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Space Black vs Ceramic Gray

M

mario-64

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 23, 2012
350
161
Hi all,

Requesting some feedback on the Stainless Space Black vs Ceramic Gray. Both are beautiful and arguably the space black is more classy looking. Thing is, all my friends and family who have an AW have the space black. There's a part of me that wants to be different. Maybe I'm just being crazy. Any feedback on this would definitely be appreciated

Thanks,
mario64
 
I originally bought a SS SB from Best Buy and exchanged it for the gray ceramic when one popped up at Best Buy online during my exchange window. My thoughts going into the switch were really geared towards which one would blend in with more. Overall, I thought the gray would work with more outfits where the SB was a bit harsh in contrast. I personally love the color gray. That being said, the SB is really sleek and sexy. The shine in certain lights is really cool. But, the black Milanese loop with it was just too dark for me. I prefer it blend better and think the gray ceramic gives me more options. Honestly, they both are really nice and you can’t go wrong with either one. Overall, my thought process went to which one blended in more for me.

I don’t think the gray stands out where the SB really does with its luster so if you want to stand out a bit, go for the SB.
 
ReeseATPH said:
IonX vs Sapphire in sunlight is what made my decision.
Click to expand...

He’s talking about the Edition which has the Sapphire.

I’ve owned the Series 0, 2, and now the 3 in Space Black. This is the best application with DLC I’ve seen on Steel. The Ceramic looks SHARP. It looks great on the Sport band it comes with. The only reason I didn’t go for the addition is because I have the original Apple Bracelet which matches up perfectly with the Space black, and I find it very comfortable.

I would definitely suggest checking it out at the store, and try different bands for it to make sure your happy with all options.
 
I suppose it's weird of me to write this, but I find it hard to understand why people want stainless steel in black. I have a second series SS and a gray 3rd series Edition. To me the beauty of stainless steel is that it looks like stainless steel. Also, I can just imagine what a scratch on a black surface looks like.
 
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warburg said:
I suppose it's weird of me to write this, but I find it hard to understand why people want stainless steel in black. I have a second series SS and a gray 3rd series Edition. To me the beauty of stainless steel is that it looks like stainless steel. Also, I can just imagine what a scratch on a black surface looks like.
Click to expand...
The DLC surface on the SB seems to be pretty impervious to scratches.
 
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warburg said:
I suppose it's weird of me to write this, but I find it hard to understand why people want stainless steel in black. I have a second series SS and a gray 3rd series Edition. To me the beauty of stainless steel is that it looks like stainless steel. Also, I can just imagine what a scratch on a black surface looks like.
Click to expand...

Because it looks sexy as heck and the complete opposite is true stainless steel shows scratches like crazy.

squirrrl said:
The DLC surface on the SB seems to be pretty impervious to scratches.
Click to expand...

Exactly my series 3 is the second Space Black that I’ve owned and it is one tough cookie.

If I could have afforded the Edition I definitely would have gotten the gray cause it does look really sleek.

To the OP I’d say get whatever makes you happy. Hopefully when I upgrade my series 3 in the coming years I’ll be able to get the Edition whatever it is at that time.
 
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squirrrl said:
The DLC surface on the SB seems to be pretty impervious to scratches.
Click to expand...

This is the big difference between the two models. The diamond like carbon coating for the space black stainless is almost impervious scratches as you stated, the ceramic is highly scratch resistant, but doesn't nearly have the durability the DLC coating does on the space black. DLC is extremely hard and is more of a protective paint, as Ceramic is what the Edition casing is manufactured from. But Both have excellent resistance to scratches.
 
You can get the SS SB 'and' black link bracelet for the slightly less the edition.

This was my logic when I got my SS SB last week, although I'll probably pick-up the link bracelet later.

Also really like SS SB :)
 
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I've had the SBSS previously, but the way the grey ceramic changes colour in the light to look almost steel looks great.
 
abdulkar.im said:
Probably not, but it it a beauty lol Plus, black is a little harsh with my work attire, so the grey looks a tad more toned down. I do love how the SB looks like an black onyx though...
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Definitely! I thought that the black would be a little too formal (hence why I was leaning to the sports model), but it looks less great. The ceramic grey is definitely lovely, and slightly lighter. I’m not ruling it out for the future tbh, but if I ever got the SS link bracelet, would be keen to go for the SB with series 4 or 5.

Do you have the ceramic?
 
Fireball Dragon said:
Definitely! I thought that the black would be a little too formal (hence why I was leaning to the sports model), but it looks less great. The ceramic grey is definitely lovely, and slightly lighter. I’m not ruling it out for the future tbh, but if I ever got the SS link bracelet, would be keen to go for the SB with series 4 or 5.

Do you have the ceramic?
Click to expand...

Currently test driving the ceramic...
 
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abdulkar.im said:
That's what I was hoping last year, but the grey I actually love. It really does change colour in the light and can look light grey, dark grey, pretty much black or even steel due to the reflections.
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Sounds amazing! I may see my options next year for the edition. Do you have any pics comparing the edition grey with SB, by any chance?

Just saw the video above now, too.
 
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Fireball Dragon said:
Sounds amazing! I may see my options next year for the edition. Do you have any pics comparing the edition grey with SB, by any chance?

Just saw the video above now, too.
Click to expand...

No sorry, I don't have comparisons. I had a SB originally when I first had my Series 2, but then returned it for a Hermès deployment buckle.
 
Personally I'd go with the SBSS, ceramic grey looks a bit too pvc-ish to me. Plus you're able to use Milanese and Link bands.
 
abdulkar.im said:
That's what I was hoping last year, but the grey I actually love. It really does change colour in the light and can look light grey, dark grey, pretty much black or even steel due to the reflections.
Click to expand...

Glad to see I'm not the only one test driving a grey ceramic. That is what is really surprised me is the change in color hues depending on the light. Sometimes I wonder if the watch is green olive (which explains the green olive band option IMO). I've had a SS in the past and find this might hit all the needs I'd have in a watch. It has a muted tone, yet has a great shine much like the SS and is lighter than the SS, plus should be nearly impossible to scratch. It's also held up well in my current workout sessions.
 
joshen said:
Personally I'd go with the SBSS, ceramic grey looks a bit too pvc-ish to me. Plus you're able to use Milanese and Link bands.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Although I do like the new color of the space gray for the ceramic, I'm just more partial to the space black and how it has a very durable finish with the DLC coating and it looks very formal oairwd with the right band.
 
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