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Space Black SS Durability?

B

BullittMustang

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 27, 2008
615
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I purchased a Space Grey series 1 last week. I am now having second thoughts that I should have purchased the Space Black SS series 2. I am wondering how the black SS is holding up for everyone? Is it showing small scratches around the sides? I would imagine that the sapphire screen is more scratch resistant than the series 1, but I'm not sure about the black stainless steel. I'm not to concerned about built in GPS, I have my phone with me all the time anyway. I probably would like the 2X brighter screen for outdoor use.

Thanks for any input!
 
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Mine looks brand new and I work out with it daily.. I cycle, run and swim for activity and have bumped it up against a few door jams and cabinets... Looks new with no noticeable issue..

In my opinion the sapphire lens is a MUST have on a watch, especially a watch used for activity...
 
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I had the S0 SB SS for about 10 months before I sold it like a fool and it looked brand new the day I sold it. No scratches of any kind on steel or crystal. I just purchased the SG version and do not like how cheap it feels for the price. Going to return it and try to order SS.
 
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dooku77 said:
I had the S0 SB SS for about 10 months before I sold it like a fool and it looked brand new the day I sold it. No scratches of any kind on steel or crystal. I just purchased the SG version and do not like how cheap it feels for the price. Going to return it and try to order SS.
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Those are my exact thoughts with the Sort version. If feels like a cheap toy when compared to the stainless model. The black stainless is completely under rated and it's such a beautiful Watch. Good choice going back to the stainless model.

OP, the black stainless I own is extremely durable with the diamond like carbon coating. I have zero damage.
 
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Relentless Power said:
Those are my exact thoughts with the Sort version. If feels like a cheap toy when compared to the stainless model. The black stainless is completely under rated and it's such a beautiful Watch. Good choice going back to the stainless model.

OP, the black stainless I own is extremely durable with the diamond like carbon coating. I have zero damage.
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After having Sapphire, Ion X does in fact feel like cheap plastic. The DLC coating is unmatched. It's the perfect watch/fitness companion IMO also. It's only weakness though is dropping it on concrete or tile flooring, but that's the rare occasion.
 
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dooku77 said:
After having Sapphire, Ion X does in fact feel like cheap plastic. The DLC coating is unmatched. It's the perfect watch/fitness companion IMO also. It's only weakness though is dropping it on concrete or tile flooring, but that's the rare occasion.
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When I first owned the Sport model when it debuted, I couldn't believe how easy it was to scratch the screen. I sold it immediately and upgraded to the stainless. I never looked back. It's pricey, but worth the added features with the 316 L stainless and sapphire.
 
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Thanks for your replies. I'm still deciding what to do. I would really like the black ss but don't really want to spend another $300!
I will make my decision soon.
 
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BullittMustang said:
Thanks for the tip. I bought it at Best Buy though, had a gift card for a good portion of it. Would like to apply that towards the series 2 if I do it.
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Ah, the "Curse of the Gift Card" strikes again. :) I'm in the same boat: Gift cards to spend at Apple and BBY when I'd rather have it all at BBY (for the reward points!)

As for your upgrade strategy: BBY have watch sales intermittently, but the next one may be weeks or months away and that would take you outside your return window for the SG. So that wouldn't work. Your best bet might be to return your SG watch now, get your gift card back and just wait for a sale? Not ideal.

I was in a similar situation last year when I "impulse" bought a 38mm SS at BBY for a huge discount, but later decided I wanted 42mm SBSS Milanese instead - even though that model had just been released a month earlier and was NOT on sale.

Then when BBY unexpectedly did on a "one-day-only-sale" (or something like that) I jumped and did an exchange. Very happy with that decision. Got the watch I wanted and a good price.

It's all about luck and timing. Good luck.
 
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One thing I forgot to mention about durability. The SBSS milanese band can scratch the sapphire glass and the ceramic back. The watch case is immune (presumably because it's coated in the same material?)

I found that out the hard way. The scratches on the sapphire face are tiny and barely noticeable. I caused them by wrapping the band around the face while transporting the watch. Something I'll avoid in future. The scratches on the ceramic back are slightly more obvious (probably because they come into contact more often) but nobody sees them so I don't care. You have to look hard to notice.

This may all be moot, of course, because my experience relates to a S0 watch. For S2, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple has modified the Milanese band to be "less scratchy". Maybe a clear coat over the top, or something? I'm not a materials scientist.

Bottom line (just for clarity): If I could exchange my "slightly scratched" S0 SBSS for full credit against any other brand new watch, I wouldn't.
 
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SS all they way. Way more flexible with bands and you can always polish out minor scratches scuffs with a cape cod cloth. The black is not as flexible band wise and if you do manage to get a scratch you can't polish it out as steel is underneath.
 
richard371 said:
SS all they way. Way more flexible with bands and you can always polish out minor scratches scuffs with a cape cod cloth. The black is not as flexible band wise and if you do manage to get a scratch you can't polish it out as steel is underneath.
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I own both the stainless and black stainless. You would surprised how many bands actually pair well with the the black stainless. Plenty of leather bands in a variety of colors and of course the link bands are a guarantee, along with sport band options. Once you own the Watch and mix and match, it's actually easier to pair than just trying to think about what would pair with the Watch without owning it.
 
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I love how the Space Black seems to change hues with the band you pair it with. I paired with the Sport Black band for the first time yesterday, and for the first time, it looked black to me! I usually wear it with the Sea Blue Apple Leather Band.
 
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JSway said:
I love how the Space Black seems to change hues with the band you pair it with. I paired with the Sport Black band for the first time yesterday, and for the first time, it looked black to me! I usually wear it with the Sea Blue Apple Leather Band.
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Agreed. I mentioned that previously how the space black almost looks glossy black in some respects and then jet black depending on the lighting conditions. Pretty neat how it changes that way.
 
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I had the SG aluminum originally for about a year. I took a plunge on a SB SS when I found one at a deal I couldn't pass up and it seems like an entirely different product. I will never go back. The bezel looks awesome and doesn't have any tiny scratches. The glass is completely scratch and scuff free. Love it
 
BrSuBo said:
I had the SG aluminum originally for about a year. I took a plunge on a SB SS when I found one at a deal I couldn't pass up and it seems like an entirely different product. I will never go back. The bezel looks awesome and doesn't have any tiny scratches. The glass is completely scratch and scuff free. Love it
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The bezel blends in so well with the black stainless. When the black stainless was originally released, I actually was not interested in at all. Then after wearing one and seen one in person, I actually think it's nicer than the regular stainless steel.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I am going to make my decision tomorrow. I am leaning towards exchanging my SG series 1 for the SB series 2.
 
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