Should I bail on the Stainless Steel Space Black (SSSB)?

[iConnected]

On pre-order day, I was all set to order a Space Grey with black sports band. When the store finally came up and I got the chance to order (finger over mouse for the final click), I bottled it and went into re-thinking mode.

Several hours later, I instead ordered the Stainless Steel Space Black (estimated July delivery).

My reasoning went like this:

Space Grey looks lovely. But it won't withstand much abuse. The case will mark up and any damage that goes through the anodised finish will look bad. And the Ion-X screen is more prone to damage than a sapphire screen.

Which led me to Stainless Steel. As the owner of a stainless steel watch, I know that this can also get marked very easily. But a sapphire screen is made from solid stuff, likely much more resilient than Ion-X.

This led me to Space Black, which seemed to be more robust - on paper - than anything else. However, I have since seen a couple of posts that suggest this is less impervious to damage than I had hoped. One member has scratched the case. Another has peeling on their bracelet. Are they exceptional cases? Hard to tell, because these watches have had the longest lead times.

I am now considering a complete reversal - perhaps the Silver Aluminium with Blue Sport Band. If you mark up silver aluminium, it will look... silver. If you ruin a sports band... buy another. Perhaps stick a screen protector on it. Perhaps even [shudders] a case.

I am not just back to square one. I am several steps behind that.

I've shared my logic, you know my concerns. Any constructive thoughts or advice, please?

 

[danmart]

It's a tough question. I'm also waiting on a SSSB watch. The alternative from my perspective would be a steel link rather than going all the way to a Sport.

Given the speculation about DLC earlier on by materials experts, the coating did sound fantastic, and I had high hopes. The peeling coating is clearly a defect of manufacture - Apple should replace that immediately. The scuffs which a couple of people have experienced are more concerning as they suggest that the coating doesn't make the watch more resilient to damage than regular SS and the black coating might make scratches more visible rather than less.

The kicker for me is that I genuinely think the SSSB is the best looking watch by a significant margin (personal opinion - I'm sure other people think differently). So I'm going to roll the dice and stick with my purchase choice. I have Applecare+ to go with it, so if it gets bashed up too easily I'll get it replaced then look to sell the new one to fund a SS Link instead.

 

[andrewpturko]

I've bumped and hit my SGS on many things and the finish hasn't scuffed off at all. From my understanding, if you were to scratch the anodized finish off it would have to be a very deep scratch. The process doesn't just coat the aluminum, it's imbedded in the aluminum.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

It makes no sense to bail based on isolated cases. Random manufacturing defects can happen with anything.

 

[Branskins]

Even with a slight mark on mine, I still think the space black is the best looking watch. In fact, I'm sure the SS would have gouged regardless.

With AppleCare+ I have no concerns.

I was admiring the shine off the brushed link bracelet while on a bike ride today...just simply fantastic looking

 

[iConnected]

Thank you all for your advice and comments.

The "don't bail" side of my internal argument got a boost when Apple improved my shipping estimate for the Space Black.

But I'm not entirely off the fence yet!

 

[mpike78]

reports going around that the SBSS finish is chipping and coming off. i am sure someone will post here and say they have that watch and there are no issues but.... to each their own.

Thank you all for your advice and comments.

The "don't bail" side of my internal argument got a boost when Apple improved my shipping estimate for the Space Black.

But I'm not entirely off the fence yet!

 

[phpmaven]

On pre-order day, I was all set to order a Space Grey with black sports band. When the store finally came up and I got the chance to order (finger over mouse for the final click), I bottled it and went into re-thinking mode.

Several hours later, I instead ordered the Stainless Steel Space Black (estimated July delivery).

My reasoning went like this:

Space Grey looks lovely. But it won't withstand much abuse. The case will mark up and any damage that goes through the anodised finish will look bad. And the Ion-X screen is more prone to damage than a sapphire screen.

Which led me to Stainless Steel. As the owner of a stainless steel watch, I know that this can also get marked very easily. But a sapphire screen is made from solid stuff, likely much more resilient than Ion-X.

This led me to Space Black, which seemed to be more robust - on paper - than anything else. However, I have since seen a couple of posts that suggest this is less impervious to damage than I had hoped. One member has scratched the case. Another has peeling on their bracelet. Are they exceptional cases? Hard to tell, because these watches have had the longest lead times.

I am now considering a complete reversal - perhaps the Silver Aluminium with Blue Sport Band. If you mark up silver aluminium, it will look... silver. If you ruin a sports band... buy another. Perhaps stick a screen protector on it. Perhaps even [shudders] a case.

I am not just back to square one. I am several steps behind that.

I've shared my logic, you know my concerns. Any constructive thoughts or advice, please?

The important part to note is that there are as you say "a couple of posts" of people complaining. There are evidently a few of these watches that have some defects in the DLC finish. Mine is not suffering from this issue, and I would venture that this is true of 99% of them. I'm sure Apple will replace any that have defects. It's a fantastic piece of tech. It's like the Darth Vader watch!

 

[fischersd]

It's like the Darth Vader watch!

These anomalies have put me on the fence as well - just need to keep reminding myself that they're rare. (how rare? I hope we find out sales numbers at WWDC).
When I first saw it, I thought "Sith Edition" And painting my Spigen watch stand to match.

I've been trying to come up with an analogy that best depicts the DLC coating on the 316L SS - hard boiled egg doesn't do it. Dent in your car's fender, where it doesn't break the paint is one potential, but still not enough.
The finish should be far tougher than the 316L - which is why SBSS owners aren't seeing the micro-scratches that the SS watches are so prone to.

My decision to cancel or not will likely be made by how Apple treats the two members we've seen with the DLC defect on their bands.

 

[Newtons Apple]

The Space black looks better than all of them. Well worth the wait for me. If yours has a problem, Apple will fix it or replace it for free.

 

[phpmaven]

These anomalies have put me on the fence as well - just need to keep reminding myself that they're rare. (how rare? I hope we find out sales numbers at WWDC).
When I first saw it, I thought "Sith Edition" And painting my Spigen watch stand to match.

I've been trying to come up with an analogy that best depicts the DLC coating on the 316L SS - hard boiled egg doesn't do it. Dent in your car's fender, where it doesn't break the paint is one potential, but still not enough.
The finish should be far tougher than the 316L - which is why SBSS owners aren't seeing the micro-scratches that the SS watches are so prone to.

My decision to cancel or not will likely be made by how Apple treats the two members we've seen with the DLC defect on their bands.

The couple of images that we've seen are obviously defects in the coating process. It's inevitable that there will be a few out of the thousands of watches made that will have issues. Reading up on the DLC process, it's fairly complex. I can't imagine Apple not replacing these watches.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

On pre-order day, I was all set to order a Space Grey with black sports band. When the store finally came up and I got the chance to order (finger over mouse for the final click), I bottled it and went into re-thinking mode.

Several hours later, I instead ordered the Stainless Steel Space Black (estimated July delivery).

My reasoning went like this:

Space Grey looks lovely. But it won't withstand much abuse. The case will mark up and any damage that goes through the anodised finish will look bad. And the Ion-X screen is more prone to damage than a sapphire screen.

Which led me to Stainless Steel. As the owner of a stainless steel watch, I know that this can also get marked very easily. But a sapphire screen is made from solid stuff, likely much more resilient than Ion-X.

This led me to Space Black, which seemed to be more robust - on paper - than anything else. However, I have since seen a couple of posts that suggest this is less impervious to damage than I had hoped. One member has scratched the case. Another has peeling on their bracelet. Are they exceptional cases? Hard to tell, because these watches have had the longest lead times.

I am now considering a complete reversal - perhaps the Silver Aluminium with Blue Sport Band. If you mark up silver aluminium, it will look... silver. If you ruin a sports band... buy another. Perhaps stick a screen protector on it. Perhaps even [shudders] a case.

I am not just back to square one. I am several steps behind that.

I've shared my logic, you know my concerns. Any constructive thoughts or advice, please?

A screen and well placed jargon about spray paint persuaded you to buy the most expensive version of that particular collection? Ladies and gentlemen; I give you, MacRumours users in a nutshell.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Have to admit I am guilty of similar with regards to storage capacities just to have more than I did the year before...

 

[iConnected]

A screen and well placed jargon about spray paint persuaded you to buy the most expensive version of that particular collection? Ladies and gentlemen; I give you, MacRumours users in a nutshell.

Ladies and gentlemen; I give you, a troll in a nutshell.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Ladies and gentlemen; I give you, a troll in a nutshell.

Not quite, we all know it is true. If I was in a nutshell the WiFi would be awful anyway so that won't be happening any time soon. But good try! You are what Gotham needs you to be.

 

[iConnected]

Not quite, we all know it is true. If I was in a nutshell the WiFi would be awful anyway so that won't be happening any time soon. But good try!

You are completely right. I - along with all other Space Black purchasers - am completely ignorant of the properties and benefits of DLC coatings. We all think that a DLC coating is just like spray paint.

As a long time owner of a watch with a sapphire crystal, I also have no appreciation at all of its cost-benefit merits in comparison with an Ion-X screen.

I am obviously nothing more than an unwitting sap - along with all other MR users - exactly as you suggest.

There - your work is done, so you can move along.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

You are completely right. I - along with all other Space Black purchasers - am completely ignorant of the properties and benefits of DLC coatings. We all think that a DLC coating is just like spray paint.

As a long time owner of a watch with a sapphire crystal, I also have no appreciation at all of its cost-benefit merits in comparison with an Ion-X screen.

I am obviously nothing more than an unwitting sap - along with all other MR users - exactly as you suggest.

There - your work is done, so you can move along.

You completely miss the point, but I would not worry too much. The idea of going for the cheapest and ending up moving up a collection and to the highest priced model reminds me a lot of many of the stories on here. It was meant to be; as the youths say, "Bantz". What I am trying to say is, please try to see the light hearted nature of some of the comments on here. I obviously know of the benefits, that is what pushes us into the higher capacity/spec bracket.

 

[iConnected]

It was meant to be ...

Your communication style needs work.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Your communication style needs work.

Or perhaps you could study the art of "Taking a Joke"? Who slags themselves off anyway? But granted, I will use bullet points and/or numbers next time.

 

[iConnected]

Or perhaps you could study the art of "Taking a Joke"? Who slags themselves off anyway? But granted, I will use bullet points and/or numbers next time.

Keep digging - the offence you caused is clearly not your fault - and sarcasm is a much better way of building bridges than apologising

To all who have kindly contributed constructive thoughts and advice, thank you.

Edit reason: card charge confusion

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Keep digging - the offence you caused is clearly not your fault - and sarcasm is a much better way of building bridges than apologising

To all who have kindly contributed constructive thoughts and advice, my card has just been charged.

I guess my next point of reassessment will be upon receipt!

But; seen as I am not the Red Skull you seem to think I am, I will apologise for not sounding clear enough, with my points seeming as a genuine accusation instead of the comical reflection I intended for. Glad to hear you have been charged, you will love it. Quick tip some people are not aware of, don't turn it off when you have it plugged in. The Watch can occasionally heat up and not charge.

Edit: Culling the sarcasm due to not being clear enough on the intent.

 

[fischersd]

The Space black looks better than all of them. Well worth the wait for me. If yours has a problem, Apple will fix it or replace it for free.

Umm...a little off-topic. Why did you sell yours in marketplace? Did you order two??

 

[iConnected]

So I concluded that the only way I could happily come to a solid conclusion was to try both models.

I felt pretty bad about that, as I try not to buy anything that I don't intend to keep.

However, as this was a one time decision that will guide my future purchases of the same product line, I went ahead.

As luck would have it, I received the Sport just one day before my Space Black pre-order arrived. I then alternated the models, wearing each for a few days at a time. And I kept......

The Space Black

I'm using it with a black sport band at the moment, but the link bracelet is also great (and much less bulky under the wrist).

Thanks again for the helpful comments and suggestions.

 

[JayLJohnston]

I've had my SBSS for about 1 month now and let me tell you... it's quite awesome. The link band looks great... I hit doors, etc with it and haven't gotten a single scratch... it's got a cold feeling to it when you first put it on in the morning, and that's pretty great too... all in all, it's a wonderful watch.

 

[Newtons Apple]

On pre-order day, I was all set to order a Space Grey with black sports band. When the store finally came up and I got the chance to order (finger over mouse for the final click), I bottled it and went into re-thinking mode.

Several hours later, I instead ordered the Stainless Steel Space Black (estimated July delivery).

My reasoning went like this:

Space Grey looks lovely. But it won't withstand much abuse. The case will mark up and any damage that goes through the anodised finish will look bad. And the Ion-X screen is more prone to damage than a sapphire screen.

Which led me to Stainless Steel. As the owner of a stainless steel watch, I know that this can also get marked very easily. But a sapphire screen is made from solid stuff, likely much more resilient than Ion-X.

This led me to Space Black, which seemed to be more robust - on paper - than anything else. However, I have since seen a couple of posts that suggest this is less impervious to damage than I had hoped. One member has scratched the case. Another has peeling on their bracelet. Are they exceptional cases? Hard to tell, because these watches have had the longest lead times.

I am now considering a complete reversal - perhaps the Silver Aluminium with Blue Sport Band. If you mark up silver aluminium, it will look... silver. If you ruin a sports band... buy another. Perhaps stick a screen protector on it. Perhaps even [shudders] a case.

I am not just back to square one. I am several steps behind that.

I've shared my logic, you know my concerns. Any constructive thoughts or advice, please?

My first AW was the SB with the SB link bracelet. It was very nice except the clasp needed a little extra pressure to get one side to latch/lock. The only problem about the link bracelets is you can not adjust the size on the run. For some reason my wrists can change a little in diameter due to temperature or other reasons.

For this reason I went with the leather loops both brown and black and have not looked back. When in exercise mode I move my watch up a little on my wrist and tighten a little more than I would have it normally for the HR sensor and then loosen it and move it back to my normal wrist position afterwards. The metal link bands would not allow this where the leather loops are VERY adjustable in just seconds. They are a keeper for me.