Slate Link Bracelet v Space Black Link Bracelet

[Pug72]

Got the 46mm Slate S10 ordered and ordered the Slate Link Bracelet separate. I want to try it without having to send the whole watch back if returning, plus the earliest delivery I got was 25-30th September for the strap.

Now, I already have the Space Black Link Bracelet (plus another for spares) so will be comparing with the Slate when it comes. If there's an obvious difference whereas the Slate matches the watch better then I'll keep it. Otherwise it'll go back.


Any pics or vids out there comparing the two? Would be interesting to see before hand.

 

[choreographics]

My best guess is to look at a comparison of Apple Watch in Space Black and Graphite. It should give you an early impression of the possible difference.

 

[Pug72]

I have those two bands but think the Slate is nearer black than graphite so can't really compare. I'm just thinking that they just rebranded the Space Black as Slate as it's still steel. Hoping to see real images before my own hands on.

 

[choreographics]

In my opinion, it will be a different shade than Spack Black for sure, so it goes far beyond a simple rebranding. This is the Link Bracelet many Graphite Apple Watch owner looked for. But, as for many bands, you can't tell the real color before seeing it in person, and in some videos it seems to be very close to Space Black. We will find out soon!

 

[mikedis]

NOT Slate... but here's my Graphite Link Bracelet (prototype) next to Space Black. I'd wager it'd look very similar to this.

 

[AndrewR23]

Got the 46mm Slate S10 ordered and ordered the Slate Link Bracelet separate. I want to try it without having to send the whole watch back if returning, plus the earliest delivery I got was 25-30th September for the strap.

Now, I already have the Space Black Link Bracelet (plus another for spares) so will be comparing with the Slate when it comes. If there's an obvious difference whereas the Slate matches the watch better then I'll keep it. Otherwise it'll go back.


Any pics or vids out there comparing the two? Would be interesting to see before hand.

Which space black do you have? The early early one 2015-2017 was the darkest black ever made then in 2018 Apple changed it to a much lighter shade but still called it space black. Man you should see my email chain about that false advertisement. I hang onto my 2015 one for dear life.

 

[Pug72]

My scratched clasp one is defo 2015 as I got it with the very first watch. The replacement I got mint 2nd hand which I’m 95% sure is the early one too. Will have to a have detailed look when I have a moment later.

I’m pretty sure the Slate will match the Slate watch but I do worry it won’t be DLC and be a standard PVD instead.
Not the end of the world, still durable just not as strong as the DLC.

 

[Pug72]

Checked today and the two are identical so the early 2015 ones.

Still a thing of beauty nine years later....

 

[Pug72]

Might be the light reflecting on the brushed finish but the Slate Link Bracelet looks lighter than the Space Black here. I like it.

About 8:30:

 

[mikedis]

Which space black do you have? The early early one 2015-2017 was the darkest black ever made then in 2018 Apple changed it to a much lighter shade but still called it space black. Man you should see my email chain about that false advertisement. I hang onto my 2015 one for dear life.

I don't think this is true. They just look lighter when they're new before they get a ton of fingerprints on them. I've yet to see one that's considerably different.

 

[BlueLux]

Got my Apple Watch Slate Titanium today with the Milanese loop. First of all, the slate color is quite a bit darker than graphite, but not as black as my AW2 Space Black (though quite close). I have a Space Black Link Bracelet from 2017, and it looks great with Slate Titanium, maybe even better than with the Space Black AW2. The reason being that the brushed parts of the Link Bracelet looks a bit brighter than the polished area, so it matches the lighter Slate Titanium well.

However, I feel scammed. The slate milanese loop has the exact same color as the graphite Milanese loop, which I also own. I have compared them side by side in different lightings, and there is no difference what so ever.

I haven't seen the slate link bracelet, but I suspect that it may also be the same color as the previous Space Black. If that is the case, it really is just a renaming of the previous colors.

 

[Spankey]

I actually came here looking for the answer you provided. I put on my graphit Milanese loop and it looks just fine. I only wondered if the connectors didn’t quite match, a bit close but even if they didn’t;t, that would be a stretch to warrant a replacement.

 

[BlueLux]

I don't think this is true. They just look lighter when they're new before they get a ton of fingerprints on them. I've yet to see one that's considerably different.

No, it is true. At some point, the Space Black bracelet got a brighter shade to better match the graphite color. Not sure from which year though, but the very first SB has definitely a deeper black. Apple does this all the time. The first "black" sport band is real black, while the later ones are more gray than black. That's why I bought several of them on eBay instead of buying new ones at Apple.

 

[Pug72]

Another video that shows the subtle difference between SB & Slate.
Around the six minute mark for a good side by side comparison.

 

[mikedis]

No, it is true. At some point, the Space Black bracelet got a brighter shade to better match the graphite color. Not sure from which year though, but the very first SB has definitely a deeper black. Apple does this all the time. The first "black" sport band is real black, while the later ones are more gray than black. That's why I bought several of them on eBay instead of buying new ones at Apple.

Any pics or sources to back this claim? I've just never seen two different blacks. The watch is the same shade from S0 to S9. No reason the link would be different.

 

[Pug72]

The Slate LB is preparing to ship so shouldn't be too long before it's here.

 

[Pug72]

Scheduled to arrive Monday via my least reliable courier, UPS. 👀

 

[Pug72]

Slate Link Bracelet that arrived today for my 46mm S10 Slate.

I love it! So beautiful in the flesh and glad I got it instead of using my Space Black LB. The SB looks good until you put the Slate on which matches so well.
It's like a shimmery gunmetal.

 

[Ssunbrn]

Any more reviews / opinions regarding whether or not it’s worth buying the slate link bracelet if you already have the space black link bracelet?

Additionally, any opinions regarding durability of the new slate coating?

 

[Pug72]

100% glad I got one. Regarding durability, I guess we won't know until someone damages theirs or a YouTuber does a scratch test.

 

[Ssunbrn]

I just looked at the product page and it says the link bracelet is not water resistant. Is that just for the newest model? I don’t remember checking for the older space black model.

 

[shenfrey]

Got my Apple Watch Slate Titanium today with the Milanese loop. First of all, the slate color is quite a bit darker than graphite, but not as black as my AW2 Space Black (though quite close). I have a Space Black Link Bracelet from 2017, and it looks great with Slate Titanium, maybe even better than with the Space Black AW2. The reason being that the brushed parts of the Link Bracelet looks a bit brighter than the polished area, so it matches the lighter Slate Titanium well.

However, I feel scammed. The slate milanese loop has the exact same color as the graphite Milanese loop, which I also own. I have compared them side by side in different lightings, and there is no difference what so ever.

I haven't seen the slate link bracelet, but I suspect that it may also be the same color as the previous Space Black. If that is the case, it really is just a renaming of the previous colors.

Hearing that slate is really close to space black is music to my ears. It’s annoying that for so long, if someone wanted a space black stainless steel, they had to opt for the Hermes edition.