Stainless Steel Thoughts

[Zigman]

Hi all, I recently purchased a silver SS Series 7 with Midnight leather watch band and wanted to give some thoughts for those on the fence deciding between SS vs. aluminum.

As background I am a big classic automatic watch person and have also been a long time Apple Watch aluminum user. I first bought the Aluminum Series 7 which I returned after finding a SS one locally.

Pros for SS:

- Feels more substantial and way more expensive than what Apple charges in comparison to the price they charge, nice enough to wear to a formal event. For ~$200 more you get some big quality upgrades.
- I was surprised at how much more impact the sapphire crystal glass made in terms of clarity and making the color pop
- Analog watch faces seem to "fit" better with the SS

Cons for SS:

- Heavier than aluminum, makes a difference when running but with the right band it's less noticeable
- Silver SS case is much more prone to scratching than aluminum but then again any high end watch is the same

Overall, I find myself wanting to pickup and wear the SS watch more than I did with the aluminum. I really didn't think the SS would have made as much difference as it did. If your primary use case is health and fitness the aluminum is way more practical and functional because of the weight and scratch resistant case.

Just some of my personal impressions. Both are great!

 

[Itinj24]

Unlike the other SS colors, the scratches on a Silver SS can be buffed out to new with a Cape Cod cloth so you can go ahead and move that into the Pros column ?

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Titanium is great as it’s slightly lighter than SS and has the sapphire screen. Also comes with 2 years warranty and an extra sports band.

Personally have run with the S4 SSSB for 2.5 years and the weight hasn’t been an issue at all though.

 

[haruhiko]

Aluminium is functional but the screen is prone to scratching and the material looks cheaper. The SS is like a piece of fashion accessory that goes along well with all kinds of clothing.

 

[Htsi]

I have both. SS or bust. No comparison. Aluminum looks and Feels like a toy watch.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I much prefer the aluminium but it’s great there’s enough options in the range to meet everybody’s needs. Enjoy!

 

[Howard2k]

I use the Aluminium version. I don’t believe for a second that the added weight of the SS has any impact on using the watch for running. Really, it’s maybe 1/10th the weight of a t-shirt in terms of difference between the two. If that is an issue for you then maybe you’re not ready for running. Really.

And otoh, looks and feels like a toy watch

 

[petsk]

Not worth it in my opinion. I’ve owned two SS models and these things age rather quickly and becomes useless and worthless in just a few years.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you are going to update every year, it is more practical to buy aluminum. If you plan to keep the watch for several years and hate scratches, SS may be the way to go as it is more durable. On the other hand, you can easily get a screen / top case cover for the aluminum watch during times and activity where you are concerned about damage.

I got an an aluminum mode for the first time this year (usually got SS). and my launch day series 7 still looks like new. I plan on getting the series 8 and couldn't see spending almost $1k on the SS series 7 model (even though I can easily afford it) when I will bet getting a new watch a year later.

 

[haruhiko]

If you are going to update every year, it is more practical to buy aluminum. If you plan to keep the watch for several years and hate scratches, SS may be the way to go as it is more durable. On the other hand, you can easily get a screen / top case cover for the aluminum watch during times and activity where you are concerned about damage.

I got an an aluminum mode for the first time this year (usually got SS). and my launch day series 7 still looks like new. I plan on getting the series 8 and couldn't see spending almost $1k on the SS series 7 model (even though I can easily afford it) when I will bet getting a new watch a year later.

I used to think that same from the S3-S6.
But then the diagonal scratch happened on my Al S6 ?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I used to think that same from the S3-S6.
But then the diagonal scratch happened on my Al S6 ?

I make sure my watch is protected while at work. That way I don't have to worry unless some freak accident happens that is beyond my control. And if that does occur, I have AC+.

 

[haruhiko]

I make sure my watch is protected while at work. That way I don't have to worry unless some freak accident happens that is beyond my control. And if that does occur, I have AC+.

?

But AC+ defeats the purpose for getting the Al watch due to costs. If anyway I have to pay more to get sort of protection for my Watch then I’ll get the SS.

 

[boss.king]

I used to think SS wasn't worth it, but now that I've hung onto my Series 3 for like 4 years I think I would have enjoyed the sapphire display more. To be honest, my 3 still does everything I need but I'm considering getting a used SS Series 6 because there are some great deals out there. If I hang onto that watch for as long as I've held onto this one and don't need a screen protector, that's worth it to me.

But yeah, the brand new SS price is a little nuts. I wish they'd just put the better crystal into the aluminium watch.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I make sure my watch is protected while at work. That way I don't have to worry unless some freak accident happens that is beyond my control. And if that does occur, I have AC+.

I don’t bother with AC personally but I have got an Otterbox case that I can put on my watch occasionally at work for any extra protection when I’m doing an hands on work. I think from reading this forum over the years the aluminium Watch gets a poor reputation and a lot of that is because it’s the cheapest in the range. People blame the Watch for getting scratched rather than themselves for scratching it, if that makes sense.

 

[Htsi]

I used to think SS wasn't worth it, but now that I've hung onto my Series 3 for like 4 years I think I would have enjoyed the sapphire display more. To be honest, my 3 still does everything I need but I'm considering getting a used SS Series 6 because there are some great deals out there. If I hang onto that watch for as long as I've held onto this one and don't need a screen protector, that's worth it to me.

But yeah, the brand new SS price is a little nuts. I wish they'd just put the better crystal into the aluminium watch.

Can you point towards the deals on steel models, i recall sub $500 for s5 post s6, but haven’t found any on the s6 yet.

I don’t bother with AC personally but I have got an Otterbox case that I can put on my watch occasionally at work for any extra protection when I’m doing an hands on work. I think from reading this forum over the years the aluminium Watch gets a poor reputation and a lot of that is because it’s the cheapest in the range. People blame the Watch for getting scratched rather than themselves for scratching it, if that makes sense.

It has nothing to do with the price, really. They don’t advertise the display as being impervious to scratches, it is purely user fault. My iPhone 12Pro has way too many scratches on the screen, all my fault so I am not mad. With the watch the sapphire and the way steel looks makes it as close to a normal mechanical watch as it can get. I dont even like the titanium finish, and that’s the most expensive. The sapphire is the biggest deal in not having to care about scratches. The aluminum my dad uses, I‘ve tried cases And screen protectors on it, sure they will save the watch & screen, but the user experience diminishes greatly. This is the only product where one is almost guaranteed to not have a scratch on the display, worth the premium to me.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It has nothing to do with the price, really. They don’t advertise the display as being impervious to scratches, it is purely user fault. My iPhone 12Pro has way too many scratches on the screen, all my fault so I am not mad. With the watch the sapphire and the way steel looks makes it as close to a normal mechanical watch as it can get. I dont even like the titanium finish, and that’s the most expensive. The sapphire is the biggest deal in not having to care about scratches. The aluminum my dad uses, I‘ve tried cases And screen protectors on it, sure they will save the watch & screen, but the user experience diminishes greatly. This is the only product where one is almost guaranteed to not have a scratch on the display, worth the premium to me.

It’s personal preference I think. If I scratched the screen of my watch (which I haven’t in 2 years of owning it), I don’t think it would affect my user experience. I appreciate many here look at these electronics in a different way perhaps to the average consumer, but I don’t think about it too much. I have been fine paying premiums for watches in the past but I know I will appreciate them for many years. The Apple Watch is a temporary gadget and the thought of paying £600+ for a SS version just doesn’t do it for me personally. My wife has scratched her watch quite a bit but you’d have to get very close to see it and she isn’t at all bothered. It works fine, the scratches don’t affect its functionality or use in any way. This is hers:

It’s dumped in a drawer after 3 or 4 years and the scratches aren’t going to make any difference. I say enjoy them for the limited time they are relevant

 

[DianaMR]

Can you point towards the deals on steel models, i recall sub $500 for s5 post s6, but haven’t found any on the s6 yet.

It has nothing to do with the price, really. They don’t advertise the display as being impervious to scratches, it is purely user fault. My iPhone 12Pro has way too many scratches on the screen, all my fault so I am not mad. With the watch the sapphire and the way steel looks makes it as close to a normal mechanical watch as it can get. I dont even like the titanium finish, and that’s the most expensive. The sapphire is the biggest deal in not having to care about scratches. The aluminum my dad uses, I‘ve tried cases And screen protectors on it, sure they will save the watch & screen, but the user experience diminishes greatly. This is the only product where one is almost guaranteed to not have a scratch on the display, worth the premium to me.

I use a screen protector and it does not diminish the user experience at all.

 

[Htsi]

I use a screen protector and it does not diminish the user experience at all.

Yes plenty of people do and state the same. I n my experience I find the opposite To be true. different people have different views. Touch sensitivity & brightness / glare though are pretty universal and should be noticeable to all, but the n there are also people who don’t see a difference in OLED v LCD or 60 v 120 Hz

 

[Htsi]

It’s personal preference I think. If I scratched the screen of my watch (which I haven’t in 2 years of owning it), I don’t think it would affect my user experience. I appreciate many here look at these electronics in a different way perhaps to the average consumer, but I don’t think about it too much. I have been fine paying premiums for watches in the past but I know I will appreciate them for many years. The Apple Watch is a temporary gadget and the thought of paying £600+ for a SS version just doesn’t do it for me personally. My wife has scratched her watch quite a bit but you’d have to get very close to see it and she isn’t at all bothered. It works fine, the scratches don’t affect its functionality or use in any way. This is hers:

It’s dumped in a drawer after 3 or 4 years and the scratches aren’t going to make any difference. I say enjoy them for the limited time they are relevant

Yes indeed that’s true. I just love looking at the watch outdoors in sun with the jet black screen having no scratches. Makes it look so cool. All my other devices have tons of micro and big scratches visible in the sun or dark and I’m still using them lol

 

[Htsi]

Here’s The poor phone

 

[boss.king]

Can you point towards the deals on steel models, i recall sub $500 for s5 post s6, but haven’t found any on the s6 yet.

I’ve just been looking at my local reselling sites (Swappa, FB marketplace, etc). These are used watches and not old stock of new watches, just to be clear.

 

[Htsi]

I’ve just been looking at my local reselling sites (Swappa, FB marketplace, etc). These are used watches and not old stock of new watches, just to be clear.

I’m waiting for the deals @ Best Buy to snatch another SS6 for dad, hopefully Black Friday delivers

 

[boss.king]

I’m waiting for the deals @ Best Buy to snatch another SS6 for dad, hopefully Black Friday delivers

You can also check the open-box returns at BestBuy. I got my S3 that way for like $80 off and it came with the watch still wrapped in that plastic film and eligible for AppleCare (I.e. someone literally just opened the box, closed it, and returned it).

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yes indeed that’s true. I just love looking at the watch outdoors in sun with the jet black screen having no scratches. Makes it look so cool. All my other devices have tons of micro and big scratches visible in the sun or dark and I’m still using them lol

I never use my phone without a tempered glass protector but then I sell it on usually and scratches do impact the value. The watch is so poor at retaining its value I care less I suppose lol. I also live in a country where it’s rarely sunny and looking at the black screen outside here would mean it would be covered in rain droplets 80% of the year

 

[Justin51]

I had a Silver SS S3 and S5 and for S6 I got the natural Ti..... I really like the natural Ti and don't regret my decision but am planning on switching back to the silver SS S7. I miss the the SS timeless look and how it goes with literally and band, plus the scratches can be easily removed and look back to new with the cape cod cloth.