Sport Watch/Milanese Loop

[Kent01]

Milanese Loop on Sport

Can anyone confirm whether or not there's an issue with using a stainless steel band on the aluminum Sport model?

I currently have a Space Grey Sport 38mm and am looking to order the Milanese Loop but I have seen conflicting information. Some say the stainless still will cause the aluminum to corrode, i'm no chemist so can anyone clarify?

Perhaps someone who currently uses the Milanese Loop on their sport model?

Thank you.

 

[Menel]

Galvanic corrosion is possible, and would be a concern. Especially with a mix of sweat and rain...

 

[Kent01]

Galvanic corrosion is possible, and would be a concern. Especially with a mix of sweat and rain...

Thanks for the reply. Apple should add a disclaimer to their website about this.

 

[evalea]

I tried a milanese loop on my silver sport yesterday when I went into the Apple store to add Applecare+. The finish on the loop itself and on the top of the connector was brushed metal. The only high polish part is literally on the edge of the connector, so it goes really well with the brushed metal finish of the sport. It looked a lot better together than I thought it would, because I thought there would be a mismatch.

I decided to order one because the combination looked like it would be a good dressier option than my white sport band and I don't think the small bit of shiny metal on the edge of the connector is anywhere close to a deal breaker.

It would be very easy to scuff it up to a brushed finish too, but I probably wouldn't bother to scuff mine up in case I ended up getting a later model that was SS, and the bands still fit.

 

[Kent01]

I tried a milanese loop on my silver sport yesterday when I went into the Apple store to add Applecare+. The finish on the loop itself and on the top of the connector was brushed metal. The only high polish part is literally on the edge of the connector, so it goes really well with the brushed metal finish of the sport. It looked a lot better together than I thought it would, because I thought there would be a mismatch.

I decided to order one because the combination looked like it would be a good dressier option than my white sport band and I don't think the small bit of shiny metal on the edge of the connector is anywhere close to a deal breaker.

It would be very easy to scuff it up to a brushed finish too, but I probably wouldn't bother to scuff mine up in case I ended up getting a later model that was SS, and the bands still fit.

Many are saying it will cause corrosion and damage your Sport model. I wouldn't do it.

 

[zmunkz]

Many are saying it will cause corrosion and damage your Sport model. I wouldn't do it.

Yeah that seems to be the case. From http://www.fastenal.com/content/feds/pdf/Article%20-%20Corrosion.pdf:

If brass and aluminum plates are connected by a passivated 304 stainless steel bolt, both the brass and the aluminum will corrode severely where they touch the stainless steel because they are much more anodic than stainless steel. The aluminum plate will corrode more heavily due to it being more anodic to stainless steel than brass is. The aluminum will also corrode where its exposed surface contacts the brass plate because brass is more cathodic. A Plating Compatibility Chart is provided below that may be used to aid with fastener selection based on galvanic reaction.

 

[Tim7]

This galvanic corrosion will take years to appear. Don't worry about it. If you have a sport  watch and want the Milanese loop for fancier occasions then do it.

 

[evalea]

Many are saying it will cause corrosion and damage your Sport model. I wouldn't do it.

Since Apple has not stated they are incompatible, my Applecare+ will take care of it, should it happen.

I'm betting it won't though. I imagine when designing these things they thought people might be swapping bands between the available models.