Silver SS or Graphite SS?

[IAmTheOneWhoKnocks]

Hi all,

I am planning on upgrading from a Series 2 Nike Aluminum Space Gray. Before the S6 was announced, I was set on a silver SS. However, seeing the graphite makes me reconsider. I do love the versatility of the SS, but honestly I feel that the graphite would work with the majority of bands I have anyways. I am somewhat OCD when it comes to my tech, so I assume the SS would be more scratch prone, but can be buffed out. On the other hand, the DLC on the Graphite would seem to be more durable. Any feedback on which finish you all prefer would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to upgrading and honestly don’t think I can go wrong with either choice.

 

[Retroglide08]

From my experience last Sunday I would definitely advise against getting the Milanese loop for the Graphite Black.

 

[SpartaImpster]

I almost went for graphite SS after having SSSB but decided on Silver SS in the end. So glad i did i certainly wont be going back to space black any time soon. I thought most of my bands went well with my SB but now realise they look so much better on the silver SS. Here is Blue Horizon 😍

 

[thatappleguytoday]

After years of silver ss and space black, I opted for graphite. New watch. New color. I'm hype because it'll be here Monday.

 

[Ecoh]

I think the graphite is awesome! I got the gold stainless steel because I wear a lot of gold jewelry and wanted it to match, otherwise I would be wearing the graphite now.

 

[Fynd]

My concern with graphite is that there aren’t any bands with matching hardware. It clashes with both silver and black lugs and buckles.

 

[bluegt]

Graphite DLC SS
- New for 2020
- Hardest & most scratch resistant material for AW
- Really nice looking!
- Matches many bands, but not all

Silver SS
- Scratches can be polished (buy polishing cloth)
- Matches more bands
- More classic look

In general, to avoid scratches avoid the Milanese Loop. This isn't a point about Graphite vs SS... it applies to ALL AWs. That said, tons of people use the Milanese and are just careful to not have it rub the case...

 

[Apple_Robert]

I got the Graphite and I really like it.

 

[Stingfello]

Graphite for the win!!

 

[44267547]

Really tough call. They both look great, the stainless watch offers the core benefit if you scratch it, you can remove the scratches with a simple polishing cloth. The graphite, (obviously has the DLC which has been discussed dozens of times), but if you damage the DLC, which is difficult to do, then it is permanent. You can’t go wrong either way. My go to for years was multiple regular 316 L stainless Apple Watch models, and even when I did damage them, I could restore them to ‘factory new‘ within a minute or less. But that was just my preference for that reason.

This year, the graphite was my initial choice, but titanium in the natural form is my preferred option.

 

[IAmTheOneWhoKnocks]

Thank you all for the feedback. It’s evident that both are solid choices. My local Apple store just opened back up so I think I’ll make a trip and compare the two in person before I make my final decision. I’m super stoked about upgrading from my S2 sport!

 

[dsc888]

I had a S0 SS, S4 SBSS and now a S6 Graphite. The latest is gorgeous and I was very hesitant at first because I loved the SBSS and how it looks like 1 hunk of shiny black goodness! The graphite is a dark gray chrome of sorts. It's a classy look and actually "blends" into most black bands such as the SB Milanese, which I have as it is very reflective vs the SBSS.

I won't mention about the importance of being very careful with the Milanese bands. I have some very mild micro scratches around the lugs of my SBSS that can ONLY be seen if I look to within 3 inches of my watch. They are simply invisible from normal distance of about 12 inches. Also, I have those scratches on the back crystal where the sensor sits as well as the ceramic cover. So don't let your watch band touch the back and lay it down sideways when you take it off.

Here is a pic I took my watch after I picked it up from my local Apple Store. Ignore the fact that the bottom lug is partially hanging out. I was too excited to notice when I took the pic to show my wife! 😆

 

[Retroglide08]

I had a S0 SS, S4 SBSS and now a S6 Graphite. The latest is gorgeous and I was very hesitant at first because I loved the SBSS and how it looks like 1 hunk of shiny black goodness! The graphite is a dark gray chrome of sorts. It's a classy look and actually "blends" into most black bands such as the SB Milanese, which I have as it is very reflective vs the SBSS.

I won't mention about the importance of being very careful with the Milanese bands. I have some very mild micro scratches around the lugs of my SBSS that can ONLY be seen if I look to within 3 inches of my watch. They are simply invisible from normal distance of about 12 inches. Also, I have those scratches on the back crystal where the sensor sits as well as the ceramic cover. So don't let your watch band touch the back and lay it down sideways when you take it off.

Here is a pic I took my watch after I picked it up from my local Apple Store. Ignore the fact that the bottom lug is partially hanging out. I was too excited to notice when I took the pic to show my wife!
View attachment 959600

Just be careful with the damn Milanese loop against the case or underneath on the sensor

 

[Retroglide08]

From my experience last Sunday I would definitely advise against getting the Milanese loop for the Graphite Black.

Well, arrived back from the Apple store with a replacement Graphite black BUT minus the Milanese loop. Now have a leather loop and a black sport band.

 

[DennisdeWit]

I have the Graphite SS and absolutely love it! I keep saying this is the best looking Apple Watch there is.

 

[dsc888]

Just be careful with the damn Milanese loop against the case or underneath on the sensor

Looks like you foreshadowed the inevitable. My 2 day old Graphite SS now has a small micro scratch despite my very best effort to baby the watch. 2 Days! I did everything I knew was needed. I'm now thinking about returning it for either the SBTi or stepping down to the Nike edition and just pocketing the savings. I still have a SG S4 that I handed to my son and the aluminum body is scratch free!

I saw your post about exchanging yours and now avoiding the Milanese band like the plague. Good luck and keep us all posted. Hopefully, Apple didn't cheap out on the DLC coating as there seem to be more reports of the Graphite SS scratching without and without the Milanese loop.

 

[mavis]

Looks like you foreshadowed the inevitable. My 2 day old Graphite SS now has a small micro scratch despite my very best effort to baby the watch. 2 Days! I did everything I knew was needed. I'm now thinking about returning it for either the SBTi or stepping down to the Nike edition and just pocketing the savings. I still have a SG S4 that I handed to my son and the aluminum body is scratch free!

I saw your post about exchanging yours and now avoiding the Milanese band like the plague. Good luck and keep us all posted. Hopefully, Apple didn't cheap out on the DLC coating as there seem to be more reports of the Graphite SS scratching without and without the Milanese loop.

Wait, you scratched the watch (this is why silver SS is the way to go!) so you're going to return it? You scratched it, so you're returning it??

 

[taneff]

I had the black SS S5 and S5 space black Aluminium before, and the Gold SS 4, now for the silver SS S6. The S5 black SS look superb as everything looked like made out of one piece, You couldn't tell the difference from the body to the display. That is why I chose the black SS. After getting a serious scratch in the so called Sapphire display without any fault of mine, it just appeared out of nowhere, I returned it and chose the way cheaper black aluminum. Never had trouble with my gold S4 SS watch before that, no scratch whatsoever. Now I bought the SS silver version and it looks so classy. SS black and gold were nice but silver just shines. And you can get scratches out whenever you want after polishing it. It just looks classy. I don't like the new Graphite, but that's just my taste. It seems like a mix of black and silver. But I want one or the other to get the benefit I want (one piece look with black or classy shiny look with silver). But that's just my taste. It looks good but would be my last choice out of the 3 SS colors. I think from now on I will go with SS silver or aluminium black.

PS: One thing to note, silver SS, and gold imo too, are very shiny and can look a little cheap imo because of that, as cheap plastic chrome looks as shiny too, maybe Graphite looks a little less like that. It was that way with the black SS. But I guess that will go away with use and some scratches and the "worn look".

Is every Apple Milanese loop scratching the hell out of an AW or just the black/graphite one because of DLC coating? I own a black Milanese and wanted to wear it to my SS silver watch. Do I have to buy the silver one?

 

[dsc888]

Wait, you scratched the watch (this is why silver SS is the way to go!) so you're going to return it? You scratched it, so you're returning it??

I made every effort, knowing that the Milanese loop can and will scratch the finish if it even touches the body fo the watch, to not let the 2 come in contact when I put it on and took it off. I charged it on an aftermarket charger that keeps it splayed out. And yet I found micro scratches. I still have my S0 SS that I can polish up if I desire. And my S4 SBSS has a few tiny scratches also but nothing that can be noticed after a year of wear.

Apple gives buyers the option if we are not satisfied, no questioned asked. So I might take that route and buy something that is less prone to scratching such as the SBTi. I didn't put any deep scratches on my Graphite SS and I took it off whenever I did anything that might do any damage and so 2 days of testing so far has not given me much confidence that it will hold up. Perhaps the SBSS hid the scratches better being that it was solid black vs the more reflective dark chrome of the Graphite SS. In my use case, it seems to not be working out and I don't want to spend $799 plus tax on a watch I won't be happy with.

 

[dsc888]

I had the black SS S5 and S5 space black Aluminium before, and the Gold SS 4, now for the silver SS S6. The S5 black SS look superb as everything looked like made out of one piece, You couldn't tell the difference from the body to the display. That is why I chose the black SS. After getting a serious scratch in the so called Sapphire display without any fault of mine, it just appeared out of nowhere, I returned it and chose the way cheaper black aluminum. Never had trouble with my gold S4 SS watch before that, no scratch whatsoever. Now I bought the SS silver version and it looks so classy. SS black and gold were nice but silver just shines. And you can get scratches out whenever you want after polishing it. It just looks classy. I don't like the new Graphite, but that's just my taste. It seems like a mix of black and silver. But I want one or the other to get the benefit I want (one piece look with black or classy shiny look with silver). But that's just my taste. It looks good but would be my last choice out of the 3 SS colors. I think from now on I will go with SS silver or aluminium black.

PS: One thing to note, silver SS, and gold imo too, are very shiny and can look a little cheap imo because of that, as cheap plastic chrome looks as shiny too, maybe Graphite looks a little less like that. It was that way with the black SS. But I guess that will go away with use and some scratches and the "worn look".

Is every Apple Milanese loop scratching the hell out of an AW or just the black/graphite one because of DLC coating? I own a black Milanese and wanted to wear it to my SS silver watch. Do I have to buy the silver one?

My S4 SBSS held up very well despite some very minor micro scratches that CANNOT be seen from 12 inches away. I only see them from 3 inches away. That's with me being pretty careful and initially not knowing there was even a problem. the DLC coating on the Milanese loop is the cause. My Graphite SS isn't faring as well. It's already shown micro scratches after 2 days. And that is with me knowing about the issue and doing everything to avoid the loop contacting the body of the watch! I'd say go with the SBSS if you want the shiny all black look but understand you have to be careful. But the black does a good job of hiding the wear. The lighter colors such as graphite and plain SS will reflect light more and make the scratches more evident. But remember you can polish out the silver SS with a SS polishing cloth.

 

[taneff]

I made every effort, knowing that the Milanese loop can and will scratch the finish if it even touches the body fo the watch, to not let the 2 come in contact when I put it on and took it off. I charged it on an aftermarket charger that keeps it splayed out. And yet I found micro scratches. I still have my S0 SS that I can polish up if I desire. And my S4 SBSS has a few tiny scratches also but nothing that can be noticed after a year of wear.

Apple gives buyers the option if we are not satisfied, no questioned asked. So I might take that route and buy something that is less prone to scratching such as the SBTi. I didn't put any deep scratches on my Graphite SS and I took it off whenever I did anything that might do any damage and so 2 days of testing so far has not given me much confidence that it will hold up. Perhaps the SBSS hid the scratches better being that it was solid black vs the more reflective dark chrome of the Graphite SS. In my use case, it seems to not be working out and I don't want to spend $799 plus tax on a watch I won't be happy with.

I also sent back a S5 SS Black because I had a VISIBLE scratch on the so-called sapphire screen in the first days, out of nowhere, on my screen, I never had a single scratch on my Sapphire Garmin watches! Never! And I didn't do anything with the watch, except wearing it. No hitting the wall or anything. A screen which scratches out of nowhere is no Sapphire screen. And if there is a layer of something on top you shouldn't call it sapphire, because when reading sapphire someone thinks it is scratch proof, esp. when wearing it normal and not banging it against anything, hitting a wall etc. I think there is a big spread (?) in quality control.

So I think sometimes, depending on the situation, it is right to send something back when QC is missing.

 

[bluegt]

I also sent back a S5 SS Black because I had a VISIBLE scratch on the so-called sapphire screen in the first days, out of nowhere, on my screen, I never had a single scratch on my Sapphire Garmin watches! Never! And I didn't do anything with the watch, except wearing it. No hitting the wall or anything. A screen which scratches out of nowhere is no Sapphire screen. And if there is a layer of something on top you shouldn't call it sapphire, because when reading sapphire someone thinks it is scratch proof, esp. when wearing it normal and not banging it against anything, hitting a wall etc. I think there is a big spread (?) in quality control.

So I think sometimes, depending on the situation, it is right to send something back when QC is missing.

There are a significant number of reports of issues with Sapphire scratches, scratches on DLC coatings and inconsistent product specifications - over multiple years.

Apple is ignoring the forums and ignoring user feedback, so I agree, as consumers we should exercise our rights and return products that don’t meet an acceptable standard.

 

[Matt.jpg]

I just picked up my series 6 Hermes Space black Noir & my wife picked up a series 6 in silver stainless steel , now I love the black on black of my space black Hermes but my god her silver stainless steel paired with the silver Milanese loop the way it shines looks way way more premium then mmy Hermes in space black (which cost $800 more)

I would probably be tempted to go silver stainless next time.

(p.s we both came from aluminium series 2)

 

[Sir Ruben]

Just picked up my first SS Apple Watch ever. I chose the silver SS with Milanese loop and it looks so bright and stunning. Just tried on my saddle brown leather loop with it and it also look amazing. BUT after years of wanting, I have finally ordered the stainless steel link bracelet, my personal ultimate band.

I can see me using the link bracelet as my daily, and saddle brown leather loop as my evening strap when having a meal or a few drinks out. I think I'll use the the Milanese loop the least.

 

[tayshon]

Just picked up my first SS Apple Watch ever. I chose the silver SS with Milanese loop and it looks so bright and stunning. Just tried on my saddle brown leather loop with it and it also look amazing. BUT after years of wanting, I have finally ordered the stainless steel link bracelet, my personal ultimate band.

I can see me using the link bracelet as my daily, and saddle brown leather loop as my evening strap when having a meal or a few drinks out. I think I'll use the the Milanese loop the least.

I got the SS silver was thinking about getting the silver Milanese band, was thinking it was going to be to bright. I had the SS Gold AW4. I might have to go for it.