Sport is cheap compared to SS

[maflynn]

I may be wrong, but amongst my friends and colleagues, I've found that those who typically wear watches preferred the SS while those who didn't wear watches said they would get the sport model. This seemed to be a pretty consistent consensus.

I guess I fall into the not wearing a watch, though I used to wear one.

 

[Neodym]

To me the sport just feels cheap - I've never felt like that with any other apple product.

For me it's actually the look that is problematic with the Sport watch. To me both the silver and grey Sport watch do look cheap in person (the pictures online don't do them justice). Funny enough, to me also the SS looks a bit cheapish with its polished surface, even though in a different way than the Aluminum watches.

To enhance the premium feel of a sport they could have at least used Sapphire.

I don't feel the iPhone to be any less premium just because it does not use Sapphire. Similarly I don't have the feeling on the AW just because the cover is not Sapphire. In fact, the Sport glass on mine is pretty tough and still pristine, despite having already taken a hit or two.

I may be wrong, but amongst my friends and colleagues, I've found that those who typically wear watches preferred the SS while those who didn't wear watches said they would get the sport model. This seemed to be a pretty consistent consensus.

Then I'm probably the exception from the rule, as I've worn wristwatches nearly all my life. And I settled for the champagne Sport watch.

- Those that have been wearing watches and are particularly used to wearing relatively nicer ones are used to the weight and feel of the SS watch.

I do prefer any object residing on my wrist to be as lightweight and thus unobtrusive as possible. To me, with consumer electronics, weight does not necessarily equal quality - it's rather the other way round.

- Those who typically wear watches are also aware of the significance behind a sapphire crystal screen that doesn't scratch. It makes a huge difference only a couple months into ownership and particularly when reselling.

While I do agree that Sapphire was the go-to material for higher-quality watches in the past, I feel that the material used for the Sport watch is completely up to the task. The notion of watches having to have a Sapphire glass is probably an echo from older times, when it most often was either Sapphire or cheap plastic/plain glass as cover.

Nowadays, with technology having advanced, treated glass is closer to Sapphire in terms of robustness and good enough for the task.

 

[CKtoph]

.
I don't feel the iPhone to be any less premium just because it does not use Sapphire. Similarly I don't have the feeling on the AW just because the cover is not Sapphire. In fact, the Sport glass on mine is pretty tough and still pristine, despite having already taken a hit or two.

Then I'm probably the exception from the rule, as I've worn wristwatches nearly all my life. And I settled for the champagne Sport watch.

I do prefer any object residing on my wrist to be as lightweight and thus unobtrusive as possible. To me, with consumer electronics, weight does not necessarily equal quality - it's rather the other way round.

While I do agree that Sapphire was the go-to material for higher-quality watches in the past, I feel that the material used for the Sport watch is completely up to the task. The notion of watches having to have a Sapphire glass is probably an echo from older times, when it most often was either Sapphire or cheap plastic/plain glass as cover.

Nowadays, with technology having advanced, treated glass is closer to Sapphire in terms of robustness and good enough for the task.

Then, we'll agree to disagree. I agree that weight does not necessarily equate quality, however, I'd consider my Tag watches pretty premium and they definitely have a hefty feeling to them. I've also owned a Movado which is a simple timepiece and pretty light weight, but I've also had a Rolex which some would consider to be the premium of premium watches. That being said, in a general sense, these premium watches (with some exceptions) have some weight to them.

So, does it have to be heavy to be "premium?" No. Do premium watches tend to be "heavy?" Yes.

As for sapphire face covers, I'm afraid that I would go as far as saying simply that you are wrong. Other than mineral crystal face covers, glass and engineered plastics will not hold up as well over time. This is just fact. There may be some companies that have done a decent job with alternatives, but a search in this forum alone will yield a result of many apple sport watches with quite a significant amount of scratching.

Now, after all of that, I have absolutely no problem with someone who simply prefers the Sport versus the SS. Whether it's the look or feel or whatever. To each their own. Just don't try to convince me or justify to me that the Sport is a "better" product.

 

[Night Spring]

Now, after all of that, I have absolutely no problem with someone who simply prefers the Sport versus the SS. Whether it's the look or feel or whatever. To each their own. Just don't try to convince me or justify to me that the Sport is a "better" product.

I can't remember any posts claiming the Sport is a "better" product. If there are any such posts, then they are vastly outnumbered by posts proclaiming the Sport looks/feels cheap.

 

[Shanghaichica]

It all depends on how much importance you place on appearance vs functionality. At the end of the day they both do exactly the same thing. I also appreciate that some people might even find the sports more attractive than the SS. I started with the sport, mainly because I was sceptical about how useful it would be. However after using it for three months and splurging on lots of bands I upgraded to the SS because it looks better imo.

 

[tonedrums]

Disclaimer: Long time lurker FIRST time poster (I'm sure nobody has ever heard / read that before)

I started with the sports version of the Apple Watch. During the 14 day grace period I was toying with the notion of upgrading to the SS model. I probably watched about 50 YouTube videos and read an equal amount of reviews to see if I should upgrade or stay with the aluminum AW. I decided to "upgrade" to the SS version I couldn't be happier I did. Although I realize there is no difference in how the AW operates between the sport and SS versions, I am extremely happy I made the switch. The SS really does feel more premium. Idk if that's me or the koolaide talking lol

 

[rasputinj]

I tried both, preferred the SS and the sapphire screen and preferred the feel of the weight. Both great watches just personal preferences.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I received the 38mm sport the first week after launch. Been using it ever since, use it at work, use it for playing golf. Absolutely love the thing.

As of yesterday I have upgraded to the 42mm stainless steel. It just feels so much more of a premium product. It's heavier, the materials are so much nicer to look at and feel.

Those of you that are thinking of getting one, personally I would spend the extra money and get the SS.

Doesn't feel "cheap" to me (except maybe compared to my $$$$ dress watch). But more to the point I don't find that the SS watch feels luxurious. So thrilled w/ my purchase and not spending extra $ on a designed for obsolesce watch. When AW II comes out fall of next year I won't feel guilty dumping my AW either. AW is a toy no matter how its clad.

 

[convergent]

I started with the sports version of the Apple Watch. During the 14 day grace period I was toying with the notion of upgrading to the SS model. I probably watched about 50 YouTube videos and read an equal amount of reviews to see if I should upgrade or stay with the aluminum AW. I decided to "upgrade" to the SS version I couldn't be happier I did. Although I realize there is no difference in how the AW operates between the sport and SS versions, I am extremely happy I made the switch. The SS really does feel more premium. Idk if that's me or the koolaide talking lol

This was exactly me. I bought the aluminum because I wasn't sure I'd want it. Loved it. Took it back and got the SS, although I saved a couple hundred buying a mint used SS with AC+.

I tried both, preferred the SS and the sapphire screen and preferred the feel of the weight. Both great watches just personal preferences.

Well said... totally personal preference.

 

[Night Spring]

Doesn't feel "cheap" to me (except maybe compared to my $$$$ dress watch). But more to the point I don't find that the SS watch feels luxurious.

Exactly how I feel. The steel Apple watch feels nice, but not "premium." The Hermes bands, though, THAT feels luxurious, and well worth the extra $$. YMMV.