 compared to earlier models and I like the SSSB, but I believe there will be more versatility with the silver, which is what I’m leaning towards. The only thing holding me back from the silver is that all my other non smart watches are SS and I was thinking of getting something different. Probably will make my decision after work tomorrow.
 
The last 3 AWs I had were SS. I decided to go SSBS with the 4 and really like it for a change. I like the way the Ceramic back, case, and face all look the same. Funny thing is I went with the SS due to the band versatility and I never bought any other bands lol. I love the rubber sports straps for everyday use.
 
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legaleye3000 said:
Thanks for all the follow up replies. All watches are within my budget so that really isn’t the concern. For some reason I feel like the SG looks better on the series 4 compared to earlier models and I like the SSSB, but I believe there will be more versatility with the silver, which is what I’m leaning towards. The only thing holding me back from the silver is that all my other non smart watches are SS and I was thinking of getting something different. Probably will make my decision after work tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I would go SS and let the different band options be the difference between your apple and non smart watches. Best of both worlds.
 
I am an attorney and I have had the 3 and just got the 4 in the black aluminum. For me, I can't justify the price of ss for something I am going to have for at most 2-3 years. I don't think the aluminum looks cheap. I first got the 4 in gold ss and did not like it as much as the aluminum in space gray (or what ever the black color is called). I wore the 3 every day and it was not beat up or scratched at all. I just sent it to my sibling who thought it was new.
 
I had SG aluminum series 1 and it was fine for the most part. Some scratches but nothing major. I opted for SBSS this year and absolutely love it. There is a weight difference but after a day I got used to it. I love the premium feel of it. No regrets.
 
I was exactly in the same situation as you. I want to wear it with with a nice suit so decided right away that alumnium is not for me.

I have a series 2 SS that I love matching bands with but have always been attracted to the SSSB. The argument against the SSSB is that it doesn't go well with a lot of premium bands (especially the leather, where apple and most premium manufacturers don't make black lugs) and this held me back for a long time.

Then I realized that in fact my other mechanical watches only really come with one band and that changing bands, while nice, isn't essential. So now I'm getting the Series 4 SSSB with the black milanese loop for work, and all of the sport bands work well for casual dress.

I have to say I'm not in love with the milanese loop (too flimsy IMO), nor the link bracelet, so if you have any tips on a nice dress band for a SSSB please do share.
 
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